THE term powerplay has become a buzzword in cricket since it’s inception into the sport.

Cricket has often been criticised for not being the most thrilling sport, but this is where power plays help.

Making the game even more exciting, as was seen when England beat New Zealand, the term can be difficult to understand at first.

We have all the information on what a power play is in T20 cricket, breaking down the key word and what it means during play.

What is a powerplay in T20 cricket?

In its most basic form, powerplay is the term given to a set of overs which restricts fielders.

During a powerplay in a T20 match in cricket, only two fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle for the first six overs.

The rule dictates the positions of the fielders and allows for higher scoring cricket matches and in 2005, the ICC named this field restriction powerplay.

In T20, the first six overs of an innings is a mandatory powerplay, allowing only two fielders outside the 30-yard-circle.

However, after this, no mare than five fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard-circle.

Fielding restrictions were first introduced back in the 1980’s in Australia but have evolved as the game adapted, with the rules also existing in ODI and 100-ball cricket.