Cricket rules

Cricket has never stopped evolving: from round-arm bowling becoming the standard, to the 15-degree rule for arm flexion while bowling. From the number of balls per over to the specifications of equipment - ranging from glove-webbing to bat handles - almost every aspect of the game is regulated. New rules are frequently put in place - especially in the shorter forms of the game, as in the case of Powerplays, free hits, and the tweaking of field restrictions.

Nov 2, 2009: Richard Hadlee fears for player burn-out | Oct 4, 2009: England drop plans for day-night Test

The future of ODIs

The growth of Twenty20 cricket has raised serious questions over the utility of the 50-over game, and concerns for its future. Though it is still the currency of the two main ICC tournaments, some boards have already shortened their domestic format. Suggestions for change have been plenty and even the ICC is thinking about tweaking the format.

Nov 2, 2009: Richard Hadlee fears for player burn-out | Oct 20, 2009: Ponting for points system to stop ODI dead rubbers

West Indian contracts crisis

The relationship between West Indian players and their board has been rocky since 2005, largely over a new contract with Digicel. The situation has flared up sporadically with isolated strikes and considerable ill-will and reached a flashpoint in July 2009, when the entire first-choice team pulled out of a home Test series against Bangladesh .

Oct 29, 2009: Gayle to learn captaincy fate next week | Oct 20, 2009: Sarwan eager to get back in national colours

Technology

For a game as steeped in tradition as cricket is, the question of how much to rely on technology is a perennial - especially when it comes to applications like HawkEye and the Snickometer. Increasingly the rules of the game are being tweaked to allow for referrals to the third umpire on matters that were previously the purview of the on-field officials

Oct 26, 2009: Tendulkar favours no referrals but more technology | Oct 13, 2009: Why umpiring reviews are flawed

Indian television rights

Since they were first offered to private channels in the 1990s, India's TV rights have fuelled the global cricket economy. Along with the cash has come plenty of confusion (with the courts stepping in on occasion), and uncertainty for the armchair fan, as the major television companies - ESPN-Star, Sony, Zee and Nimbus - have scrapped for their share of the pie.

Oct 20, 2009: Nimbus retain rights for cricket in India | Mar 16, 2009: Bombay court directs BCCI to keep WSG telecast deal on hold