ICC announces major changes to playing conditions across formats

The International Cricket Council introduced new playing conditions on Thursday that apply to all international series starting October 1 or later. The changes address time-wasting, standardise ball specifications and clarify fielding rules.

Batters who waste time will receive a warning for the first offence, a final warning for the second, and five penalty runs for the third and each subsequent offence. Tighter size and weight tolerances have been introduced for women's cricket balls, creating three distinct specifications for men's, women's and junior cricket.

Pink balls may be used in daytime Tests by mutual agreement to reduce lost time due to bad light. The final over of a day's play will no longer end automatically at the fall of a wicket if conditions allow the over to be completed.