ICC changes Oval Test result

Darrell Hair discusses the issue with England's batsmen © Getty Images

The result of the controversial fourth Test between England and Pakistan at the Brit Oval in 2006 has been changed to a draw.

England were originally declared the winners after the tourists were deemed to have forfeited the match by umpires Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove.

Pakistan had refused to return to the field after being accused of ball-tampering by Hair.

Now, following a campaign by Pakistan, the International Cricket Council have decided to amend the result, meaning England’s series win will now be recorded as 2-0 rather than 3-0.

It is one of a number of decisions to have been made by the ICC at their chief executive committee meeting in Dubai this week.

Security concerns over the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan later this year are to be addressed after the ongoing Asia Cup tournament in the country.

Australia postponed a tour of Pakistan earlier this year on safety grounds and there have been reports some players could boycott the event.

The ICC board have so far received interim oral security reports from consultants in Pakistan and have confirmed that “at this stage” the Champions Trophy will go ahead as scheduled.

Ideas for the Future Tours Programme – which governs the scheduling of Test and one-day series between countries – to be implemented after current arrangements end in 2012 were also considered.

The use of substitues will be more closely monitored by the umpires © Getty Images

At present, all full members are required to face other in home and away series during a six-year period.

One concept explored was that of a ‘Test Championship’ or Test play-off match.

Individual boards will now look into its feasibility before reporting back to the ICC in December and January.

Changes have also been made to a number of playing conditions, including the use the substitutes, which will now be monitored much more strictly.

With immediate effect, substitute fielders will only be permitted in cases of illness, injury or other “wholly acceptable reasons.”

The ICC point out these “wholly acceptable reasons” will not include “comfort breaks”, presumably for players to go to the toilet.

Confirmation has also been given that umpires will have more flexibility to shorten intervals between innings during one-day internationals to make up for lost time.

Last month’s abandoned clash between England and New Zealand at Edgbaston was overshadowed by a row over why a 30-minute interval was taken when, had it been shortened, a result could have been reached.

Also in ODIs, the batting team will now be allowed to choose when one of the two five-over powerplays are taken.

One-over eliminators will be used in the semi-finals and final of the Champions Trophy and World Twenty20 if they end in a tie, rather than a bowl-out.