Jayawardene urges end to ‘negative' fielding laws

Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene called Thursday for an end to experimental fielding restrictions in one-day cricket, saying they discourage risk-taking.

On the eve of the third ODI against Australia, the veteran batsman said the new laws allowing a maximum of four fielders outside the circle from the 11th over to the 40th encouraged negative play.

"The spinners are being taken away from the game, to be honest," he said. "Most of the spinners are being very negative now.

"They are bowling overs aiming for fewer runs rather than trying to take wickets and use their variety," Jayawardene said in Brisbane.

"Unless you are a top spinner and use a lot of variety, you can survive while the rest will struggle and be negative in their approach."

The International Cricket Council is testing the restrictions over the next 12 months, as well as trialling a provision for two new white balls at either end and two bouncers per over.

Jayawardene, who has played 388 ODIs, said spinners were far more likely to bowl quicker and flatter rather than tossing the ball up to try to get a wicket because of the lack of extra fielders in the deep.

Sri Lanka, who won by eight wickets on Sunday in Adelaide, will give wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Chandimal a late fitness test before the day-night game at the Gabba.

Sri Lanka and Australia are all square 1-1 in the five-match series.
 

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.