Duckworth Lewis

Duckworth Lewis
1. Introduction
The D/L method sets revised targets in rain-interrupted limited-overs matches in
accordance with the relative run scoring resources which are at the disposal of the
two sides.
These are not in direct proportion to the number of overs available to be faced, as
with the average run rate method of correction. Instead they depend on how
many overs are to go and how many wickets are down when the interruptions
occur.
To calculate the revised targets, you need to know the resources available at the
stage of the match when suspensions and resumption of play occur. All possible
values of resources have been pre-calculated and these are listed in the
accompanying table.
The table covers each individual ball in a game of up to 50-overs per side. The
figures given in the table are percentages of the resources available for a
complete 50-over innings.
For matches with less than 50-overs per innings before they start, the resource
percentages available at the start of an innings will be less than 100%. But the
same table and the same method of calculation are used whatever the number of
overs per innings.
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The single sheet over-by-over version of the table can be used for cases when
play is suspended before the start of a new over.
When Team 2 (the side batting second) have less run scoring resources at their
disposal than had Team 1 (the side batting first), their target is adjusted
downwards using the ratio of the resources available to the two sides.
But when Team 1’s innings has been interrupted, it often happens than Team 2
have more resources at their disposal than had Team 1 and it is now necessary to
adjust Team 2’s target upwards. In this case the adjustment is based on the runs
that would be expected to be scored on average from the extra resources at their
disposal. The number of these extra runs required is calculated by applying the
excess resource percentage to the average total score in a 50-over innings,
referred to here as G50
For matches involving ICC full member nations, including Under-19
international matches, or for matches between teams that play first class cricket,
the value of G50 to be used at present is 235. For lower levels of the game, G50
should be chosen to represent the average score expected from the team batting
first in an uninterrupted 50 overs-per-innings match. For teams between
associate ICC member nations, the recommended value of G50 is 190; for
women’s ODIs, the recommended value is 175. For U15 internationals, the
recommended value is 200. For other levels of the game, advice should be sought
from the ICC.
2. Definitions
• The team batting first are referred to as ‘Team 1’ and the team batting second
are referred to as ‘Team 2’.
• In the table decimal fractions of an over are expressed in standard cricket
notation; i.e. 4.3 overs means 4 overs plus 3 balls.
• The terms ‘target’ and ‘revised target’ are reserved exclusively for the
minimum score Team 2 need to win.
• As with an uninterrupted match, if Team 2 make a score which is one run
short of the target, the match is tied.
The following symbols are used throughout:
N is the number of overs per innings for the match as decided at the moment of
delivery of the first ball of the match.
S is Team 1’s total score.
R1 is the resource percentage (relative to a full 50-over innings) available to
Team 1.
R2 is the resource percentage (relative to a full 50-over innings) available to
Team 2.
T is Team 2’s target score.
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3. Calculation of the Percentage Resource Lost by a Suspension in Play
To compensate for any loss of overs due to a suspension in play during either
Team 1’s or Team 2’s innings, it is necessary first to calculate the resource
percentage that has been lost on account of this suspension.
If the suspension occurs between overs, use the sheet of the table which gives the
figures for whole numbers of overs. If it occurs mid-over, use the sheets of the
table which provide the figures for each individual ball.
3.1 For the start of the suspension in play, from the table note the resource percentage
that remained for the appropriate number of overs/ball left and wickets lost.
3.2 For the resumption of play after the suspension, from the table note the resource
percentage now remaining for the revised number of overs/balls left and for the
same number of wickets lost.
3.3 Subtract the resource percentage in 3.2 from that in 3.1 to give the resource
percentage lost.
