The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday has made a number of changes to its Playing Conditions, including the introduction of pink-ball in day-time Test matches.
The changes will take place on all the series starting on 1 October or afterwards, with the ongoing series to be played as per old rules.
The updated regulations are also uploaded on the regulation sections of the ICC Website and has been integrated to the MCC Laws of Cricket that come into effect today.
Penalties for Batters wasting time
The batters who will be not ready to face the ball within the allocated time and two warnings will be given for the first and second offence. Despite the warnings, if a batter would not be ready, then the fielding side will be awarded five penalty runs for the third and each of the subsequent offence.
Addtiionally, a Code of Conduct provisions may also be invoked in case of repeated offences.
Tighter Tolerance for size and weight of Women’s Cricket Balls
The mens’s cricket balls have already strict rules for their size and weight. For womens and junior cricket, manufacturers have relied on the use of a single ball for both levels. Now, with the introduction of news rules, men’s, women’s and junior cricket will use different sizes and weights for balls.
Use of Pink Ball and End of Play in Test Cricket
The pink-ball, previously, used only in day-night Test matches, are set to be launched in day time Tests as well on trial basis. The usage of these balls are linked with the mutual agreement to reduce loss of play due to bad light.
Pink ball use must be told in advance before the start of the Test match. Once agreed, the usage of the ball will remain until the end of a match. The decision could not be changed after the match has commenced and the switching from red to pink ball is also not allowed once the match has began.
In addition to this, the play will no longer be ended if a wicket falls on the last over of the day, baring that over has been not completed and the weather conditions are fit for playing the game.
As per ICC, the change has been introuduced because to save time and reward the fielding team and keeping drama in the game.
Coaches in Drinks Break (ODIs and T20Is)
During the ODI and T20Is, the head coach or their designate will enter the field of play at drinks intervals. Meanwhile a new wide ball, which was trialled in the 50-over and limited overs format, has been added on permanent basis to the both formats.
The updated ICC rule says that the reference point for wide will be taken from the batter’s position at the point of bowlers delivery, regardless of the batter moving across the offside.
