The trial super-sub rule will not be used during the Standard Bank series between South Africa and Australia starting on Sunday — although both teams will name super-subs.
The super-sub rule was introduced in an attempt to create additional excitement, but many international captains complained that it really only favoured the team that won the toss.
At its chief executives’ meeting earlier this month, the International Cricket Council (ICC) decided to drop the measure with effect from March 21. The decision to discontinue the super-sub rule still has to be ratified by the ICC executive board.
At the meeting between the match referee for the limited-overs series, Chris Broad, and the two captains, Graeme Smith and Ricky Ponting, the two captains agreed not to use super-subs.
Broad said that as the super-sub was still effectively an ICC playing condition, it would have to be complied with.
”Both teams have agreed to name a starting 11 and a super-sub. However, Graeme and Ricky have agreed that the super-sub will not be used in a playing capacity at any stage during the five-match series,” said Broad.
Earlier this week, Smith said he saw little point in playing with a super-sub, if this rule was not going to apply at the World Cup in the West Indies in 2007.
The first one-day international is to be played at Supersport Park on Sunday. — Sapa