3.4 If a suspension in play causes the innings to be terminated, the resource
percentage on resumption (3.2) is zero and the percentage lost is the resource
percentage which was remaining when the suspension occurred (3.1).
3.5 If more than one suspension in play occurs, the resource percentages lost are
calculated as described in 3.1 to 3.4 and are accumulated to give updated values
for the total resource percentage lost or resource available for the innings. This is
done after each suspension as described in 5.2 and 5.5.
4. Penalties for Slow Over Rates
No overs penalties are imposed for slow over rates and hence slow over rates
have no effect on revised target calculations.
5. Calculation of Revised Targets
5.1 Note the number of overs per innings decided at the start of the game, N. From
the table note the resource percentage available to Team 1 at the start of their
innings. (For N = 50 this is 100%.)
5.2 For all suspensions and any premature termination of Team 1’s innings, calculate
the total resource percentage lost using the procedure described in section 3.
Subtract this from the starting resource percentage (5.1) to give R1, the resource
which was available to Team 1 for their innings. Note Team 1’s total score, S.
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5.3 There is no overs penalty for slow over rates by either side.
5.4 Note the number of overs allocated to Team 2 at the start of their innings and
from the table note the resource percentage for this number of overs remaining
and 0 wicket lost. This is R2, the resource percentage available to Team 2. If R2
differs from R1, which will happen if Team 1’s innings was interrupted and/or
Team 2’s was delayed, a revised target must be set. Calculate this revised target,
T, as described in 5.6 below.
5.5 For each suspension of play during Team 2’s innings or for premature
termination of the match, update the resource percentage available, R2, by
subtracting the resource percentage lost calculated as in section 3. Calculate the
revised target, T, after each suspension as described in 5.6 below. If the match
has to be terminated, the result is decided by comparing Team 2’s score at the
time with the ‘par score’, this being the value as calculated in the formulae for T
in 5.6 below, but without the one run added. If it is greater, Team 2 win. If it is
equal, the match is tied. If it is less, Team 1 win.
5.6 If R2 is less than R1, Team 2’s revised target is obtained by reducing Team 1’s
score S in the ratio of R2 to R1, ignoring any figures after the decimal point, and
adding one run
i.e. T = (S x R2/R1) + 1 (rounded down to a whole number, if necessary).
If R2 is equal to R1, no revision is needed and Team 2’s target is one more run
than Team 1’s score.
i.e. T = S + 1
If R2 is greater than R1, calculate the amount of excess resources, R2 – R1, and
take this percentage of the average 50-over total, G50, to give the extra runs
needed, ignoring any figures after the decimal point.
i.e. T = S + (R2 – R1) x G50/100 + 1 (rounded down to a whole number, if
necessary)
6. Penalty Runs
6.1 During Team 1’s innings
If penalty runs are awarded to the batting side, then their score shall advance
accordingly and be taken into account when performing any future D/L
calculation.
If penalty runs are awarded to the fielding side, then any D/L
calculation in between innings will be performed as normal,
and their innings will commence with the score equivalent to
the number of penalty runs that they have been awarded.
6.2 During Team 2’s innings
If penalty runs are awarded to the batting side, then their score shall advance
accordingly. These penalty runs do not affect any subsequent D/L calculation.
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If penalty runs are awarded to the fielding side, then there will be no recalculation
of any D/L target. Instead, the target score and the entire schedule of par scores
will advance by the appropriate number of penalty runs. If a loss of overs occurs
after such a penalty has been awarded, then the D/L target will be calculated
based upon the original score of the side batting first, and this target, and all par
scores, will then be raised by the appropriate number of penalty runs
7. The Result and its Description
When a revised target has been calculated and the match has been played out to
its completion, the result is described exactly as in the case of an uninterrupted
match; if Team 2 achieve their revised target they win by the number of wickets
they have in hand when they reach this score; if they fall short of their revised
