Powerplay

A Powerplay is a rule introduced in 2005 concerning fielding restrictions in One Day International (ODI) cricket and designed to give a temporary advantage to the batting side. 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 batsmen were likely to score runs quickly in the first 15 overs, because they were able to play aggressive shots likely to result in a boundary at a lower risk of being caught out, but would become more watchful after the end of the spell.

In an effort to keep the game more exciting during the middle overs, this rule was amended to apply not only to the first 10 overs of every innings, but also in two blocks of five overs, Powerplays, of which one may be used by the fielding captain, and one may be used by the batting captain.

Implementation

1. The first ten overs in an innings are defined as Powerplay One. The fielding restrictions during this period are exactly the same as per the old ODI rules with only two players being allowed to stand outside the 30-yard circle and two fielders required to be placed in close catching position.
2. The first block of five overs chosen at the discretion of the relevant captain (as described above) is defined as Powerplay Two. The captain has to decide at which point he wishes to implement this rule. He can only implement it at the beginning of an over, provided he informs the umpire.^[1] During this period only three fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle. However there is no mandatory number of close catchers during this power play.
3. The second block of five overs, with identical parameters to Powerplay Two, is defined as Powerplay Three.
4. When the relevant side's captain informs the umpire that he wishes to enact a powerplay, the official will signal so by moving his arm in a circular motion.
5. Should the fielding/batting captain/s choose not to exercise his/their discretion, the remaining powerplays automatically commence at the latest available point in the innings (i.e. at the start of the 41st and 46th overs in an uninterrupted innings).
6. When the Powerplay rule was first introduced, the decision regarding when Powerplays Two and Three was at the discretion of the captain of the fielding team.
7. Since October 2008 (starting from the one-day series between New Zealand and Bangladesh) rules were changed in that the batting team decides when to introduce either the second or the third Powerplay during their innings.^[2]

Effects of Powerplays

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 is likely to choose to delay the use of their Powerplay, 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, the Powerplay overs are likely to be taken at the conclusion of the first 10 over field restrictions.

When it comes to the batting team's Powerplay, this is most likely taken towards the end of the batting team's innings, usually in the last 5 overs, because the batsman are usually aiming to score quickly, and having only three fielders outside the circle assists this.

However, if the two batsman at the crease are well set early in the innings, or a noted big hitter has come in at the fall of a wicket, the captain of the batting team may decide to take the Powerplay earlier than the last 5 overs, to take advantage of this change in circumstances.

A captain whose team is bowling second may choose not to take their alloted powerplay if the total seems likely to be chased down within 40 overs.

First match played with powerplays

The rule was first encountered in the One Day International between England and Australia on 7 July 2005 and was then finalized after a trial period in 2006, unlike the supersub rule which was scrapped after being pioneered at the same time. The rule was included as part of the playing conditions for the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

Adapting to new rules

Nathan Bracken announced that captains and bowlers were finding it difficult to capitalise on the "powerplays" with regards to their timing ^[3]

References

1. ^ ODI Playing Conditions
2. ^ ICC allows batting team to choose one Powerplay, Cricinfo.com, September 30, 2008
3. ^ Powerplay Means Batsmen Smiling and Bowlers Shuddering, Sydney Morning Herald, January 25, 2009

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