The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced new T20I playing standards, including a significant in-match penalty for sluggish over-rates
This month, a new in-game punishment for sluggish over rates in men’s and women’s Twenty20 Internationals takes effect.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced adjustments to T20I playing regulations on Friday, which will take effect with the West Indies’ one-off match against Ireland at Sabina Park.
The modified playing conditions include an optional refreshments interlude midway through the innings in bilateral T20 international cricket, as well as an in-match penalty for slow over rates in men’s and women’s Twenty20 Internationals.
The over rate rules are outlined in clause 13.8 of the playing conditions (here), which states that a fielding side shall be able to bowl the first ball of the final over of the innings by the scheduled or rescheduled end of the innings time. If they aren’t in this position, one fewer fielder will be allowed outside the 30-yard circle for the rest of the innings.
The ICC Cricket Committee, which meets on a regular basis to evaluate ways to increase the pace of play in all forms, suggested the modification after reviewing reports on the success of a similar policy that was implemented in the ECB’s Hundred competition’s playing conditions.
The in-game punishments are in addition to the penalties mentioned in Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel for slow over-rates.
Another modification is that at the halfway point of each innings, an optional refreshments break of two minutes and thirty seconds may be taken, subject to agreement by Members at the start of each series.
The one-off tie between the West Indies and Ireland at Sabina Park in Jamaica on January 16 will be the first men’s match played under the new playing conditions, while the first T20I of the three-match series between South Africa and the West Indies in Centurion on January 18 will be the first women’s match played under the new playing conditions.