Italy is finally heading to the World Cup — just not in the sport most people might expect. Amid dark times for the country’s storied but ailing soccer team, some salvation comes in the form of the Azzurri’s unheralded cricketers after their first-ever qualification for a global tournament.

Laws of Cricket changed to allow previously ‘illegal’ bats - Laminated bats will now be permitted at all but the elite level of the game

New safety measures are being considered so that play can resume.

But the MCC announced on Tuesday that play will now continue until all remaining deliveries are bowled. The Laws sub-committee said the previous rule was unnecessarily robbing matches of "drama" by stopping play and not making a new batter face the final few deliveries of the day's play.

Cricket bats previously deemed illegal for adult amateur players are to be permitted after a change in the law brought about by the rising cost of English willow.

The MCC also changed the Hit Wicket and Overthrow laws, among other revisions

Diageo has launched its sale of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, one of the most popular cricket teams in the Indian Premier League, a source with direct knowledge of the situation said. Books have gone out for the Royal Challengers,