Sri Lanka's&nbsp;cricket&nbsp;legend Kumar Sangakkara&nbsp;has returned to Pakistan for the first time since&nbsp;the 2009 terror attacks in which the Lankan national team was targeted outside the Gaddafi Stadium in&nbsp;Lahore.&nbsp;

<h6><img alt="xcc" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ad5a9a3d-2abc-4ab3-a90d-ae377a90f9c9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%285%29_26.jpg" /> 
Sangakkara arrives in Lahore with his MCC team | Twitter/@ PCB</h6>

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The former Lankan wicketkeeper-captain will be leading the MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) squad who are set to clash with Pakistan Super League's Lahore Qalandars in the first T20 match of the four-match tour.

The MCC will open their tour of Pakistan with a Twenty20 match in Lahore on Friday. The remaining matches of the tour will also be played in the city on February 16, 17 and 19.

The match will take place in the same Gaddafi Stadium, where the Sri Lankan team was attacked by terrorists&nbsp;in 2009 which left eight people dead.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Whole Lankan team using&nbsp;Pak Army helicopter to get airlifted&nbsp;after 2009 attacks | AFP</h6>

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The 42-year-old himself was wounded after he suffered a shrapnel wound&nbsp;to his shoulder.&nbsp;He had a narrow escape after a bullet whistled past his head as the Sri Lankan players lay pinned down on the floor of the team bus.

&nbsp;

<h6><img alt="sa" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8c473c51-c91e-449f-9f4c-67d74fa071ac" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%284%29_37.jpg" /> 
Sri Lankan spinner Ajanta Mendis injured&nbsp;during&nbsp;the attack in 2009 | AFP</h6>

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International cricket is only now slowly returning to normal in Pakistan.&nbsp;They hosted Sri Lanka late last year for their first home Test series since the 2009 attack.

According to Sangakkara who is also the president of MCC said that Pakistan is restoring its image as a safe destination for cricket.

After his arrival in Lahore on Thursday, he said: "Security is always a major concern everywhere in the world."

Kumar Sangakkara said: "I think the steps that have been taken in Pakistan over the past few years have instilled a great amount of confidence in the cricketing nations."

"I think slowly and surely that confidence is building up and the more times international sides tour, that message becomes stronger and harder to ignore," he added.&nbsp;

Cricketing great Sangakkara said that playing in Lahore will send out a powerful message.

Sri Lanka's cricket legend Kumar Sangakkara has returned to Pakistan for the first time since the 2009 terror attacks in which the Lankan national team was targeted outside the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Sri Lanka's cricket legend Kumar Sangakkara has returned to Pakistan for the first time since the 2009 terror attacks in which the Lankan national team was targeted outside the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Sangakkara arrives in Lahore with his MCC team | Twitter/@ PCB The former Lankan wicketkeeper-captain will be leading the MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) squad who are set to clash with Pakistan Super League's Lahore Qalandars in the first T20 match of the four-match tour. The MCC will open their tour of Pakistan with a Twenty20 match in Lahore on Friday. The remaining matches of the tour will also be played in the city on February 16, 17 and 19. The match will take place in the same Gaddafi Stadium, where the Sri Lankan team was attacked by terrorists in 2009 which left eight people dead. Whole Lankan team using Pak Army helicopter to get airlifted after 2009 attacks | AFP The 42-year-old himself was wounded after he suffered a shrapnel wound to his shoulder. He had a narrow escape after a bullet whistled past his head as the Sri Lankan players lay pinned down on the floor of the team bus. Sri Lankan spinner Ajanta Mendis injured during the attack in 2009 | AFP International cricket is only now slowly returning to normal in Pakistan. They hosted Sri Lanka late last year for their first home Test series since the 2009 attack. According to Sangakkara who is also the president of MCC said that Pakistan is restoring its image as a safe destination for cricket. After his arrival in Lahore on Thursday, he said: "Security is always a major concern everywhere in the world." Kumar Sangakkara said: "I think the steps that have been taken in Pakistan over the past few years have instilled a great amount of confidence in the cricketing nations." "I think slowly and surely that confidence is building up and the more times international sides tour, that message becomes stronger and harder to ignore," he added. Cricketing great Sangakkara said that playing in Lahore will send out a powerful message.

