Powerplay (cricket)

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A Powerplay is a new rule concerning fielding restrictions in one-day international (ODI) cricket. In the past, there was a 15-over period at the start of an innings when only two fielders were allowed outside the 30-yard circle. This meant that attacking batsman were likely to score runs quickly in the first 15 overs, but would become more watchful at the end of the spell.

In an effort to keep the game more exciting during the middle overs, this rule was amended to apply only to the first 10 overs of every innings, but also in two blocks of five overs, Powerplays, which will be used at the discretion of the fielding captain.

1. The first block of 10 overs in an innings, where the fielding restrictions are exactly the same as per the old ODI rules, is known as Powerplay 1. That is only two fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle and two fielders have to be in close catching position.
2. The first block of five overs chosen at the fielding captain's discretion is known as Powerplay 2. The fielding captain has to decide at which point he wishes to implement this rule. He can implement it at any stage in the match, even midway through an over, provided he informs the umpire. Only two fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle and the two close catchers are not mandatory in this case.
3. The second block of five overs, identical to Powerplay 2 is known as Powerplay 3.
4. The umpire will signal Powerplay by moving his arm in a circular motion.
5. Should the fielding captain choose not to exercise his discretion, the remaining powerplays will automatically commence at the latest available point in the innings (i.e. at the start of the 41st and the 46th overs in an uninterrupted innings).

The Powerplay was intended to add to the excitement in ODI cricket. If the batting team has got off to a very quick start, the fielding captain choose to delay Powerplay 2 and 3, and instead spread out the field to stem the flow of runs. Powerplays may then be taken when an attacking batsman is out, or when the run rate has been reduced. Otherwise, all 20 Powerplay overs are likely to be taken at the start of the batting team's innings.

The rule was first encountered in the One-day International between England and Australia on 7 July 2005. It is possible that the innovation will be a part of the playing conditions for the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

The supersub rule, introduced contemporaneously on a trial basis as the Powerplay rule, however, has not been without controversy. Respected BBC cricket scorer and statistician Bill Frindall has dismissed both the inventions as a desperate attempt to jazz up one day cricket in the face of competition from the new Twenty20 format [1]. Wisden Cricketer's Almanack similarly dismissed the idea, suggesting instead that the way to increase interest in One Day Cricket might be to play fewer matches (see the 2005 and 2006 Editor's Notes).