(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] The International Cricket Council (ICC) took a decisive step to introduce a stop clock on trial basis in men’s ODI and T20I cricket from December 2023 to April 2024.
The move of announcing stop clock in the limited-overs format aims to address the prolonged intervals between overs caused by the fielding side. The new rule, effective for five months, will debut in the ODI series between the West Indies and England, commencing on December 3.
The significant decision emerged from the approval of the Chief Executives Committee (CEC) during an ICC board meeting held in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.
Under this rule, if the bowling team fails to initiate the next over within 60 seconds of the previous one concluding, the batting team will be awarded a five-run penalty. Importantly, this penalty will only be enforced if the bowling team violates the time limit three times within an innings.
In an official press release, the ICC stated, “The CEC agreed to introduce a stop clock on a trial basis in men’s ODI and T20I cricket from December 2023 to April 2024. The clock will be used to regulate the amount of time taken between overs. If the bowling team is not ready to bowl the next over within 60 seconds of the previous over being completed, a 5-run penalty will be imposed the third time it happens in an innings.”
In addition to this groundbreaking decision, the ICC also announced a significant venue change for the Under-19 men’s Cricket World Cup 2024. Originally slated for Sri Lanka, the tournament will now be relocated to South Africa, as revealed in the same official statement.