The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced several significant updates to its Playing Conditions, impacting Test cricket, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and T20 Internationals (T20Is). These changes, designed to improve fairness, player safety, and match pace, were recommended by the ICC Men’s Cricket Committee, chaired by Sourav Ganguly.
Here’s a quick, point-by-point breakdown of the new playing conditions:
Key Changes to ICC Playing Conditions
1️⃣ Stop Clock Introduced in Test Cricket
Already used in limited-overs cricket, now extended to Tests.
Bowling teams must be ready to deliver the first ball of the next over within 60 seconds of the previous over ending.
Penalties:
Two warnings allowed per innings.
On the third delay, a 5-run penalty will be imposed against the fielding side.
Reset Rule:
Warnings reset after every block of 80 overs in an innings, in line with new ball availability.
2️⃣ Use of Balls in ODIs Modified
First 34 overs: Two new balls used, one from each end (as per existing rules).
Final 16 overs: Fielding team will select one of the two used balls for the remainder of the innings.
3️⃣ Boundary Catches – Clarified
If a fielder makes airborne contact with the ball beyond the boundary, they must land and remain inside the boundary to complete the catch.
After the first legal contact with the ball, if the fielder steps out, they are allowed only one more contact with the ball while airborne beyond the boundary.
They must then land and stay entirely within the field of play.
This ruling applies even if another fielder completes the catch.
Already in effect, pending future update to the MCC Laws of Cricket.
4️⃣ Deliberate Short Runs – Additional Sanction
In addition to the existing 5-run penalty, the fielding team will now choose which batter faces the next delivery after a deliberate short run incident.
5️⃣ DRS Wicket Zone Revised
The actual outline of the stumps and bails will now define the wicket zone for DRS decisions, improving clarity and accuracy.
6️⃣ Concussion Replacement Rules Strengthened
Teams must now pre-nominate designated concussion replacements before the match begins.
Reduces home-team advantage by limiting last-minute replacement options.
Any player diagnosed with a concussion must observe a minimum 7-day stand-down period before returning to play.
Change recommended by the ICC Medical Advisory Committee for player safety.
Upcoming Trials for Additional Playing Conditions
Effective from October 2025, a six-month trial period will test the following:
7️⃣ Replacement Players in Domestic First-Class Cricket
Serious injury during play (including pre-match warm-ups) allows for a like-for-like replacement, who can fully participate for the remainder of the match.
8️⃣ Wide Ball Rule Trial in ODIs and T20Is
Designed to assist bowlers when batters move excessively before delivery.
New Reference Point: The batter’s leg position at the moment of delivery will determine wide calls.
Ball passing between leg stump and newly extended protected area marker at the popping crease will not be called a Wide.
However, deliveries passing behind the batter’s legs and outside this zone can still be declared a Wide.
This change prevents unfair wide calls when batters shift from their normal stance.
Implementation Timeline
Test Matches: New rules in effect from 17 June 2025, starting with Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh Test (beginning of the new World Test Championship cycle).
ODIs and T20Is: Changes apply from 2 July 2025 (first ODI of Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh series) and 10 July 2025 (T20I series).
All international matches after these dates will follow the updated Playing Conditions.
Conclusion
These updates reflect the ICC’s ongoing efforts to enhance the quality, fairness, and pace of international cricket while prioritizing player safety. With these changes now live, players, teams, and fans can expect a more streamlined and consistent experience across all formats.
You can find the official announcement of the ICC’s updated Playing Conditions—including all the details we covered—on the ICC website:
Several changes made to ICC Playing Conditions (27 June 2025)
