With just a few days remaining for the final of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) between India and New Zealand at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, the ICC has explained a modification to the follow-on rule for the upcoming ICC event.
This clarification comes in view of the extra day added to the WTC final, to be played between India and New Zealand from June 18-23 in Southampton, England.
The normal follow-on rules in the ICC playing conditions (clause 14) state: "14.1.1: The side which bats first and leads by at least 200 runs shall have the option of requiring the other side to follow their innings. 14.1.2 the same option shall be available in matches of shorter duration with the minimum leads as follows: - 150 runs in a match of 3 or 4 days; - 100 runs in a 2-day match; - 75 runs in a 1-day match."
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Further clause 14.3 states: "If no play takes place on the first and second days of the match, clause 14.1 shall apply in accordance with the number of days remaining (including the scheduled Reserve Day) from the start of play. The day on which play first commences shall count as a whole day for this purpose, irrespective of the time at which play starts. Play will have taken place as soon as, after the call of Play, the first over has started."
However, with an extra being added to the WTC Final, the ICC has communicated the modifications to the follow-on rule to the two participating rules. In the modification, the lead of 200 runs will only be reduced to 150 runs if no play takes place on the 1st and 2nd days of the ICC World Test Championship.
"Clause 14.3 has been amended so that the first innings lead of at least 200 runs will only change to 150 runs if no play takes place on the first and second scheduled days of the match. Normally this will occur if only the first day's play is lost, but with the provision of a reserve day, it remains a 5-day match even if the first day is lost,” ICC communicated.
(Cricbuzz inputs)
