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Cricket

ICC bows down after innings break rain row

20/06/2008

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has changed innings break regulations after Wednesday's rained-off one-day international between England and New Zealand.

The game was called off just one over short of becoming eligible for a result, leaving the Black Caps frustrated by their inability to force a win. New Zealand needed seven runs in the 20th over of the game to win on Duckworth-Lewis, while England needed one wicket.

After the match both captains criticised the decision to take the full 30-minute scheduled break between innings, which came after the game had already been shortened because of bad weather.

England skipper Paul Collingwood said after the game his side had already had lunch before the match began and were ready to go out after ten or 15 minutes.

"It seemed to be a shame to have 30 minutes. It's in the regulations and obviously you can't change it so that needs to be looked at," he said.

The ICC has subsequently changed the regulations, meaning umpires will be permitted to shorten the innings break if 50 overs are not possible in future matches' first innings.

"Where the innings of the side batting first is delayed or interrupted, the umpires will reduce the length of the interval," the amended regulations state.

"In the event of time being lost (playing time lost less any extra time provided) up to and including 60 minutes in aggregate, the length of the interval shall be reduced from 45 to 30 minutes."

The regulations come into force immediately and will be applicable for the remaining three matches of the current ODI series between England and New Zealand, which the hosts lead 1-0.

The third match takes place on Saturday in Bristol.