ICC’s Stop Clock – Transforming Cricket as We Know It

In a groundbreaking move aimed at addressing slow over rates, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the introduction of a stop clock between overs in men’s One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). This revolutionary measure is set to be trialed between December 2023 and April 2024, with the first application scheduled for the upcoming West Indies vs. England three-match ODI series starting on December 3.

The ICC’s decision comes as a response to the persisting issue of slow over rates, impacting the flow and excitement of the game. The new rule stipulates that the bowling side will face a penalty of five runs if they fail three times in an innings to start a new over within a minute of the previous one being completed. This stringent approach aims to encourage teams to maintain a brisk pace throughout the match.

The application of a stop clock is not entirely unprecedented in the world of sports, with tennis utilizing a similar concept known as the ‘shot clock.’ In tennis, players are given a set time of 25 seconds to prepare for serving between points. This concept was previously proposed by the Marylebone Cricket Club’s (MCC) World Cricket Committee in 2018 as a means to combat slow over rates across all three cricket formats.

Former international cricket captains Ricky Ponting, Sourav Ganguly, and Kumar Sangakkara, all members of the MCC committee, had recommended the use of a ‘shot clock’ during what they termed as the “dead time” in a game. Ponting explained that this dead time occurs at the end of an over when fielders and bowlers must be back in position and ready to bowl, as well as when a new batsman comes to the crease. The objective is to ensure that the bowling team is prepared when the batsman arrives, adhering to a specified timeframe.

The ICC’s decision to implement a stop clock during ODIs and T20Is is a proactive step toward creating a more engaging and time-efficient cricketing experience. By introducing a penalty system for delayed starts to overs, the governing body aims to curb the issue at its root, ensuring that teams adhere to the stipulated timeframes.

It’s worth noting that the ICC had already introduced in-match penalties for slow over rates in ODIs and T20Is in 2022, applicable to both men’s and women’s cricket. The existing penalty involves deducting one fielder from outside the 30-yard circle if the fielding team fails to start the final over within the designated time. The addition of a stop clock is a further refinement of these measures, emphasizing the importance of timely play.

As the cricketing world eagerly awaits the implementation of the stop clock during the trial period, starting with the West Indies vs. England series, it marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to modernize and enhance the sport. The success of this initiative could potentially lead to its adoption in other formats, further transforming the landscape of cricket as we know it.