ICC To Start Stop-Clock Trial From WI vs ENG T20Is

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially confirmed that the stop-clock trial will begin in the upcoming T20I series between the England National Cricket Team and the West Indies National Cricket Team.

The five-match T20I series between West Indies and England is scheduled to be played on December 13, 14, 16, 20 and 22. The series opener will be held in Bridgetown and the next two matches will be hosted by St George’s. The last two matches will be played in Tarouba.

England will be looking forward to bouncing back strong in the T20I series after losing the three-match ODI series by 1-2. The Men In Maroon, who failed to qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, won the first and third ODI by 4 wickets to seal the series win and hand yet another blow to England, who performed poorly in the recently concluded World Cup.

Stop-Clock To Come Into Force In WI vs ENG T20Is – ICC

The ICC has introduced a stop-clock to speed up the game by penalizing instances of time wastage by a fielding side. It has been introduced on a trial basis for Full Member Men’s ODIs and T20Is between December 2023 and April 2024.

The newly updated playing conditions will be applicable to 59 international matches during this period. Also, the stop-clock rule will be seen for the first time in the first T20I between West Indies and England on 12 December 2023.

“Under clause 41.9 of the revised Men’s ODI and T20I playing conditions, which deals with provisions against time wasting by the fielding side, the clock has been added under sub-clause 41.9.4,” ICC stated.

According to these newly updated playing conditions, a fielding team needs to start a new over within 60 seconds of the completion of the previous over. An electronic clock will be displayed on the ground that will be counting down from 60 to 0 once an over finishes.

If the fielding team fails to follow the rule, the umpires will give two warnings, before handing over a five-run penalty to the team. The ICC has also revealed the exceptions to the above-mentioned playing conditions.

Under the sub-clause, there are exceptions to the above, and the clock if started already can be canceled under the following circumstances:

1.  A new batter comes to the wicket between overs
2. An official drinks interval has been called
3. The umpires have approved the onfield treatment of an injury to a batter or fielder
4. The time lost is for any circumstances beyond the control of the fielding side.