Time for an ICC rethink on the four-fielder outside rule

After Kumar Sangakkara echoed MS Dhoni’s concerns over the current ODI rules that stipulate two new balls per innings and four fielders outside the circle at all times except during the power play overs, Michel Clarke voiced similar views while batting for an extra fielder in the deep.

“I guess what I really loved growing up was I loved five fielders out rather than four fielders out,” said Clarke, who retired from ODIs after leading Australia to World Cup triumph here on Sunday. Clarke had earlier said he would make his opinions on ODI rules known at the ‘right’ time.

“I think it gives the bowlers more of a chance. I think it brings spin a lot more into the game. The only thing is, it probably means the runs scored aren't going to be as high as what they have been throughout this tournament. But I like that extra fielder out for the bowlers, especially these days, the wickets are pretty good for batting,” Clarke pointed out.
Dhoni has made his displeasure about current playing conditions clear, especially four-out rule, on many an occasion. He has often feared that ODIs are degenerating into extended T20 matches.

“It's my personal opinion and I would like them (rules) to change,” he said again after India’s semifinal against Australia. “For a long time, in the history of cricket we had not seen 200s but in the last three years you have seen three 200s being scored. Let's not make 50-over game like a T20 game because I feel even a lot of sixes and a lot of fours make it very boring. The main essence of ODI cricket is how you bat from the 15th over onwards until maybe the 35th over. The first 10 and the last 10 doesn't matter, it's more like a T20, but the real essence of ODI cricket is how you bat in the middle overs. You have to make sure that it's still present in the game, and I feel the rules are slightly harsh. Maybe slightly harsher on the spinners, who like to deceive the batsmen with their flight and like to challenge them,” he had explained.

 The Indian skipper felt that if a captain liked to have more fielders inside the circle he can always do so by bringing one in but he said it can’t be made a rule.

“You have these batsmen playing sweeps, reverse sweeps and all these different shots, and they have an advantage. But you want power to dominate because that has been ODI cricket, more than the soft touches and all. You have the option as a captain, if you like this rule, you can bring the fielder inside.”

Clarke also rued the fact that with two new balls, the reverse swing was gone. “I've always liked reverse swing playing a big part in any format of the game, and I think two new balls probably takes that out of the game,” he said.

“You don't see as much reverse swing. I think back to when I started my career and that was two areas (one ball and five-out) of the game that it was quite hard. It's hard to score when you walk in to bat on zero and the ball is reverse swinging, it gives the bowlers a chance of getting you out early. So yeah, they're probably two of my personal preferences that I really enjoyed through my career. I probably bowled a few more overs in those five fielders out, as well,” he analysed.