THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Dubai, March 15: The ICC (International Cricket Council) said on Friday that the stop clock system, which is already in trials, will be permanently used in all full-member ODIs and T20Is starting with the forthcoming T20 World Cup in 2024.
The ICC implemented the stop clock rule in December 2023, and it will become a part of the standard playing conditions starting from June 1, 2024.
Following its Annual Board Meeting, the ICC made a statement saying, “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 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 further said.
The stop-clock rule
The fielding side is required by rule to begin a new over within 60 seconds of the conclusion of the preceding over.
An electronic timer, starting from 60 and counting down to zero, will be displayed on the ground, with the third umpire having the authority to initiate its countdown.
If the fielding team fails to prepare to deliver the first ball of their upcoming over within the designated 60 seconds, they will receive two warnings, with subsequent violations resulting in a five-run penalty per occurrence.
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Exceptions
The ICC has outlined exceptions to the rule, allowing for the cancellation of the clock in certain scenarios.
These exceptions include: when a new batter enters the crease between overs, during scheduled drinks breaks, or during on-field treatment of an injury to a batter or fielder.
Additionally, the rule will not be enforced if time is lost due to circumstances outside the fielding team’s control.
Reserve day for T20 WC 2024 knockouts
Reserve days have also been agreed by the ICC for the T20 World Cup semifinals on June 27 and final on June 29.
In the league or Super Eight stages, a complete game for the team batting second will require a minimum of five overs to be bowled.
In knockout matches, a match will be considered valid if a minimum of 10 overs are bowled in the second innings.
T20 World Cup 2026 qualification process
The T20 World Cup 2026 qualification process, which India and Sri Lanka will co-host, was also approved by the ICC.
There will be 12 automatic qualifiers and 20 teams participating in the tournament.
The top eight nations in the 2024 World Cup will automatically qualify, along with India and Sri Lanka. The next best teams in the ICC T20I rankings as of June 30, 2024, will occupy the remaining positions (between 2-4 depending on host finishing positions).
The ICC Regional Qualifiers will be used to determine the remaining eight spots.
