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CHAMPIONING WORLD CRICKET // CRICKET


Test cricket: better balance and close finishes


The Test-match game enjoyed a memorable 12 months from June 2018 to May 2019. The balance between bat and ball swung back in favour of the bowlers further than in recent memory. The average runs per wicket was 27.95, which is the lowest for almost 20 years and is almost 10 runs fewer than in the 2014-15 time period.


England played their 1,000th Men’s Test to kick off a 4-1 home series victory over India, who still retained their No.1 status. At the other end of the experience spectrum, Afghanistan achieved their first Test victory with a seven-wicket victory over Ireland in March.


There were a number of notable away victories across the year: India won a series in Australia for the first time; England swept Sri Lanka 3-0 and Sri Lanka became the first Asian side to win a series in South Africa.


Sri Lanka won the first of their two Tests in South Africa by only one wicket, one of a number of pleasingly close results over the course of the year. Sri Lanka won by four wickets in Bridgetown and New Zealand by only four runs against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi. Of the 47 Tests played, two were won by five wickets or fewer, one by 10 runs or fewer and three more by between 11 and 50 runs. Only four matches were drawn.


Code of Conduct: tougher sanctions


In July 2018, there were some significant changes made to the ICC Code of Conduct. The maximum sanction for a Level 3 offence was increased from eight suspension points to 12 suspension points (equivalent to six Test matches or 12 ODIs.)


Level 2 and 3 offences were introduced for personal abuse and changing the condition of the ball was changed from a Level 2 to Level 3 offence.


Officiating: women to the fore


In April, Claire Polosak became the first woman umpire ever to stand in a Men’s One-Day International when she officiated in the final of the ICC World Cricket League Division 2 between Namibia and Oman.


Australia’s Eloise Sheridan joined compatriot Polosak on the ICC Development Panel of Umpires, taking the number of women on that panel to an unprecedented eight.


Lauren Agenbag, Kim Cotton, Shivani Mishra, Sue Redfern, Mary Waldron and Jacqueline Williams are the other women officials on that panel. The first woman on the ICC Development Panel of Umpires was Kathy Cross, who retired last year.


GS Lakshmi, from India, became the first female to be appointed to the ICC International Panel of Match Referees. Lakshmi, 51, who first officiated as a match referee in domestic women’s cricket in 2008-09, has overseen three women’s ODI matches and three women’s T20I matches.


In April, Ian Gould announced his intention to retire after the Men’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Having played in the 1983 World Cup for England, Gould joined the ECB umpires’ list in 2002 and stood in his first international in 2006. Since then he officiated in 99 Tests as an on-field or TV umpire and more than 300 internationals in all.


Gould made an outstanding contribution to the game earned enormous respect from his colleagues and players across all countries.


TOP: England’s Ben Stokes celebrates dismissing India captain Virat Kohli during England’s 1,000th Men’s Test match at Edgbaston. MIDDLE: England players appeal with success for the final wicket of Suranga Lakmal during their 3-0 series win in Sri Lanka. BOTTOM: Sri Lanka celebrate victory in South Africa.


ICC Annual Report 2018-2019


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