ICC Introduces New Over Rate Penalty Rule in Test Cricket

The ICC has introduced a new rule in Test cricket that mandates fielding teams to start their next over within one minute of the previous over's end. Failure to comply will result in a five-run penalty for the offending team. This regulation, which has already been applied in ODIs and T20Is, aims to address the issue of slow over rates that have plagued Test matches. The new rule is expected to make the game more exciting and engaging for fans, as it encourages teams to maintain a brisk pace during play.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 26, 2025, 15:44 IST

New Rule Implementation in Test Cricket

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a significant update to the rules governing Test cricket, following recent changes to the boundary catch regulations. After successfully implementing a stop clock in white-ball formats, the ICC is now introducing this feature in Test matches to address the persistent issue of slow over rates. According to the new regulation, the fielding team must be ready to commence the next over within one minute of the previous over's conclusion. Failure to comply will result in a penalty of five runs awarded to the opposing team.

Details of the New Over Rate Rule

The World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 commenced on June 17, coinciding with the enforcement of the five-run penalty rule. Under this guideline, the fielding team is required to start the next over within one minute after the previous over ends. If they fail to do so, they will receive two warnings from the umpires, after which a five-run penalty will be imposed. These warnings will reset after every 80 overs, and the clock will count from 0 to 60 seconds. This rule was first applied during the Test match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Galle.

Existing Rules in Limited Overs Formats

This over rate rule has already been in effect for One Day Internationals (ODIs) and T20 Internationals (T20Is). Its introduction to Test cricket aims to reduce the time teams take to start their overs, which has been a concern, making the format less engaging. The new regulation is expected to enhance the excitement of Test matches.

This rule bears some resemblance to the timeout rule, where batsmen can be penalized for delaying their entry to the crease. Similarly, if a bowler takes more than 60 seconds for the third time to deliver an over, a five-run penalty will be imposed on the bowling team, which will be added to the opposing team's score.