Kumar Sangakkara visits Lahore for first time after 2009 bus attack on Lankan team

Alastair Cook has become the newest member of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/mcc-committee-insist-neutral-umpires-still-best-for-tests-242624">Marylebone Cricket Club's (MCC) World Cricket Committee</a>. W. Indies Cricket's president Ricky Skerritt has also been appointed to the club's World Cricket Committee. Both Cook and Skerritt have accepted the club's invitation to join the committee.

"I am thrilled that Sir Alastair and Ricky have both accepted our invitation to join the MCC World Cricket committee," Mike Gatting, Chairman of the MCC World Cricket Committee said in an official statement.

"Alastair has enjoyed a wonderful career with England over a number of years and with him still playing domestically, he can give insight from a current players' perspective, as well using his undisputable international experience," he added.

<img alt="Alastair Cook" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c7c2af1b-46f1-46f7-951b-dcf23cdc4e7a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%282%29_49.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Alastair Cook (Courtesy: ANI) ]

&nbsp;Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/englands-jason-roy-is-honoured-to-receive-test-cap-from-alastair-cook-239080">England's Jason Roy is honoured to receive Test cap from Alastair Cook</a>

The committee meets twice a year to discuss important issues concerning the game. Cook is England's leading Test match run-scorer with 12,472 runs in his 161 matches and he announced his retirement from the international game in 2018.

However, he continued his domestic career, helping his county side Essex to a second County Championship title in three years. Former West Indies bowler and current broadcaster Ian Bishop, and Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib al Hasan have stood down from the committee.

The next MCC World Cricket Committee meeting is due to take place in Sri Lanka in March.

Alastair Cook has become the newest member of the Marylebone Cricket Club's (MCC) World Cricket Committee. W. Indies Cricket's president Ricky Skerritt has also been appointed to the club's World Cricket Committee.

Alastair Cook has become the newest member of the Marylebone Cricket Club's (MCC) World Cricket Committee. W. Indies Cricket's president Ricky Skerritt has also been appointed to the club's World Cricket Committee. Both Cook and Skerritt have accepted the club's invitation to join the committee. "I am thrilled that Sir Alastair and Ricky have both accepted our invitation to join the MCC World Cricket committee," Mike Gatting, Chairman of the MCC World Cricket Committee said in an official statement. "Alastair has enjoyed a wonderful career with England over a number of years and with him still playing domestically, he can give insight from a current players' perspective, as well using his undisputable international experience," he added. [ Alastair Cook (Courtesy: ANI) ] Also Read: England's Jason Roy is honoured to receive Test cap from Alastair Cook The committee meets twice a year to discuss important issues concerning the game. Cook is England's leading Test match run-scorer with 12,472 runs in his 161 matches and he announced his retirement from the international game in 2018. However, he continued his domestic career, helping his county side Essex to a second County Championship title in three years. Former West Indies bowler and current broadcaster Ian Bishop, and Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib al Hasan have stood down from the committee. The next MCC World Cricket Committee meeting is due to take place in Sri Lanka in March.

Alastair Cook appointed to MCC's World Cricket Committee

New York City's chief medical examiner determined on Friday that&nbsp;suicide&nbsp;by&nbsp;hanging&nbsp;was the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/serious-irregularities-at-prison-where-epstein-died-us-attorney-general-242548">cause of&nbsp;death&nbsp;for financier Jeffrey&nbsp;Epstein</a>, whose body was found six days ago in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

The sparely worded&nbsp;official&nbsp;announcement detailing the&nbsp;autopsy&nbsp;conclusions rebutted a host of conspiracy theories - including one promoted by President Donald Trump - that had circulated on social media about the&nbsp;death&nbsp;of the well-connected former money manager.

Epstein's lawyers said they were "not satisfied" with the medical examiner's conclusions and planned to carry out their investigation, seeking prison videos taken around the time of his&nbsp;death.

