ICC's New Five-Run Penalty: The Rule That Could Change How Batters Play

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-10-03

The ICC has just introduced a five-run penalty for batters who waste time repeatedly during an innings. This change, along with a separate ball size specification for women's cricket, will take effect from October 1, 2026. If you're a cricket fan, you know how frustrating it can be when the game drags on. Well, the ICC is finally doing something about it. ### What the New Time-Wasting Rule Says Under the revised playing conditions, a batter who isn't ready to face the ball within the prescribed time gets a warning for the first offense. A second offense brings a final warning. The third offense, and every one after that, costs the batting side five penalty runs, which the umpire awards to the fielding team. So, if you're a batter who likes to take your sweet time, you might want to rethink your strategy. The bowler's end umpire handles the process. Each time, the umpire informs the non-striker, each incoming batter, the fielding captain, and the other umpire about what's happened. Condition 41.10.3 of the playing conditions covers the full sequence, so there's no ambiguity. ### How the Rule Works in Multi-Day Cricket In multi-day matches, the prescribed time is largely the period a fielding team and bowler need to get ready for the next delivery. Once the bowler reaches the top of the run-up, the batter is generally expected to be set to receive the ball. It's all about keeping the game moving. A dismissal is the main exception. An incoming batter gets two minutes to enter the field and prepare for the first ball, and a batter who fails to do so risks being timed out. That's a pretty harsh penalty, but it ensures the game doesn't stall. In multi-day matches, the warnings reset after every 80 overs. The count starts again for each further 80-over block of the same innings, so a batter who collects two warnings in one block begins afresh once that block ends. This means you get a clean slate multiple times during a long innings. ### Ball Specifications and Other Changes in the ICC Release Women's cricket now has its own ball size and weight. The ICC said manufacturers had often produced a single ball for both women's and junior cricket. The new limits set three distinct specifications: one each for men's, women's, and junior cricket. This is a big step forward for the women's game, ensuring that the equipment is tailored to the players. The release also lists amendments that had been approved earlier. Pink balls can now be used in daytime Tests. A wicket in the final over of the day no longer ends play automatically in multi-day matches; the over continues. This could lead to some exciting finishes. Umpires have more freedom to decide when a ball is finally settled, a call that can matter most on the last delivery of a close game. The ball no longer has to be in the hands of the bowler or wicketkeeper for that decision. This gives umpires more discretion and could reduce controversies. The ICC has also clarified the requirements for a run-out or stumping. The fielder or wicketkeeper must have complete control of the ball, and touching it while breaking the stumps does not count as a dismissal. This clarification should prevent any confusion in the future. ### What This Means for the Game These changes are designed to speed up play and make the game more exciting. The five-run penalty for time-wasting is a strong deterrent, and it will be interesting to see how batters adapt. Will they be more punctual? Or will we see teams losing runs due to repeated offenses? As a cricket fan, I'm all for anything that keeps the game moving. There's nothing worse than watching a batter take forever to get ready. So, I'm optimistic about these changes. They might take some getting used to, but in the long run, they should improve the flow of the game. What do you think? Are you in favor of the new rules? Let us know in the comments below. And for more sports news and updates, keep an eye on our blog.