The International Cricket Council (ICC) authorized on Friday the implementation of stop-clock rules in all One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), beginning in June 2024.
The decision follows successful trials at the 2016 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, with good findings indicating improved game flow and efficiency.
Under the new rule, fielding teams must begin a new over within 60 seconds of the previous one ending. An electronic clock will be prominently displayed on the ground as a visual reminder, with the third umpire in charge of activating the countdown.
Failure to comply within the time range will result in a series of penalties, beginning with warnings and progressing to five-run deductions for further offenses.
Exceptions to the regulation include player injury treatment, official drink intervals, and other situations beyond the fielding team’s control.
The decision to institutionalize the stop-clock rule came after thorough consideration by the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC), which assessed the trial results, which revealed a significant decrease of around 20 minutes per ODI match.
Embracing this innovation is consistent with the ICC’s objective of injecting vitality into the sport, addressing concerns about slow over rates in limited-overs cricket.
Furthermore, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, hosted by the West Indies and the United States of America, will see the first enforcement of this regulation, highlighting its importance in determining the game’s future.
