Penalty runs for slow over rates can only be applied in league matches where at least one umpire appointed by the YPL or YPLN Umpire Manager is officiating. As such, penalty runs for slow over rates apply in the Premier Division, Premier Division 2 & Championship only. 

 

At the start of each innings, the umpires should work out what the cut-off time for the completion of the innings will be (3 hrs 10 min after the start for a 50 over innings, so 15:10 for a 12:00 start) 

 

During the course of the innings they may make allowances for time lost for such things as a lost ball, an injury, a 2nd drinks break etc. If they do, the cut-off time should be put back. For example, if 5 min is lost due to an injury then the total time allowed for the innings becomes 3 hrs 15 mins, so the cut-off time becomes 15:15 for a 12:00 start). 

 

It is important that umpires tell fielding captains and the batters at the crease that they are putting the cut-off time back at the time that they do it - not at the end of the innings. It is also important that they keep fielding captains up to date with their over rate by telling them how many overs they have bowled and how much time they have had (or what they still need to do). 

 

Once the cut-off time is reached (even if it is mid-over), 5 penalty runs should be awarded to the batting side for every over not yet started at that point. These penalty runs should be awarded straight away, and not at the end of the over. The innings then should then continue to its natural conclusion unless the award of the penalty runs is in the 2nd innings and results in the batting side reaching or surpassing their target.