target by exactly one run the result is a tie, and if they make a lower score Team 1
win by the margin of runs by which Team 2 fall short of the score needed to
achieve a tie.
When a match has to be abandoned with Team 2’s innings in progress (provided
sufficient overs have been bowled to constitute a viable match), the result is
decided by comparing Team 2’s score with the ‘par score’ as defined in 5.5 and
the winning margin is described in terms of the number of runs by which their
score differs from the ‘par score’, regardless of whether Team 1 or Team 2 are
the victors.
Whenever a completed game has involved the use of the D/L method, the
description should be qualified by appending ‘(D/L method)’.
7.1 Examples of result description:
(i) Team 2 are set a revised target of 186. But they only succeed in making 180
in their allocation of overs. They thus fall 5 runs short of the 185 runs
needed to tie the match and the result is described as ‘Team 1 win by 5 runs
(D/L method)’.
(ii) Team 2 are chasing a target of 201 in a 50-over per innings match and reach
105/4 after 25 overs when rain causes the match to be abandoned. At this
point the ‘par score’ is 100. Team 2 have exceeded this by 5 runs and so the
result is described as ‘Team 2 win by 5 runs (D/L method)’.
Example 1 (Suspension during Team 1’s innings)
In a 50 over-per-innings match, Team 1 reaches 79/3 after 20 overs and then
there is a suspension in play. It is decided that 20 overs of the match should be
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lost, 10 of these by each team. Team 1 resumes to reach a final total of 180 in its
revised allocation of 40 overs.
Number of overs per innings at the start of match, N = 50
Resource percentage available to Team 1 at start of innings = 100% (5.1)
Resource percentage remaining at suspension (30 overs left, 3 wkts lost = 61.6%
(3.1)
Resource percentage remaining at resumption (20 overs left, 3 wkts lost) = 49.1%
(3.2)
Resource percentage lost due to suspension = 61.6 – 49.1 = 12.5% (3.3)
Resource percentage available to Team 1, R1 = 100 – 12.5 = 87.5% (5.2)
Number of overs available to Team 2 at the start of its innings = 40
Resource percentage available (40 overs left, 0 wkt lost), R2 = 89.3% (5.4)
R2 is greater than R1, i.e. Team 2 has more resource available than had Team 1,
so its target should be increased. S = 180
Team 2’s revised target (5.6) is
T = S + G50 x (R2 – R1)/100 + 1 = 180 + 235 x (89.3 – 87.5)/100 + 1 = 185
(rounded down).
Example 2 (delay to start of Team 2’s innings)
In an English National League match (45 overs per innings), Team 1 scores 212
in its allocated 45 overs. Rain then causes Team 2’s response to be delayed and it
is decided that it should be shortened to 35 overs.
Number of overs at start of match, N = 45.
Resource percentage available to Team 1 at start of its innings (45 overs left, 0
wkt lost) = 95.0% (5.1).
The innings was not interrupted, so R1 = 95.0%
Number of overs available to Team 2 at start of its innings = 35
Resource percentage available to Team 2 at start of innings (35 overs left, 0 wkt
lost) R2 = 82.7% (5.4)
R2 is less than R1; S = 212
Team 2’s revised target (5.6) is
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T = S x R2/R1 + 1 = 212 x 82.7/95.0 + 1 = 185 (rounded down).
Example 3 (suspension during Team 2’s innings)
In an One Day International match (50 overs per innings), Team 1 has scored 250
from its allocation of 50 overs in an uninterrupted innings. Team 2 has received
12 overs and has scored 40/1. Then play is suspended and 10 overs are lost.
Number of overs at start of match, N = 50.
Team 1’s innings was uninterrupted, so its resource percentage available, R1 =
100% (5.1).
Resource percentage available to Team 2 at start of innings = 100% (5.4).
Resource percentage remaining at suspension (38 overs left, 1 wkt lost) = 82.0%
(3.1).
Resource percentage remaining at resumption (28 overs left, 1 wkt lost) = 68.8%
(3.2).
Resource percentage lost due to suspension = 82.0 – 68.8 = 13.2% (3.3).
Resource percentage available to Team 2, R2 = 100 – 13.2 = 86.8% (5.5).
R2 is less than R1; S = 250.
Team 2’s revised target (5.6) is
T = S x R2/R1 + 1 = 250 x 86.8/100 + 1 = 218 , and it needs a further 178 runs
from 28 overs.
Example 4 (multiple suspensions and abandonment)
Suppose that in Example 3, play continues for a further 10 overs during which
Team 2 takes its score on to 98/3, whereupon there is another suspension in play
and 2 more overs are lost. A further 8.2 overs are bowled and Team 2 is 154/6
when rain washes out the match.
Team 1’s resource percentage is still R1 = 100%.
