Teams fielding first will no longer be docked overs for slow bowling rate during one-day matches as the International Cricket Council has decided to amend the rules and introduce heavy fines.

The new system will come into effect from April 1 and according to Dave Richards, general manager, ICC, the change was made after the sport's governing body reached the conclusion that the existing system was faulty.

Now teams bowling first will also attract heavy fines for slow over rate, just as teams fielding second do.

The first tournament to adopt the new rule will be the three-nation Sharjah Cup in the United Arab Emirates from April 1 to 10 featuring South Africa, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

South Africa was penalised one over against the West Indies in the World Cup opener last Sunday, which proved costly as they lost by three runs.

If the new rule had been in effect, South Africa would have been heavily fined, but would still have been allowed to face the full 50 overs instead of 49.