Hazlewood backs changes to DRS

Australia quick Josh Hazlewood has backed a bowler-friendly tweak to the Decision Review System, which has come into effect this week.

The International Cricket Council has confirmed changes to its Code of Conduct and the DRS, which will apply to all international matches as of the South Africa versus Ireland one-day international on Sunday.

The change to the DRS concerns the 'Umpire's Call' in Leg Before Wicket decisions, which hands an advantage back to the bowler.

A statement released by the ICC explained the change: "For a Not Out decision to be overturned, more than half the ball now has to be impacting the pad within a zone bordered by the outside of off and leg stumps (formerly the centre of off and leg stumps), and the ball needs to be hitting the stumps within a zone bordered by the outside of off and leg stumps and the bottom of the bails (formerly the centre of off and leg stumps, and the bottom of the bails)."

In more simple terms, the size of the zone that half the ball needs to hit to reverse a not out decision has been increased, making it more likely for a fielding side to get a decision of out.

The 'Umpire's Call' has often created confusion among players and pundits, such as this incident in the 2015 Hobart Test.

Hazlewood, with his bowler's hat firmly in place, backed the change but said he had mixed feelings about the DRS overall.

"I believe that's in the bowler's favour, so I definitely rate it," Hazlewood said with a laugh on cricket.com.au's The Unplayable Podcast.

"I do like (the DRS) in the fact that it takes that really bad call out of the game, if you've got one (review) left.

"(But) I do like that natural umpire making all of the decisions.

"You can tinker with the rules and I think this is a good one, bringing it back in the bowler's favour. Obviously I'm a fan of that.

"There's a few things you could tweak to make it right, but I think it takes that really bad call out of the game so I'm a fan of it, I guess."

The ICC has also announced changes to its Code of Conduct, introducing a Demerit Points system that can lead to suspensions for repeat offenders.

While the list of Code of Conduct offences and the penalty regime will remain, each breach of the Code will now also attract Demerit Points, which will remain on a player's record for a period of two years.