The International Cricket Council (ICC) has implemented a penalty system for delayed overs, aiming to maintain a swift pace during men’s ODI and T20I cricket matches. Decided upon at the ICC Board meeting in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, the new regulation will be on a trial basis, running from December to April next year.
Under this system, a 60-second time limit will be imposed between overs, monitored by a stop clock. If the bowling team fails to initiate the next over within the designated time frame, a five-run penalty will be added to the batting side’s total. This penalty will be enforced if the delay occurs three times in a single innings.
Additionally, the ICC Board has approved modifications to pitch and outfield monitoring regulations. The alterations include a simplification of the criteria used to assess a pitch and an increase in the threshold for venues potentially losing their international status. The demerit points required for such an action have been raised from five to six over a five-year period.
