The amount of time it takes to complete an innings in Allsvenskan is 99 minutes. That is nine minutes more than the newly implemented international standards.
Recently, ICC made a change in their rulebook regarding allotted time for every team to complete their quota of overs in T20 game. They have increased the number of minutes to 90 instead of 85. The subtle rule change will make sure that teams are following the time given to complete their overs. Otherwise, they must bring a fielder from the boundary inside the 30-yard circle.
The change was recommended by the ICC Cricket Committee which regularly discusses ways to improve the pace of play in all formats. After the recent tournament in England, The Hundred, reports of effectiveness were presented to the committee which enforced the change.
Averaging almost 100 minutes
During the previous season in Allsvenskan in T20, the average time for a team to complete their 20 overs was 99 minutes. There was only one team which finished their allotted overs in time, in fact faster than 90 minutes, and that was Djurgården. They averaged 89 minutes. Compare to Evergreen Malmö and Landskrona it is 13 minutes faster.
Most of the teams placed themselves very close to the average time. Only four out of 14 teams, except Djurgården, were on the better side but yet close to the 99-minute mark.
Swedish champions, Märsta, was second on the list. They averaged 96 minutes to complete their quota. In reality, 99 minutes mean a match takes close to four hours to complete.
Like working six days in a week
It is also worth mentioning that teams in the southern region travel at least two hours for their away games. Keeping that in mind, the total amount of time they spend is more than six hours which is almost as much as a day at the work.
Even though matches are tight and highly competitive, the subtle change will probably improve the game, both for the players and for the spectators. Maybe that is something which SCF should take inspiration from to improve the experience for the spectators. It will also give more time to players to recover, especially those who are working or who have full-time job.
