Everything You Need To Know About The Latest ICC Rule Changes (image-X/ICC)
The International Cricket Council (ICC) had introduced several changes to the playing conditions of men’s international cricket. The new rules would come into effect from the beginning of the 2025–27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. One of the major inclusions is the stop clock rule, which has been in effect in One-Day Internationals and T20Is involving Full Members since June 1, 2024.
As per the new stop clock rule, the fielding team will have to start the next over within a minute after the previous one ends. If the rule is flouted, the fielding team will be given two warnings. However, from the third offence, the batting side will be given five runs for each violation. After every 80 overs, the warning count will be reset.
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Saliva and changing the ball:
According to the new rule, it is no longer necessary for the umpire to change the ball once saliva is found, even though the ban on the use of saliva is still in force. This change had been brought in to tweak the attempt of the bowling team to get the ball changed by deliberately applying saliva on it. However, the decision lies with the umpire; the ball can be changed if its condition is entirely changed.
Default decision ‘out’ for secondary review:
Similarly, another change brought is that if the batter is given out by the on-field umpire and asks for a review, the third umpire will have to stay with that decision unless there’s clear proof that the batter is not out.
Combined reviews – decision will be chronological:
The ICC has also decided to modify the process of adjudication during a combined review involving both umpire and player referrals by conducting them in chronological order. As of now, during the combined review, the TV umpire takes up the umpire review first before moving to the player’s review. So if there is an appeal for an lbw as well as a run out, the TV umpire would now first take up the leg-before review as that occurred first. In case the batter is out, then the ball would be declared dead.
Catch off a no-ball:
If both the on-field officials are not certain if a catch has been taken cleanly, the TV umpire will inform them it was a no-ball. In the previous version of the playing conditions, once the no-ball was signalled, the TV umpire would not need to adjudicate on the fairness of the catch. However, in the updated version, the third umpire will now review the catch. If it is a fair catch, then the batting team will only get an extra run for the no-ball. If the catch is not clean, the batting team would get the runs the batter has taken.
Deliberate short run:
If a batter deliberately runs short to steal an extra run, the batting team will still be penalized five runs. Now the addition is that the fielding team will get to decide which batter will face the next ball.
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Trial for new player replacement rule:
To compensate for the loss of a player due to a serious external injury, the ICC has asked boards to trial a system in domestic first-class cricket allowing a full-time substitute. This replacement player would be permitted to fully participate in the match, performing all roles of the injured player.
