ICC announces major changes to playing conditions across formats
ICC tightens time-wasting rules and allows pink balls in day Tests from October.
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.
CricHubb Take
The pink-ball day Test trial addresses a practical scheduling problem that has cost hours of play in subcontinent conditions, but the mutual-agreement clause means adoption will depend on whether captains prioritise completion over tradition.