The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to implement some significant changes in the playing conditions for teams. According to a message sent to its members, the ICC announced that these revised playing conditions will be enforced in Test matches from June and in white-ball cricket starting in July. The most prominent change is happening in One Day Internationals (ODI).
♦ Currently, in ODIs, two new balls are used from each end. According to the new rules, both balls will be used for the first 34 overs of an innings. From the 35th over onwards, only one ball will be used till the end of the innings. Before the start of the 35th over, the fielding side will select one ball from the two. If a match affected by rain or other reasons is reduced to 25 overs or less, only one ball will be used. The ball not used after 34 overs will be reserved as a backup.
Source: aajtak
♦ Now, each team will need to nominate the names of 5 backup players for concussion replacement before the match. This includes 1 batsman, 1 wicketkeeper, 1 fast bowler, 1 spinner, and 1 all-rounder. If the replaced player is also injured, the match referee can select a new replacement.
♦ There will be slight changes to the rules for boundary line catches and the Decision Review System (DRS), with more details to follow.
Initially, it was thought that the proposed changes would be referred to a working group, but now it is clear that the ICC's main executive committee has approved the revisions. A working group will soon be formed to decide whether the Under-19 World Cup should be played in a T20, 50-over, or hybrid format. The formation of this working group is expected before the annual conference in Singapore from July 17-20.
Upcoming WTC Final to Follow Old Rules
Be informed that the World Test Championship (WTC) final for 2023-25 will be played under the old rules. This final between Australia and South Africa is scheduled to take place at Lord's starting June 11. The new rules in Test cricket will be effective from the next cycle of the World Test Championship (2025-27). In fact, the new rules will be introduced during the first Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Galle, starting June 17.
The new ODI rules will be enforced from July 2, keeping in mind the first ODI match of the series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh is set for that date. T20I matches, incorporating the new rules, will commence from July 10, coinciding with the first match of the T20 series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
