ICC shouldn't revoke Oval Test decision: Underwood

From concerns about the decline in spin bowling standards across the world to urging the ICC to revoke its decision on the 2006 Oval Test, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) who are the custodians of the game have a lot on their agenda now. CNN-IBN's Sanjeeb Mukherjea caught up with the MCC President, the former England spinner Derek Underwood.

Derek Underwood: What has led the ICC to un-round the decision that we had given. By the rules of the game, we said that the game was won by England. The result was that the ICC quoted that and made it a draw. But strictly looking at the laws and the rules of cricket, it was fairly clear to us that we have done everything we possibly could and that the rule could not be revoked and shouldn't be revoked, if we are in a position as custodians of the game. So, we are now looking for a reaction from the ICC.

CNN-IBN: One of the thoughts shared by a lot of cricket administrators and people interested in following cricket is that there has been perhaps a very rapid decline in the 'art of spin bowling' around the world. What could have led to this?

Derek Underwood: It is a very very good question and I think perhaps the dominance of One-Day cricket hasn't helped. And I think in fact, even at the club level, state level and at the village-league level, it is all about spinners keeping the runs down rather than you are playing a forty over game. You need to keep your runs down as much as you can.

But perhaps the young spinners -- they might be tempted to bowl a full toss or so. And the captains will pull their hair out and bring on a quicker bowler who is likely to keep the runs down. As it is, in India you have a lot more seamers playing in limited over cricket these days. Whereas in the years when I toured India, spinner were much more in numbers. So, the game as changed quite a great deal in India as it has in England.

all courtesy: cricketnext