ICC's New Rule Could Cost Batters Five Runs for Wasting Time

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-10-03

### The ICC Just Made Time-Wasting a Costly Habit The International Cricket Council has rolled out a new set of playing conditions that will change how the game is played—starting October 1, 2026. The headline change? Batters who repeatedly waste time will now cost their team five penalty runs. Yes, you read that right. No more endless glove adjustments or leisurely strolls to the crease. ### How the New Time-Wasting Rule Works Under the revised conditions, here's what happens if a batter isn't ready to face the ball within the prescribed time: - **First offense:** The batter gets a warning. - **Second offense:** A final warning. - **Third offense and beyond:** The batting side is hit with a five-run penalty, awarded to the fielding team by the umpire. The bowler's end umpire manages the process. After each incident, they inform the non-striker, any incoming batter, the fielding captain, and the other umpire. The full sequence is covered under Condition 41.10.3. ### What Counts as "Wasting Time"? The prescribed time is basically the window a fielding team and bowler need to get ready for the next delivery. Once the bowler hits the top of their run-up, the batter is expected to be set and ready. The only real 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. ### Multi-Day Cricket: Warnings Reset Every 80 Overs In multi-day matches, the warning count resets after every 80 overs. So if a batter picks up two warnings within one 80-over block, they start fresh once that block ends. It's a clean slate, but don't push your luck. ### Women's Cricket Gets Its Own Ball Specs In a move that's long overdue, 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. Now there are three distinct specifications—one each for men's, women's, and junior cricket. It's a small change with a big impact on fairness and performance. ### Other Changes You Should Know About The ICC release also includes several amendments that were approved earlier: - **Pink balls in daytime Tests:** Now allowed, giving teams more flexibility. - **Final over of the day:** A wicket no longer automatically ends play in multi-day matches; the over continues. - **Umpire discretion on settled ball:** Umpires have more freedom to decide when a ball is finally settled—crucial on the last delivery of a close game. The ball no longer has to be in the hands of the bowler or wicketkeeper. - **Run-out and stumping clarifications:** The fielder or wicketkeeper must have complete control of the ball. Touching it while breaking the stumps doesn't count as a dismissal. > "These changes are about keeping the game moving and ensuring fairness across all formats," an ICC spokesperson said. "We want cricket to be exciting, not bogged down by unnecessary delays." ### What This Means for Players and Fans For players, it's a clear message: be ready. For fans, it means less downtime and more action. The five-run penalty could swing matches, especially in tight chases. Imagine losing by four runs because your team conceded five for time-wasting—that's a tough pill to swallow. ### The Bottom Line The ICC's new playing conditions are set to shake things up. Whether you're a batter who likes to take your time or a fan who wants non-stop action, these rules will affect how you experience cricket. Starting October 1, 2026, every second counts. Stay tuned for more sports updates and analysis.