Won't change ODI rules till World Cup: Richardson

David Richardson feels it's time people change their perceptions about what is a good strike rate and what is a good economy rate in ODIs. (TOI Photo)

DHAKA: As someone who kept wickets to some of the finest bowlers in the world, ICC CEO David Richardson is naturally sympathetic to the tribe in ODIs what with only four fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle at all times. 

However, as someone who has to ensure that the game remains entertaining in the wake of the T20, he's had to endorse the ICC Cricket Committee's views - they feel the only way ODIs can be enjoyable in the middle-overs, a period where batsmen focus mostly on singles and twos and consolidate, is by allowing one fielder less on the fence. 

"We wanted to create a more attacking 50-over game, one that could compete on the entertainment scales with T20 cricket," says Richardson. "I think it's led to a more attacking game from a bowling and fielding perspective. On flat wickets, bowlers will find it tough. But essentially, the best bowlers are still top of the bowling rankings," he justifies. 

Richardson feels it's time people change their perceptions about what is a good strike rate and what is a good economy rate in ODIs. "In the old days, if you scored a run a ball everyone said you had a tremendous strike-rate. 

Now it's about 120 or 130. The same is true for the bowlers. Fanie de Villiers got upset if he went for more than three. Now, bowlers only get upset when they go for more than six," he states. 

While bowlers, especially from the Indian sub-continent, are crying themselves hoarse about the need to change the rules again in order to be competitive, Richardson ruled it out. "We're not going to consider any changes prior to the World Cup. After the World Cup the rules will be reviewed." 

These are changing times indeed for the ICC. There has been a significant shift in the balance of power towards India. There is also the issue of corruption. A major member (India) is opposed to DRS. How does a CEO run the sport when he doesn't know how relevant he will be when N Srinivasan takes over as chairman in June? 

"It's too early to say. He will come in as chairman only in June. As CEO, I'll have regular meetings with him. What I like about his position is that for the first time, the BCCI will be part of the governance structure. Their approach earlier was not to partake in developing strategy." 

As someone who played under a captain who was later proved corrupt, Richardson is aware that the game's popularity could be at stake as people could doubt a dropped catch, a wrong decision or a run out and get cynical. "Corruption is one of our major challenges. The ICC Anti-Corruption unit has changed considerably over the last few years. 

Initially, it focused on education and prevention and it has become much more pro-active on the investigation side." 

With the IPL, which was in the centre of the spot-fixing controversy last year, to be partially staged in the UAE, there will be questions asked about the credibility of the games played as the region has historically been a hotbed of the betting mafia. Will the ICC help BCCI during the IPL's UAE sojourn? 

"Our office is in Dubai, so we have certain facilities which we will make available to the BCCI if they need them." 

When the BCCI announced that 20 games of the IPL would be staged in UAE, the ICC sent out a media release quoting Richardson that the ICC was pleased. Does it indicate that the league now has ICC's blessings and there could soon be a window for it? "Not necessarily," says Richardson. "As our office is in the UAE, it is only natural that we feel some responsibility for the development of cricket in the region. That release was simply to acknowledge that. Also, rightly or wrongly, the UAE gets accused of having integrity issues. We wanted to assure everybody that we are keeping a very close eye on the tournament." 

With Srinivasan now coming on the board of the ICC, the BCCI could resist the DRS even more. Richardson though is not sticking to a timeframe about when they will be able to convince India to accept it. 

"Your guess is as good as mine. We need to ensure that they're at least privy to the latest information, so that they understand the quality of the technology that is available. Anil Kumble chairs the ICC cricket committee. He's a member of a working group set up to specifically review DRS and how technology will be used in the future," he informed. 

But can the Indian great convince the BCCI? "First of all, we must convince Mr. Kumble," was Richardson's response
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