Updated ICC Playing Conditions include changes to boundary catches, the use of balls in ODIs, substitutes for concussions, and the pace of play during Test matches.

The amended ICC (International Cricket Council) Playing Conditions include a number of changes, including a return to one ball per innings in the final 16 overs of a One Day International, a new law regarding boundary catches, and the use of stop clocks in Test matches.

Deliberate short runs, the DRS wicket zone, and modifications to concussion replacement procedures are also part of the new playing conditions.

The ICC Men's Cricket Committee, led by Sourav Ganguly, suggested the modifications, which included allowing all of its members to play in more than 2000 international matches.

Use of Stop Clock in Test cricket

A stop clock will also be implemented in Test cricket following the successful introduction of white-ball cricket. The bowling team must be prepared to bowl the first ball of their subsequent over within 60 seconds of the conclusion of the previous over.

The fielding team will be penalized five runs each time they fail to do so for the third time in an innings (after two warnings).

After 80 overs, due to the availability of a new ball, and after any more blocks of 80 overs in that innings, two warning sanctions will be reset to zero.

Number of balls per ODI innings

Two new balls will be used for the first 34 overs of an ODI innings, after which the fielding team will choose one of the balls for the remaining overs.

Boundary catches

A fielder who makes aerial contact with the ball beyond the boundary must now land and stay inside the boundary due to changes in the playing conditions.

A fielder can only make contact with the ball again while flying over the boundary after leaving the field of play after making their initial contact with it.

They then have to land and stay completely inside the barrier. Even if the fielding is finished by another player, this still holds true. This amendment will be introduced in international cricket before it is included in the MCC Laws of Cricket next year.

Deliberate short runs

The fielding team will also decide which of the two hitters strikes for the next delivery, in addition to the current five-run penalty for a deliberately short run.

DRS wicket zone

The wicket zone will now be the actual outline of the stumps and bails.

Concussion protocols

The concussion protocols have undergone two modifications.

It is now mandatory for teams to designate their designated replacements for concussions during the game. This reduces the edge that home teams had historically had, as they usually had access to a wider range of possible replacements.

Before playing again, a player who has been diagnosed with a concussion during a game must wait at least seven days. The ICC Medical Advisory Committee has suggested this modification to promote the safety and well-being of players.

New playing conditions to be trialled by full member teams

From October 2025 and for an initial six-month period, there are additional changes.

Replacement players (domestic first-class cricket)

A player may be substituted for the rest of the game by a fully participating like-for-like player if they sustain a significant injury on the field of play at any point after the game has begun, including during the pre-game warm-up.

Wide Ball Trial (ODI and T20I cricket)

A new wide ball rule will be trialled to offer greater fairness to bowlers when batters shift position before or during a delivery.

Under the proposed changes, the batter’s leg position at the moment of delivery will serve as the reference point for judging a wide—even if the batter subsequently moves across to the off side.

As part of the trial, any delivery that crosses the popping crease between the leg stump and the newly extended protected area marker will not be deemed a wide. The protected area line will now be stretched up to the popping crease to help umpires make consistent calls.

However, deliveries on the leg side that travel behind the batter’s legs and land outside the extended line may still be called wides, based on the batter’s position when the ball reaches the crease.

This marks a shift from the previous rule, where a ball could be called wide if it passed outside the original stance, even if it would have been legal had the batter not moved.

The inaugural World Test Championship match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka on June 17 marked the start of the new playing conditions.

 With the first of three ODIs starting on July 2 and a three-match T20I series starting on July 10, the new playing conditions for both ODIs and T20Is will be implemented during the same Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh series.  Following these dates, the new playing conditions will apply to all Test, ODI, and T20I matches.

(ICC inputs)