Ball tracking... we won't be seeing this in the new system.

The ICC’s chief executive committee has announced a range of new changes to international cricket which will impact on all forms and countries that participate on the global stage.

No doubt the biggest decision came with the DRS, the BCCI finally agreeing on a set of terms that will see the referral system compulsory at all international matches.

However, that set of terms doesn’t include ball tracking technology, meaning it will be extremely tough for umpires to overturn close lbw decisions.

But the ruling means that controversial heat sensor, Hot Spot, will be used – which is believed would effectively confirm whether a batsman has edged a ball.

There were a range of other notable decisions by the ICC, and at a glance, some of these changes included:

• Runners banned in all forms of international cricket
• More test matches for major nations
• New balls from both bowling ends in ODI’s
• Bowling/Batting Powerplays to be taken between overs 16 to 40 of an ODI
• Captain’s to be fined after two over-rate violations
• ICC to revisit Associate Nation participation in 2015 World Cup

Runners have begun to be an issue of late, especially since Andrew Strauss didn’t allow Graeme Smith to have one as he cramped in the 2009 Champions League.

However, the decision has received general support (ours as well!) because it gives an advantage to those players who have worked on their fitness and endurance.

Despite the success of the World Cup earlier this year in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, the ICC has also made some tweaks to ensure the format isn’t crushed by the Twenty20 juggernaut.

The changing of Powerplays to a mandatory period between overs 16 and 40 aims to liven up the middle of the innings, which has long been criticised for a lack of excitement. Meanwhile, new balls from each bowling end aims at providing bowlers with the chance to get more swing and make life harder for batsmen.

Whilst probably one of the decisions which is most pleasing for those who want to see cricket continuously grow was that of Associate Nations involvement in the 2015 World Cup.

ICC Chief Haroon Lorgat said earlier in the year that the number of Associates would be reduced to two nations for 2015. However, the executive committee has proposed that such a decision be reviewed, providing more countries a chance in being involved with the ICC’s champagne event.

The full ICC council will meet on Thursday to finalise many of such changes, with the bulk expected to be implemented within weeks and months.

Pressure... Blatter's decision comes amid calls for him to stand down.

Re-elected and under fire FIFA President Sepp Blatter has made his first move to regain respect with FIFA by changing the method in which future World Cups will be chosen. The decision means no longer will the FIFA executive committee be in charge of who is to host a World Cup, they will merely pick a shortlist of nominated countries.

This list will then be presented to the 208-strong member associates of FIFA (effectively every country that is registered with FIFA).

However, it is rumoured it might work similar to the previous system:

-          Each associate votes for ONE country in the first round.

-          Country with least amount of votes is eliminated.

-          Same process goes on till only one host country is left.

The process is yet to be confirmed, but it seems unlikely to change from this method.

It is believed the move by Blatter is his first in trying to stamp out corruption within FIFA, who’ve come under heavy criticism from around the world in recent days and weeks.

What do you make of the new World Cup voting method? Let us know in the comments section below!

What is the future for Pakistan sport?

Just as Pakistan were really presenting themselves as a cricket team and a cricketing nation moving forward.

Just as cricketing giants such as India were in negotiations with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for a long awaited Pakistani home series against their rivals.

Just as these promising signs were emerging for Pakistan, something happens that is news to the whole world and Pakistan was in the middle of it, again.

Yes, you know what is being alluded to, the so called official announcement of Osama bin Laden’s death, which happened to occur in Abbottabad, Pakistan. “Great!” as the Pakistani fan would cry. The Mohali ‘showdown’ wasted because of politics. It’s a sad fact; politics will always be a part of sport.

Even the great Imran Khan expressed his deep concerns, “”the horror of him being found in Pakistan”.

The concern is wide spread among the cricketing world as all know the implications of this event. Bin Laden’s death once again puts the brakes on any international cricket to be played on Pakistani soil; even their closest neighbour is avoiding the option.

Oh and for you diehards out there, does Afghanistan’s tour really mean anything? It’s hard to think which one out of the two nations would be more appealing at the moment.

So what happens now for Pakistan cricket and sport for that matter?

The answer to this is that no one knows and if you ask a local in Lahore, Karachi, Multan or Peshawar they will give you a similar answer with no real emotion. They have all been through it before.

It’s the old cliché, ‘one step forwards and two steps back’, an unfortunate trend for Pakistan sport.

Pakistan’s main sports love is in turmoil. The Pakistan cricket team is in the ruins, the team is at unease, politics in and out of the team is having a negative impact and the fans are losing interest. So do these characteristics sound familiar?

Well let’s rewind back to 2009 where a similar situation took place after the infamous attack on the Sri Lankan players in Lahore. Pakistan cricket responded the best way they could by winning the T20 World Cup.

Could there be a similar story this time around? Time will tell but how many blows can they take?

Now there’s no big tournament to play. No one wants to come close to your country, you’re major draw card is an Afghanistan tour and every word the captain says is scrutinized by the PCB.

