ICC New Rule: The ICC announced that it would mandate the use of stop clocks between overs for limited-overs matches. It also approved the conditions for the Men’s T20 World Cup in 2024 and the process for qualifying for the 2026 edition.

These decisions were made on Friday, March 15, following the ICC Board’s annual meetings.

From June 2024, the stop-clock will be permanent for all ODIs, T20Is, and ICC Men’s T20 World Cups in the West Indies & USA.

The ICC began a test of the stop clock in December 2023 for men’s international matches with limited overs. The trial was meant to last until April 2024 but it has already shown results.

The results presented to the Chief Executives’ Committee showed that around 20 minutes per ODI match had been saved.

This feature will be a requirement for all Full Member ODIs and T20Is starting June 1, 2024.

According to the stop-clock rule, which was tested in white-ball men’s cricket, it is expected that the fielding team will start a new innings within 60 seconds after the previous one has ended.

The third umpire will determine when the clock starts by displaying an electronic clock that counts down from 60 to 0.

Two warnings are given if the fielding team fails to prepare to bowl their first ball within 60 seconds after the previous cover is completed. The penalty for subsequent breaches is five runs per violation.

This rule is not absolute. The clock can be stopped if it has already been started in certain circumstances. They include:

• A drinks break has been declared when a new battery comes up to the wicket in between overs.
• The umpires approved the treatment on field of an injury to either a fielder or batter
• Any circumstances that are beyond the control of the side fielding the ball will be considered as time lost.
• During the meetings, it was confirmed that the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2024 will have reserved days for the semi-finals.
• In the Super Eight and group stages, the minimum number of overs to be bowled by the team batting second is five.
• In the knockout games, however, the minimum number of overs required to make a game is 10 in the second innings.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Qualification Process has also been approved.

The tournament, which will feature 20 teams, will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka. There will also be 12 automatic qualifiers.

The top eight teams will automatically qualify for the 2024 edition, along with India and Sri Lanka.

The remaining spots (between 2 and 4, depending on the host finish positions) will be taken by the next-best-ranked sides according to the ICC Men’s T20I ranking table on June 30, 2024.

Learn About the ICC Stop Clock Rules

ICC has introduced a stop clock on a trial basis in men’s ODIs and T20Is between December 2023 to April 2024. This was done in order to increase the speed of international cricket.

The Chief Executives’ Committee’s (CEC) results showed that an average of 20 minutes per ODI match had been saved.

This feature will be mandatory for all Full Member ODIs and T20Is beginning on June 1, 2024. The stop clock rule was tested in men’s White-Ball Cricket.

According to this rule, the fielding team must start a new over no later than 60 seconds after the previous over has ended.

The ICC released a statement that read: “An electronic timer, counting from 60 to 0, will be displayed on the ground. It is the responsibility of the third umpire to determine when the clock starts.”

The stop clock will limit the time between overs. This means that the bowling side will have to be prepared to bowl their first ball within 60 seconds after the previous over is completed.

If the fielding side fails to comply with the warnings for the third time, they will be penalised five runs.

This rule is not absolute. The clock can be stopped if it has already been started in certain circumstances. They include:

When a new battery comes to the wicket in between overs, a drinks break has been declared. The umpires approved on field treatment for an injury suffered by a fielder or batter.

“The time lost can be due to any circumstance that is beyond the control of the fielding side,” ICC stated.

The ICC Board and Committee Meetings are the place where we can discuss the future of international cricket. We spent a few hours at these meetings constructively examining the structure of the global cricket calendar.

While there are no simple answers, the ICC Chair Greg Barclay stated that there was a commitment to explore how context could be delivered. Further options will be discussed at upcoming meetings.

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