MCC to propose ‘shot clocks’ to curb slow over-rates

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting says the MCC World Cricket Committee has discussed bringing in “shot clocks” and run penalties to speed up over-rates in all forms of cricket.
Ponting, who played 168 Tests for the Aussies, is now part of the advisory committee of the MCC and they have proposed that the ICC try to speed up the game.
Under the ICC’s current code of conduct, minor over-rate offences sees teams and captains receiving a fine while a serious offence can lead to the skipper being banned.
The MCC have now urged cricket’s governing body to take a tougher stance on slow play and have proposed a range of ideas to cut “dead time” in games.
Ponting said: “It probably seems a little extreme, the idea of the shot clock.
“But once again this year, in all three formats of the game, the over rates have been in decline again.
“So we’ve talked about the idea of the shot clock and that’s basically for the dead time in the game. It’s not going to be when the bowler is at the top of his mark and running in because that’s hard to gauge.
“It’s the dead time. The end of the over. The fielders and bowlers have to be back in position and that’s non-negotiable.”
Ponting said the committee also favoured that teams be sanctioned with a run penalty rather than fines for players.
The former Australia captain added: “The fining of players hasn’t been administered often, certainly through the last 12 months. A ‘there and then’ run penalty would definitely be worth looking at.
“You would imagine then the captains would take a huge responsibility in making sure their players are ready through the course of the day.
“If they are not in a position for three or four overs, that could be 20 runs … that could decide a Test match.”
Latest
-
News
Jake Libby earns draw as Somerset, Hampshire and Gloucestershire open with wins
Worcestershire opener Libby made the second-longest Championship innings ever and was on the field for every ball of the match.
-
News
Jofra Archer to find out whether he could feature in IPL next week
Archer has already been ruled out of the initial stages of the tournament after undergoing surgery to remove glass from his finger last month.
-
News
Stuart Broad would support social media boycott as racist abuse continues online
Some football teams and players have taken a break from social media.
-
News
Snow hits Glamorgan hopes as Rory Burns and Ben Foakes shine for Surrey
Burns made 74 and England team-mate Foakes an unbeaten 81 for Surrey against Gloucestershire at Bristol.
-
News
ICC Player of the Month nominations for March announced
Winners of the player of the month awards will be announced every second Monday of the month on the ICC’s digital channels.
-
News
Billy Root overshadows brother Joe as England captain suffers against Glamorgan
The visitors closed the second day with the upper hand at Headingley.
-
News
Sadiq Khan hoping to attract future IPL matches to London
London has staged NFL, MLB and NBA matches in London in the past and the London Mayor hopes IPL matches can also be staged in the capital.
-
News
Dan Lawrence shows early touch as Essex start strongly in Championship
There were big hundreds for Sam Robson, Tom Haines and James Vince.
-
News
Sachin Tendulkar thanks medical staff after returning home from hospital
Tendulkar was admitted to hospital last week after revealing he had tested positive for Covid-19 and had been in quarantine at home.
-
News
New Zealand name squad for their Test tour of England
New Zealand have named a 20-player squad for their tour of England, with three uncapped prospects in the group.