Any Talk Of Completely Banning The Bouncer Should Be Dismissed- Ian Chappell

Former Australia captain Ian Chappell sees the current time as the right one for reviewing all the on-field safety measures. Ian Chappell believes that it would be an excellent idea to bolster any law to protect the tailenders when they face the short-pitched bowling. The topic has erupted leading up to the Test series between India and Australia as the Indian bowlers unleashed a bouncer barrage in the warm-up games.

Several former Australian cricketers criticised the Indian speedsters bowling plenty of bouncers at will during the warm-up match between India and Australia A. That gave rise to plenty of cricketers calling for short-pitched deliveries to be banned, considering the blows to the head and the constantly occurring concussions. Instead, Ian Chappell believes that instead, batsmen’s technique must be addressed.

Ian Chappell feels that any conversations about banning the bouncer must be dismissed immediately. Instead, the time is right for the think-tank to review the on-field safety measures, including batsmen, bowlers, and umpires apart from priority in refining batsmen’s techniques. Chappell added that research must also invest in protecting the tailenders when they face short-pitched bowling.

“Any talk of completely banning the bouncer should be dismissed as quickly as bowlers removed New Zealand batting bunny Chris Martin. The time is ripe for a worldwide review into on-field safety, including batsmen, bowlers and umpires, with batting technique a top priority. In conducting this review it would be appropriate to strengthen any law regarding the protection of tailenders in facing short-pitched bowling,” Chappell said as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.

Addressing the concussion-sub issue doesn’t get to the heart of the matter: Ian Chappell

The 77-year old further said that merely addressing the concussion sub-issue does not help and the trouble is the increasing number of players getting hit on the head that results in the need for a replacement. Thus, the technique remains the most crucial aspect that will ensure that fewer batsmen cop blow on their heads.

“Just addressing the concussion-sub issue doesn’t get to the heart of the matter – it’s the rising number of batsmen hit on the head that then leads to the need for a replacement player. Incredibly, this process didn’t include a look at technique, which is the most important aspect in ensuring fewer batsmen receive blows to the head,” he added.

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