ICC Unveils Major Changes to Cricket Playing Conditions
Significant Updates to Cricket Rules
In a significant overhaul, the International Cricket Council (ICC) revealed a series of modifications to the playing conditions across all three formats of cricket on Friday. These adjustments, proposed by the ICC Men’s Cricket Committee led by former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, are based on extensive analysis and feedback from over 2,000 professional matches.
Key Changes in ICC Playing Conditions
The ICC highlighted several notable changes, including:
1. Introduction of Stop Clocks in Test Matches
To enhance the pace of Test matches, stop clocks will now be implemented. Following successful trials in limited-overs formats, this rule mandates that the fielding team must be prepared to bowl the first ball of the next over within 60 seconds after the previous over ends.
Penalties: Teams will receive two warnings for delays. Upon a third delay, the bowling side will incur a penalty of five runs.
Reset Rule: Warnings will reset every 80 overs, coinciding with the new ball allowance.
2. One Ball for Final 16 Overs in ODIs
In One Day Internationals, teams will now use a single ball for the last 16 overs after the 34th over, allowing the fielding side to choose which of the two used balls to continue with. This change is expected to enhance swing and reverse swing during the closing stages of the innings.
3. Revised Boundary Catch Rule
The updated rule states that a fielder who touches the ball while airborne beyond the boundary must land entirely within the field of play after the final touch. If a player first contacts the ball from within the field but then steps outside, they may only make one more airborne contact while outside but must return to land completely inside the boundary to complete the play legally.
4. Stricter Penalties for Deliberate Short Runs
Teams attempting to gain an unfair advantage through deliberate short runs will face a five-run penalty, and the fielding team can choose which batter faces the next delivery, adding a strategic element to the game.
5. Enhanced Precision in LBW Decisions Under DRS
The Decision Review System (DRS) will now adopt a more literal interpretation of the 'wicket zone,' which is defined by the physical outline of the stumps and bails, potentially impacting how LBWs are adjudicated during reviews.
6. Mandatory Pre-Declaration of Concussion Replacements
Teams are now required to declare their designated concussion substitute before the match starts. Additionally, any player diagnosed with a concussion must sit out for a minimum of seven days before returning to play.
Upcoming Trials Starting October 2025
Beginning in October, several new rules will be trialed by Full Member nations for six months:
Like-for-Like Injury Replacements in Domestic First-Class Matches: If a player sustains a serious injury during the match (including warm-ups), teams can now bring in a fully participating like-for-like replacement for the remainder of the match.
New Wide Ball Rule in ODIs and T20Is: The batter's leg position at the moment of delivery will determine whether a ball is deemed wide, regardless of any subsequent movement across the crease.
Implementation Details:
- If a ball passes between the leg stump and a newly extended protected area marker at the popping crease, it will not be called wide, even if the batter has moved toward the off side.
- The protected area line will now extend to the popping crease to assist umpires.
- However, any delivery that travels behind the batter’s legs and outside the line at the time it reaches the crease may still be ruled wide.
Previously, such deliveries could be penalized as wides even if the batter had shifted from their original stance, giving batters an advantage.
The World Test Championship 2025-27 commenced with these rules during the Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh Test on June 17. The ODI and T20I rules will be applied in the Sri Lanka-Bangladesh limited-overs series starting July 2 (ODIs) and July 10 (T20Is).