The International Cricket Council (ICC) plans to make the stop clock rule, which is currently under trial, a permanent one. The ICC is set to implement the same during the T20 World Cup 2024 and have received the approval for the same.
Introduced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on an experimental basis last December, this rule will now be incorporated into the standard playing conditions of the game.
This rule, necessitating the display of an electronic clock between overs, will not only be applied in T20Is but also in all white-ball cricket, including ODIs. Needless to say, its primary purpose is to ensure the timely completion of the matches.
As per the rule, the fielding team has 60 seconds between overs, including which they must commence the next over before the countdown reaches zero. This 60-second countdown will occur between each over of a T20I or an ODI, with penalties for every breach.
The on-field umpires are tasked with enforcing the rules with the third umpire switching on the timer. The on-field umpires will issue two warnings to the fielding side before imposing a five-run penalty for a third offense or every subsequent violation.
The decision to utilize the timer rests with the umpires, who also have the authority to decide whether delays are caused by batsmen, DRS calls, or any unforeseen circumstances.
The ICC initially trialed the rule in December 2023 and the trial period was to end in April. But the ICC and its cricket committee have seemingly found merit in making the rule permanent. It will now be a universal rule for every ICC whiteball game.
(Cricbuzz inputs)
