4 Alternatives to the toss in Cricket

The stage is set for the press conference after a world cup final. The losing captain, with his eyes looking at the mic says, “The toss played a crucial part in deciding the game”. Well, that’s how indispensable a toss is. But, it has now become the topic of debate in the cricket circle after the great former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting pitched in with an idea of scrapping it out in test cricket.The idea seemed as a boon to many as it could compensate for the advantages that the hosts enjoy in a test series. On the other side of the proverbial coin, there is every chance that a change in the toss system could lead to chaos and instability.Ponting’s words invited both support and criticism as players like Steve Waugh and Michael Holding have given a nod to the idea while the International Cricket Council (ICC) is yet to look into it.But, what if this scenario turns out to be the end of the road for the ‘ traditional toss’? Well, here are four possible ways to substitute the flipping of the coin.

#1 The Away Advantage

The Ashes has been predominantly won by the country hosting it

For a long time now, there has been a cry that the visiting side fails to study the away conditions extensively to produce a fighting performance. There have been cases where the home side has tamed the opposition, serving as examples to the phrase ‘child’s play’. In cases of short tours, the visitors even end up playing the international matches without any prior practice matches.

The home team on the other hand shall always have a better knowledge of the prevailing conditions which gives them a slight edge over the opposition even before the inception of a match. If at all this effect is to be nullified, the away team can be given the chance to decide whether to bat or bowl, which in turn shall correct the balance between the teams somewhat.

#2 Rankings

Such a step would increase the chances of upset

A table topper playing a series or a one-off match against an associate nation or a lower ranked team has become a regular part of the game today. In what is said to be a move to bring up the quality of the sport in those nations, these rare matches provide the lower ranked teams a lesser exposure as most of the conditions favour the big shots.

The case might seem different when it comes to closely ranked teams but sometimes one team is above the other in the toppers table for a clear reason. In cases like these, the lower ranked team can be given the option to decide their first stance in a match.

A move like this shall again, add more spice to the recipe, elevating the toughness in the game, which is when the temperament of the sides comes into the scene.

#3 The winner\'s wish

Batting first if having won the previous encounter?

Does this remind you of your nostalgic childhood days where you wanted to win the match just to bat first in the next match? If yes, the reason to follow this strategy is very clear in front of you.

Modifying it slightly, when two teams lock horns, the team which emerged victorious in their previous encounter shall be given the privilege to choose their stand as to bat or bowl first in that match. In this way, the result of one match will reveal the winner of the toss of their next meet.

Both teams can study the conditions accordingly and work out plans to bring down the opposition, which is when the contest turns out to be a pot-boiler.

#4 Bowl-Out

A method to make the match exciting from the very first moment

This technique can put an end to the mainstream coin-flipping method and can give the fans something to cheer from the very first minute of the match. This alternative method involves five players from each team bowling at the stumps. The team which ends up with the most number of stump-shatters wins the contest.

This shall not only decide the batting and fielding sides but also give the bowlers a chance to swing or roll their arms before the match, giving a hint on the nature of the pitch. The team which wishes to start the bowl-out first can be given the chance to do so.

The bowl-out has been used as a match decider in the shortest version of the sport and shall continue to give some nail-biting starts as well, if implemented as a substitute for the toss.