Should Runs Be Awarded Against Teams With Slow Over Rates?

The current practice of fining teams for slow over rates doesn't work. Players accept fines as an occupational hazard and certainly won't bowl their overs any faster if it is not in their team's best interests to do so.

It has been suggested that slow over rates should be punished by awarding runs to the opposing team. Although this would interfere with the ethos of cricket, it is possible that like the pass back rule in football, it would ultimately improve the sport (after ruining a few games), as teams learn the necessity of playing a more entertaining game to avoid infringing the new rule.

To be accepted any new rule would have to fair and easy for players and spectators to understand. This is easier said than done. It would be unfair to punish a team for slow over rates if it were due to interruptions outside their control. The clock could be stopped for rain, injuries to players or streakers, but should the number of wickets to fall in the hour be considered? Should the moving of the sightscreen due to a left-hand, right-hand batsman combination be taken into account? What happens if it appears that the batsmen are delaying the game?

I like the idea in theory, but I remain to be convinced that it could work in practice.