In an uninterrupted match, the first 10 overs of an inning will be a
mandatory Power play. No team/captain can change the occurrence of this power play. The other two Power plays are a block of five overs; one block
shall be taken at the discretion of the fielding captain and the other
at the discretion of either of the batsmen at the wicket. They can be
referred as Bowling and Batting Power plays.
During the mandatory Power play only two fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle and there must be a minimum of two stationary fielders within the applicable fielding restriction area measured from the striker’s end at the instant of delivery. During Bowling and Batting Power play overs, only three fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle. During the non Power play overs, no more than five fielders shall be permitted outside the fielding restriction area.
From October 1, 2011, the ICC brought changes to the Bowling and Batting Power plays. Under the new rules, in a 50-over match, neither Power play may be taken before the start of the 16th over and both must be completed before the commencement of the 41st over, so overs 11 to 15 and 41 to 50 cannot be Power play overs. Should either or both teams choose not to exercise their discretion, their Power play overs will automatically commence at the latest available point in the innings (e.g. in a 50-over innings with one unclaimed Power play, it will begin at the start of the 36th over).
When the batting team's number of overs is reduced, the number of Power play overs shall be reduced in accordance with the table below. For the sake of clarity, it should be noted that the table shall apply to both the first and second innings of the match.
During the mandatory Power play only two fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle and there must be a minimum of two stationary fielders within the applicable fielding restriction area measured from the striker’s end at the instant of delivery. During Bowling and Batting Power play overs, only three fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle. During the non Power play overs, no more than five fielders shall be permitted outside the fielding restriction area.
From October 1, 2011, the ICC brought changes to the Bowling and Batting Power plays. Under the new rules, in a 50-over match, neither Power play may be taken before the start of the 16th over and both must be completed before the commencement of the 41st over, so overs 11 to 15 and 41 to 50 cannot be Power play overs. Should either or both teams choose not to exercise their discretion, their Power play overs will automatically commence at the latest available point in the innings (e.g. in a 50-over innings with one unclaimed Power play, it will begin at the start of the 36th over).
When the batting team's number of overs is reduced, the number of Power play overs shall be reduced in accordance with the table below. For the sake of clarity, it should be noted that the table shall apply to both the first and second innings of the match.
| Innings Duration | First Power play | Fielding Power play | Batting Power play | Power play Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 - 21 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
| 22 - 23 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 9 |
| 24 – 26 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 10 |
| 27 - 28 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 11 |
| 29 – 31 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 12 |
| 32 – 33 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 13 |
| 34 – 36 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 14 |
| 37 – 38 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 15 |
| 39 – 41 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 16 |
| 42 – 43 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 17 |
| 44 – 46 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 18 |
| 47 – 48 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 19 |
| 49 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 20 |
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