Cricket's new playing rules come into effect

Dubai, July 5, The new playing rules for Tests, One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) came into effect with the series between Bangladesh and South Africa in Mirpur on Sunday.

The changes made in ODI cricket include: the teams don't need to put compulsory catchers during the fielding restrictions overs between 1-10. Moreover, batting Powerplay has been removed, while five fielders are allowed outside the circle in overs between 41-50.

The interval rule in ODI says, if team two is batting and a match is close to conclusion at the time the scheduled interval is reached, either captain can make a request to the umpires to extend play by an extra 15 minutes or minimum four overs to obtain a result.

Once the interval is taken, the referee has also been given discretion to reduce the interval time if he feels a result is imminent.

In both ODIs and T20Is, a free hit is to be awarded after all modes of no ball. If the no ball is called for having too many fielders outside the circle, the field can be changed for the free hit even if there is no change in striker, but only to the extent of correcting the breach.

In Test, ODI and T20I, the law relating to defining significant movement of a fielder or a wicketkeeper has been amended to allow movement before the batsman has played the ball, as long as it is in response to a movement by the striker to play the ball.

Also in all the three formats, the bowler is permitted, before releasing the ball and provided he has not completed his usual delivery swing, to deliberately attempt to run out the non-striker.

The umpires are now able to use their discretion as to whether they report breaches of the Law 42 offences that include a bowler repeatedly bowling more than the allowed number of bouncers above shoulder height in an over.

The incidents like a bowler repeatedly bowling full tosses above waist height that are likely to inflict injury and a bowler repeatedly running on the danger area on the pitch and while stealing a run, will fall in within the rights of the umpires.

There have been no changes to the women’s Test, ODI or T20I playing conditions at this time.

 (IANS)