Epstein, 66, was found unresponsive on Saturday in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC), triggering investigations into the circumstances of his&nbsp;death.&nbsp;

He was arrested on July 6 and pleaded not guilty to federal charges of sex trafficking involving dozens of underage girls as young as 14.

Chief Medical Examiner Barbara Sampson said her determination of the cause of&nbsp;death&nbsp;came after a "careful review of all investigative information, including complete&nbsp;autopsy findings."

"Cause:&nbsp;Hanging. Manner:&nbsp;Suicide," the statement said, without providing supporting details for Sampson's findings.

Details of the findings had been leaking into the news media over the past few days.

Two law enforcement sources told Reuters on Thursday that&nbsp;Epstein's neck had been broken in several places, confirming a Washington Post report that to some had raised questions about possible foul play.

Epstein, a registered sex offender who once counted Trump and former President Bill Clinton as friends, pleaded guilty in 2008 to Florida state charges of unlawfully paying a teenage girl for sex.

Epstein&nbsp;had been on&nbsp;suicide&nbsp;watch at the jail but was taken off before his&nbsp;death, a source who was not authorized to speak on the matter said previously.&nbsp;

At the MCC, two jail guards are required to make separate checks on all prisoners every 30 minutes, but that procedure was not followed, the source added.

"It is indisputable that the authorities violated their protocols,"&nbsp;Epstein's lawyers Martin Weinberg, Reid Weingarten, and Michael Miller said in a statement, describing conditions in the area he was held as, "harsh, even medieval."

US Attorney General William Barr has criticized "serious irregularities" at the facility.

New York City's chief medical examiner determined on Friday that suicide by hanging was the cause of death for financier Jeffrey Epstein, whose body was found six days ago in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

New York City's chief medical examiner determined on Friday that suicide by hanging was the cause of death for financier Jeffrey Epstein, whose body was found six days ago in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. The sparely worded official announcement detailing the autopsy conclusions rebutted a host of conspiracy theories - including one promoted by President Donald Trump - that had circulated on social media about the death of the well-connected former money manager. Epstein's lawyers said they were "not satisfied" with the medical examiner's conclusions and planned to carry out their investigation, seeking prison videos taken around the time of his death. Epstein, 66, was found unresponsive on Saturday in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC), triggering investigations into the circumstances of his death. He was arrested on July 6 and pleaded not guilty to federal charges of sex trafficking involving dozens of underage girls as young as 14. Chief Medical Examiner Barbara Sampson said her determination of the cause of death came after a "careful review of all investigative information, including complete autopsy findings." "Cause: Hanging. Manner: Suicide," the statement said, without providing supporting details for Sampson's findings. Details of the findings had been leaking into the news media over the past few days. Two law enforcement sources told Reuters on Thursday that Epstein's neck had been broken in several places, confirming a Washington Post report that to some had raised questions about possible foul play. Epstein, a registered sex offender who once counted Trump and former President Bill Clinton as friends, pleaded guilty in 2008 to Florida state charges of unlawfully paying a teenage girl for sex. Epstein had been on suicide watch at the jail but was taken off before his death, a source who was not authorized to speak on the matter said previously. At the MCC, two jail guards are required to make separate checks on all prisoners every 30 minutes, but that procedure was not followed, the source added. "It is indisputable that the authorities violated their protocols," Epstein's lawyers Martin Weinberg, Reid Weingarten, and Michael Miller said in a statement, describing conditions in the area he was held as, "harsh, even medieval." US Attorney General William Barr has criticized "serious irregularities" at the facility.

The official autopsy concludes Epstein death was suicide by hanging

The MCC cricket committee has played down calls for neutral umpires to be replaced in Test cricket after Joel Wilson's decisions in the first Test between England and Australia came in for widespread criticism.

West Indian umpire Wilson had eight decisions overturned by players from both teams at Edgbaston, while his fellow umpire Aleem Dar also made several errors in the Ashes clash.

Many observers claimed the best umpires in the game should be on duty for what remains cricket's highest-profile Test series, regardless of whether they were born in England or Australia.

