The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday announced new rules for T20 games, with teams found to have a slow over-rate to be penalized with one less player outside the 30-yard circle for the remainder of the innings. The governing body also introduced an optional drinks interval, as part of its new playing rules for T20Is.
New playing rules for T20Is
1. The over rate regulations are captured in clause 13.8 of the playing conditions. That stipulates that a fielding side must be in a position to bowl the first ball of the final over of the innings by the scheduled or rescheduled time for the end of the innings. If they are not in such a position, one fewer fielder will be permitted outside of the 30-yard circle for the remaining overs of the innings.
2. Optional drink break of 2 minutes and 30 seconds at the mid-point of each innings. It will be subjected to agreement between Members at the start of each series.
Under normal regulations, five fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle after the first six overs. Due to the slow over rates issues over the last few years, ICC has made a change. According to the latest ICC guidelines, in case of the schedule not being kept up by the bowling side, no more than four fielders shall be permitted outside the restricted area.
The ICC Cricket Committee regularly discusses ways to improve the pace of play in all formats of the game. The in-match penalty was recommended by the ICC Cricket Committee, after considering reports on the effectiveness of a similar regulation. That was included in the playing conditions for the Hundred competition conducted by the England Cricket Board (ECB). (mrbonespumpkinpatch)
When will the new playing conditions come into effect?
The first men’s match to be played under the new playing conditions will be between the West Indies and Ireland on January 16. While the first T20I between South Africa and West Indies on 18 January will be the first women’s match.