Although in force since the start of the Women’s Big Bash League, but the new rule which allows bowlers a free hit at the stumps almost came into action in the first game of the men's Big Bash League 2021-22. The rule states that if the batter doesn't make it to the crease in the 75 seconds time limit from the dismissal or removal (by retirement) of the last batter, the bowler is allowed to have a free shy at the stumps.
Melbourne Stars’ Syed Faridoun had to sprint his way to the pitch at number 11 and he just beat the clock by a few seconds, otherwise the Sydney Sixers bowler Steve O'Keefe would have been given a free shot at the stumps.
Although the rule has been applied to save time in the game and also to benefit the bowling unit thereby, former Australia international and Adelaide Strikers’ veteran and stand-in captain Peter Siddle dreads becoming the first bowler to miss the free hit.
"I guess you do (fancy a free bowl at the stumps) but you don't want to be the first guy to do it and miss," he said in a press meet on Monday, December 06th.
However, the 37-year-old was sure that the batters wouldn’t be giving any such opportunity any time soon to bowlers. "We all know how much batters love having a hit and not missing out, so I can't imagine there'd be too many guys taking it slow this season,” he added.
According to the rule
At the fall of a wicket or retirement of a batter, the incoming batter must be ready to face the next delivery within 75 seconds.
If the batter fails to arrive in time, then they must stand to the side of the pitch for the first delivery of their innings and allow the bowler a free ball at the stumps.
If the ball strikes the wicket the batter is out bowled. If the ball misses the wicket it is counted as a dot ball and a ball faced.
If the bowler delivers a no-ball, the next delivery is a free hit.
And if the new batter is the non-striker (the batters crossed while the ball was in the air, the wicket fell at the end of the over or there was a run out at the bowler's end), then the same process is followed when they get on strike to face their first delivery.