T20 Match Rules

The Laws of cricket are also applicable to T20, with only a few exceptions:

* Each bowler can bowl a maximum of one-fifth of the total number of overs per innings. It is usually four overs in the 20 overs match.
* If a bowler delivers a no ball, it costs 1 run and the next delivery that he makes is regarded as a "free-hit", from which the batsman can only be dismissed by a run out.
* Umpires have the power to award five-run penalty if they feel that either team is wasting time.

The fielding restrictions include:

* There can be a maximum of five fielders on the leg side at any point of time.
* During the first six overs, not more than two fielders can remain outside the 30-yard circle.
* After the completion of first six overs of the match, a maximum of five fielders can remain outside the fielding circle.
* If the fielding team does not start bowling the 20th over within 75 minutes, the batting side gets an extra six runs for every full over bowled after 75 minutes is over.


Rules For Tie
In the event of a tie, each team nominates three batsmen and one bowler for playing a one-over per side "mini-match", called as a "One1". In turn, each side bats one over bowled by the bowler nominated by the opponents, and their innings end if they lose two wickets before completing the over. The side with the higher score is declared the winner of the match.

T20 Internationals
On February 17, 2005, Australia won the first men's full International T20 match which was played at Eden Park in Auckland, defeating New Zealand. Similarly, on June 13, 2005, the first T20 International in England was played between England and Australia at the Rose Bowl in Hampshire. England won the match defeating Australia by 100 runs.

In Australia, the first International T20 match was played on January 9, 2006 between Australia and South Africa, with Australia defeating New Zealand. The nickname of each player appeared on the back of his uniform, rather than his surname.

On February 16, 2006, the match was played between New Zealand and West Indies and there was a tie with both the teams scoring 126 runs each. Finally, New Zealand won by defeating West Indies in a tie-breaking bowl-out 3-0. This match was the last international game played by Chris Cairns.