Players taking 'comfort breaks'?

Question

At the much maligned recent ICC meeting, a change was made to the playing conditions that seems to have escaped most peoples attention, in the furore over the Zimbabwe crisis, and The Oval Test result reversal.

A change was made to clause 2 of the playing conditions. The amnendment to its wording is this:

"Substitute fielders shall only be permitted in cases of injury, illness or other wholly acceptable reasons. 'Wholly acceptable reasons' shall be limited to extreme circumstances and should not include what is commonly referred to as a 'comfort break'".

This is to stop the practice of fielders 'nipping off' for short periods to 'visit the gents'

Now my question is this.

What if the BATSMAN needs to, ahem.....

Go!!!!????

Without sacrificing his wicket, how can he 'nip off' for a quick 'comfort break'?

He might be really, really desperate!!!!

Answer 1

If I remember correctly, Ange posted this Q at the time of the ICC conference. I would hope commonsense would  prevail & players will attend to their needs at the appropriate times, i.e.lunch & tea breaks etc. Unexpected events such as the onset of illness or diarrhoea should result in the player leaving the field for rest of the session or day, depending on the urgency of his condition.

Answer 2

Dear Oracle,

What is perplexing to me is that the ICC did not take into consideration the weather (rate of evaporation) and the region !

Rehman of Multan

Answer 3

players must be aloowed to take 'comfort breaks'

Answer 4

In a 2 hour session, they also have a drinks break so they do have the opportunity every hour.

Also the rule does not forbid comfort breaks, it just forbids bringing on a sub fielder.

Batsmen can't have a comfort break!  It would hold the game up.  I do remember Dean Jones embarrassing himself in a Test match in India - but he did make a double hundred.

Answer 5

I don't think the new rule changes prohibit "comfort breaks" just the use of substitutes remaining on the field for a sustained amount of time under that excuse.

If a player really, really needs to go I'm sure an exception will be made. No-one wants to see a messy pitch lol.

But if a player waits until they're so desperate that they can't hold it in then they're just gross. If someone needs to go really badly they can just use the scheduled breaks to micturate or defecate (whatever) like any normal person would. It's not like the intervals are very far apart.

I’ve probably given that a bit too much thought, oh well. Lol.

Answer 6

Tough one that, they do have breaks every 2 hours so most of the time they should be OK - BUT what about if they have Dehli Belly?!!!!!!!

Answer 7

You know the old saying, 'when ya gotta go, ya gotta go'! That could apply here. But they could always 'tie a knot in it' as my father used to say if there wasn't a toilet handy.lol

Answer 8

Yes i posted a question on the new ICC rules,in particularly the substitute fielders coming on for 'comfort' breaks..I think the ICC would have brains in their butts if they think they can stop players from-well going to the toilet..

I think the rule applies to players who go inside just for a 10 minute slack off period,i am pretty sure if a batsman had been out there for an hour or more,and was 'busting' to go,the umpire would make him wait till drinks break..

You better hope he hasn't got bad gastro...

I do understand the new rule,but they have to have room in the rule for a dunny break..Especially in a Test match circumstances too..

Answer 9

tough question.