AB de Villiers has made a radical suggestion, recommending DRS calls to be made by commentator votes.
On X (previously Twitter), former England captain Kevin Pietersen suggested that the batters be rewarded twelve runs instead of the usual six if they can hit over-boundaries beyond 100 metres.
2 years I mentioned on commentary that I think a batter should get a 12 if he hits a six over 100m.
That rule is on its way………………— Kevin Pietersen
(@KP24) January 20, 2024
Until 1910, batters were rewarded four runs in England and five in Australia if they could clear the boundary line on the full. For six, they had to hit the ball out of the stadium.
The Laws of Cricket has rewarded over-boundaries uniformly since then, barring the odd exception in matches with customised rules. If Pietersen’s recommendations are followed, it will be a throwback to international cricket’s early days.
Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers agreed to his contemporary Pietersen, though he suggested eight or nine runs (“12 is too big … can’t jump from 4 to 6 to 12”).
He added that he would prefer more accurate technology when it came to measuring distance (“absolutely can’t have some random guy in a box thumb-suck the distance”), and cited the example of golf.
Great idea. 2 things from my side:
1. 12 is too big, I think 8 or 9(upside down 6) is good. Can’t jump from 4 to 6 to 12.
2. I’ve been saying for a while we need to get technology to be more accurate with the distance(like in golf). Absolutely can’t have some random guy in a…
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) January 21, 2024
De Villiers also suggested that a panel of three commentators should determine the decisions based on DRS and similar close calls. He also suggested a “quick vote between the 3 if it’s out or not out, and then make the decisions” on the grounds that it would be “very entertaining with close calls”.
Last idea. Have the 3 on-duty commentators make drs/close call decisions and talk the public through it. Quick vote between the 3 if it’s out or not out, and then make the decision. Would be very entertaining with close calls(like whether the ball bounced with a catch or not).
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) January 21, 2024
At this point, television umpires, experienced officials who typically rise through the ranks following a rigorous procedure, are entrusted with the role of making the final decisions on DRS and similar close calls.
Commentary panels, on the other hand, seldom include qualified umpires, are often dominated by representatives from host nations, and at times, include guests from other domains as well.
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