Team 2’s resource percentage has been reduced further.
Resource percentage remaining at start of second suspension (18 overs left, 3
wkts lost) = 45.9% (3.1).
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Resource percentage remaining at end of second suspension (16 overs left, 3 wkts
lost) = 42.3% (3.2).
Resource percentage lost due to second suspension = 45.9 – 42.3 = 3.6% (3.3).
Resource percentage available to Team 2, R2 = 86.8 – 3.6 = 83.2% (5.5).
R2 is less than R1; S = 250.
Team 2’s revised target (5.6) is
T = S x R2/R1 + 1 = 250 x 83.2/100 + 1 = 209 and it needs a further 111 runs
from 16 overs.
When the innings had to be terminated, there were 7.4 overs remaining.
Resource percentage remaining at termination of Team 2’s innings (7.4 overs left,
6 wkts lost) = 19.4%.
This remaining resource is lost by the termination.
Resource percentage available to Team 2, R2 = 83.2 – 19.4 = 63.8% (5.5).
R2 is less than R1; S = 250.
Team 2’s par score (5.5 and 5.6) is S x R2/R1 = 250 x 63.8/100 = 159 (rounded
down); the par score at the instant of abandonment is 159 and with a score of 154
it has lost by 5 runs.
Team 1 wins by 5 runs (D/L method) (7).
Example 5 (suspension and termination of Team 1’s innings mid-over and delay
to Team 2’s innings)
This is taken form an actual ODI: India (Team 1) versus Pakistan (Team 2),
Singapore, April 1996. Team 1 scores 226/8 in 47.1 of a scheduled 50 overs.
Rain then terminates Team 1’s innings and delays that of Team 2, which is given
a reduced allocation of 33 overs.
Number of overs per innings at start of match, N = 50
Team 1’s innings:
Resource percentage at start of innings is 100% (5.1).
Resource percentage remaining at termination (2.5 overs left, 8 wkts lost) = 6.9%
(3.1).
Resource percentage lost due to termination = 6.9% (3.4).
Resource percentage available, R1 = 100 – 8.1 = 93.1% (5.2).
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Team 2’s innings (allocated 33 overs):
Resource percentage available at star to f innings (33 overs left, 0 wkts lost), R2
= 79.8% (5.4).
R2 is less than R1; S = 226.
Team 2’s revised target (5.6) is
T = S x R2/R1 + 1 = 226 x 79.8/93.1 + 1 = 194 (rounded down).
Example 6 (as Example 5 but with a further interruption during Team 2’s
innings)
In the match of the previous example, Team 2 has scored 140 for 2 after 25 overs
when a further 5 overs are lost to the weather.
Team 1’s resource percentage is still R1 = 93.1%.
Team 2’s innings:
Resource percentage at start of innings (33 overs left, 0 wkt lost) = 79.8% (5.4).
Resource percentage remaining at suspension (8 overs left, 2 wkts lost) = 25.5%
(3.1).
Resource percentage remaining at resumption (3 overs left, 2 wkts lost) = 10.4 %
(3.2).
Resource percentage lost due to suspension = 25.5 – 10.4 = 15.1% (3.3).
Resource percentage available, R2 = 79.8 – 15.1 = 64.7% (5.2).
R2 is less than R1; S = 226.
Team 2’s revised target (5.6) is
T = S x R2/R1 + 1 = 226 x 64.7/93.1 + 1 = 158 (rounded down) and it needs a
further 18 runs from 3 overs.
The D/L (Duckworth/Lewis) method of adjusting target scores in interrupted one-day
cricket matches – Standard Edition
47
*Use only when Professional Edition is not available.
Table of resource percentages remaining – over by over
Overs left 50 to 0
The D/L (Duckworth/Lewis) method of adjusting target scores in interrupted one-day
cricket matches - Standard Edition
48
*Use only when Professional Edition is not available.
Table of resource percentages remaining – ball-by-ball
Overs left 50 to 40
The D/L (Duckworth/Lewis) method of adjusting target scores in interrupted one-day
cricket matches - Standard Edition
*Use only when Professional Edition is not available.
49
Table of resource percentages remaining - ball-by-ball
Overs left 40 to 30
The D/L (Duckworth/Lewis) method of adjusting target scores in interrupted one-day
cricket matches - Standard Edition
*Use only when Professional Edition is not available.
Table of resource percentages remaining - ball-by-ball
50
Overs left 30 to 20
The D/L (Duckworth/Lewis) method of adjusting target scores in interrupted one-day
cricket matches - Standard Edition
*Use only when Professional Edition is not available.
Table of resource percentages remaining - ball-by-ball
Overs left 20 to 10
51
The D/L (Duckworth/Lewis) method of adjusting target scores in interrupted one-day
cricket matches - Standard Edition
*Use only when Professional Edition is not available.
Table of resource percentages remaining - ball-by-ball
Overs left 10 to 0
52
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1989 - present - International Cricket Council

