The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday introduced several changes to the playing conditions in men’s and women’s cricket, including penalties for batters who waste time, tighter specifications for balls used in women’s cricket, the option of pink balls in daytime Test matches and a rule change for the final over of a day’s play.The changes will apply to all international series beginning on October 1 or later, while series that are already underway will continue under the existing regulations.The updated Playing Conditions for men and women across all formats incorporate changes to the MCC Laws of Cricket that come into effect on Thursday.The changes have been introduced to “address time-wasting, standardise ball specifications and clarify certain aspects of fielding.”
Batters to face penalties for wasting time
The playing condition for time-wasting by batters has been revised in men’s cricket.If a batter is not ready to face the next delivery within the prescribed time, they will receive a warning for the first offence and a final warning for the second. A third offence, and every subsequent offence, will result in five penalty runs being awarded to the fielding team.Code of Conduct provisions may also be used if a batter repeatedly wastes time.
New ball specifications for women’s cricket
The ICC has introduced tighter limits on the size and weight of balls used in women’s international cricket.Men’s cricket already has limited tolerances for ball size and weight. However, manufacturers have often produced one ball for both women’s and junior cricket. The new rules introduce three separate size and weight specifications for men’s, women’s and junior cricket.A new men’s ball must weigh between 5.5 and 5.75 ounces (156-163 grams) and measure 22.4-22.9 centimetres in circumference. For women’s cricket, the ball must weigh 5-5.25 ounces (142-149 grams) and measure 21.5-22 centimetres in circumference.
Overthrows clarified
Following MCC recommendations, The ICC has also clarified what constitutes an overthrow.An overthrow is defined as an attempt to direct the ball towards the stumps to prevent runs or complete a run-out. A misfield, whether the fielder is trying to stop the ball or pass it to another fielder, will not be considered an overthrow.
Greater flexibility over when a ball is finally settled
Umpires will now have greater discretion in deciding when a ball is “finally settled”, which can be particularly important on the final delivery of a close match.The ball no longer has to be in the bowler’s or wicketkeeper’s hands for it to be considered finally settled.
Greater clarity on fielders holding the ball
For a ball to be considered held by a fielder during a run-out or stumping, the fielder must have complete control of it.Simply touching the ball with a hand while it breaks the stumps will not be enough to establish that the ball was held.
Changes specific to Test cricket
Pink balls in daytime Tests: Pink balls may be used on a trial basis in daytime Test matches if both teams agree before the match. The change is aimed at reducing loss of playing time because of bad light.Once a Test begins with a pink ball, the decision cannot be changed and the pink ball must be used for the remainder of the match. A switch from a red ball to a pink ball after the start of the Test will not be allowed.Last over of the day: The fall of a wicket during the final over of the day’s play will no longer automatically bring the day’s play to an end if the over has not been completed and weather and conditions allow play to continue.The ICC said the change was made because stopping at the fall of a wicket does not save time, as the remaining deliveries still have to be bowled the following day. The change will also reward the fielding team and keep the game going in such situations.
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Changes specific to ODIs and T20Is
Intervals: T20Is will now have a fixed 15-minute interval. This can be reduced to a minimum of 10 minutes if playing time has been lost.Drinks: The ODI and T20I playing conditions now allow the head coach or their designate to enter the field during drinks intervals.Leg-side wides: The trial for the leg-side wide rule has now been made permanent in ODI and T20I playing conditions.
