The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced an in-game penalty for slow over-rate in T20I’s. As part of this, teams will have to field a maximum of only three fielders outside the 30-yard circle. This will happen in the remaining part of the innings after the penalty comes into the picture.
In-game penalty for slow over-rate in T20I’s
In a media statement, the ICC has made a tweak in the changes regard the overrate regulations. As per the statement, “The overrate regulations are captured in clause 13.8 of the playing conditions, which stipulate 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.”
The further details include, “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. The change was recommended by the ICC Cricket Committee, which regularly discusses ways to improve the pace of play in all formats, after considering reports on the effectiveness of a similar regulation that was included in the playing conditions for the Hundred competition conducted by the ECB.”
Changes to T20I Playing Conditions come into effect https://t.co/RevgbZWOAl via @ICC
— ICC Media (@ICCMediaComms) January 7, 2022
The rule will start in January itself
The rule will kick in in January itself. It will be applicable for both men’s and women’s T20I fixtures. The first game that will see the rule is the men’s one-off T20I encounter between the West Indies and Ireland. It will occur at Sabina Park on 16 January.
Another rule change includes optional drinks break at the midpoint of each inning. However, in a bilateral series, both teams must arrive at a common decision whether to include it or not. The break will be 150 seconds long. In tournaments such as IPL, such breaks have been present for a long time.
One of the major reasons for ICC to introduce the penalty rule is to improve the pace of the games. Hence, teams will now be wary of the regulations. Therefore, unnecessary drinks breaks will not come into the picture.
