Dubai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the mandatory use of stop-clocks between overs. This rule will come into effect on June 1, 2024. This rule will also be implemented at the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in the West Indies and the USA.
The decision was made after a successful trial period initiated by the ICC in December 2023, where stop-clocks were introduced on a trial basis in men’s limited-overs international matches. The trial, initially set to run until April 2024, has demonstrated promising outcomes, leading to a saving of approximately 20 minutes per One Day International (ODI) match.
According to reports, the stop-clocks will be mandatory in all ODI and T20I matches from June 1, 2024. The fielding side will be required to commence a new over within 60 seconds of the completion of the previous over. An electronic clock, displaying a countdown from 60 to zero, will be prominently showcased on the ground, with the third umpire responsible for initiating the clock.
Failure to adhere to the stipulated time limit will result in two warnings for the fielding side, with subsequent breaches incurring a five-run penalty per incident. However, there are a couple of situations where this rule doesn’t apply, and the clock can be stopped if it’s already running. These exceptions include when a new batter comes in, during official drinks breaks, and when the umpires allow on-field treatment for an injury to a player.
Furthermore, the stop-clock rule will not be enforced in situations where time is lost due to circumstances beyond the control of the fielding side. This strategic implementation aims to enhance the pace and efficiency of limited-overs matches while ensuring fair play and competitive integrity.
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