The Caribbean Premier League (CPL 2023) has adopted a page from football’s rule book in order to address time-wasting. In an unprecedented move, the T20 league will introduce a system akin to a red card. Teams will face consequences for maintaining a slow over-rate, including a potential 5-run penalty and the possibility of a ‘suspension’ being imposed.
On Saturday, the organizers of CPL 2023 unveiled a set of penalties that franchises could encounter for failing to finish their assigned overs promptly. The CPL has established a standard of 85 minutes for a complete innings, aligning with the ICC’s customary practice.
In a statement concerning this issue, Michael Hall, the tournament operations director of CPL, remarked “We have observed with dismay the gradual increase in the duration of our T20 matches over the years, and we are determined to take measures to reverse this pattern,.” He continued, “It is the responsibility of all cricket stakeholders to ensure the continuous flow of the game, and we have duly emphasized this obligation to both the franchises and our match officials prior to the commencement of the tournament. While our aspiration is that these in-game penalties will not be required, we are of the opinion that they are appropriate and essential.”
The bowling team must complete the 17th over within 72 minutes and 15 seconds. Failing to meet this deadline will result in the requirement to position an additional fielder within the circle. Similarly, the 18th over must conclude by 76 minutes and 30 seconds, and if this timeframe is exceeded, two extra fielders will need to be placed inside the 30-yard circle.
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CPL 2023: Penalties for Slow Over Rate
If the required over rate is not met by the bowling team, the following penalties will be applied in CPL 2023:
- 18th Over: When the 18th over commences and the stipulated over rate remains unmet, an extra player is obligated to enter the fielding circle, augmenting the count to five fielders within.
- 19th Over: If the required over rate is still not met by the start of the 19th over, two more additional fielders must enter the fielding circle, making it a total of six fielders.
- 20th Over: If the required over rate is still not met by the start of the 20th over, the batting team will be required to remove a player from the field as chosen by the captain. Additionally, six fielders must remain inside the fielding circle.
There is also an expectation for batting teams to play their part in maintaining the pace of the game. After receiving a cautionary notice from the umpires, the batting team will face a 5-run penalty for each occurrence of time wasting.
These measures are designed to encourage both bowling and batting teams to adhere to the stipulated over rates and contribute to a more efficient and engaging cricketing experience.
In the event that the 19th over is not completed within 80 minutes and 45 seconds, a player from the fielding team will be removed. The captain on the field will have the authority to decide which player to eliminate. Similarly, batters will also need to hasten their actions, as a 5-run penalty will be imposed for instances of time wasting.
Over-rate penalties are a familiar practice, and similar field restrictions have been implemented in other T20 leagues. Even in the IPL, additional fielders were required within the 30-yard circle when delays occurred. Despite these measures, matches in various leagues often extended beyond four hours.
To ensure compliance, over rates will be monitored by the third umpire and conveyed to the captains through on-field umpires at the conclusion of each over. Graphics will display the extent by which teams are behind or ahead of the over rate, visible to both the crowd and TV viewers. Exceptions will be granted for scenarios such as injuries, the Decision Review System (DRS), and time-wasting by the batting side where applicable.
The men’s CPL 2023 is set to commence on August 17 with the Jamaica Tallawahs facing the St Lucia Kings in Gros Islet. The women’s event will follow on August 31, commencing with a match between the Barbados Royals and Guyana Amazon Warriors in Barbados.
