SOME of the best brains in cricket with experience playing in hundreds of international matches have identified premature retirement of top players as a potential undesirable effect of the Indian Premier League.

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An MCC panel, known as the World Cricket Committee, chaired by Tony Lewis, met at Lord’s on Monday and Tuesday to discuss topical issues, including Twenty20 cricket, which they thought should be encouraged without damaging Test cricket. The committee proposed the creation of two three-week periods in the global cricket calendar to accommodate the Futures Tour Programme and ICC-sanctioned events such as the Indian Premier League.

An MCC statement said: "The Committee believes that Test cricket is the pinnacle of the game. It therefore follows that players should have the opportunity to represent their country whilst being able to share in the benefits provided by participation in tournaments such as the Indian Premier League.

"The Committee accepts that there is a place for the IPL, but that the introduction of this tournament has brought to the fore the issue of premature retirement from the international game. It is vital to ensure that there is a strategic, well-planned fixture list.

"The Committee proposes that the ICC identify windows in the cricket calendar to enable all forms of the game – Test, 50 over ODI and Twenty20 – to successfully co-exist. Furthermore, the committee hopes that all Member boards will work with ICC to work towards this goal."

Other topics

Balance between bat and ball: "The Committee is concerned with the recent trend of the bat dominating the ball. The committee was happy with the introduction of the new Law 6 (The bat), which limits the materials permitted to use in bat making, but wondered if more could be done to maintain an equilibrium between bat and ball.

"MCC will allocate significant resources into researching this issue. Areas to be investigated will include the weight and thickness of cricket bats, the potential for extra stitching on the seam of the ball, the speed of outfields and the positioning of boundary ropes."

Players’ conduct: "The Committee recognises the continuing importance of the International Captains’ Forum. Meeting on an annual basis, this would involve the attendance of Test match and One Day International captains from each of the ICC Full Member countries.

"The Committee recognises that recent events have tarnished the perception of player behaviour at the top level. Although the Committee feels that player conduct is good in the vast majority of international matches, it recognises that the knock-on effects of this public perception are such that standards of behaviour in the amateur game are often unacceptable. Action must therefore be taken now to ensure that international cricketers set the best example, with captains taking the lead."

Over rates in Test cricket: "The Committee proposes that 15 overs an hour should be the minimum required rate in Test match cricket. Teams must complete 90 overs each day in a six hour playing period. The committee has noted the declining over rates in the modern game and feels that the current average rate – 13.8 overs an hour – is unacceptable, particularly for the paying public. While allowances should be made in extraordinary circumstances, the Committee feels that time wasting is prevalent in Test cricket and must be eradicated.

"The Committee recommends to the ICC that this proposed 15 over minimum requirement be implemented in Test cricket as soon as possible. In addition, if the situation has not dramatically improved within a year, the Committee would recommend the imposition of severe run penalties for slow over rates.

Re-introduction of host country umpires for Tests: "The Committee believes that the ICC, when appointing Test umpires from its elite panel, should do so regardless of their nationality. With increased technology, it is felt that greater transparency of decision-making is already in evidence and that the possible introduction of an umpire review system would further the case for allowing host country umpires.

"The best umpires would therefore be free to stand in the most important matches, and in familiar conditions. It is felt that younger umpires, particularly those with families, would feel more encouraged to join or stay on the ICC elite panel as they would be able to pursue their career closer to home.

"In addition, the Committee recommends that elite umpires should be well remunerated for their work and suggested that the panel be enlarged, with umpires serving on a part-time basis. Well-regarded umpires, who do not wish to travel all year round, would thus be encouraged to stand in a limited number of matches overseas and help to maintain high standards."

Day/night Test cricket: "With Test match attendances thought to be in decline around the world – with the exception of England – the Committee proposes that day/night Test cricket should be considered to encourage spectators back to this form of the game.

"In countries where conditions would allow – such as Australia, West Indies and South Africa, the Committee would like to see trials conducted into day/night Test cricket. This would help to encourage families and the public to attend Tests after work.

"The Committee recognises that there will be challenges to overcome with a proposed trial of Test match day/night cricket – such as dew, the colour of the ball and clothing used – but that efforts should be made to research and develop this option. MCC is conducting trials into coloured cricket balls which may form part of the solution for day/night Tests."

Use of technology in cricket: "The Committee remains fully supportive of a proposed trial of an umpire decision review system. The Committee hopes that this trial will take place during the England v South Africa Test Series, starting at Lord’s in July.

"It is accepted that trialling this system may place increased pressure on the players initially and so it is important that players are consulted fully about the system and its implications. The Committee is fully committed to helping ICC trial the umpire decision review system anywhere in the world. MCC has already been involved in testing the accuracy of Hawk-Eye, which to date has proved very positive for stating where the ball pitched and where it struck the batsman."

MCC World Cricket Comittee

Tony Lewis (Chairman)

Mike Atherton

Mike Brearley

Geoffrey Boycott

Martin Crowe

Tony Dodemaide

Rahul Dravid (ex-officio)

Andy Flower

Mike Gatting

Majid Khan

Anil Kumble (ex-officio)

Shaun Pollock (ex-officio)

Barry Richards

David Shepherd

Alec Stewart

Michael Tissera

Courtney Walsh

Steve Waugh