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The 'Powerplay' innovation was introduced when it
was felt that a limited-overs game was getting too
predictable for comfort after the first fifteen
overs of the innings. Little seemed to happen
between the 16th and 40th overs, and hence a change
was deemed necessary.
Under the new rule, the fielding restrictions,
wherein only two fielders are allowed to stand
outside the thirty-yards circle and two fielders
have to be placed in catching positions, are
applicable to the first ten overs instead of the
first fifteen, as was the case previously. This is
the first of three 'Powerplays'. It is mandatory
that the first 'Powerplay' is taken in the first
ten overs.
Readers would have noticed that a fielding captain
starts a one-day game by posting a couple of slips
and gully. But he removes these fielders once the
batsmen start playing their strokes, and shifts
them to short extra cover and/or short midwicket,
depending on the bowler's line and length. His main
objective is to prevent the flow of runs.
Once the ten overs have been completed, the
fielding captain has the option of enforcing two
more 'Powerplays' at any time in the innings, each
of which has to be five overs long. This
essentially means that the fielding restrictions of
the first ten overs have to come into force in two
sets of five overs each at some stage from the 11th
over to the 50th over. The captain is not required
to place two men in catching position in the second
and third 'Powerplays'.
The 'Supersub' and 'Powerplay' innovations made
their debut in a three match one-day series between
England and Australia last July. In the very first
game, England captain Michael Vaughan finished off
the second and third 'Powerplays' within the first
twenty overs itself. Such a move is in order if the
run-rate is around four or five an over. However, a
fielding captain will be reluctant to do so if the
opposition batsmen are going merrily at seven or
eight runs per over. He would have to consider
postponing the second and/or third Powerplay and
introduce it if a couple of wickets fall in quick
succession. He can then try and finish off a few
overs even as the new batsmen play themselves in.
One hasn't seen, so far that is, a fielding captain
holding back the third Powerplay till the 40-over
mark. It could be a masterstroke if a bowling team
manages to take seven or eight wickets within the
first forty overs. However, such a move may
backfire if one recognized batsman survives and
makes the most of the field restrictions once the
third 'Powerplay' is taken.
Like the 'Supersub' law, the 'Powerplay' concept is
being tried out on an experimental basis, and the
ICC will be reviewing it later this year.
International captains and coaches will be asked to
chip in with their suggestions and feedback, and a
decision will then be taken on whether to continue
with the innovations as they are, or modify them
further, or even abandon them altogether.
Most of the laws of cricket, as well as the playing
conditions are loaded in the batsmen's favour. The
Powerplay innovation has in fact made it even more
of a batsman's sport, with the fielding
restrictions being in place for five additional
overs. The bowlers' woes have been compounded by
the fact that the boundaries have been shortened to
generate more fours and sixes, and consequently,
increase the excitement. It's a bit like the
bridegroom's family dominating the proceedings at a
traditional Indian wedding! The batsmen are the
bridegroom's relatives and the bowlers are part of
the bride's family!
This imbalance might thrill the crowds and delight
the batsmen, but it will never succeed in the long
term. In fact, it is detrimental to the future of
the sport itself.
I believe this imbalance could be reduced through
the following alteration in the laws:
1) The first Powerplay of ten overs should remain
as it is. The fielding restrictions of two men in
catching positions and not more than two outside
the ring should also remain.
(2) The second Powerplay should also remain, with
the fielding skipper not bound to place two men in
catching positions.
(3) The third Powerplay could be modified, in that
three fielders could be permitted outside the
thirty-yards circle instead of two. Moreover, two
bouncers instead of the prevalent one, should be
allowed per over. If two bouncers per over aren't
acceptable, then atleast six fielders, instead of
the customary five, should be allowed on the
leg-side.
This will help the fielding side to utilize the
services of its pace bowlers optimally. Two
bouncers in an over will challenge the middle and
lower order batsmen.
Cricket, after all, is a contest between bat and
ball, and efforts should be made to make this
tussle as even as possible.
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