Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene believes one-day cricket’s experimental fielding restrictions are making the 50-over game boring and wants the trial knocked on the head.
Preparing for Friday’s day-night clash with Australia at the Gabba, Jayawardene said the new laws – allowing a maximum of four fielders outside the circle from the 11th over to the 40th – make for negative play and reduce the impact of quality spin bowling.
The veteran batsman said the change is minimising risk-taking – by both slow bowlers and batsmen – and should be canned by the International Cricket Council.
The experimental fielding restrictions are being trialled over the next 12 months, as well as the provision for two new white balls at either end and two bouncers per over.
Jayawardene, a veteran of 388 ODIs, said spinners were far more likely to bowl quicker, flatter darts rather than tossing the ball up in the hope of a wicket due to the lack of extra fielders in the deep.
“The spinners are being taken away from the game, to be honest,” he said. “Most of the spinners are being very negative now.
“They are bowling overs aiming for fewer runs rather than trying to take wickets and use their variety.
“Unless you are a top spinner and use a lot of variety, you can survive while the rest will struggle and be negative in their approach.”
Only one change is likely to the Sri Lankan side which cruised to an eight-wicket win in Adelaide with wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Chandimal (hamstring) set to undergo a fitness test before play on Friday.