International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a major change to playing conditions, including a return to the use of a single ball in One-Day Internationals (ODIs). The new rules will take effect from June for Tests and from July for international white-ball matches.
As per the revised conditions, ODIs will begin with two new balls as usual. However, from the 35th over onwards, only one of the two balls will continue. The fielding side will decide which ball to use for overs 35 to 50. In matches reduced to 25 overs or less per side before the first innings starts, only one ball will be used for the entire innings. Replacement balls will match the condition of the one being replaced.
The ICC also introduced changes to concussion substitute rules. Teams must now nominate five specific players—one wicketkeeper, one batter, one seamer, one spinner, and one all-rounder—before the match. In rare cases where a substitute player also suffers a concussion, the match referee may allow a replacement outside of the nominated list, following the existing like-for-like rule.
The ICC confirmed that the current playing conditions will remain in place for the World Test Championship (WTC) final between Australia and South Africa starting June 11 at Lord’s. The new rules will apply from the first Test of the new WTC cycle—Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh in Galle, starting June 17.
For ODIs and T20Is, the changes will begin with the Sri Lanka-Bangladesh series, with the first ODI on July 2 and the first T20I on July 10 in Colombo.
The ICC also plans to review match formats for the Under-19 World Cup, with a working group expected to be formed before the Annual Conference from July 17-20 in Singapore.
Further details on modifications to boundary catches and DRS protocols will be shared in due course.
