CAPE TOWN: In an astonishing move to revolutionize T20 cricket, there will be no run off a “free-hit” delivery if that ball hits the batter’s wicket in South Africa’s nascent T20 league, SA20, starting today.
On the eve of the inaugural SA20, tournament organizers introduced a host of novel rules to the playing conditions in order to improve the quality of the competition.
According to these new alterations, no runs will be allowed if a free-hit delivery hits the batter’s stumps, which is in clear contrast to the International Cricket Council’s rules, which allow players to run even if a player gets bowled out on a free-hit delivery, through the runs will be accounted as byes.
A controversy sparked over runs allowed to India despite Virat Kohli being bowled out on a free-hit delivery in the nerve-wracking game against Pakistan in the last year’s T20 World Cup.
The incident happened on the fourth delivery of the final over. Kohli smashed a huge six off Mohammad Nawaz when India needed 13 runs off three deliveries. Umpires called it an above-waist height no-ball on the batsman’s insistence
The next ball was adjudged wide so the free hit continued. However, the next delivery hit the stumps and ran towards the boundary line through the third-man region with Kohli and Dinesh Karthik running three runs. Pakistan captain Babar Azam had a discussion with the umpire on whether the runs should be awarded to the Indian team, who went on to win the thriller by four wickets.
However, the SA20 organizers, now believed that the advantage in such a situation should be given to the fielding team.
Another unique change introduced by the SA20 is the selection of the playing XI after the toss is conducted – for the first time in any major T20 tournament. Captains will nominate 13 names before the toss and after the coin flip, 11 players will be finalized and the two left-out players will become substitute fielders.
Moreover, there will be no overthrow runs if the ball deflects off the stumps while attempting for an intentional run-out.
Furthermore, a bonus point will be offered besides the standard four points for a win, if a team can win with a run rate that is 1.25 times their opponents.
The six-team SA20 competition will kick off on January 10 with MI Cape Town locking horns with Paarl Royals in the opening match.
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