1989 - present - International Cricket Council

A special meeting in 1989 agreed a set of rules effectively banning from Test cricket players who had sporting links with South Africa. In July of the same year, the ICC had another name change - to International Cricket Council - but still retained the three initials that had served from its inception. This was also the year in which the practice of the President of MCC automatically assuming the chairmanship of ICC came to an end, but with the election of Colin Cowdrey it was still a British hand at the helm. The newly named organisation had more teeth: it was no longer confined to making recommendations to national governing bodies; now it could impose binding decisions on members.

UAE joined as an Associate in 1990. January 1991 saw the first ICC meeting away from England - in Melbourne, where the discussions centred on the appointment of independent Match Referees, created to enforce the proposed new Code of Conduct for the players. In July, South Africa were re-admitted as full members and the ban on players who had sporting connections with South Africa was revoked. Zimbabwe were admitted as full members, their first Test being in October 1992. Namibia joined as an Associate and Austria, Belgium, Brunei and Spain as Affiliates. A revised set of ICC Regulations was published.

The most far-reaching effect of the changes at this time was the creation, in 1993, of the post of Chief Executive of ICC, a position to which David Richards of the Australian Cricket Board was appointed. Then, in July, Sir Clyde Walcott, from Barbados, was elected the first non-British Chairman, in succession to Sir Colin Cowdrey, who had been very active in encouraging cricket development in countries with little tradition of the game.

Since its inception, the ICC had been run as a virtual appendix to MCC. Even after MCC's influence within the game in England had been curtailed by the formation of the Cricket Council and the Test and County Cricket Board in 1969, and after the club's annually changing President had no longer assumed the chairmanship of ICC, MCC's Secretary was still performing the same administrative function for ICC. But with Richards' appointment, this came to an end. Another change saw ICC with its own office for the first time, though this was still at Lord's, with a separate office soon established for commercial purposes in Monaco.

For thirty years, from the time of South Africa's withdrawal, England and Australia had enjoyed the status of 'Foundation members,' and this effectively meant that little could be achieved unless the two countries concurred. But with the implementation of the new Regulations all this changed. England and Australia lost their special privilege, all Test playing countries now being of equal standing.

New technology was becoming available around this time to show with increasing accuracy the correctness of umpires' decisions. 1993 saw the first chance for umpires in Test matches to refer doubtful line decisions to a third umpire equipped with video playback facilities. By 1995, it had been agreed that TV replays should be available in Tests 'wherever possible' and that the third umpire should signal out with a red light and not out with a green. The following year, cameras were also permitted to pronounce whether a ball had crossed the boundary. In 1997, the third umpire could be called on to rule on the cleanness of catches. This was also the year in which, for the first time, the Duckworth-Lewis method of adjusting targets in rain-affected matches was trialled by ICC in ODIs.

New countries joining ICC were Ireland (1993), Scotland (1994) and Italy (1995) as Associates, and Greece, Thailand, Vanuatu and Portugal as Affiliates, whilst Nepal was raised to Associate status in 1996. Problems occurred in 1996, when there was much bitter wrangling as it became clear that no candidate could command the necessary two thirds majority to succeed Sir Clyde Walcott, who was to retire from the chairmanship the following year. A meeting in Kuala Lumpur in March 1997 resolved the impasse with a revised ICC structure.

Implementing proposals drawn up by Sir John Anderson, Chairman of New Zealand Cricket, ICC became an incorporated body with a President, an appointment which was to be assigned to a member country who would then nominate an individual to serve in the role for a period of three years. India was the choice, and Jagmohan Dalmiya became the first man to hold this new office, with the policy and direction of ICC now vested in an executive board comprising representatives of all the Test playing nations plus three Associate members. Reporting to that board were committees covering cricket, development and finance and marketing.

Bangladesh's application for full membership was deferred in 1998, but France and Uganda were raised to Associates and Kuwait, Luxembourg and Malta became Affiliates. Match-fixing and betting by players and other officials had featured in the media: in April 1999 a Code of Conduct Commission under Lord Griffiths, a British law lord with first-class cricket experience, was set up to investigate the rumours. This was followed by the setting up of an anti-corruption unit under Sir Paul Condon, the former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police in the United Kingdom.

