A suprise decision by the ICC has cricket statisticians confused and angry. The ICC has ruled that from now on the boundary previously rewarded with 6 runs will be worth 10. The move is designed to encourage big hitting and exciting cricket. An ICC spokesman is quoted as saying ``The crowd likes nothing better than a sixer - yet the danger of hitting the ball in the air is such that many will not attempt big hits. With 10 runs as a reward, the risk will seem much more acceptable. We look forward to faster scoring rates, and new records being set.'' It is believed that the rule change was proposed by Sri Lanka, who stand to benefit more than most.

Statisticians are furious, believing that such a drastic change will make averages and other records meaningless. Recent computerized scoring software will have to reprogrammed. The last such rule change was in the 19th Century, when the boundary rope was introduced (before this a six had to be hit out of the ground). The rule will come into effect as of today (April 1st). Earlier reports that the rule change would be retroactively applied to all games played in 1997 proved incorrect, as it was found that the results of several one-day internationals would be reversed.

Contributed by Loof Lirpa (loof@cricinfo.com)