The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced several significant changes to cricket’s playing conditions and rules, with the new regulations coming into effect for series beginning on or after October first.
Series that started before October 1 will continue under the existing rules and playing conditions until completion.
In men’s cricket, the ICC has introduced a phased penalty system for batters who waste time. The first offence will result in a warning, followed by a final warning for a second offence. If a batter commits a third offence, the opposing team will be awarded five penalty runs.
New and stricter specifications regarding the size and weight of the ball have also been introduced in women’s cricket to ensure greater consistency in the standard of balls used during matches.
The ICC has also approved the use of pink balls in day Test matches to help reduce disruptions caused by poor light. The use of the pink ball will initially be introduced on a trial basis. The decision to use a pink ball must be made before the start of the match, and a red ball cannot be replaced with a pink ball once a Test has begun.
Another change concerns the final over of a Test match. If a wicket falls during the last over, the match will no longer end immediately. Instead, the remaining deliveries of the over will be completed.
The interval between innings in T20 matches has been set at 15 minutes. However, in T20 internationals, the interval may be reduced to a minimum of 10 minutes if time has been lost during the match.
Under the revised playing conditions, the head coach or a designated representative will also be permitted to enter the field during a drinks break, allowing brief direct communication between the coaching staff and players.
Meanwhile, the experimental rule concerning leg-side wides has been made permanent in both ODI and T20 cricket.
The ICC said the changes are aimed at improving time management, providing greater clarity in playing conditions and ensuring better continuity across different formats of the game.
