Forget the pitching and impact, if the ball hit the stumps, batsmen should be given OUT: Ian Chappell

Ian Chappell, the former Australian cricketer, has suggested some changes regarding the Leg Before Wicket (LBW) laws. He reckons that the pitching and impact of the delivery shouldn’t be taken into consideration. Rather, the legendary batsman wants the batsmen to be given out provided the ball hits the pad first and then is in line to crash into the stumps.

At the present point in time, a number of LBW decisions has had to be reversed despite the ball hitting the stumps. For example, if the ball pitches outside the leg-stump, the batsmen are given not out irrespective of the projection of the delivery. Chappell also feels that the change in law may not be welcomed with open arms by batsmen around the world.

Most important is fairness: Ian Chappell

“The new lbw law should simply say: ‘Any delivery that strikes the pad without first hitting the bat and, in the umpire’s opinion, would go on to hit the stumps is out regardless of whether or not a shot is attempted’,” Chappell wrote in his column for ESPNcricinfo.

“Forget where the ball pitches and whether it strikes the pad outside the line or not; if it’s going to hit the stumps, it’s out,” he mentioned. Chappell thinks that by doing so, the game will be equally fair for both batsmen and bowlers and also speed up the game, which he feels Is slow.

“There will be screams of horror – particularly from pampered batsmen – but there are numerous positives this change would bring to the game. Most important is fairness. If a bowler is prepared to attack the stumps regularly, the batsman should only be able to protect his wicket with the bat. The pads are there to save the batsman from injury not dismissal,” Chappell added.

Moreover, Chappell opined on the topic of using saliva and sweat to shine the cricket leather. Australia has recently banned the same due to the massive coronavirus outbreak. As per Chappell, international captains should be thinking about an alternate method to shine the ball. He also said that only one method of ball-tampering should be made legal.