Simon Taufel, Former ICC Elite Level Umpire, Suggests A Law Change in T20 Cricket Allowing Bowlers to Bowl Five Overs in A Match

Renowned former international umpire Simon Taufel has called for a major update to T20 playing conditions, advocating for a rule change that would allow a single bowler to deliver five overs in an innings. Speaking in a recent interview, the five-time ICC Umpire of the Year argued that the current four-over limit places bowlers at a distinct disadvantage in a format increasingly dominated by aggressive batting. Fact Check: Did Babar Azam Recite Holy Quran in Sydney Sixers Dressing Room In Front of Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc During BBL 2025-26? Here's the Truth.

The proposal aims to address the growing disparity in a game where batters can occupy the crease for an entire 20-over innings, while even the most effective bowlers are restricted to just 20% of the total overs.

Leveling the Playing Field

Taufel, 54, emphasized that the current restrictions limit the tactical depth of the shortest format. By allowing a captain to utilize their most dominant bowler for an additional over, Taufel believes the game would see a fairer "dominant batter versus dominant bowler" contest.

"If a batter can be out there for the whole innings and score a hundred from ball number one, we’re limiting all the bowlers to four overs," Taufel noted. "Can we actually maybe give one bowler one extra over to try to even up the scales a bit?"

Criticism of "Marketing Gimmicks"

While advocating for this specific change, Taufel expressed strong reservations about other recent innovations, specifically the "Impact Player" rule seen in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the "Super Sub" in the ILT20. He categorized some of these updates as "marketing gimmicks" that detract from the traditional 11-versus-11 dynamic.

Taufel argued that the Impact Player rule often reduces the necessity for genuine all-rounders and disrupts the strategic integrity of the game. "Not all changes are good," he stated. "Sometimes things aren't broken, and we go changing things just for the sake of it."

Strategic Momentum and Timeouts

The Australian also targeted "strategic timeouts," suggesting they break the natural momentum of a match and create "pregnant pauses" that do not necessarily add value to the sport. He urged lawmakers to focus on changes that provide genuine tactical depth rather than purely entertainment-focused interruptions. Out or Not Out Rules? Former International Umpire Anil Chaudhary Answers If Batter is Safe When Shoelaces Remain Inside The Crease During Stumping.

Taufel confirmed he has already presented his "five-over" suggestion to several global T20 leagues, though the rule has yet to be formally adopted by any major tournament.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 03, 2026 10:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).