Gone in 90 Seconds – the Strategic Time Out comes to the BBL - Cricket

It is something that permeates throughout Asian franchise cricket but is now coming to Australian shores this summer.

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11.5.5 The STO shall be requested by the batting team captain, batting team coach or either batter at the wicket by notifying one of the two on field umpires or the fourth umpire
I guess that it’s much easier for the batters to signal to the umpires. What if the coach decides it? How does he communicate that? That could be a bit tricky with all those pyrotechnics going off. Can’t really see Darren Lehmann sprinting onto the field at the Gabba to signal an STO to the umpires. What if he isn’t seen in time? This is getting tricky now, let’s read on.

11.5.5.1 For the request to be considered for the calling of the STO by the umpire at the completion of the over in progress, the request must be made prior to the bowler commencing his run up or if he has no run up, his bowling action for the final ball of the over in progress
The bowler not having a run up? Even Phil Tufnell, the least athletic cricketer ever to grace a cricket field, had a run up. It wasn’t a huge run up for sure; more of a jaunty little skip towards the crease that was clearly a precursor for Strictly Come Dancing. However, it was a run up. Perhaps the legislators are trying to stop a contrived, Greg Chappell-esque attempt to circumvent the rules? Such as carrying Rashid Khan on your shoulders to the bowling crease and then slinging him, like a trebuchet, towards the awaiting batter?

11.5.5.2 If the batting side does not request the STO by the 12.5 over mark then it will be taken at the end of the 13th over.
There will be room for cynical marketing whether the two captains agree to it, or not. Perhaps cricket could borrow from baseball and its ‘seventh-inning stretch’ ritual. Ideal time to create a song, much in the same vein as ‘C’mon Aussie C’mon’, but with even more sponsor-inspired enthusiasm.

For sake of clarity, no other team representative is permitted to request the time out.
Err, OK…the mascot is not allowed. So, don’t even try it.

11.5.6 The umpires shall call and signal the STO by tapping a raised wrist at the time the STO is requested, and at the beginning of the STO.
The signal from the umpires to mark the time out is to gesture like a disapproving schoolteacher waiting at the gates for those who missed the bus or couldn’t get out of bed. Another great marketing opportunity – the ‘Official Watch Partner’, because that’s what they would be called, would provide wristwatches for the umpires. If the supplier made the watch faces large enough, for their logos to be visual on cameras, it could double for some sort of arm guard protection. Bruce Oxenford would be all over one of those.

11.5.7 For any innings reduced to 15 overs or less, no STO will be available.
Don’t worry potential partners that is what the rain break filler section is for. The other message to take from this is that teams aren’t strategic in less than 16 overs. Wait, that is 96 balls…maybe the ECB’s plan IS to bring a game to the masses while not losing the strategic element. Add another four balls, and we’re there.

So, there we have the rules of the Strategic Time Out for this year’s BBL. The conclusion is that we have a period of time for teams to re-group; reset the game plan or finely tune to maximise the game position. Honest. If not, don’t fret because the STO will gone in 90 seconds.