New York, June 13
Before the start of the 16th over in India’s run-chase against USA, the scoreboard read 35 runs off 30 balls needed. The situation was getting a bit tense. But the umpires were seen having a conversation, first among themselves and then with USA’s stand-in captain Aaron Jones. And after the chat, former Australia pacer Paul Reiffel made a signal touching his left shoulder with his right arm… FIVE penalty runs were awarded to India, and the equation became 30 runs off 30 balls.
According to 41.9.4 in men’s T20I playing conditions, the fielding side is required to be ready to start each over within 60 seconds of the previous over being completed. An electronic clock is on display at the ground that counts down seconds from 60 to zero, as the broadcast showed us an over later. The rule further states that when the clock reaches zero, if the fielding side is not ready to start the next over:
On the first such ocasion in an innings, the bowler’s end umpire shall issue a warning to the captain of the fielding side and inform the batters and the other umpire of what has occurred. On the second occasion in an innings, the above sequence is repeated, but with the reminder that this is a final warning.
– On the third and any subsequent occasion in an innings, the bowler’s end umpire shall award 5 Penalty runs to the batting side, informing the captain of the fielding side, the batters and the other umpire. That is what panned out as USA were made to pay the price for slacking between overs. It is not clear yet at which point of the run-chase were the first two warnings were issued.
On the flip side, there is also penalty for batting sides wasting time. If a fielding side is ready to resume play within the required time, but the batting side are not ready to do so, then the umpires shall determine, at their discretion, whether to apply the provisions of 41.10 (Batter wasting time). In the end, India won the match by 7 wickets with 10 balls to spare. The stop clock to help speed up over rates became a permanent feature in men’s ODIs and T20Is between Full Members from June 1, the ICC had announced after its board meetings in Dubai this week, as per ESPNCricinfo. The system had been trialled since December.