Pakistan sport can be compared to a Piñata, the more you hurt it the more treats fall out.

If you are the pessimist, beware of the Pakistani fight back, and if you are the optimist prepare for the bumpy ride as it always is with Pakistan, after all the captain is Shahid Afridi.

It’s just what Pakistani sport really didn’t need and it’s come at the wrong time, yet again.

Debate... Has Rashard over stepped or is he speaking truth?

In the aftermath of Osama Bin Laden’s apparent death, Pittsburgh Steelers player Rashard Mendenhall has reacted quite indifferently to most Americans in the past 24-hours.

The running back tweeted today (AEST time) his concerns regarding the response of Bin Laden’s death.

“What kind of person celebrates death? It’s amazing how people can HATE a man they have never even heard speak. We’ve only heard one side…”

He then went on to condemn those who were making vulgar remarks toward the former al Qaeda leader.

“For those of you who said you want to see Bin Laden burn in hell and piss on his ashes, I ask how would God feel about your heart?”

The strong words have created uproar with some members of the public, with many other American athletes, including Lance Armstrong, stating their relief and happiness with Bin Laden’s death.

Mendenhall took it one step further, questioning the reality of the 9/11 events.

“We’ll never know what really happened (on September 11^th). I just have a hard time believing a plane could take a skyscraper down demolition style,”

One must credit the man for having the guts to stand up for his beliefs and not merging with the crowd. But it remains to be seen if such a view will be accepted by the rest of the American public and the world.

What do you think about Mendenhall’s comments? Is he being honest or arrogant? Let us know in the comments section bellow!

They’re pretty bloody good! But surely everyone has that little voice in their head after the ‘special one’s’ latest comments.

After their 2-0 away win at Real Madrid this morning, Barca put one foot in the door of what could be another UCL final with Manchester United.

However, it was Madrid’s coach, the one-in-a-million, Jose Mourinho who stole the limelight with some classic post-match quotes.

The former Inter, Chelsea and Porto man claimed that he hoped one day Barcelona would win the Champions League ‘properly’.

The comments came after a Pepe straight red card saw Barcelona take full advantage slotting two goals after the dismissal.

It must be said, it was a yellow card tackle at best.

Mourinho felt teams have next to no chance of beating Barca in the Champions League. He noted, in particularly, Chelsea’s loss in the semi to Barca a few seasons back and also Arsenal’s quarter-final exit earlier this year.

“No-one else has any chance really. Arsène Wenger. Today myself. I don’t understand why. I hope one day I will find the answer.”

He even went as far as wondering whether Barca’s shirt partner UNICEF was a reason for their ‘power’ in world football.

“It must be difficult to get all this power. Where does this power come from? I don’t know if it’s because they give UNICEF publicity (on their shirts)?”

Barca are now considering taking legal action against Mourinho as his comments start to spread.

However, when one looks back at some of the, let’s say ‘controversial’, games Barca have been involved with in the Champions League in recent times, there is a slight sense of intrigue.

2004-5: Barcelona v Chelsea (Second Round – 1^st Leg)

Barcelona defeated Chelsea 2-1 at the Nou Camp this game. However, Chelsea led 1-0 until Didier Drogba was sent off for a challenge on Victor Valdes. Replays showed he pulled out and the challenge was quite minimal. Claims emerged that Frank Rijkaard, Barca manager at the time, had met the referee, Anders Frisk, during half time of the game – something strictly prohibited in FIFA laws. The meeting was confirmed and the Frisk retired weeks later.

2008-9: Chelsea v Barcelona (Semi Final – 2^nd Leg)

As much as I enjoy seeing Chelsea lose, they were robbed hardcore in this game. They could have easily had four penalties in this game, but got none. Add Iniesta’s late strike to the occasion and Barca went through by the skin of their teeth. How the ref missed some of the decisions no one will ever know.

2009-10: Barcelona v Inter Milan (Semi Final – 2^nd Leg)

Inter actually won this game last year to get to the final, but it was Thiago Motta’s red card that nearly saw them exit the competition. A challenge on Sergio Busquets in the first half resulted in the red and some farcical scenes at the Nou Camp. Motta did raise his hand but contact was minimal. Busquets getting treatment after it was absolutely ridiculous though. Make what you want out of this one!

2010-11: Barcelona v Arsenal (Second Round – 2^nd Leg)

Arsenal held a 2-1 aggregate lead from the first leg heading to the Nou Camp. However, after Arsenal much like Chelsea got the lead, ref Massimo Busacca proceeded to send off Robin Van Persie for a second yellow card for kicking the ball away. The Dutchman pleaded his case, noting the boisterous noise inside the stadium meant he didn’t hear the whistle; there weren’t even appeals from the Barca players. But he got red and the rest is history.

Those are just some thoughts for you to chew on. Are Barcelona cheats? No. Are they lucky? Yes.

No one can deny their ability to play football, but one does wonder about their reputation after such games.