2022 T20 World Cup started last Sunday with the qualifying matches taking place. The qualifiers are now in their final stages with 2 matches each on Thursday and Friday. The focus then shifts to the two games on Saturday which starts the Super 12 stage of the tournament.
The story as it unfolded –
T20 cricket came into being to give the viewers quick action in a limited time schedule like football. The entire purpose was being defeated with the over rate going out for a toss. There was ample time wasting and the ICC took it upon itself to clamp down and bring a rule to change the way this format was being played.
Australia’s clever tactic –
Australian team has come up with a clever strategy to curb the time wasting and face the wrath of ICC. The defending champs have decided to use their bench players as Ball Boys so that the ball can be thrown into play once a boundary is hit. The Australian cricket team’s official Twitter handle recently posted a video on how the strategy came into place and the rationale behind it.
Australian players have their say –
Ashton Agar the Australian left arm spinner was one of the voices who spoke about the reason behind this move. In the short 40 second video, Agar was heard saying “in the powerplay, obviously, the ball flies around and you lose time when players have to go and fetch the ball, which is part of cricket. So, the time thing is really difficult to manage. So, I guess stationing the guys who are on the bench around the ground, it saves you 10 seconds here and there? Potentially. And that all adds up at the end of the day. Its not really giving you an advantage; it just makes sense. I think its commonsense in powerplay to do that because you don’t have guys out there fielding on the fence”
A clever ploy from the Aussies who are keen to avoid the fielding restriction penalty if overs aren't bowled in time during this #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/5e73KABQcd
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 19, 2022
The reason for this rule –
ICC bought this rule into place so as to minimalize the time wasting which had slowed down the game. T20 began as a slam bang version but the tactics used by some teams had taken games into over time. The ICC then got a new rule where it stated that “The overrate regulations are captured in clause 13.8 of the playing conditions, which stipulate that a fielding side must be in a position to bowl the 1st ball of the final over of the innings by the scheduled or rescheduled time for the end of the innings. If they are not in such a position, one fewer fielder may be permitted outside the 30-yard circle for the remaining over of the innings”
Australia kick off against New Zealand –
The first match of the Super 12 stage will be played between Australia and New Zealand at the SCG. The two teams were also the finalists of the last T20 world cup in 2021 which was held at UAE. Australia went on to win the tournament under Aaron Finch, their first ever.