Former Australia batsman Dean Jones wants deliveries that are hit longer than 85 metres to count as eight runs rather than six.
“The only innovation I’d like to see is that we are very good with technology, so every six hit over 85 metres should be an eight,” Jones was quoted as saying by AFP.
Jones said power hitters like West Indie star Chris Gayle can add more excitement to batting if the incentive is there.
“They love Chris Gayle and all these boys that hit (the ball) miles. Same in golf, they love Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy who hit 350 meters,” said Jones.
“If the game is on the line and they want eight and hit it over 85 metres, and you are hoping Gayle, (Andre) Russell or (Kieron) Pollard are there, it goes for eight.”
The former opening batsman said rules of the game have changed regularly over the years and should continue to do so.
“If you cleared the pickets in the 1870s or early 1880s it used to be a five and to get a six you had to clear the ground proper,” said Jones.
“Australia’s Joe Darling hit the first six in a Test in 1898. He cleared the ground.”
The law was changed around 1910 to make it six runs if the ball went over the boundary.
However, Jones didn’t say if a similar incentive should be given to the others as well. For example, should a bowler get more than one wicket if he uproots the stumps? Or what about the fielder who takes a one-handed diving catch?
Presumably if two stumps fall when a batsman is bowled he is out in the next innings also.
— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) May 26, 2018
