The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday (May 15) issued a statement to confirm a major change to the Playing Conditions, among other tweaks, effective June 1, 2023.

The apex body announced alterations to the Playing Conditions after the Chief Executives’ Committee approved of the recommendations from the Men’s Cricket Committee led by Sourav Ganguly and the Women's Cricket Committee.

The major change included the soft signal rule being abolished. As a result, the on-field umpires won’t have to give a soft signal while referring decisions to the third umpire.

"The on-field umpires will consult with the TV umpire before any decisions are taken," ICC said in a press release.

“Soft signals have been discussed at previous cricket committee meetings over the last couple of years," Ganguly quoted as saying in ICC’s official release.

"The committee deliberated this at length and concluded that soft signals were unnecessary and at times confusing since referrals of catches may seem inconclusive in replays."

The other big announcement involved making helmets mandatory for high-risk positions. Compulsory use of helmets will be for the following: when batters are facing fast bowlers, when wicketkeepers are standing up to the stumps, when fielders are close to the batter in front of the wicket.

"We also discussed player safety, which is very important for us," Ganguly said.

"The committee decided that it was best to make the use of helmets mandatory in certain positions to ensure the safety of players."

There was also a minor addition to the free hit rule with any runs scored off a free hit when the ball hits the stumps will be counted as runs scored from now. This would mean that batters can now be bowled off a free hit and attempt a run for the same.

The revised Playing Conditions will come into effect on 1 June 2023 with the Lord’s Test between England and Ireland.