The International Cricket Council has introduced pink balls for daytime Test matches, allowing teams to opt for them if both sides agree before the game. This change, effective from October 1, aims to reduce time lost due to poor light conditions. Once a pink ball is chosen at the start, it must be used throughout the match, with no mid-game switches permitted.
Alongside the pink ball option, the ICC has implemented penalties for batters who waste time in men's cricket. Batters will now be warned on their first offence and given a final warning on the second. A third and any further offences will cost the batting side five penalty runs awarded to the fielding team. The ICC also said that Code of Conduct procedures may be applied for repeated time-wasting.
The new playing conditions, which apply to all international series beginning October 1 or later, also feature changes to the specifications of balls used in women's cricket. Previously, manufacturers often produced a single ball model for both women’s and junior cricket. The ICC has now set separate weight and size limits: women’s balls must weigh between 5 and 5.25 ounces (142-149 grams) and have a circumference of 21.5 to 22 centimetres. This contrasts with the men’s ball, which weighs between 5.5 and 5.75 ounces (156-163 grams) and measures 22.4 to 22.9 centimetres in circumference.
The ICC has clarified what constitutes an overthrow, following recommendations from the MCC. An overthrow now explicitly refers to an attempt to direct the ball toward the stumps to prevent runs or complete a run-out. Misfields made while trying to stop the ball or pass it to another fielder will not be counted as overthrows.
Umpires will have more discretion in determining when a ball is “finally settled.” This is particularly important on the last delivery of a close match, as the ball no longer needs to be in the bowler’s or wicketkeeper’s hands to be considered settled.
Further clarity has been provided around fielders holding the ball during run-outs or stumpings. The ball must be under the fielder’s complete control; merely touching the ball as it breaks the stumps is insufficient to establish possession.
In Test cricket, a new rule means that the fall of a wicket in the final over of the day will not automatically end play if the over is incomplete and weather conditions permit continuation. The ICC explained this change by noting that stopping at the fall of a wicket does not save time since the remaining balls must be bowled the following day. The adjustment aims to reward the fielding side and keep the game moving in these situations.
In limited-overs cricket, T20 matches will now have a fixed 15-minute interval between innings, which can be reduced to a minimum of 10 minutes if time has been lost during play. Additionally, head coaches or their designated representatives will be allowed to enter the field during drinks breaks in both ODI and T20 formats.
The ICC has also made permanent the trial of the leg-side wide rule in ODIs and T20Is, which had been tested in previous matches.
All these adjustments reflect the ICC’s efforts to address time-wasting, standardise equipment, and clarify rules across men’s and women’s international cricket. The changes follow updates to the MCC Laws of Cricket that came into effect on Thursday and will apply from the start of October, though ongoing series will continue under the previous regulations.
According to Yahoo Sports.