Bouncer: Redefined !

The definitions of short-pitched and dangerous bowling would necessitate a discussion

involving the ICC and the MCC  - traditional keepers of the laws of cricket -

about changing the definition of a bouncer from :

a ball passing between shoulder and head height in the standing position.

Cricket's definition of the bouncer is set to be globally redrawn following

a key recommendation of the Phillip Hughes inquest, stemming from testimony

from the ICC umpires training manager Simon Taufel !

Taufel had told the inquest that it was difficult to define exactly how many

short balls Hughes had received because not all of them fitted the definition

set out in the laws.

James Sutherland, the Cricket Australia chief executive said the structure of the game's

laws would mean any changes could not be limited to the Sheffield Shield alone,

with implications for international cricket and also the tiers below the first-class arena

"There is a whole lot of discussion around sledging that is unfortunately placed

because it's very generalised," Sutherland said.

"The facts of the matter are, just like on most sporting fields, there's always been

a level of banter on the field. Some people interpret that as sledging and under

the broad definition it may well be, but what is specifically not acceptable is

abusive behaviour in word or in action, threatening behaviour in words or in action,

those things are clearly breaches of the code, they are taking sledging to the

extreme where it crosses the line and it's not acceptable."