To maintain pace across all the formats, ICC keeps updating the rules and regulations in World Cricket. Earlier, ICC brought new rules for the World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle and now they have come up with new rules for the international T20 matches. In a first, ICC has introduced in-match penalty which is going to come into effect from this month.
The slow-over rate has been a cause of concern for a long time and ICC has taken firm steps to avoid the same with their update in the rules. In the World Test Championship cycle, if a team maintains a slow-over rate, certain penalty points are given to them. The strict rule keeps the teams on their toes and they try to finish their quota of overs in the scheduled time.
ICC’s new slow over-rate rule
ICC is now going to tighten their grip on the shortest format of the game as they are going to bring in-match penalty for slow over rates in men’s and women’s T20 international games. This new rule comes into effect this month. Besides the in-match penalty, teams will now have the liberty to take an optional drinks break of 2 mins and 30 seconds, however, this drinks break is subject to agreement between members at the beginning of the series.
According to the clause 13.8 of the playing conditions, a team should be able to bowl the first delivery of the last over as per the scheduled or rescheduled time. If a team is found to be behind their schedule, one less fielder will be allowed outside the 30-yard circle. In other words, only 4 fielders will be allowed outside the 30-yard circle instead of 5 for the remainder of the inning.
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The match between West Indies and Ireland on 17th January is going to see the new playing conditions come into effect for the first time. ICC is surely trying to pace things up across all the formats and making sure that the teams don’t reel behind the scheduled time for each contest.
