The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced significant revisions to playing conditions across all three formats of men’s international cricket, with a particular focus on One Day Internationals (ODIs) and concussion substitute protocols. These changes aim to readdress the balance between bat and ball and enhance player safety. The new regulations are set to come into effect from June 17, 2025, for Test matches, July 2, 2025, for ODIs, and July 10, 2025, for T20 Internationals.
Modified Two-Ball Rule in Men’s ODIs
The long-standing two-ball rule in men’s ODIs has been a subject of much debate, often perceived to favor batsmen by preventing the older ball from offering reverse swing and aiding spinners in the latter stages of an innings. The ICC has now introduced a modification to this rule:
- Current Rule: Previously, two new balls were used from the start of an innings, one from each end, for the entire 50 overs.
- Revised Rule: Under the new playing conditions, two new balls will still be used from the beginning of the innings, one from each end, but only until the end of the 34th over.
- Post-34th Over: From the 35th over onwards, the bowling team will choose one of the two balls that have been in use. This chosen ball will then be used at both ends for the remainder of the innings, from overs 35 to 50.
- Reduced Matches: In matches reduced to 25 overs or fewer before the first innings begins, only one new ball will be used throughout the innings.
This alteration is expected to provide bowlers, especially fast bowlers, with a better chance of generating reverse swing in the death overs, and also allow spinners to gain more purchase from a softer, older ball, thereby creating a more balanced contest.
Updated Concussion Substitute Protocols in All Internationals
The ICC has also refined its concussion substitute protocols to ensure clearer guidelines and prevent potential controversies, such as the one witnessed recently where a substitute player’s role sparked debate. The updated protocols will apply across all formats of men’s international cricket:
- Pre-Match Naming of Substitutes: Teams are now required to name five substitute players to the match referee before the start of each match.
- Role-Specific Substitutes: These five substitutes must fulfill specific roles to ensure like-for-like replacements in the event of a concussion. The designated roles are:
- One wicketkeeper
- One batter
- One seam bowler
- One spin bowler
- One all-rounder
- Mid-Match Concussion to Substitute: If a concussion substitute themselves sustains a concussion during the match and requires a replacement, the match referee may permit an additional replacement from outside the initial list of five, following the existing like-for-like eligibility criteria.
These updated protocols aim to provide greater clarity and transparency in concussion replacements, ensuring player welfare while maintaining the integrity and fairness of the game. The initial concussion substitute rule was introduced by the ICC across all international formats and First-Class cricket on August 1, 2019.
