Since power plays were introduced to one-day internationals, teams have generally used them consecutively in the first 20 overs. Essentially, all this rule has really done is extend the traditional fielding restrictions from the 15th over to the 20th over. Boooooring.
Let's get the International Cricket Council to take a leaf from our own domestic 50-over competition, where after the first compulsory 10-over powerplay, the bowling team and batting team each can call one five-over powerplay.
We have seen in the past couple of years that the bowling team will take its powerplay somewhere between overs 10 and 20.
However, batting teams have been using it at the compulsory ball change after the 35th over and we have seen teams score up to 60 runs in that period.
This rule allows for more attacking cricket. Batsmen are more inclined to play bigger shots to maximise the rule that only three men can be outside the 30-metre circle. The batsmen see the opportunity for boundaries, and as a result, the chance for wickets increases. With batsmen looking to attack more the chances of seeing boundaries increases, but for the fielding team, chances of wickets increases.
Suddenly, varying tactics and intrigue come in to play.
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