3Photo© hindustantimes.comICC introduces stop clock in Tests
New Delhi: A year after introducing the stop clock in white-ball cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has extended the measure to Test matches in a bid to address the issue of slow over rates. The rule has already come into effect with the start of the 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle that kicked off with Sri Lanka’s two-Test series at home against Bangladesh, which began on June 17.
The International Cricket Council has introduced stop clocks in Test matches to address the issue of slow over rates. (REUTERS)
The mechanism involves an on-ground electronic clock, operated by the third umpire, that counts up from 0 to 60 seconds between overs. The fielding side must be ready to bowl the next over within that time frame. If they fail to comply, they will first receive two warnings. On the third instance, a five-run penalty will be imposed on the bowling side.