Ponting calls for regulation of oversized cricket bats

Mumbai: Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting took a strong objection to cricket bats used in modern-day cricket. He called for regulation of the size and weight of the willow to strike a balance in the sport, dominated by batsmen these days.

"I don't know how they are doing it to make the size of bats they are making now," Ponting was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

"The modern day bats and weight in particular — it's just a completely different game. If they are there use them, if there's a better golf club or tennis racquet everyone will use it. It's nothing against the players.

"If you are strong enough to use them, it is fine, but you should not get a bat that's bigger in size than MS Dhoni's but a whole lot lighter. Chris Gayle's the same. Everyone talks about Gayle's bat size, but it's 3½ lbs. He's big enough and strong enough to use it. I only get worried when they are really big and really light."

However, rules say that only length and width of cricket bats are limited; not depth or weight.

Ponting – the two-time World Cup winning captain – also added that his concern is related to Test cricket; since limited-overs cricket revolves around boundaries.

The 41-year-old is expected to look into the matter in the MCC World Cricket Committee meeting next week at Lord’s.