The Big Bash League (BBL) is close to introducing make a radical change in the timed-out rule for the upcoming season in an attempt to speed up play. Cricket Australia’s playing conditions committee is aiming to reduce the time between the fall of a wicket and the next ball and increase a potential penalty for players that take too long.
The current law for the Timed Out dismissal, 40.1.1, states: “After the fall of a wicket or the retirement of a batter, the incoming batter must, unless Time has been called, be in position to take guard or for the other batter to be ready to receive the next ball within 3 minutes of the dismissal or retirement. If this requirement is not met, the incoming batter will be out, Timed out.”
This law has been previously updated in CA’s BBL playing conditions to state that cricketers require to reach the pitch. However, the playing condition has come into effect with examples of players taking more than two minutes to face up without any consequence.
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The BBL is now considering a 75-second limit however it is understood players would not be given timed out if they failed to reach the pitch in the allowed time. Instead, one proposal is that the bowler will get a version of a bowling free-hit with the batter to stand aside and allow a free delivery at the stumps.
If the bowler failed to smash the stumps, the batter will be allowed to start their innings. In reality, it is unlikely that it will come into play given batters will be on notice to get to the crease promptly, with any such playing condition will help getting rid of unnecessary delays.
Taling about the same, as per the quote sin ESPNCricinfo, BBL general manager Alistair Dobson said, “We know Big Bash fans want to watch fast-paced, exciting cricket on TV and in the stadium. We have spent the off-season looking at ways to keep the game moving and are close to finalising what this might look like.”
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During the inaugural edition of the ‘The Hundred’, a new rule for introduced a rule this season to speed up play from a bowling perspective with an extra player moved inside the circle for each over that is not bowled within the allotted time, but it is unlikely that will be introduced in the upcoming BBL season due to various broadcast commitments.
