A powerplay limits how many fielders can stand outside the 30-yard circle. Fewer fielders in the deep means more gaps for batters to hit into, which is why the opening overs are often the fastest-scoring of an innings.
T20 cricket
The powerplay covers the first six overs, with no more than two fielders outside the circle. For the remaining overs, up to five are allowed.
One-day internationals
ODIs split the innings into three phases. In overs 1 to 10, two fielders may be outside the circle. In overs 11 to 40, the limit rises to four. In the last ten overs, it rises to five.
