In a bid to further refine the dynamics of men’s One Day Internationals (ODIs) and T20 Internationals (T20Is), the International Cricket Council (ICC), the global governing body of cricket, has introduced a new rule governing the time taken between overs.
According to the new rule, a five-run penalty will be charged on the third instance in a match where the bowling team fails to bowl the next over within 60 seconds of completing the previous one. To monitor compliance, match officials will utilize a stop-clock to precisely measure the time taken between overs.
The implementation of this rule is set to take effect from December 2023 to April 2024, serving as a trial period to assess its impact on the game. The ICC’s decision reflects a broader initiative to streamline the game’s pace and cater to the evolving preferences of cricket enthusiasts.
This move follows the introduction of an in-match penalty rule in ODIs and T20Is last year for slow over rates. Under this rule, the fielding team faces a deduction of one fielder from outside the 30-yard circle if they fail to commence the final over within the stipulated time.
In addition to the time-related rule changes, the ICC board has also approved modifications to the pitch and outfield monitoring regulations. The criteria for assessing a pitch have been simplified, and the threshold for a venue losing its international status due to demerit points has been increased from five to six demerit points over five years.
In an unrelated decision, the ICC board has decided to relocate the men’s Under-19 World Cup from Sri Lanka to South Africa. This move comes after the provisional suspension of Sri Lanka Cricket by the world governing body due to government interference.
The ICC has also approved new gender eligibility regulations for women’s cricket. According to these regulations, male-to-female participants who have undergone male puberty will not be eligible to compete in international women’s games, irrespective of any surgical or gender reassignment treatments undergone. The changes aim to prioritize the integrity of the international women’s game and the safety of players.
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ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice emphasized that the changes to gender eligibility regulations were the result of an extensive consultation process. While inclusivity remains a crucial aspect of the sport, the priority is to safeguard the integrity of women’s cricket and ensure player safety. The regulations will be revisited in two years, with individual member boards retaining jurisdiction at the domestic level.
“Inclusivity is incredibly important to us as a sport, but our priority was to protect the integrity of the international women’s game and the safety of players,” he said.
