CPL 2023: Here’s All You Need To Know About Football-Inspired ‘Red Card Rule’ in Caribbean Premier League
Taking cues from football, the CPL organisers have thrown in a red-card-esque rule.
The main idea behind T20 cricket was to offer fans a condensed and exciting version of the game for quick enjoyment. But if T20 matches start lasting longer, how is it different from 50-over matches?
The struggle to tackle slow over rates led to various attempts, like bringing more fielders within the 30-yard circle and penalising captains with fines, but none had the desired impact.
In another such attempt, the upcoming Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season is set to introduce a red card penalty for players for not finishing the innings under stated rules.
Taking a page out of football’s book, they have introduced this rule. Umpires or the match referee can now kick a player off the field if a team’s lagging behind schedule by the 20th over.
It’s a first-of-its-kind red-card penalty in the history of the T20 tournaments, aiming to fix those sluggish over-rate issues.
What are the penalties?
If a team is behind the required over rate at the start of the 18th over, they’ll need to bring in an extra fielder within the circle, making it a total of five players inside.
If a team is behind the required over rate at the start of the 19th over, they’ll need to bring two extra fielder within the circle, making it a total of six players inside.
If a team is behind the required over rate at the start of the final over, one fielder from the side will have to sit out. This player will be selected by the fielding side captain. Also, the team will have six fielders inside the circle.
It’s not just the fielding side that needs to ensure a swift game; the batting team is also on the clock. Umpires can issue a warning for time-wasting, and after this first and final warning, the batting team will be given a five-run penalty for each instance of time-wasting.
How will the over rates be calculated?
CPL will be using the 85-minutes-per-innings rule for T20 cricket.
The 17th over of an innings should be completed by 72 minutes and 15 seconds, while the 18th over by 76 minutes and 30 seconds. The 19th over should be completed by 80 minutes and 45 seconds.
“Over rates will be monitored by the third umpire and communicated to the captains via on-field umpires at the end of every over, as well as to the crowd and TV audience, with graphics showing how far they are behind (or ahead of) the over rate. Dispensations will be given for injuries, DRS and time-wasting by the batting side where appropriate,” the statement said.
The 2023 edition of the Caribbean Premier League is set to kick off on 17 August with Jamaica Tallawahs locking horns with St Lucia Kings at Gros Islet in the tournament opener.
