The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently approved several changes to the playing conditions for men’s cricket. While some changes have already been effective starting from the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle in 2025-27, a few of them will come into existence in white ball cricket from July 02 onwards.
The new rules were suggested by the ICC Men’s Cricket Committee chairman Sourav Ganguly and its members, who have an experience of playing 2,000 international matches together.
As per the new playing conditions, there are alterations to concussions about the substitutes, the DRS (Decision Review System) rules for secondary review, penalty for deliberate short runs, and fair catches review on no-ball.
Additionally, the stop clock will be introduced in test cricket, and the deliberate use of saliva won’t prompt for a ball change.
Let’s delve deeper to find out the noteworthy changes made by the ICC across the three formats of international cricket.
Stop Clock Rule in Test Cricket: A Strategy to Avoid Slow Overrates
One year after the successful implementation of stop clock rule in the white ball cricket, the ICC has decided to eradicate the slow overrates in test cricket by introducing this scheme as well.
As per this rule, the bowling team must start an over within one minute after the completion of the previous over. Initially, the umpires will hand over two warnings. By failing to adhere to the time limit from 0 to 60 seconds for the third attempt, the umpires will enforce a five-run penalty on the fielding side. In other words, the batting team gets awarded with an additional five runs.
However, the warnings will be reset to the beginning after every 80 overs. This is one such rule that has been active since the start of the WTC 2025-27 cycle.
Catch Fairness to be Reviewed on No-Ball
Earlier, a catch wasn’t reviewed after a no-ball signal from the umpire. But, according to the latest changes in ICC’s rules, suppose the catch has been taken cleanly by a fielder and the on-field umpire deems it to be a no-ball, then the third umpire will verify the fairness of the catch.
If the catch taken is clean, then the batting side would get only an additional run for a no-ball. In contrast, the batting team would get the runs taken by running between the wickets if the catch is not fair. To explain in simpler terms, the completed runs will also count if an imperfect catch is taken.
Saliva Ban Revised: Not Compulsory to Change Ball After Using Saliva Deliberately
Even though using saliva on the ball is not allowed, the umpires have the power to decide if the ball should be changed or not. This prevents the fielding sides from cheating to get a new ball by unfair means.
In other words, if a player from the bowling team deliberately applies saliva, the umpires will first check the ball. Suppose the ball appears to be different or gets highly affected, such as if it is too wet or too shiny, then a new ball can be introduced into the game.
Even if the ball starts swinging or spinning unusually, it still won’t be replaced if the umpires have declared the ball to be fine despite the purposeful application of saliva on it. However, the fielding team would be penalized by awarding an extra 5 runs to the batting side for breaching the no-saliva rule.
DRS Applicable for Secondary Review After Declaring an ‘OUT’ Decision
Most importantly, the ICC has altered the DRS system. Suppose the multiple activities occur in a single delivery, the review for alternative modes of dismissal must follow in a sequential order.
For example, if a batter is declared out and the on-field umpire’s decision turns out to be wrong, then it is the responsibility of the TV umpire to review the secondary mode of dismissal. This helps to keep the importance of the original decision unchanged throughout the reviewing process.
Let’s assume a batter appealed for a caught-behind dismissal. Even if the UltraEdge reveals that the ball had contact with the pads without striking the bat first, the umpire needs to check for a secondary mode of dismissal. In other words, if the catch is ruled not out, then the alternative dismissal to be considered is the LBW (Leg Before Wicket).
Earlier, the ball tracking would declare it as “umpire’s call,” and the batter would be adjudged not out (as LBW wasn’t the original decision).
As per the new rule, the ball-tracking graphics for the LBW will be projected clearly on the screen, and if the ball’s trajectory is closer to the stumps, the on-field umpire’s OUT decision remains valid.
Penalty for Deliberate Short Runs
Suppose a batter cheats while taking a run and fails to ground their bat or foot behind the popping crease on purpose, then it is called a “Deliberate Short Run”. In such scenarios, the batting team loses five runs as a penalty.
Additionally, the fielding team would be granted freedom to choose the striker (which batter should face the next ball).
If the batter halts midway while attempting to take a run without trying any unfair methods, then there wouldn’t be any penalty. This rule prevents players from accumulating runs to gain an advantage by dishonest means.
Injured Player Replacements in Domestic First-Class Matches
The ICC has started trialing the full injury replacements in first-class cricket and will be implemented at international level only if the rule becomes successful at the domestic level.
Players suffering from visible injuries during the match (except the minor medical issues like cramps) can be substituted with another individual who can represent the team in the same role. For example, a bowler for bowler or a batter for batter.
This allows the replaced player to completely take part in the matches, just like the injured player.
As per the ICC officials, these changes not only improve the game’s standard in the modern era, but also guarantee a smooth and fair playing experience in different formats.