SPORTS
Ambrose, who took 225 ODI and 405 Test wickets for the West Indies, said the rules were 'undermining the contest between bat and ball' that was fundamental to 'cricket's DNA'.
Legendary West Indies paceman Curtly Ambrose on Thursday said that one-day cricket's rules favoured batsmen so much that teams might as well use bowling machines to send down deliveries.
With the quarter-finals barely begun, there have been 32 centuries at this year's World Cup, compared to 24 for the entire tournament in 2011.
Ambrose, who took 225 ODI and 405 Test wickets for the West Indies, said the rules were 'undermining the contest between bat and ball that was fundamental to cricket's DNA'.
"It's too one-sided and the powers-that-be need to look at this seriously and make it a little more even, because at the moment it's all about batting," he told reporters in Wellington ahead of Saturday's New Zealand-West Indies quarter-final. "The bowlers, they can't play cricket. Soon they might have to get in bowling machines.
He said the free hit and batting powerplay meant bowlers could not build pressure to strangle an innings. "Everything favours the batsman," he said. "A bowler trains hard to do the best for his team, oversteps the front mark and there's a free hit, the powerplays and all that stuff - I'm totally not for it.
"I believe as a bowler, if you bowl well enough, you can keep it real tight and they can't score. (But now) all of sudden they're taking the powerplay and the field moves around so they can score runs," he pointed out.
Ambrose, who was part of the most intimidating pace attack in cricket history, also took aim at sledgers, saying verbally taunting opponents had no place in the game. The Antiguan, who stands at two metres (six foot seven) and could silence most foes with a menacing glare, said he never found it necessary to sledge.
"I don't believe in it, I don't think that sledging is a part of the cricket.If you're a good enough player, you should let the bat or the ball do the talking for you.
Ambrose, who is serving as the West Indies bowling coach at this year's tournament, conceded his side were 'underdogs' against New Zealand but backed their chances of an upset. "We've got some dangerous players as well, it just depends what happens on the day," the 51-year old said.
"If we make a good start, blunt their attack early and play to our potential, I believe we have every chance of beating them," he added.
Ambrose said co-hosts New Zealand had to meet home fans' expectations that they will take their excellent group stage form into the knockout rounds. "That extra pressure could take a toll if they are not strong enough mentally," he said.
"We're not under pressure. According to cricket pundits we don't stand a chance, so we're going to go out there and enjoy our cricket and play to win," he concluded.
Price of Ratan Tata's watch will leave you shocked, it costs Rs...
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance JioBook becomes cheaper before Diwali, new price is just Rs...
Driverless burning car speeds through Jaipur streets, causes panic, video goes viral
Baba Siddiqui's last Instagram post before he was shot dead was about Ratan Tata, he said...
Mumbai police identifies third shooter involved in Baba Siddique's murder, probe underway
Pumpkin seller hits jackpot, wins Rs 1.2 crore lottery, here's how
Baba Siddique's last rites to be performed with full state honours in Mumbai
Sudha Murty wanted these TWO gifts from Ratan Tata, he gave it to her, they are now kept in...
Elderly man's dangerous train stunt shocks internet, watch viral video
Baba Siddique shot dead: Is Lawrence Bishnoi gang behind NCP leader's murder? Police say...
When Neeraj Chopra met 'a true visionary' Ratan Tata and said...
World's richest man Elon Musk's net worth falls by Rs 124500 crore due to his latest...
'A champion of friendship between...': Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu condoles Ratan Tata's demise
Mukesh Ambani's superhit new Jio annual plan with unlimited 5G data for just Rs...
MBA jobs: 6 career paths to pursue after an MBA degree
Mumbai Police comfort Shantanu Naidu with heartfelt hugs as he grieves Ratan Tata's death, WATCH
Who are largest stakeholders in Tata Sons? Not Ratan Tata, Noel Tata, it is...
Delhi NCR: Ganga water supply to be shut in Noida, Ghaziabad from today for 20 days due to…
iPhone 15 available at just Rs 27,000 on Flipkart's Big Shopping Utsav Sale: How to grab this deal?
Viral video: Crocodile spotted in drain, rescued by forest department in Kanpur, watch
Who was GN Saibaba, ex-DU professor who died months after acquittal in alleged Maoist links case?
Gautam Adani on Ratan Tata's death news: 'Legends like him never fade away...'
Baba Siddique shot dead in Mumbai, his last social media post goes viral, it was...
Former Delhi University professor GN Saibaba passes away
IND vs BAN, 3rd T20I: India beat Bangladesh by 133 runs, complete 3-0 clean sweep in Hyderabad
Baba Siddique, who was shot at in Mumbai, dies, confirms Lilavati Hospital
22 sixes, 25 fours: India register their highest-ever total in T20I cricket history
THIS is world’s shortest flight, lasts only 90 seconds, it covers a distance of…
Durga Puja 2024: Rani Mukerji, Kajol dazzle in saree during sindoor khela
Amitabh Bachchan made big investment in this smallcap company, gave more than 600% return in 5 years
THIS Mumbai canteen has been named best restaurant in India, it serves the best...
Watch: Sanju Samson smashed Rishad Hossain for five consecutive sixes during IND vs BAN 3rd T20I
Israel's precarious predicament: Can it thwart Iran's nuclear ambitions without US support?
‘Was called arrogant, entitled, selfish…’: This star cricketer once battled alcoholism, then…
Who is the wealthiest among Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani's children's in-laws?
Shantanu Naidu stopped by Mumbai police before Ratan Tata's funeral, watch viral video
IND vs BAN: Why is Harshit Rana not playing India vs Bangladesh 3rd T20I?
THIS robot can serve drinks, babysit children, walk dogs and even be your friend, it costs Rs...
Delhi to launch 'E-Detection' system: Here's how it will prevent polluting vehicles from entering
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das Pays Tribute to Ratan Tata
Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio launches new ISD plans for THESE countries, price starts at Rs...
Meet China's 'Spider-Woman' who climbs 100-metre cliff bare-handed, with no safety equipment
Tech millionaire attempts reverse ageing, get 'baby face': What happened next will leave you shocked
Shilpa Shetty stuns in pink lehenga as turns showstopper for Megha Bansal at Lakme Fashion Week
IND vs BAN, Hyderabad weather update: Will rain play spoilsport in India vs Bangladesh 3rd T20I?
What did Nita Ambani do before marrying Mukesh Ambani? What was her salary?
Ratan Tata death: 'Titan' of Indian business, philanthropist icon's cause of death is...
Rishabh Pant reveals real story behind his ‘fake injury’ in T20 World Cup final
Tamil Nadu train accident: Know reason behind derailment, here's what Railways official says...
Iran gives big warning to oil-rich allies of US: 'Don't help Israel or else...'
MS Dhoni sets internet on fire with new haircut, pics go viral
Shikhar Dhawan and Chris Gayle's playful dance moves go viral, watch