ICC committee backs toss in Test, recommends tougher sanctions for ball tampering

Mumbai, May 30: Toss will remain the fundamental starting point of a Test match as the Anil Kumble-led Cricket Committee of the ICC on Tuesday decided against abolishing the spin of coin in the game's traditional format, calling it an "integral part of the narrative".

Led by the former India captain, the committee made a slew of recommendations with regards to poor player behaviour, and urged the world cricket's governing body to take tough measures and restore the "culture of respect" among competing teams and its players. It also called for greater sanctions for indulging in ball tampering.

However, one of the primary points of discussion was whether to do away with the toss (visiting team getting right to choose) in order to minimise the home advantage during Test matches.

"The committee discussed whether the toss should be automatically awarded to the visiting team but felt that it was an integral part of Test cricket which forms part of the narrative of the game," the ICC stated in a release.

However, the committee, also comprising former international captains such as Mike Gatting, Mahela Jayawardene, current international coach Mike Hesson (New Zealand) and former Australia opener and match referee David Boon, agreed that host nations should prepare quality pitches keeping the World Test Championship in mind.

"Acknowledging that the preparation of Test pitches that could provide a risk to the competitiveness of the ICC World Test Championship, the Committee urged Members to continue to focus on the delivery of pitches that provide a better balance between bat and ball in line with ICC regulations."

The abolition of toss became a contentious issue as most of the former players and stakeholders termed it a negative step.

The bulk of the time over the last two days was spent in discussing poor players' behaviour that has plagued the game for quite some time along with issues like ball tampering, which saw Australia's captain Steve Smith and his deputy David Warnerbeing suspended for one year due to their involvement in the scandal in South Africa.

Kumble said: "We had an excellent discussion around the issue of player behavior and I'd like to thank Mike Gatting and David Boon for joining us and making valuable contributions.

"The Committee echoed the sentiments of the ICC Chief Executives' Committee and the ICC Board, and, as such, we have made a series of recommendations as part of the creation of a culture of respect we can all adhere."

Some of the suggestions with regards to Code of Conduct include:

1) Raising the sanctions associated with ball tampering.

2) Creating a new offence for offensive, personal, insulting, offensive or orchestrated abuse

3) The consideration of the introduction of a new offence of attempting to gain an unfair advantage

4) Creating a Code of Respect

5) Match referee to have the authority to downgrade or upgrade a level of offence or sanction.

For someone who has played the game with integrity and respect for the opposition, Kumble was concerned about "excessive" personal abuse.

"The group felt that excessive personal abuse and ball tampering were serious offences in the game and that should be reflected in the way in which they are dealt with. There was also strong support for giving the match officials more authority and subsequently greater support around their decision making," Kumble said.

The committee also recommended a change in points system to the ICC Chief Executives' Committee. The committee recommended that points should only be awarded for each match and not a series win.

It was proposed that there was a draw-win ratio of 0.33:1, so a draw gives each team a third of the available points. For example: if three points are awarded for a win, a team will get a point for a draw.

It was also agreed to propose a reserve day for the ICC World Test Championship final to enable any time lost through bad weather to be made up.