In cricket, a powerplay is a block of overs in a limited-overs innings with a cap on how many fielders may stand outside the 30-yard circle: two in the opening powerplay. Under the ICC's men's playing conditions, effective October 2026, a T20 international's powerplay is the first 6 overs of each innings, an ODI has three powerplays capped at two, four and five fielders, and a Test has none.
Powerplay overs by format
| Format | Powerplay overs in a full innings | Fielders allowed outside the circle | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| T20 international | Overs 1 to 6 | 2, then up to 5 | ICC T20I clauses 28.7.2, 28.7.4 and 28.7.5 |
| ODI | Overs 1 to 10, then 11 to 40, then 41 to 50 | 2, then 4, then 5 | ICC ODI clause 28.7.2.2 |
| BBL | Overs 1 to 4, plus a two-over Power Surge | 2 in both | Cricket Australia's playing conditions |
| Test | None | No circle limit | No powerplay clause |
The circle is two 30-yard semi-circles centred on the middle stumps, joined by straight lines (T20I clause 28.7.3). When Cricket Australia introduced the Power Surge for BBL|10 (16 November 2020), the batting side could call it from the 11th over. Its BBL|16 conditions (announced 31 August 2026) keep both blocks and toughen the over-rate penalty: a side not done with its 20 overs inside 84 minutes bowls the rest of the innings under full powerplay limits. BBL betting covers the league's other quirks.
Why powerplays lift scoring
With two fielders out, most of the boundary is unguarded, so a shot lofted over the infield has a good chance of reaching the rope. Batters take more risk in those overs, and the hard new ball comes onto the bat. It can also swing, though, and attacking strokes bring catches inside the circle, so a powerplay can cost wickets as well as produce runs.
Powerplay runs markets
A powerplay runs bet is an over or under on the runs one side scores in its powerplay overs; a two-way version asks which side scores more. Rain is the trap. When overs are cut, the powerplay shrinks with the innings: to 4 overs and 1 ball in a 14-over T20 innings (clause 28.7.6), or to phases of 7, 19 and 6 overs in a 32-over ODI innings (clause 28.7.2.3).
Example: a line of 54.5 runs for an ODI side's first powerplay, overs 1 to 10. Rain before the innings cuts it to 32 overs, so the first powerplay becomes 7 overs. Illustrative line, not a real match.
| What changed | Working | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Rate the line implies | 54.5 / 10 | 5.45 runs an over |
| Same rate over the new powerplay | 7 x 5.45 = 38.15 | About 38 runs |
| A market on the first 10 overs | Overs 8 to 10 now allow four fielders out | Same overs, fewer restrictions |
Either way the 54.5 line was set for conditions that no longer apply, so the reduced-overs clause in your bookmaker's terms decides whether it is void, settled on the overs as played or settled on the overs named. In the BBL, a first-6-overs market takes in two overs after the four-over powerplay ends. T20 cricket betting has the full T20 shrink table, and cricket total runs betting covers whole-innings lines.
Comparing the markets around a powerplay bet
On the Terminal's sports board, bookmakers sit side by side on head to head, line and total markets, and on player props where they offer them. Compare a powerplay line across your own accounts once the rain rules match. The board collects prices on a cycle, so a figure on screen can lag the bookmaker's, and cricket betting maps the other markets. A free account opens a limited view of the Terminal with live odds.
Risk: Betting involves risk. A powerplay can bring early wickets instead of quick runs, and rain can void or reshape a line after you bet. See responsible gambling for limits and support.