ICC's New Rule: Five-Run Penalty for Slow Batters

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-10-03

### ICC Cracks Down on Time-Wasting with Five-Run Penalty Cricket is about to get a little stricter. Starting October 1, 2026, the ICC will slap a five-run penalty on batters who waste time during an innings. It's a move designed to keep the game moving, and trust me, it's going to change how players approach their time at the crease. ### How the New Time-Wasting Rule Works Here's the deal: if a batter isn't ready to face the ball within the prescribed time, they get a warning. A second offense? Another warning. But the third time? That's when it hurts – the batting side loses five penalty runs, awarded to the fielding team. The bowler's end umpire is in charge of enforcing this. They'll inform the non-striker, the incoming batter, the fielding captain, and the other umpire each time. It's all spelled out in Condition 41.10.3 of the playing conditions. ### What Counts as Time-Wasting? The prescribed time is basically 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 expected to be set. So, no more fidgeting with gloves or tapping the bat excessively – you need to be ready. The only exception is a dismissal. An incoming batter gets two minutes to enter the field and prepare for the first ball. Fail to do that, and you risk being timed out. That's a harsh penalty, but it keeps things fair. ### Multi-Day Cricket: Warnings Reset In multi-day matches, warnings reset after every 80 overs. So if you pick up two warnings in one 80-over block, you start fresh once that block ends. It's a clean slate, but don't push your luck – the umpires will be watching. ### Ball Specifications and Other Changes Women's cricket now has its own ball size and weight. The ICC noted that manufacturers often produced a single ball for both women's and junior cricket, which wasn't ideal. Now there are three distinct specifications: one for men, one for women, and one for juniors. Other tweaks include: - Pink balls can 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. - Umpires have more freedom to decide when a ball is finally settled – and that call 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. - The ICC has clarified run-out and stumping requirements: the fielder or wicketkeeper must have complete control of the ball, and touching it while breaking the stumps doesn't count as a dismissal. ### What This Means for the Game These changes are all about keeping cricket fair and fast-paced. The five-run penalty might seem harsh, but it ensures that teams don't waste time to gain an advantage. The ball specifications for women's cricket are a step toward better equipment tailored to the players. As a fan, you'll notice quicker games and fewer delays. As a player, you'll need to be on your toes – literally. The umpires will be enforcing these rules strictly, so there's no room for dawdling. So, next time you're watching a match, keep an eye on the batter's readiness. You might just see a five-run penalty in action. And who knows? It could be the turning point of the game. For more sports news and updates, visit JeetWin Blog!