5 changes made by ICC to playing conditions to keep an eye on during T20 World Cup

way2barak, Oct.13: The ICC announced a number of changes to the playing conditions that came into effect on October 1, and some could become talking points at the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022. They include five-run penalty for unfair movement by fielding side, new batter to take strike after caught dismissals, in-match over penalty for slow over-rate, batters requiring to have some part of their bat/body within pitch and ‘mankading’, which is no longer ‘unfair play’.

1. Running out of the non-striker: While the form of dismissal has always been in place, its relevant section in the laws of the game has moved from the ‘Unfair Play’ section to the ‘Run out’ section. Whether it be a case of a non-striker backing up too far, or simply being out of their ground, the adjudication of the dismissal is effectively the same as a stumping would be at the other end.
2. The in-match over penalty: The failure of a fielding team to bowl their overs by the scheduled cessation time leads to an additional fielder having to be brought inside the fielding circle for the remaining overs of the innings While this change came earlier in the year, teams are still adjusting to the recent changes. In a game of fine margins, this could make all the difference, and looks an appropriate deterrent to not bowling overs in a timely manner.
3. Batters returning when caught: When a batter is out caught, the new batter will come in at the end of the striker, regardless of whether the batters crossed prior to the catch being taken. Previously, in case the batters crossed before a catch was taken, the non-striker would take strike the next ball while the new batter would be at the non-striker’s end.
4. Unfair movement by the fielding side: While the official position on illegal movement from the fielders has not changed, there are adjustments for the penalty for players found to breach the law.Any movement deemed unfair and deliberate by fielders while a bowler is running in to bowl now results in the umpire awarding five penalty runs to the batting side, in addition to the delivery being a dead ball. There are exceptions to this law, with minor adjustments and movement by the fielder towards the striker deemed legal. It is also worth noting that it is within the laws for a fielder to move in reaction to a shot a batter is playing mid-delivery.
5. The striker’s right to play the ball: Batters will now be required to have some part of their bat or person remain within the pitch. Should they venture beyond that, the umpire will call and signal a dead ball, and any ball which would force the batter to leave the pitch will also be called no-ball. If this were to play out, a dead ball will be called, with a no-ball signal from the umpire, leading to a free hit on the next delivery.