ICC introduces stop clock to regulate pace of play in ODIs and T20s on trial basis 

If the bowling team more than 60 seconds to start a new over for the 3rd time, there will be a 5-run penalty.

ICC introduces stop clock to regulate pace of play in ODIs and T20s on trial basis 

The stop clock will help umpires improve the pace of matches (Image via ESPN)

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to adopt a stop clock to regulate the pace of play on a trial basis. The trial will start from December 2023 and end in April 2024. The ICC claims the stop clock has been implemented to enhance the viewers watching experience and improve the pace of the game. 

The stop clock will be used to regulate the time taken between overs, with teams required to be ready to bowl a new over within 60 seconds. If a team fails to be ready to bowl within 60 seconds, there will be a 5-run penalty on the 3rd offense. The ICC has been strict regarding time wasting in cricket. Teams are fined for not following the over-rates numerous times, while batters will get timed out if they fail to be ready to face a ball 3 minutes after a dismissal. 

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Along with the stop clock, the ICC has taken the historic move of equal pay for all match officials. To be implemented from January 2024, both male and female match officials will be paid the same match fee. All ICC registered umpires will be paid an equal match-day fee, regardless of men’s or women’s cricket. 

ICC shifts 2024 U19 Men’s World Cup from Sri Lanka to South Africa 

The ICC has announced that Sri Lanka lost the hosting rights of the 2024 U19 World Cup due to their suspension from the ICC. Although they are allowed to play international cricket, the funding from the ICC has been controlled and the hosting rights have been taken away. 

U19 Indian Cricket Team
The U19 Indian Cricket Team won the 2022 U19 World Cup (Image via ESPN)

The tournament has not been shifted to South Africa, which has hosted the U19 Women’s World Cup earlier in 2023. The tournament has a new format, in which 16 teams have been split into 4 groups. The top 3 from each group then go into a Super 6 stage, with 2 groups of 6 teams. The top 2 from each group then qualify for the semi-finals. India will go into the tournament as defending champions. 

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