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Fleming says as game changes Duckworth/Lewis should change
Lynn McConnell - 25 February 2002

Duckworth Lewis
Duckworth Lewis
Photo CricInfo

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming believes cricket authorities should review the Duckworth/Lewis system as the result of changes that have been made to the one-day game.

The system is applied for rain-interrupted one-day matches.

Fleming believes the introduction of the one bouncer per over law has altered the nature of the game and will therefore affect the calculations on which the Duckworth/Lewis system is based.

"I would like to see it reviewed every now and then, even if it does remain in place. Keep reviewing it, it is like everything, when the game evolves, every rule around it has to evolve," he said.

Changing it by use of modern data may prove easier said than done because the D/L system was built up on factual analysis based on the history of all One-Day Internationals.

As the new law has only come into effect, there is not the historical perspective on which to base any decisions for change.

"I don't think we can just be happy with it. Keep reviewing it, don't accept it as being the best form all the time," he said.

Fleming felt that, initially with the new law, the quality of fast bowling would improve and bowlers would get better at using the short-pitched ball. There was still a lot of bowlers' time left before a different style of batting emerged as batsmen worked the bowling out.

"Basically, you're asking for a more complete batsman, you're asking for back foot and front foot, so a lot of guys, especially from the subcontinent, are plonking that front foot down and just swinging from the hip may be found out.

"You will get a different style of batsman playing in one-dayers," he said.

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