"I think the feeling is still that neutrality works. Unfortunately, there is still quite an imbalance in the ICC elite panel," said John Stephenson, head of cricket at MCC, the guardians of the sport's laws.

Currently, seven of the 12-strong elite panel hail from England or Australia and it appears investing more in raising the umpiring standard across the globe is a preferable option to ending a ruling dating back to 2002.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who sits on the committee, brought the issue to the table during a two-day meeting at Lord's.

"It was a bit of a focus during the last Test match and Ricky mentioned the possibility of bringing back non-neutral umpires," Stephenson added.

"It's probably a good time for the base to be broadened, maybe something should be done to train up more umpires to get them to elite level around the world."

The MCC cricket committee has played down calls for neutral umpires to be replaced in Test cricket after Joel Wilson's decisions in the first Test between England and Australia came in for widespread criticism.

The MCC cricket committee has played down calls for neutral umpires to be replaced in Test cricket after Joel Wilson's decisions in the first Test between England and Australia came in for widespread criticism. West Indian umpire Wilson had eight decisions overturned by players from both teams at Edgbaston, while his fellow umpire Aleem Dar also made several errors in the Ashes clash. Many observers claimed the best umpires in the game should be on duty for what remains cricket's highest-profile Test series, regardless of whether they were born in England or Australia. "I think the feeling is still that neutrality works. Unfortunately, there is still quite an imbalance in the ICC elite panel," said John Stephenson, head of cricket at MCC, the guardians of the sport's laws. Currently, seven of the 12-strong elite panel hail from England or Australia and it appears investing more in raising the umpiring standard across the globe is a preferable option to ending a ruling dating back to 2002. Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who sits on the committee, brought the issue to the table during a two-day meeting at Lord's. "It was a bit of a focus during the last Test match and Ricky mentioned the possibility of bringing back non-neutral umpires," Stephenson added. "It's probably a good time for the base to be broadened, maybe something should be done to train up more umpires to get them to elite level around the world."

MCC committee insist 'neutral' umpires still best for Tests

Cricket could be included in the Olympics in the future with the 2028 Games in Los Angeles being the earliest it can be staged, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) said on Monday.

The MCC, custodian of the sport’s laws, had its World Cricket Committee (WCC) discuss the inclusion of cricket in multi-sports events at Lord’s on Sunday and Monday.

Cricket has not been given an entry in Olympics after 1900 Olympics.&nbsp;

“There is still much to be done if cricket is to be included in the Olympics, with Los Angeles 2028 the earliest likely opportunity, and the ICC continuing to work internally to align cricket to pursue the sport’s Olympic ambitions,” the MCC World Cricket committee said in a statement.

However, the BCCI is finally set to come under the ambit of the National Anti-Doping Agency, with its compliance paving the way for their cricket teams to take part in the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.

In June, women’s Twenty20 cricket moved a step closer to feature in the 2022 Commonwealth Games after being nominated by organisers for its potential inclusion in Birmingham.

Cricket has not featured in the Commonwealth Games since its maiden appearance in 1998 when the South African men’s team won the gold medal in Kuala Lumpur.

“The WCC is pleased to see that Women’s T20 Cricket is likely to be included at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, having supported this in their last meeting in March,” it added.

“Cricket is also due to return to the Asian Games at Hangzhou 2022, likely again to be in the T20 format. Including cricket at Hangzhou 2022 is the perfect opportunity to showcase the sport to the market in China.”

Cricket could be included in the Olympics in the future with the 2028 Games in Los Angeles being the earliest it can be staged, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) said on Monday.

