Slow over-rate penalty - extra fielder inside circle to be introduced in ODIs too

The ICC's changes will also destigmatise the run-out of the non-striker for backing up - "Mankading" - by moving it from "unfair play" to "run-out"

ESPNcricinfo staff

20-Sep-2022

The penalties would be applicable after the ODI Super League ends next year  •  Sportsfile/Getty Images

After introducing a penalty for slow over rates in T20Is, the ICC has decided to bring the in-match penalty into play in ODIs too. For each over the fielding team falls short by at the scheduled cessation time of the innings, after taking time allowances into play, they must have an additional fielder inside the ring. For example, if a team completes only 48 overs when their stipulated time runs out, the last two overs must be bowled with just four fielders outside the ring.

It will come into effect after the ODI Super League ends next year.

In January this year, the ICC had introduced a rule for T20Is, for both men and women, where, if the fielding team is unable to start the final over of the innings within the stipulated time, they would be penalised by bringing an additional fielder in the 30-yard circle. Which means they would be able to place a maximum of four fielders at the boundary. This rule will now come into effect into ODIs as well, starting next year.

The ICC, in its new playing conditions, has banned the use of saliva to polish the ball altogether, after initially putting it in place as a temporary measure during the Covid-19 pandemic. That aside:

A batter's movement will be restricted to within the pitch, or the delivery will be called dead. "This is restricted so as to require some part of their bat or person to remain within the pitch," the ICC said in a statement. "Should they venture beyond that, the umpire will call and signal dead ball. Any ball which would force the batter to leave the pitch will also be called no ball."
"Unfair and deliberate movements" by the fielding side while the bowler is running in will be penalised. "Any unfair and deliberate movement while the bowler is running in to bowl could now result in the umpire awarding five penalty runs to the batting side, in addition to a call of dead ball."
The ICC's changes, like the MCC's recommendations, will also destigmatise the run-out of the non-striker for backing up - commonly known as "Mankading" - by moving it from the "unfair play" section to the "run-out" section.
Bowlers will not be allowed to throw the ball at the striker's end before completing the delivery. "Previously, a bowler who saw the batter advancing down the wicket before entering their delivery stride, could throw the ball to attempt to run-out the striker. This practice will now be called a dead ball".

Most of these changes had been introduced in March this year by the MCC in their laws of the game, that were to come into effect later this year.

The changes were ratified by the ICC's chief executives' committee after they were recommended by the men's cricket committee, led by BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, and shared with the women's cricket committee, which endorsed the recommendations to the chief executives.

The playing conditions for men's and women's ODIs and T20Is would also be amended to allow hybrid pitches to be used, if it's agreed to by both teams. Currently, hybrid pitches can be used only in women's T20Is, as seen in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.