ICC to implement new playing conditions from next month

Of particular significance is the decision to phase out the second ball from the ODIs. © BCCI
The International Cricket Council (ICC) will start implementing the new playing conditions from next month, including the return to a single ball in the ODIs. In a communique to the members, the ICC said the revised Playing Conditions (PCs) will take effect immediately, from June, in Test matches, and from July in international white ball games.

There will be changes to the concussion replacement rules as well apart from minor adjustments to the boundary line catches and DRS clauses.

Of particular significance is the decision to phase out the second ball from the ODIs. Currently, there are two new balls per innings in the 50-over games. As per the revised PCs, there will be two new balls to start with but the game will end with only one ball. This expected rule change was first reported by Cricbuzz on May 30.

"There will be two new balls for overs 1 to 34. After over 34 is completed and prior to the start of over 35, the fielding team will choose one of the two balls to be used for overs 35 to 50. The chosen ball will be used at both ends for the remainder of the match (unless it needs to be changed)," the ICC informed the members. "In a match reduced to 25 overs or less per side before the first innings commences, each team shall have only one new ball for its Innings."

Some existing playing conditions remain unchanged, the ICC said, and elaborated. "A replacement ball at any time during the innings will be one of similar conditions to the ball that needs to be replaced. Note that the ball not used for overs 35 to 50 in the match will be added to the replacement ball supply."

There will be some modifications to the concussion rules too. The teams will be required to submit the names of five concussion replacement players to the match referee before the start of a match. They are: one wicketkeeper, one batter, one seam bowler, one spinner and one all-rounder.

"Under an exceptional and rare circumstance," the ICC said, "whereby a replacement concussion player gets concussed and needs to be replaced, the match referee will deal with the situation and consider a replacement outside of the five nominated replacement players. The existing like-for-like protocols will apply in this situation." The ICC communique added that the rule changes to boundary line catches and DRS protocols will be informed later.

The existing rules will apply to the World Test Championship (WTC) final, which starts on June 11 at Lord's between Australia and South Africa. The new PCs will come into effect from the next cycle of the WTC. Precisely, the rules will be in force from the first Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh (part of the WTC cycle), starting in Galle on June 17.

The White ball alternations will also be applicable from the series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The ODI PCs will be adjusted from the first ODI between the countries in Colombo on July 2 and T20Is will adopt changes from the first game between the same countries on July 10 in Colombo.

It was initially thought that the proposed changes will be referred to a working group but it has now emerged that the Chief Executives Committee (CEC) has approved the modifications. The working group, yet to be formed, will determine whether the Under 19 World Cup should be played in T20, 50-over or hybrid formats. The working group is expected to be formed before the Annual Conference, scheduled for July 17-20 in Singapore.