Test Championship: Entire team to be punished for slow over-rate
Up till now the rules in cricket only put the captains at the risk of being suspended for slow over-rate. However, the ICC has now come up with a new provision, where, the board will dock points and fine the entire side for any such violations. This will start from the upcoming World Test Championship. Here is more.
All about the decision taken by the ICC
This decision taken by the ICC was approved in order to curb slow-over rates. It will come into action from the Test Championship, which will be held from 2019 to 2021. The World Test Championship will start with the Ashes. The whole team will be fined for slow over-rates. Also, two points for each over will be deducted if a team is found guilty.
Captains will no longer be suspended
"A team that is behind the required over-rate at the end of a match will have two competition points deducted for each over it is behind. Captains will no longer be suspended...All players should be held equally responsible for slow over-rates," the ICC's statement read.
What timing rules were set by the ICC?
The previous rule set stated that a skipper with two instances of slow over-rate in one year gets suspended. A side is expected to bowl 15 overs an hour in Tests. In ODIs, 50 overs must be completed in three-and-a-half hours. In T20Is, an innings should be no longer than 90 minutes. However, there are allowances made in certain situations.
India have the longest streak without a breach across formats
According to a report in ESPN Cricinfo, West Indies have the most number of breaches since 2003. India have had the longest streak without a breach across formats from August 15, 2014 to February 10, 2019 (216). Earlier this year, WI skipper Jason Holder was suspended when his side was short by two overs.
Elsewhere, the ICC also made this historic decision
Meanwhile, in a landmark decision, the ICC has also approved a like-for-like concussion substitute in men's and women's international cricket as well as first-class cricket. This starts from August 1, with the first Ashes Test. A player who has a concussion during a match, can be withdrawn from the game. He would be replaced subject to an approval from the match referee.
'Team medical representative to decide on replacement players'
"Decisions on replacements will continue to be made by the team medical representative and the player should be a like-for-like replacement who will need to be approved by the Match Referee," an ICC release stated.