Cricket could be included in the Olympics in the future with the 2028 Games in Los Angeles being the earliest it can be staged, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) said on Monday. The MCC, custodian of the sport’s laws, had its World Cricket Committee (WCC) discuss the inclusion of cricket in multi-sports events at Lord’s on Sunday and Monday. Cricket has not been given an entry in Olympics after 1900 Olympics. “There is still much to be done if cricket is to be included in the Olympics, with Los Angeles 2028 the earliest likely opportunity, and the ICC continuing to work internally to align cricket to pursue the sport’s Olympic ambitions,” the MCC World Cricket committee said in a statement. However, the BCCI is finally set to come under the ambit of the National Anti-Doping Agency, with its compliance paving the way for their cricket teams to take part in the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. In June, women’s Twenty20 cricket moved a step closer to feature in the 2022 Commonwealth Games after being nominated by organisers for its potential inclusion in Birmingham. Cricket has not featured in the Commonwealth Games since its maiden appearance in 1998 when the South African men’s team won the gold medal in Kuala Lumpur. “The WCC is pleased to see that Women’s T20 Cricket is likely to be included at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, having supported this in their last meeting in March,” it added. “Cricket is also due to return to the Asian Games at Hangzhou 2022, likely again to be in the T20 format. Including cricket at Hangzhou 2022 is the perfect opportunity to showcase the sport to the market in China.”

Officials looking to include cricket in 2028 Los Angeles Olympics: MCC

The Melbourne cricket club (MCC) World Cricket committee on Wednesday has asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to back the bid to have cricket included in the Olympics.

The issue was raised after a meeting on Wednesday&nbsp;and the panel of former cricketers Ricky Ponting, Mike Gatting, Kumar Sangakkara and John Stevenson&nbsp;discussed the game&#39;s return to the Olympics.

The inclusion of cricket in the Olympics will help to promote the game around the world.

&quot;It would be ideal if all the major countries take part. And how we were looking at the 2024 Olympics, I don&#39;t think that&#39;s going to be a reality at the moment because the preparations are well underway. But, 2028 seems a very, very likely target and they are negations and discussions underway,&quot; suggested Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) stated that it is open to cricket&#39;s future inclusion provided all top teams compete. But the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the game&#39;s richest and most influential board, has been rather reluctant.

&quot;It&#39;s one of those things that has frustrated me,&quot; committee chairman Mike Gatting told a news conference.

The Indian board has not been keen on cricket&#39;s Olympic inclusion, partly because of apprehensions that BCCI might lose its autonomy and be answerable to the country&#39;s Olympic committee.

&quot;We would like to urge the BCCI to have&nbsp;a look at it again and try and support the main body of boards who would like to get into the Olympics as soon as possible,&quot;&nbsp;former&nbsp;English cricketer Mike Gatting added.

Cricket was last played at the Olympics in the 1900 Paris Games and the governing International Cricket Council (ICC) has said most of its members backed the inclusion of the 20-overs format in Olympic Games.

&quot;One thing we&#39;re very conscious of not lessening the product that we&#39;re putting out. If cricket makes it into the Olympics it pretty much has to be the best players and showcase the sport for what it actually is,&quot; said former Australian captain Ricky Ponting.

&nbsp;

The inclusion of cricket in the Olympics will help in promoting the game around the world

The Melbourne cricket club (MCC) World Cricket committee on Wednesday has asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to back the bid to have cricket included in the Olympics. The issue was raised after a meeting on Wednesday and the panel of former cricketers Ricky Ponting, Mike Gatting, Kumar Sangakkara and John Stevenson discussed the game's return to the Olympics. The inclusion of cricket in the Olympics will help to promote the game around the world. "It would be ideal if all the major countries take part. And how we were looking at the 2024 Olympics, I don't think that's going to be a reality at the moment because the preparations are well underway. But, 2028 seems a very, very likely target and they are negations and discussions underway," suggested Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) stated that it is open to cricket's future inclusion provided all top teams compete. But the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the game's richest and most influential board, has been rather reluctant. "It's one of those things that has frustrated me," committee chairman Mike Gatting told a news conference. The Indian board has not been keen on cricket's Olympic inclusion, partly because of apprehensions that BCCI might lose its autonomy and be answerable to the country's Olympic committee. "We would like to urge the BCCI to have a look at it again and try and support the main body of boards who would like to get into the Olympics as soon as possible," former English cricketer Mike Gatting added. Cricket was last played at the Olympics in the 1900 Paris Games and the governing International Cricket Council (ICC) has said most of its members backed the inclusion of the 20-overs format in Olympic Games. "One thing we're very conscious of not lessening the product that we're putting out. If cricket makes it into the Olympics it pretty much has to be the best players and showcase the sport for what it actually is," said former Australian captain Ricky Ponting.

