![Simon Taufel urges Jay Shah for a big change in T20 cricket. [Source - @icc/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1767423722244_Simon_Taufel_Jay_Shah.jpg?type=hq)
Simon Taufel urges Jay Shah for a big change in T20 cricket. [Source - @icc/x]
Australia’s veteran umpire Simon Taufel believes T20 cricket needs a thoughtful rule change to bring back balance between bat and ball. He feels allowing one bowler to bowl a fifth over in a T20 match could help counter the growing dominance of batters in the format.
Taufel, regarded as one of the sharpest minds on cricket laws and playing conditions, has closely observed how the game has evolved over the years. With flatter pitches, shorter boundaries and fearless batting, bowlers are often left with very little margin for error.
Why Simon Taufel supports a fifth over rule in T20 cricket
The former ICC umpire feels the logic is simple. Speaking in a recent interview with Cricbuzz, Taufel said if a batter can bat through all 20 overs and score heavily from the very first ball, then limiting every bowler to just four overs feels restrictive.
The 54-year-old, who is currently working in the ILT20 league, believes one bowler, especially the leader of the attack or someone clearly in rhythm on the day, should be trusted with an extra over to challenge a dominant batter, a suggestion the ICC, led by chairman Jay Shah, could certainly give serious thought.
“l would love to see in T20 cricket one bowler bowl a fifth over. If a batter can be out there for the whole innings, we are limiting all the bowlers to four overs. We can actually maybe give one bowler one extra over, to try to even up a dominant batter versus a dominant bowler,” Taufel said.
Taufel sees this as a tactical option rather than a mandatory rule. On certain days, when a bowler is clearly ahead, that extra over could change the momentum of the match and add more strategy to T20 cricket providing more on-field value to the game.
Taufel raises concerns about the Impact Player Rule
Apart from this suggestion, Taufel has also raised concerns about certain modern rules that do not sit well with him. He is particularly uneasy with the Impact Player rule, used in leagues like the IPL, where a player can affect the match with bat or ball without being part of the fielding unit.
As a member of the MCC laws sub-committee, Simon Taufel continues to offer views on changes that make cricket more accessible while saving its competitive balance. His proposal of allowing one bowler a fifth over in T20 cricket reflects his belief in keeping the game fair and balanced.
