But lbw decisions, probably the most contentious of all, will remain the domain of the umpire at the wicket, at least for now, with ICC unwilling to make the game `too mechanical,' ICC president Jagmohan Dalmiya told PTI here today.

The game will be played under a set of new rules with effect from September 1 which will reduce umpiring errors and address problems regarding playing conditions.

Demand for more use of technology has touched a high in the wake of glaring umpiring errors -- by Pakistan's Javed Akhtar in particular --- during the recently-concluded Test series between South Africa and England.

ICC also plans to impose life ban -- against the current seven-year ban -- on those found guilty of match-fixing, introduce guidelines for TV commentatorsand ensure uniformity in match referees' decisions.

But ICC has no immediate plans to introduce mandatory drug testing. ``We are not against it. But tests have their hazards too and ICC is not for introducing it for a fashion.''

TV COMMENTATORS CENSURED: ICC was examining the role of TV commentators. ``There should be some kind of guidelines. Sometimes their comments are quite unfair,'' he said, pointing out that remarks made by them (mostly ex-cricketers) added extra pressure on umpires and vitiated the already tense atmosphere.

Denying ICC was reluctant to expand the role of third umpire, Dalmiya said from next month, the official will also decide on all catches ``if the ground umpire is not sure whether it has been cleanly taken.''

Asked about allowing technology to enable third umpires decide on LBW, Dalmiya said, ``referring LBW decisions to the third umpire will drastically slow down the game. There is no mischief on anybody's part or error to such an extent which requires technologicalsupport.''

Taking away LBW decision-making from ground umpires will result in either his referring it to the third umpire very often or players demanding that they do so. ``ICC is liberal on technology use. But it should'nt become mechanical,'' he added.

Even technology developed in South Africa for LBW decisions had limitations as it sought to project straight lines, vertical and linear, which cannot fully reflect the way a cricket ball behaved, he said.

ICC constantly reviewed performance by umpires. ``Captains of all the nine Test playing countries present at the captains' meeting at the Lord's were unanimous that quality of umpiring was improving,'' he said.

The ICC chief described match-fixing as a ``heinous act'' and said the world body was debating on introducing a life ban on players, administrators or umpires found guilty.

``But betting is a law and order problem. We can only forbid those connected with the game to keep away,'' he said.

A third umpire, from next month, can even have aquiet word if his counterpart on the field does not call overs promptly or fails to notice violation of field restrictions. ``No balls and wides will be called by ground umpires,'' he added.

RATINGS FLAYED: Dalmiya dubbed all periodical cricket ratings as ``publicity stunts'' and warned that ``judging individuals in a team game can be deceptive.''

Dalmiya ruled out ICC introducing mandatory dope test, an issue that is rocking almost all major sports in the world today. The issue is also one of the contentious issues between the Indian board (BCCI) and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in the tussle over participation in next month's Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games.

Drug abuse will never be supported by ICC. But genuine use of even cortisone injections by injured bowlers will put them in the dock if they are tested, though it will not help boost his bowling, he added.

On penalty for dissent imposed by match referees, another area of controversy as the rule is not uniformly applied, the ICC presidentsaid there was a very thin dividing line between ``disappointment and dissent.''``We are working to ensure consistency in rulings. Most of the time one will find batsmen penalised but bowlers being let off which, on the surface, looks unfair. Bowlers have scope for remonstrating and getting away on the grounds of expressing disappointment. But batsmen are not supposed to show their feeling and are invariably penalised,'' he added.

ICC's new set of regulation1. Umpires permitted to consult the third umpire, if in doubt, on all dismissals barring LBW.

2. Fielders will no longer be allowed to shift positions once the batsman has taken stance. If he does so, umpire will call a `dead ball' under law 42 unfair play.

3. Stern action against suspect action of bowlers. Umpire after only one warning, may bar him from bowling if he continues to operate with a suspect action. If it is a marginal case, it should be brought to the notice of match referee for respective national boards to take furtheraction.

4. Light meters must be available and used by umpires in all international matches. It is the responsibility of each board to supply light meters to all domestic umpires standing in international matches.

5. One additional light meter should be given by host board to ICC referee when he arrives. He will retain it throughout the tour and pass it to the incoming National Grid panel umpire for each of the Tests.

6. In case change of ball is sought after 110 overs, only replacement with new ball will be allowed. (BCCI has accepted it with the change that it will be mandatory to take the new ball after 100 overs in domestic matches).

7. If a beamer is bowled, umpire should act under law 42. The bowler will be removed if he bowls a second beamer.

8. If a batsman is found to be damaging the pitch, umpire shall follow the procedures of caution, and if proven ineffective, shall signal `dead ball' as soon as he considers there is no immediate chance of a dismissal, disallow any runs, return thebatsmen to their original ends and order change of shoes.