CWC 2019: ICC not willing to change LED bails midway through the World Cup

There have been close to 10 instances when the ball has hit the stumps but bails haven’t come off in the ongoing World Cup.

Bumrah's ball was chopped by Warner onto his stumps, but zing bails didn't fall | Twiiter

LED bails have become the talk of the town in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup in England and Wales. In 14 completed matches thus far, there have been close to 10 instances when the ball has hit the stumps but bails haven’t come off.

Despite the widespread criticism, the International Cricket Council on Tuesday (June 11) refused to change the controversial LED bails.

“We wouldn’t change anything mid-event as it would compromise the integrity of the event – the equipment is the same for all 10 teams across all 48 games,” the ICC was quoted as saying by SkySports.

The reason being cited for this problem is the weight of zing bails. It is learnt that there are a lot of wires inside to ensure they glow on being hit.

“The stumps have not changed in the last four years. They have been used in all ICC events since the 2015 Men’s Cricket World Cup and in a range of domestic events,” ICC said.

“This means they’ve been used in more than 1000 games – this is a statistical anomaly. This issue has always been part of the game, with the accepted concept being that it requires some force to disturb a batsman’s ‘castle’.”

During the World Cup 2019 clash between India and Australia at The Oval on June 9, David Warner earned a reprieve after the opener deflected pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s delivery onto the wicket via his boot but the bails didn’t fall down.

“I am sure no team would like seeing stuff like that when you actually bowl a good ball and then you don’t get the guy out,” India skipper Virat Kohli said after the match.

“The ball hits the stump and the lights don’t come on, or the lights come on and the bail comes back on to the stump. I haven’t seen that happen so many times in the past,” he added.

On the other hand, Kohli’s counterpart Aaron Finch called it hard and unfair on the bowlers.

“Yeah, I think so. It wasn’t — we were on the right end of it today, but I think going forward, you want — it’s a bit unfair at times, isn’t it. And I know David was — hit the stumps pretty hard,” Finch said.

“But it does seem to be happening more and more, which is unfortunate, because you’d hate to see something like that happen in a World Cup final or a semifinal…you’ve done the hard work as a bowler or a fielding side to set a player up or get the mistake and it not be rewarded,” he further remarked.

(With PTI inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 12 Jun, 2019

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