13 August 2023 , 14:52
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Cricketers face the threat of being sent from the field as authorities look to clamp down on slow over rates.
The issue, which has been a constant problem, was again highlighted during the Ashes. Both England and Australia were fined 40% of their match fees and deducted two World Test Championship points for slow over-rates in their thrilling opening test at Edgbaston.
Just weeks later Australia were docked 10 points for a slow over-rate in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, while England lost 19 points combined for falling behind in four of the five Tests. The Caribbean Premier League (CPL), which features several big names, are set to begin their limited overs competition and want to see a change in attitude.
They have taken a strong stance as they look to ensure they are not victims of slow play. The firmest punishment will see players sent from the field in the 20th and final over if a team is still behind the required over rate.
In the 18th over teams will be forced to have five men inside the fielding circle, leaving less men to cover the boundary, should they be behind the over rate. If that problem continues into the 19th over then six will be forced inside the fielding circle, leaving just three men to cover the boundary.
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Discussing the new change, Michael Hall, CPL's Tournament Operations Director, said: “We have been disappointed that our T20 games have been getting longer and longer each year, and we want to do what we can to arrest this trend.”
Cricketers could be sent-off for slow over ratesHe also added: “We have sensitised both the franchises and our match officials to this duty ahead of the tournament. Our hope is that these in-game penalties are not needed, but we believe they are proportionate and necessary.”
Australian's Usman Khawaja, who was one of Australia's leading lights as they retained the Ashes on English soil once again, felt that punishing players by docking them a large chunk of their match fee was excessive as he sought a change of approach following a match against India back in July.
He said: "We had played three games and they'd been three really good games with results, entertainment, the WTC (final) was the highest-watched test match ever or something like that. Just really good stuff – and we were getting fined 80% of our match fee. It's a lot of money."