Powerplay poser for captains
Will Smith will need to decide when Durham hit out with the introduction of batting powerplays to the FP Trophy
County captains were this week given a new concept to get their heads around for the 2009 season - exactly when to take the batting powerplay in 50-over matches.
The opening round of the Friends Provident Trophy threw up the new tactical poser of when to make a dash for it against the backdrop of extra fielding restrictions.
As per new International Cricket Council guidelines, which came into force on October 1, 2008, the batting team is now permitted to choose when either the second or third powerplay takes place.
For each of these five-over segments, only three fielders are permitted outside the inner ring and fielding teams almost always take their powerplay from the 11th over to the 15th to eliminate it at the first opportunity.
This is particularly the case in England, and even more so early in the season, due to the new ball moving around off damp pitches.
So the issue is exactly when is prime time to cash in on those 30 deliveries when your side is batting?
"There are a few more pressures on the captains now but that is good," said Will Smith, newly-appointed captain of LV= County Champions Durham.
"It is a good challenge to work the ins and outs of it and get the best out of situations because it can go a long way towards winning games."
A definitive pattern emerged in England's one-day internationals - which were not rain-affected - last winter with the 39th over being the average time at which the five-over segment was taken.
It was never taken before the 33rd over nor left until the very end of an innings.
Yorkshire delayed their dash until the final third of their innings on Sunday and Gerard Brophy ensured it paid dividends with a rapid, unbeaten 66 against Durham on Sunday, having only arrived at the crease with 15 overs to go.
If the evidence of the opening weekend of matches is anything to go by, most counties appear to be favouring the tactic of using the powerplay to develop late-innings impetus.
But there will no doubt be situations thrown up - such as a team having made a glorious start without losing a wicket - when it will be called upon earlier.
"You need to be very flexible with it," reflected Smith. "What happened to us in the one-day games on pre-season tour was that we were always just about to take it and then we would lose a wicket.
"It would then get put back again to let the new batter come in and get a few overs under his belt.
"There might be a case for taking it whenever you've got two batters going well, even if it is around the 30th over; just take it and look for some source of momentum through a partnership during that five overs.
"It may be we look for that boost in the middle of an innings if there are two guys going well.
"It is something we will have to think about as games go on."
