ball tampering...II

So the question now is, “Do I support legalizing ball tampering?”. And the answer is that I do not. If ball tampering is legalized, it will be very difficult to put a line between what should be allowed and what should not. The focus of bowling will shift from bowling skills to ball manipulating skills, a wholly unattractive prospect.
I do, however hope for some other interventions that will help even the contest between bat and ball. After all, most people will agree that Cricket is most fun when there is a keen contest between bat and ball rather than just between the batsmen of two teams. So here are some suggestions that could help:

1. Restrict the size (width) of the bat blade. The bat blades today are nearly as thick as the face and it really is cruel on the bowlers when mishits and edges cross the rope. Thinner blades should ensure that mishits remain in the field of play, giving the bowling side a chance to catch the erring batsman out.

2. Make ball seams more prominent. There is inconsistency in the prominence of the seam between balls manufactured by different companies. While there is much scope for consistency, there should also be a move in favor of balls with more prominent seams and perhaps even rules that define the minimum and maximum prominence of the seam, which should take a level that is more that what it is at today. This will naturally benefit fast bowlers, but will also help spinners as gripping will be easier. However, spinners will have to watch out for seam-cuts. They can get very painful over time.

3. Make fairer pitches. The recent Champions League run-fest is a case in point. Enough has already been said on this topic. I need not add anything more.

4. Do not pull the boundary ropes in for limited overs matches.

5. Start with two new balls, one at each end.

6. And a final word to bowlers EVOLVE! Much has changed in Cricket over the past few decades. Fielding has advanced to new and dizzy levels since the lazy days of yore. Even batting has evolved to the demands of the modern game. There is so much more that bowlers can do to enhance their craft if only they collectively get out of this defensive and ‘being-persecuted’ mindset and meet the challenges of modern Cricket head-on.