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The ICC is set to make the stop-clock system, which currently is being implemented in top-flight cricket on a trial basis, to a permanent feature in Full-Member ODIs and T20Is starting from this year’s T20 World Cup, the global body announced on Friday.
The ICC had introduced the feature in December 2023 starting with the five-match T20I series between West Indies and England in the Caribbean.
It will now be added to the ICC’s playing conditions for white-ball matches involving Full Member nations from the T20 World Cup that takes place in the USA and the Caribbean in June.
“The stop-clock is set to become permanent in all ODIs and T20Is from June 2024, starting with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and USA,” the ICC said in a statement after its Annual Board Meeting.
“The trial was supposed to run until April 2024, but the experiment has already yielded results in terms of timely completion of matches, saving approximately 20 minutes per ODI match,” the statement added.
Explained | What is the Stop Clock Rule
As per the rule, the fielding side will have to start a new over within 60 seconds of the completion of the previous over.
An electronic clock, counting down from 60 to zero, will be displayed on the ground, and the third umpire can determine the start of the clock.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe failure of the fielding side to be ready to bowl the first ball of their next over within the stipulated 60 seconds will attract two warnings, and the subsequent breaches will lead to a five-run penalty per incident.
However, the ICC has also laid out some exceptions to the rule, and the clock, if it has already been started, can be cancelled in such situations.
They include: If a new batter comes to the crease between the overs, during official drinks interval or during the on-field treatment of an injury to a batter or a fielder.
The rule will also not be activated if the time is lost because of circumstances beyond the control of the fielding side.
Reserve day for T20 WC semis, final
The ICC meeting has also approved reserve days for the semi-finals (27 June) and the final (29 June) of the T20 World Cup.
During the league or Super Eight stages, a minimum of five overs will have to be bowled to the team batting second to constitute a full game.
However, in the knockout matches, a minimum of 10 overs need to be bowled in the second innings to constitute a match.
Also Read | Full schedule of 2024 T20 World Cup
The global governing body also approved the qualification process for the T20 World Cup 2026, to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
The tournament will feature 20 teams and will have 12 automatic qualifiers.
The top eight teams in the 2024 World Cup will join India and Sri Lanka as automatic qualifiers, with the remaining spots taken up by the next best-ranked sides in the ICC T20I rankings as of 30 June, 2024.
The remaining eight positions will be filled through the ICC Regional Qualifiers.
With PTI inputs