Ponting's bat illegal - ICC
2006-02-16 19:06
Dubai - The International Cricket Council said on Thursday the sport's rule-making body decided that the type of bat used by Australia captain Ricky Ponting was illegal.
The ICC said the Marylebone Cricket Club had told it that the graphite-reinforced bat contravened one of its laws and "in the MCC's view was illegal."
The MCC investigated the bat's design in April to see if it complied with laws regarding the composition of the blade, the thickness of any covering material, and the damage it does the ball.
The ICC approved the bat the following month, despite the MCC's concerns that the thin film of carbon graphite gave the user an unfair power advantage. Manufacturer Kookaburra is withdrawing its bat.
"With several players in the world currently or soon to participate in international cricket matches, Kookaburra has undertaken to re-supply all international cricketers with alternate bats as soon as possible," the ICC said.
- AP