South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock termed the ICC Cricket Committee's recommendation to award a free hit for a no-ball in one-day cricket as ’a bit harsh’ on the bowlers.
The Sunil Gavaskar-headed committee recently made a few recommendations to the one-day format like change of ball after 35 overs, providing the option of taking the third Power Play to the batting side and the free hit for a no-ball, where a batsman can only be dismissed run out.
"For a no-ball or wide, there is already enough punishment in terms of an extra run and delivery. We have to bowl from so far behing the crease. This is a bit harsh on the bowlers," said Pollock, agreeing that the game was already loaded against bowlers.
On the recommendation of change of ball after 35 overs, Pollock said he was in favour of it. "But how it will be implemented remains to be seen," he added.
Pollock, who slammed his maiden one-day hundred against Asia XI in the first of the Afro-Asia Cup matches in Bangalore on Wednesday, welcomed any change aimed at the betterment of the game.
On the need for special-ised coaches, the 33-year-old said: "You have to understand what the team requires. I don't think any coach can admit he has got the expertise of all the departments of the game. You need to have specialised coaches for batting, bowling and fielding, and it has to be on a long-term basis."
Pollock, who led the Rest of the World against Australia in the ICC Super Series in October 2005, said tournaments of that nature, where you do not represent your country but a side with players from other countries, should be scheduled at the right time.
"This is my second Afro-Asia Cup. From players' perspective, we really enjoy these matches. Australia was not great timing, with the amount of cricket that was just then being played. Australia had returned from the Ashes, we had a tight schedule and so were players from other countries. Despite the tight schedule, you need to play these matches as you still need to contribute to the game. You have to structure this at the right time," he explained.
