ICC rolls out a 5‑run penalty for time‑wasting and clarifies the pink‑ball trial for day‑time Tests, effective from Oct 1. The move comes as cricket’s batting boom has pushed arenas to innovate.
Fraser Stewart, the MCC’s Head of Cricket, told reporters the new rule is a direct hit on sluggish play. "We’re tightening the law on over‑rates," he said, adding that penalties will be applied on the field instead of post‑match fines.
The pink‑ball experiment isn’t a blanket law; it’s a conditional agreement between two sides. In a bilateral series, the teams must both agree to use a pink ball, a decision usually made before the first ball is bowled. Stewart warned that starting with a red ball and switching to pink mid‑match is a no‑go.
Umpires now carry the ball in over‑rate enforcement, backed by match referees. If a captain or batting side drags the game, a warning can turn into a five‑run penalty that adds to the opposition’s score.
With the new rules in place, the coming India‑Australia series will test whether teams can negotiate pink‑ball usage and keep the pace of play brisk.