Outrage over Cricket Australia plans to BAN dismissals

New rules for young cricketers have been met with outrage, with champion fast bowler Merv Hughes calling them ‘ridiculous’.

Under the new system developed by Cricket Australia, junior players would have an unlimited number of dismissals.

At Stage One of the new junior formats each player will be required to face 17 balls while batting, after which they will be forced to retire.

There has even been speculation ducks will be banned during the same stage, with all players needing to score at least one run, 3AW reported.

Speaking to Sportday, the former Australian paceman said rules preventing children from getting out were teaching them the wrong things.

‘You’re teaching them [kids] that it’s OK to get out and I reckon that’s ridiculous,’ said Hughes. 

‘If there’s no ducks kids will just swing from the first ball knowing they can’t get out, we have to teach the kids they’ve got to put a price on their wicket.’

Under the new system developed by Cricket Australia, junior players would have an unlimited number of dismissals (pictured is Merv Hughes)

Hughes said the focus has changed towards participation, and if kids are making runs they should just get put down the list.

‘If you go through more poor patches than good then you’re playing the wrong sport,’ he said. 

Other changes to the rules in Stage 1 would see teams of seven playing on shorter pitches with shorter boundaries and lighter balls.

All players would be required to bowl, even wicketkeepers, and the bowling would be done from the same end in games of 20 overs per team. 

Rules for Stage 2 are more complex, with all dismissals allowed, a limit of 35 balls before retirement and a change to bat again if all batters are dismissed.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Cricket Australia for comment. 

At Stage One (pictured above) of the new junior formats each player will be required to face 17 balls while batting, after which they will be forced to retire