The new ball bowlers are always exposed to pinch hitting and throughout their career they have to live with it. Spinners dread to come in to bowl in the first 15 overs since the disadvantage of the shining ball is compounded with the lack of fielders in the out field.

In order to bring a better balance to the proceedings and to add variety to the game I propose that the rule makers should consider the following proposal.

" In a match of 50 overs, the 15 overs of restricted field placements (RFO) can be used any time during the innings at the discretion of the fielding side captain either at a stretch or otherwise. Whenever the option is exercised, the umpire would be informed at the beginning of the over and would keep track of the number of such overs bowled. In case the allotted number of RFO s are not fully exhausted, the last remaining overs of an innings would be compulsorily enforced as the restricted field overs."

The benefits of the suggestion are

1. This introduces another variation to the fielding team's strategy.

2.The openers cannot rely on brute hitting policy.

3.The new ball bowlers will not always have to contend with brute hitting

4.The fielding captain can exercise the option in short bursts depending on the status of the game.

5.Batsmen who are versatile enough to bat with dual ability to 'Pinch Hit" and "Graft" and change modes at will, will be more successful than blind hitters.

6.This will not affect the present system since using the first 15 overs at a stretch as RFO s will also an option available to the fielding side.

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