MCC World Cricket Committee ask BCCI to back Olympics push

Big bats are set to be consigned to the wood-heap and umpires will be given the power to send off players from October as part of cricket&#39;s new Code of Laws, the Marylebone Cricket Club has said.

The maximum dimensions of a bat will be restricted to 108mm in width, 67mm in depth and with 40mm edges according to the new code which will be issued on October 1, the MCC said in a media release.

The rule change&nbsp;decided after consultations with players, manufacturers and global governing bodies, is in response to growing concerns about the imbalance between bat and ball.

Bat sizes have grown pronouncedly in recent years, with thicker edges regularly sending mis-hit shots to the boundaries, much to the chagrin of bowlers.

&quot;The bat size issue has been heavily scrutinised and discussed in recent years,&quot; the MCC&#39;s John Stephenson said.

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&quot;We believe the maximum dimensions we have set will help redress the balance between bat and ball, while still allowing the explosive, big hitting we all enjoy.&quot;

In other changes, umpires will be given more powers to punish poor player behaviour, starting with official warnings through to temporary or permanent dismissal from the field.

Offences including throwing the ball at a player or making deliberate physical contact with an opponent would result in the &quot;immediate awarding of five penalty runs to the opposing team&quot;, the MCC said.

More serious offences, including &quot;intimidating&quot; an umpire or threatening to assault another player, team official or spectator, would mean five penalty runs and the offender&#39;s removal from the field &quot;for a set number of overs&quot;.

Any act of violence would mean removal for the remainder of the match, the MCC added.

&quot;We felt the time had come to introduce sanctions for poor player behaviour and research told us that a growing number of umpires at grass roots level were leaving the game because of it,&quot; Stephenson said.

In the first new Code of Laws since 2000, batsmen will also be protected from &#39;bouncing bat&#39; run-outs in a rule change.

Players can no longer be run out if their bat loses contact with the pitch after being grounded behind the popping crease.

The MCC, which is based at Lord&#39;s in London, has been the custodian of the laws of cricket since they were first created in 1787.

(Reuters)

The new rules come into effect from October

Big bats are set to be consigned to the wood-heap and umpires will be given the power to send off players from October as part of cricket's new Code of Laws, the Marylebone Cricket Club has said. The maximum dimensions of a bat will be restricted to 108mm in width, 67mm in depth and with 40mm edges according to the new code which will be issued on October 1, the MCC said in a media release. The rule change decided after consultations with players, manufacturers and global governing bodies, is in response to growing concerns about the imbalance between bat and ball. Bat sizes have grown pronouncedly in recent years, with thicker edges regularly sending mis-hit shots to the boundaries, much to the chagrin of bowlers. "The bat size issue has been heavily scrutinised and discussed in recent years," the MCC's John Stephenson said. umpires will be given more powers to punish poor player behaviour, starting with official warnings through to temporary or permanent dismissal from the field × "We believe the maximum dimensions we have set will help redress the balance between bat and ball, while still allowing the explosive, big hitting we all enjoy." In other changes, umpires will be given more powers to punish poor player behaviour, starting with official warnings through to temporary or permanent dismissal from the field. Offences including throwing the ball at a player or making deliberate physical contact with an opponent would result in the "immediate awarding of five penalty runs to the opposing team", the MCC said. More serious offences, including "intimidating" an umpire or threatening to assault another player, team official or spectator, would mean five penalty runs and the offender's removal from the field "for a set number of overs". Any act of violence would mean removal for the remainder of the match, the MCC added. "We felt the time had come to introduce sanctions for poor player behaviour and research told us that a growing number of umpires at grass roots level were leaving the game because of it," Stephenson said. In the first new Code of Laws since 2000, batsmen will also be protected from 'bouncing bat' run-outs in a rule change. Players can no longer be run out if their bat loses contact with the pitch after being grounded behind the popping crease. The MCC, which is based at Lord's in London, has been the custodian of the laws of cricket since they were first created in 1787. (Reuters)

New cricket rules: Umpires to send off players, no more big bats

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