Everybody wants to rule the world. Well, not quite, but when it comes to sporting competitions, nothing aggravates fans more than archaic or incomprehensible rules that impact the contest.
We gave our journalists the opportunity to change one rule to improve a sport.
Cricket: Proper penalties for slow over rates We didn’t get enough play during the just-completed Ashes series. And only part of the blame for that can fall at the feet of England’s hapless batsmen.
Both sides were at fault for repeatedly falling short of the mandatory 90 overs per day. The sluggish over rate, which shortchanged the ticket-buying public, was variously described as a “joke”, “ridiculous” and “unheard of” – but despite the outcry early in the series, nothing changed.
A ‘filthy’ Nathan Lyon was left out of the Australian side for the second Test – predictably, the over rate suffered. Credit: Getty Images
Was it a natural consequence of the reduced role of spin bowling, or was it gamesmanship? Dunno. But what we do know is that the existing punishments – the docking of World Test Championship points and reduced match fees for players – have little to no effect on resolving the problem. Especially when most of these blokes are trousering millions from playing T20 cricket; a fine won’t touch the sides.
So hit them where it really hurts: on the scoreboard. For every over not bowled, an additional six runs should be added to the batting team’s total. No exceptions. Put that in place, and watch how games magically speed up. Thank us later.
Vince Rugari
Rugby league: Try, and try again You’ve just scored a try and could take the obligatory conversion attempt. But what if, instead of increasing your score by just two points, you had the option to wave away the conversion for the chance to score another try straight afterwards?
This is how it works: the attacking team gets one play to score a three-point “conversion” try. Play begins with a tap in the middle of the 20-metre line and ends when a tackle is complete or a try is scored.
The chance to score a three-point conversion try could bring more glorious chaos to rugby league. Credit: Getty Images
There is huge upside for all parties: the attacking team gets the chance to go eve
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