What Is Powerplay in Cricket?

In 2006, the International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced "Powerplays," a change that has made the games a lot more exciting for the viewers. Powerplays are restrictions which dictate where in the cricket ground the fieldsmen can and cannot be placed during certain overs. The batting and the bowling teams have to strategically make use of these restrictions. Since the introduction of Powerplays, cricket games have become high-scoring and more interesting for the spectators.

  1. History of Powerplays

    • The ICC, which is the governing body of international cricket, was looking to make the limited overs version of the game (called "One Day Internationals") more interesting. Powerplays were first announced in July 2005, and tried out when England played Australia. The Powerplay field restrictions served their purpose and by 2006 they became a regular feature in all One Day International matches.

    Function

    • The main function of Powerplays is to encourage the batsmen to score more runs with big hits, since only three fielders can be placed outside the 30-yard circle. With eight out of the 11 players in the bowling team being forced to stay close in, big-hitting batsmen can take more risks in attempting to hit fours and sixes, with reduced risk of getting out due to a catch taken at the boundary. This, in turn, results in accelerated scoring during the Powerplay overs.

    Types

    • In each innings there is a "batting side Powerplay" and a "bowling side Powerplay" which refer to the side that requested the umpire for the Powerplay to be enforced. There is considerable strategy involved in when a captain would make this request. The batting side will ask for the batting Powerplay if they have big hitters at the crease and hope to boost their score. If the bowling side sees that the run rate is slowing down and they plan to bring in good bowlers into the attack, they will request the bowling Powerplay to be enforced.

    Time Frame

    • In each innings, Powerplays are in effect for 20 of the 50 overs. They are in three blocks called Powerplays One, Two and Three. In 50 overs cricket, Powerplay One is always in effect for the first 10 overs, allowing the opening batsmen to score big early. Powerplay Two is a block of five overs that either captain can request anytime after the first 10 overs. Powerplay Three is yet another set of five overs taken by the side that has not yet requested it.

      If either captain has not opted for Powerplay in the innings, the umpire will enforce it at the last possible time, which are the 41st and the 46th overs of the innings.

    Impact of Powerplays

    • Powerplays have now become an integral part of all One Day Internationals in cricket, making the game more strategic and exciting. In the Jan 30, 2009 issue of "The Hindu," Test cricketer L Sivaramakrishnan says that "The Powerplay has changed the way we now think about one-day cricket. It is no longer imperative to win the toss and bat first. It has brought back planning and strategy and the exciting mind games that the batsmen and bowlers play on the field."