Fix this ICC, before it’s too late

Imagine this scenario World Cup Final Two runs to win off the last ball Jos Buttler hits one to cover and starts running Kane Williamson dives and takes the catch NZ celebrate Buttler walks off crestfallen until the TV umpire checks the replay and discovers that the catch was not cleanly taken Itrsquos a tie Super Over coming upBut hang onhellipgoing back to November 1 the precedent has been set Identical situation dropped catch but itrsquos deemed a dot ball So NZ win the World Cup Chaos ensuesThatrsquos exactly what happened on Tuesday night at the Gabba Buttler was dropped they took the single but after the replays when the catch was disallowed Buttler was back on strike and it was deemed a dot ball How can that be possible It was a dropped catch just like when Moeen Ali dropped a straightforward catch later in the game and the batsman was awarded the runThis is an anomaly that the ICC need to address before it ends up causing severe embarrassment To borrow from George Orwell are all dropped catches equal or are some more equal than others Why was England denied the run that resulted from Williamsonrsquos drop Fair enoughmdashif it was deemed a fair catch dot wicket ball and the new batsman is on strike But why was England disadvantaged for Williamsonrsquos miss If this happened on the last ball of the game would the ruling still be the sameThere is an argument to suggest that as soon as the umpire calls for a TV replay the ball is dead Or as soon as a player asks for a referral This argument is flawed What happens if there is a bump ball or a contentious catch in the outfield and the batters come back for the second run because itrsquos a huge field like the MCG If a fielder was quickthinking enough they would claim the catch even if they knew they hadnrsquot caught it After the replay rules that it was not a fair catch using this latest precedent the runs would not be awarded but itrsquos not even deemed a dead ball that needs to be rebowled Itrsquos a dot ballTake it one step further Ben Stokes was out lbw in the last over On replay it was umpirersquos call What if the ball went for a boundary or even one run If the DRS referral showed the ball was missing the stumps are the runs awarded Is it deemed a dead ball or a dot ball That mistake by the umpire could determine the World CupThe ICC or MCC may have to reconsider what the ruling is when it comes to referrals and at what point the ball is deemed dead Otherwise it becomes open to a smart cricketer gaming the system to ensure that as soon as he makes the appeal or claims the catch even if later proven to be a farcical appeal any subsequent runs or a change of striker is deemed invalidMy midday piece from a few months is worth reprising in light of what wersquove seen thus far At the time I warned against teams taking liberties against the new ball on October pitches in Australia My exact words were ldquoAs tempting as it may be to fill your team with bash merchants the pitches at that time of year especially after an incredibly wet winter will require some circumspection and a more conventional Powerplay approach than what statisticians might glean from merely looking at Big Bash numbersrdquoAlmost every game thus far with the exception of Finn Allenrsquos early assault against Australia on the very first night has vindicated my theory This isnrsquot Asiamdashyou canrsquot just blaze away at the start as insurance against the ball getting softer and reverse swinging at the death The team that wins the Cup will be the team who donrsquot lose too many wickets early and rely on almost doubling their score in the second half of the innings Likewise bowling attacks need to use their most lethal bowlers upfront to break through because it really doesnrsquot matter who it ismdashyour best will still go the distance at the end so use him at the start when he is at his most dangerousIn that same article in July I made the point that it would be sheer madness to jettison Virat Kohli His record on Australian pitches where conventional batting is key is second to none I said it then and Irsquoll say it now quoting a famous philosopher that ldquoa champion is one who is remembered A legend is one who is never forgottenrdquoClearly some overenthusiastic fan took that too far when trying to connect with King Kohli at the Crown HotelMichael Jeh is a Brisbanebased former firstclass cricketerSend your feedback to mailbagmiddaycomThe views expressed in this column are the individualrsquos and donrsquot represent those of the paper