Stiff penalties for slow over-rates

Press, 9 December 1981, Page 48

Stiff penalties for slow over-rates

By

JOHN COFFEY

Severe monetary penalties will be imposed on the Australian and New Zealand cricket teams if they do not reach an acceptable bowling over-rate during the three tests and three limited-over internationals in February and March. The playing conditions devised by the New Zealand Cricket Council for the Roth-mans-sponsored tour—which have still to be submitted to the Australian board of control for approval-—allow for fines of up to $lOOO.

Still retained from last season’s regulations is a clause asking for the cooperation of captains, players, and administrators in ensuring that minumum over-rates of 16.5 overs per hour are maintained in the tests. But a penalty clause has been added. If either test team fails to maintain at least 14 overs per hour for the duration of a match a fine of $lOOO will automatically be imposed. Consideration will be given for such normal stoppages as lunch and tea adjournments, intervals between innings, in-

terruptions because of the weather or ground conditions, and drinks. Any delays through injuries will also be taken into account. Similarly, in uninterrupted limited-over internationals fielding sides will be expected to complete their allocation of 50 overs within three and a half hours, failure to do so will result in an automatic fine of $5OO. If penalties need to be imposed they will be deducted from the proze money given by Rothmans which totals $50,000. Mr G. T. Dowling, the N.Z.C.C. secretary, said yes-

terday that there has been general concern for some years at the slowness of over rates. The matter had been discussed by the International Cricket Conference, which decided to leave regulations to national associations rather than frame an all-encompassing law. “Various ideas have been put forward in the past,” Mr Dowling said. “This move is an attempt to make it hurt in the players’ back pockets. "A team does not have to make much of an effort to reach the rate required. Some sides jog into position between overs—the New

Zealand team was applauded for that last summer in Australia,” he said. But Mr Dowling emphasised that, while the fines were included in the tour playing conditions, they still have to be agreed to by the Australian board. “This is what we wish to play; hopefully, Australia will accept,’ he said. Some recent tours of this country, particularly that by the West Indies in 1979-80, have been plagued by inaction as bowlers have dawdled back to their marks and fieldsmen sauntered into position.

An automatic tine of $lOO will also be placed on district teams guilty of sluggish over-rates during the limited-over Shell Cup series this season. Once again, provided there are no interruptions, sides must bowl their 50 overs within three and a half hours. In the three-day Shell Trophy competition points penalties have been retained. The required over-rate is 17, and one point will be deducted for each completed over or part thereof which falls short, to a maximum of four points.