ICC announces major changes to playing conditions

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced a series of significant changes to playing conditions across all formats, aiming to restore fairness, enhance player safety, and bring better balance between bat and ball. The new rules will come into effect from June for Test cricket (excluding the World Test Championship final) and from July for ODIs and T20Is.

One of the standout updates is a major tweak to the use of new balls in One Day Internationals. Under the previous rule, two new balls were used—one from each end—for the entire 50 overs. While this ensured a consistently hard ball, it made reverse swing rare and heavily favored batters in the final overs.

Now, the ICC has introduced a split-use system, two balls will still be used from overs 1 to 34 (one from each end), but before the start of the 35th over, the fielding side will choose one ball to be used from both ends for the remainder of the innings. This change is designed to bring reverse swing back into play and make the final phase of the innings more challenging for batters.

Another important update revolves around concussion replacements. Teams will now be required to name five specific concussion substitutes before the start of each match—one each from the roles of batter, wicketkeeper, seam bowler, spinner, and all-rounder. This rule is aimed at ensuring clarity and avoiding tactical misuse of the concussion sub rule.

If a concussion substitute is also injured, match referees will still be allowed to approve a replacement outside the nominated five, provided it remains a like-for-like swap.

While not fully detailed yet, the ICC confirmed that adjustments are also being made to boundary catch rules and the use of the Decision Review System (DRS). One recent update has already limited stumping reviews to side-on camera angles only, blocking teams from getting a “free hit” review for caught-behind dismissals during a stumping check.

These changes are being welcomed by many within the cricketing world. The two-ball system in ODIs had made it easier for batters to dominate the final overs, robbing the game of late-inning drama and the skill of reverse swing bowling. By reverting to a single ball after the 34th over, the ICC hopes to give bowlers more of a fighting chance.

The new concussion substitute rule also comes after debates over whether teams were using replacements tactically, rather than medically. By making selections transparent before the match, the ICC is aiming to prevent further controversies and ensure fairness.