BBL is considering to adopt an extreme version of the timed out regulation to speed up play

In an effort to speed up play, the BBL is close to implementing a radical version of the timed out regulation for the new season. The playing conditions committee of Cricket Australia is looking into tighter monitoring of the period between the fall of a wicket and the next ball, as well as a potential punishment for players who linger too long.

40.1.1 of the current Timed Out law states: “Unless Time has been called, the incoming batsman must be in position to take guard or for the other batter to be ready to receive the next ball within 3 minutes of the wicket being dismissed or the batter retiring. If this criterion is not met, the hitter will be called out and timed out.”

This rule was previously changed in CA’s BBL playing rules to require players to be in position within 60 seconds. The playing condition, on the other hand, has never been implemented, with incidents of players taking longer than two minutes to face no repercussions.

The BBL is proposing a 75-second time limit, however it is anticipated that if players do not meet the time limit, they will not be timed out. Instead, one suggestion is to give the bowler a batting free-hit, with the batter standing away and allowing a free delivery at the stumps.

The hitter would be able to begin their innings if the bowler did not hit the stumps. In actuality, it’s unlikely to come into play because hitters will be warned to hurry to the crease as soon as possible, and any such playing situation will operate as a deterrent to unwarranted delays.

This is not the first time BBL has tried out new improvements as last year, the BBL experimented with T20 cricket by introducing three new playing conditions: the Bash Boost, the X Factor, and the Power Surge, all of which were met with mixed reviews. The Power Surge, which was a popular addition last year, is likely to return this season.