In 2000, on the completion of Dalmiya's term in office, Malcolm Gray from Australia became President, and in July 2001, Malcolm Speed succeeded David Richards as Chief Executive. A full-time panel of eight elite umpires, who would stand in all Test matches, was created in 2002, one umpire from a non-competing country having stood with an official of the home country in all Tests since 1994. In March 2004, a new ICC Intercontinental Cup was inaugurated for major Associate members and the matches were granted first-class status.

The drive to bring more countries into ICC membership has continued apace in the last few years. Affiliates to join are: 1999 - Cyprus, Morocco and Qatar; 2000 - Cook Islands, Czech Republic, Finland, Norway, Oman, Philippines, Samoa and Tonga; 2001 - Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bhutan, Botswana, Croatia, Indonesia, Lesotho, Maldives, St Helena and South Korea; 2002 - Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Gambia, Ghana, Panama, Sierra Leone, Surinam, Turks and Caicos Islands; 2003 - Iran, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda and Saudi Arabia; 2004 - China, Isle of Man and Mexico; 2005 - Guernsey, Jersey, Mali and Slovenia; 2007 - Cameroon, Falkland Islands, Peru and Swaziland. Raised to Associate membership are: Germany (1999), Tanzania (2001), Cayman Islands and Nigeria (2002), Zambia (2003), Belgium, Botswana, Japan, Kuwait and Thailand (2005), Jersey (2007) and Turkey, Estonia and Bulgaria (2008).

In August 2005, ICC left its base at Lord's to set up new headquarters in Dubai. There, under the presidency of David Morgan, it continues to face such matters as match fixing, player conduct, the use of floodlights and the legality of bowling actions. As it addresses these issues, ICC strives to remain true to the purpose enshrined in its mission statement that 'As a leading global sport, cricket will captivate and inspire people of every age, gender, background and ability while building bridges between continents, countries and communities.'

1964 - 1988 - International Cricket Conference

In 1964 Pakistan suggested an expansion of the ICC in order to include non-Test playing countries. The following year at the July meeting the ICC changed its name to International Cricket Conference and Pakistan's idea was acted upon, USA, Ceylon and Fiji being admitted to a new type of membership, Associate. South Africa did not apply to rejoin. The Netherlands, Denmark, Bermuda and East Africa became Associates in 1966. At the same meeting, after several years of debate, a 'throw' was redefined. The basic rules of ICC were amended in 1969.

At the 1971 Conference, the possibility of a World Cup was mooted and ideas requested from members; in the same year the voting system was amended with full members (i.e. Test playing countries) having two votes each and Associates one. A scheme to stage a World Cup (60 overs-per-side) in England during 1975 was approved in 1973; East Africa and Sri Lanka were invited to take part, as well as the six Test playing countries.

New Associate members were regularly added - Argentina, Israel and Singapore in 1974, West Africa in 1976 and Bangladesh in 1977. It was agreed to stage a competition for Associate members, with the most successful nations qualifying to play in future World Cups. 1978 was largely occupied with the controversy surrounding World Series Cricket, the matches staged by the Australian media magnate Kerry Packer, which attracted many of the world's best players and, for a time, threatened to de-rail official Test cricket.

In 1978 Papua-New Guinea joined as an Associate, but South Africa's application to rejoin was rejected. After several years of trying, Sri Lanka was raised to full membership in July 1981 and played their first Test in February 1982. The problem of whether to re-admit South Africa occupied much time at the 1981 Conference before their application was again rejected. 1982 saw the idea of an international panel of umpires for Tests being discussed. In 1984 a third category of membership was approved - Affiliate - with Italy being the first to gain admittance; Switzerland followed in 1985. New Affiliates in 1987 were Bahamas and France, followed by Nepal in 1988.

1909 - 1963 - Imperial Cricket Conference

1909 - 1963 - Imperial Cricket Conference

The governing body of world cricket, which has over a hundred countries currently in membership, began its life with some very tentative steps. On 30th November, 1907 the President of the South African Cricket Association, Abe Bailey, wrote a letter to F.E. Lacey, MCC Secretary. Bailey, having accompanied the South African team on their tour of England, was now on his way home.

