<p>The amended playing conditions which came into effect on October 1 include a new provision for obstructing the field. It states that ‘on appeal from the fielding team, if the umpire feels that a batsman, whilst running between the wickets, has significantly changed his direction without probable cause, thereby obstructing a fielder’s attempt to run him out, the batsman should be given out obstructing the field. It shall not be relevant whether a run out would have been effected or not’.<br /><br />This rule is applicable in both 50-over cricket and Twenty20 cricket, a rule that is against the grain of everything a young cricketer has been taught to date. The onus has been on protecting one’s wicket, and a budding cricketer is told to always put his body between the ball and stumps to deny the fielder a chance to find the stumps.<br /><br />Batsmen have been known to swerve at the last instance, away from their natural running path, to eliminate the fielder’s direct line of vision to the stumps. From now on, any such infraction will attract the ultimate penalty.<br /><br />A batsman can still run between the fielder and stumps, but only if that was the original path he first adopted. If he makes a last-minute change of angle – that is, without probable cause -- while running between the wickets, he is liable to be dismissed ‘obstructing the field’.<br /><br />Kohli welcomed the rule changes but said there still was a lot of confusion within the ranks. “The rule change was good. It was new, but confusing. We had to give the ball back to the umpire after every over. That was confusing!” he laughed. “And the run out also… I don’t think it crossed anyone’s mind as it was our first match. The rules can make the game exciting. If you get a run out (obstructing the field) at a crucial time, it can be decisive. We shall get used to the new rules in time.”<br /><br />Already, players have been forced to think on their feet with each ball no older than 25 overs. Jade Dernbach will no longer have a 30-over ball to employ his slower deliveries with. Asked if a fresher ball was affecting his changes of pace, the England paceman replied, “I haven’t really seen it that way. I have got a way of going about things and I have got success with that. I am going to stick to that and keep trying to improve on that.<br /><br /> Two balls an innings is a rule that has just come in; we have to find a way that works for us and that is going to help us to win cricket matches.”<br /></p>
<p>The amended playing conditions which came into effect on October 1 include a new provision for obstructing the field. It states that ‘on appeal from the fielding team, if the umpire feels that a batsman, whilst running between the wickets, has significantly changed his direction without probable cause, thereby obstructing a fielder’s attempt to run him out, the batsman should be given out obstructing the field. It shall not be relevant whether a run out would have been effected or not’.<br /><br />This rule is applicable in both 50-over cricket and Twenty20 cricket, a rule that is against the grain of everything a young cricketer has been taught to date. The onus has been on protecting one’s wicket, and a budding cricketer is told to always put his body between the ball and stumps to deny the fielder a chance to find the stumps.<br /><br />Batsmen have been known to swerve at the last instance, away from their natural running path, to eliminate the fielder’s direct line of vision to the stumps. From now on, any such infraction will attract the ultimate penalty.<br /><br />A batsman can still run between the fielder and stumps, but only if that was the original path he first adopted. If he makes a last-minute change of angle – that is, without probable cause -- while running between the wickets, he is liable to be dismissed ‘obstructing the field’.<br /><br />Kohli welcomed the rule changes but said there still was a lot of confusion within the ranks. “The rule change was good. It was new, but confusing. We had to give the ball back to the umpire after every over. That was confusing!” he laughed. “And the run out also… I don’t think it crossed anyone’s mind as it was our first match. The rules can make the game exciting. If you get a run out (obstructing the field) at a crucial time, it can be decisive. We shall get used to the new rules in time.”<br /><br />Already, players have been forced to think on their feet with each ball no older than 25 overs. Jade Dernbach will no longer have a 30-over ball to employ his slower deliveries with. Asked if a fresher ball was affecting his changes of pace, the England paceman replied, “I haven’t really seen it that way. I have got a way of going about things and I have got success with that. I am going to stick to that and keep trying to improve on that.<br /><br /> Two balls an innings is a rule that has just come in; we have to find a way that works for us and that is going to help us to win cricket matches.”<br /></p>
