Law changes will not affect Warne's leg-spin

David Clough
Wednesday 05 September 2001 00:00 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Shane Warne can rest assured his leg-spin trade is under no threat from law changes instituted by the International Cricket Council.

Australia's master wrist-spinner voiced his fears that rule changes just brought in by the ICC may count against him when it comes to being more stringent in Test and first-class cricket against bowlers who bowl wide of leg stump.

Warne's concerns centre on one of his main wicket-taking deliveries – the big leg-break which he pitches outside leg stump when bowling round the wicket. If it does not turn, Warne worries it will be routinely called a wide and that could deter not just him but leg-spinners of the future from maintaining what he sees as a potent line of attack.

However Mark Harrison, an ICC spokesman, is in no doubt the change of stance from cricket's governing body will not punish someone who is trying to get a batsman out but only a bowler intent on a more negative approach.

Harrison explained: "It is not designed to punish the bowler from round the wicket who is trying to turn the ball for a wicket-taking delivery. It is a directive to help the umpire in his decision over whether a ball is delivered as a wide without giving the batsman a fair chance of reaching it."

* An inquiry into allegations of match-fixing during the 1999 World Cup will be launched by the Pakistan Government on 22 September, officials said yesterday. A one-man commission, with Justice Karamat Bhandari of the Lahore High Court, has been appointed to determine whether Pakistan matches against Bangladesh and India in the last World Cup were fixed.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in