Bailey suggested the formation of an 'Imperial Cricket Board'. The Board's function would be to formulate a set of rules and regulations to govern international matches involving England, Australia and South Africa. He also wished to promote a Triangular Test series between the three countries in England in 1909. Though what was classified as a Test match had taken place on their own soil as far back as 1889, South Africa's 1907 tour to England was the first such visit to include official Test Matches. South Africa had first played Tests against Australia in 1902/03.

The idea of a Triangular Tournament found favour in England, but was rejected by Australia. This was probably on financial grounds - Australia had agreed to tour England in 1909 and were not keen to share the tour with South Africa. Bailey was not deterred and continued to lobby both MCC and Australia. On 15th June, 1909 representatives of all three countries met at Lord's under the chairmanship of the President of MCC, the Earl of Chesterfield, and agreed to stage a Triangular Test Tournament. A month later, under Lord Harris's chairmanship, a second meeting set the Imperial Cricket Conference on its way, when rules were agreed to control Test cricket between the three nations. The Triangular Tournament duly took place in England in 1912. The weather that summer was appalling and problems in Australia meant that their major cricketers refused to come. The tournament was not a success.

There was no further meeting of the Conference until 1921, when the main discussions centred on the use of eight-ball overs. Five years went by without a further meeting, but in 1925/6 MCC sent a team to the West Indies, a visit of particular interest to Lord Harris, who had spent his early years in Trinidad. A West Indies side came close to beating MCC in Georgetown and this performance strengthened the home side's resolve to join the Test playing countries. When the Imperial Cricket Conference met in England in 1926, delegates from West Indies, New Zealand and India were invited to attend. Later that summer, Lord Harris presided at a second meeting at The Oval, where it was agreed that the membership of the ICC should comprise, 'governing bodies of cricket in countries within the Empire to which cricket teams are sent, or which send teams to England.' This definition rather unfortunately excluded the United States, which country had regularly received teams from England since 1859 and had dispatched several teams to England. The meeting effectively created three new Test playing nations, West Indies, New Zealand and India. West Indies played their first Test in 1928, New Zealand in 1929/30 and India in 1932.

From now onward the ICC met on an almost annual basis except during the war years. The main business of these meetings was to set out future Test tours, check that players were properly qualified and encourage the use of turf pitches as against matting ones. Possible law changes, the enlargement of the wickets for example, also came under discussion.

The next major event was the admission to the ICC on 28 th July, 1952 of Pakistan, and in October of that year Pakistan played their first Test Match. In May 1961, South Africa withdrew from the Commonwealth and were thus no longer eligible for ICC membership. However, they did send an 'observer' to the ICC meeting that summer.

Cricket History

The first evidence of cricket being played was recorded in the year 1550, by the pupils of Royal Grammar School, Guildford. In the year 1611 it is reported that two young men from Sussex were punished for playing cricket instead of going to the church. The first match is recorded to have been played at Coxheath in Kent in the year 1646.

Earlier cricket used to thrive greatly as a gambling game. People used to place huge amounts of bets in matches and thus the game started to get recognition. Cricket was in fact a major gambling sport towards the end of the 17th century. It is recorded that in the year 1679, a 11-a-side match was played with stakes as high as 50 guineas per side.

During the 18th century cricket survived and thrived due to the huge amounts of money via monetary backing and gambling. The first instance of a match to be played between counties in England is recorded to be on 29th June in the year 1709. This match was played between Surrey and Kent at Dartford Brent.

The 18th century also witnessed the emergence of two types of cricket players. They were known as the retained player and the individual player. Generally the retained player was the servant of the lord and a cricketer as well. On the other hand the individual player was free to play anywhere with his skills. Basically it was something like the player could play anywhere with the amount of skill he possesses.

In the year 1787, the Marylebone Cricket Club also known MCC was created. The MCC has since then gone on to become one of the most prominent bodies in world cricket. Cricket in its initial days were restricted to the aristocratic class of England. Cricket gradually went on to become the national game of England.

The late 18th century was a very crucial phase for the development of the game, both within and outside Britain. The game was spread far and wide mainly due to England’s imperialism. Wherever they went, the game went with them and thus spread outside England. The first official match was held between Canada and United States was held in the year 1844.

In the present times, cricket has its own following of loyal fans. The International Cricket Council, better known as the ICC is the governing body in world cricket. The ICC was founded on the 15th of June in the year 1909. All laws relating to ODIs and Test Cricket are framed and implemented by the ICC.