Umpires seek control

Umpires want to take on full responsibility for dealing with dangerous bowling and are so confident of getting it right they are recommending the two-bouncer-per-over law should be scrapped from Test cricket.

The world's top 20 umpires believe an experimental regulation which refers to the threat of batsmen being caused physical injury is sufficient - this was the view at a two-day International Cricket Council umpires' conference that ended in Coventry yesterday.

Dickie Bird, the English umpire, intervened during this summer's England v West Indies Test at Old Trafford to warn Courtney Walsh, under the new law, for a delivery which climbed towards Mike Atherton's chest.

If the recommendation is approved next year, however, there will be nothing in theory to stop bowlers sending down six bouncers per over.

n Allan Donald, the South African fast bowler, is delaying a decision on whether to accept Warwickshire's offer to continue as their overseas player in place of Brian Lara next year. What is certain is that Donald plans to stay at Edgbaston - either as player or coach.