The new cricket rule-set from ICC

India's most successful(though some of my friends give this credit to his luck rather than his cricketing skills) captain i have ever seen, MS Dhoni, has won India the first ODI against England yesterday with a large margin. But before the match and even after the win, the only point he was worried about and commented upon was the new cricket rules set by ICC which has been applied on and after 1st Oct this year, most importantly the powerplay rules.

Here is a brief insight of the 9 new rules as set by ICC :

POWERPLAY RULES

Applicable : ODIs only

The batting and bowling Powerplays must be taken between the slots from 15th over to 40th over. which means that Powerplays will have to taken on or before the beginning of 36th over. Earlier they could take Powerplays at any time after the completion of the tenth over of the innings.

Reason : Bowling team does not have lot of options while powerplay is taken in death overs.

RUNNER

Applicable : All formats

Any batsman under any condition will not be allowed to call a runner. They can take retired hurt and return back later to bat if they feel so.

Reason : All the batsman do not have same running skills and capability which makes a difference when a runner is called.

TWO NEW BALLS PER INNING

Applicable : ODIs only

Each fielding team will be given two new balls to be used in alternate overs, one at each end. The mandatory change of the ball after the 34th over of an innings will not take place anymore. 

Reason : Ball changes have brought significant results earlier.

OBSTRUCTING THE FIELD

Applicable : All formats

If a fielding team appeals and the umpire feels the batsman has significantly changed his direction without probable cause, while running between the wickets, and obstructed an attempt to run him out, the umpire can give the batsman out for obstructing the field. The on-field umpires are allowed to consult the third umpire in making the decision. The other circumstances in which a batsman can be out obstructing the field are still applicable.

Reason : Intentional obstruction changes game result.

PENALTY TIME

Applicable : All formats
If a player, who still has some unexpired penalty time, applied due to any reason, remaining from a previous absence, is on the field when play is interrupted by bad weather, light or other reasons, the duration of the stoppage will be deducted from the remaining penalty time.

Reason : To make penalty time independent of weather or other conditions.

ATTEMPT TO RUN OUT AT NON STRIKER END

Applicable : All formats
Previously, the bowler could run out a non-striker backing up only if he did so before entering his delivery stride. But now, the bowler is permitted, before releasing the ball and provided he has not completed his usual delivery swing(that is when his bowling arm passes the normal point of ball release), to attempt to run out the non-striker.

Reason : To prevent unnecessary step out from crease at non-striker end.

EXTRA TIME FOR A MATCH

Applicable : Tests only
The umpires may decide to play 15 minutes (a minimum of four overs) extra time at the scheduled lunch or tea interval of any day if requested by either captain if, in the umpires' opinion, it would bring about a definite result in that session. If the umpires do not believe a result can be achieved no extra time shall be allowed.

Reason : To avoid change in match results due to lunch to certain extent.

LUNCH DELAY WHEN NINE PLAYERS ARE OUT

Applicable : Tests only

If a team is nine wickets down at the time of the lunch interval, the break will be delayed by a maximum of 30 minutes. Previously, only tea was delay-able, while lunch was taken even if a team was nine down. 

Reason : To avoid unnecessary delay caused by two breaks in previous case.

INTERVAL DURATION BETWEEN INNINGS

Applicable : ODIs only
The minimum interval for an uninterrupted ODI match has been increased from 20 minutes to 30 minutes. 

Reason : Time required for planning and executing needed extra time in certain matches.