Slow Over Rate in Cricket : Rules and Penalty – Explained

Slow over rate is a term frequently heard during matches. It is the rate at which no. of overs are bowled in an hour. If the bowling team is not able to complete the no. of overs in the given time, it means that they’re bowling their overs slowly. Since cricket is a sport that is time-based, the concept of slow overrate comes into play. It is calculated by dividing the total time taken by the bowling team to bowl the given number of overs by the total number of overs bowled.  For example – if a team takes 2 hours to bowl 22 overs, then their over rate is 11 overs per hr.

 However, when the game stops due to a drinks break, injury break, or any unexpected break, the match referee and the umpires consider that time and give allowance to the bowling team while calculating the over rate.

International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding slow over rates

Test

• The minimum over rate should be 15 overs per hr.
• The over rate would be calculated by the umpires at the end of the match and will be the average rates of both teams.
• However, while calculating the over rate some allowances are given to the fielding team which are as follows –
• The time lost as a result of treatment given to a player by the medical staff.
• The time lost when the player is taken off the field due to serious injury.
• The time lost due to rereferrals and decisions taken by the third umpire.
• The time wasted by the batting side.
• The time was wasted due to other uncontrollable circumstances.
• 2 minutes per wicket taken.
• 4 minutes per drinks break taken.
• The following conditions shall also be taken into consideration while calculating the over rate.
• If the fielding team bowls out the batting team in 60 overs or less and the minimum over rate has not been exceeded then no account of actual over rate is taken into consideration.
• If the fielding team bowls out the batting team twice and has not completed more than 120 overs in both fielding innings, no account of the actual over rate is taken into consideration.
• The current over rate will be advised by the umpire every 30mins and will also be displayed on the scoreboard.
• If at the end of the match, it is found that a team has bowled 1-2 shorter than required then it will be sanctioned for a minimum rate.
• Last hour of the match –
• One over shall be deducted for every complete 4 minutes lost.
• Only the time lost after this moment shall be counted in the calculation.

ODI

• The minimum over rate to be achieved in ODI Matches shall be 14.28 overs per hour.
• The over rate is calculated by the umpires at the end of each innings.
• However, while calculating the over rate some allowances are given to the fielding team which are as follows –
• The time lost as a result of treatment given to a player by the medical staff.
• The time lost when the player is taken off the field due to serious injury.
• The time lost due to rereferrals and decisions taken by the third umpire.
• The time wasted by the batting side.
• The time was wasted due to other uncontrollable circumstances.
• If the batting team has been bowled out within the given time, then the fielding team will be considered to have completed the over rate required.
• The current over rate will be advised by the umpire every 30mins and will also be displayed on the scoreboard.

T20I

• There are 2 sessions of 1 hour 25 minutes each, with a 20-minute interval between the innings.
• The minimum rate to be achieved in ODI Matches shall be 14.11 overs per hour.
• The over rate is calculated by the umpires at the end of each innings.
• However, while calculating the over rate some allowances are given to the fielding team which are as follows –
• The time lost as a result of treatment given to a player by the medical staff.
• The time lost when the player is taken off the field due to serious injury.
• The time lost due to rereferrals and decisions taken by the third umpire.
• The time wasted by the batting side.
• The time was wasted due to other uncontrollable circumstances.
• In case the innings is delayed due to any reason allowance of 1 minute for every full 3 overs by which the innings is reduced will be granted.
• An additional allowance of 1 minute is given for each 6^th, 7^th, 8^th & 9^th wicket taken during the innings.
• If the batting team has been bowled out within the given time, then the fielding team will be considered to have completed the over rate required.
• The current over rate will be advised by the umpire every 30mins and will also be displayed on the scoreboard.

Factors Contributing to Slow Over Rate

• Bowling Changes – Changes in bowling can lead to delays in the over rate. It happens because whenever a new bowler is asked to ball, a new field is set, and the bowler takes time to warm up.
• Spectators – Sometimes the spectators come on the field to meet their players and sometimes the crowd throws bottles and other objects. This is also a reason that causes delays in the over rate.
• Match Conditions – Sometimes the matches are played under overcast conditions. Bad light, rain, and wet outfield results in delays in the match. Players are asked to leave the field which results in delay.
• Discussion with Captain – Frequent discussions of players with the captain and making strategies also result in the delay of the game and over rate.
• Field Changes – The captain makes field changes based on the batsman and bowling strategies. Excessive field changes also result in delays in the match and over rate.

Several other factors delay the match but are considered while calculating the over rate:

• Injury Break
• Umpires Decision
• Time wasted during referrals
• Time wasted by the batsman

ICC Regulations and Penalties

1. Minimum Over Rate Offences – Failure by a fielding team participating in an international match to meet the minimum over rate requirements contained in Appendix 2 constitutes an offense under this code of conduct by the relevant team captain and each of the Players in that fielding team according to the following, where the actual over rate in any test match or any other

international match of at least four days in duration is up to (and

including) five overs short of the minimum over rate, or, in any one

day international match, T20 international match, or any other international match of fifty (50) or twenty (20) overs per side, up to

(and including) two overs short of the minimum over rate, such an

an offence shall be considered a ‘Minor Over Rate Offence’.

• Serious Over Rate Offence – When the actual over rate in any test match or any other

international match of at least four days in duration is more than five overs short of the minimum over rate, or, in any one day

international match, T20I match, or any other

international match of fifty (50) or twenty (20) overs per side, is

more than two overs short of the minimum over rate, such

an offense shall be considered a ‘Serious Over Rate Offence’

Penalties:

• The first-time penalty for over rate is just a serious warning to the captain.
• If the slow over rate is repeated then it results in fine. The captain of the team and sometimes, the player has to pay the fine as a penalty.
• If it is repeated then it may result in suspension for some matches. Also, a demerit point is given to that player or captain.

Consequences of Slow Over Rate

• Delay of the match
• Reduced playing time
• Loss of overs which leads to a negative impact on spectators
• Penalties
• Problems related to media and broadcasting
• Loss of Momentum
• Decrease in Viewership

Effect of Slow Over Rate on Bowlers and Captains

Effect on Bowlers:

• Decrease inaccuracy
• Break in momentum

Effect on Captain:

• Penalties
• Increased responsibilities
• Leadership test
• The pressure of taking an instant decision