Stop-clock rule to be implemented by ICC starting with the WI-ENG T20I series
The upcoming T20I series between the West Indies and England will see a stop clock being used for the first time in international cricket. The series starts in Barbados on Tuesday, December 12.
The stop-clock introduction was approved at the latest ICC meeting in Ahmedabad. The objective of the rule is to speed up the game by penalizing time wastage by the bowling team.
According to the stop-clock rule, the fielding team has to be ready to bowl the first ball of their next over within 60 seconds of the previous over being completed. There will be two warnings for the first two violations, and a third infringement would result in a five-run penalty against the bowling side.
The clock will be used on a trial basis for Full Member men's ODIs and T20Is between December 2023 and April 2024, consisting of around 59 games. The above in-game sanctions are in addition to the monetary fine that teams will pay for slow over-rates under the ICC's playing conditions.
The clock rule has been added under sub-clause 41.9.4 of clause 41.9 of the revised Men's ODI and T20I playing conditions. Clause 41.9 deals with provisions against time wastage by the fielding side.
"The outcomes of the stop clock trial will be assessed at the end of the trial period" - ICC General Manager
ICC general manager Wasim Khan has issued a statement clarifying that the stop-clock rule will be assessed at the end of the trial period. The idea was originally proposed by the MCC's World Cricket Committee, which included Ricky Ponting, Saurav Ganguly, and Kumar Sangakkara, among others, in 2018.
Khan said in the statement:
"We are continually looking at ways to speed up the pace of play across international cricket. The stop clock trial in white ball international cricket follows the introduction of a successful new playing condition in 2022, which resulted in the fielding team only being allowed four fielders outside of the inner circle if they were not in a position to bowl the first ball of their final over in the stipulated time. The outcomes of the stop clock trial will be assessed at the end of the trial period."
There are exceptions to the stop-clock rule, and the clock if already started can be canceled under the following circumstances:
- A new batter comes to the wicket between overs
- An official drinks interval has been called
- The umpires have approved the onfield treatment of an injury to a batter or fielder
- The time lost is for any circumstances beyond the control of the fielding side.
An electronic clock, counting down from 60 to zero, will be displayed on the ground.
The third umpire will be responsible for determining the start of the clock. That will be when the last ball of the previous over has been called dead or if any umpire or player review from the final ball of the previous over is complete.