ICC Introduces New Cricket Rules – Major Changes in Playing Conditions Announced

Dubai – The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially introduced a set of new rules and changes to the playing conditions in all formats of cricket. These updates aim to improve the game’s fairness, pace, and integrity.

Saliva on the Ball – Strict Penalties

Under the new rules, if a player deliberately applies saliva to the ball and it alters its condition, the batting side will be awarded 5 penalty runs. However, the ball will not be replaced.

Deliberate Short Runs – Penalty Runs

If a batter is found to have intentionally taken a short run, the batting team will be penalised with 5 runs. Additionally, the bowling side will decide which batter will take a strike. The umpire will consult the bowling side to determine the new striker.

Stop Clock Rule – Now in Test Matches

The stop clock law, previously used in white-ball cricket, has now been extended to include Test matches.

• Teams must start the next over within 60 seconds.
• The fielding team will receive two warnings for slow over starts.
• On the third violation, 5 penalty runs will be awarded to the batting side.

The rule is now active for the new World Test Championship cycle, and the ICC claims it has already helped save time in limited-overs matches.

Fairness of Catch Review – Enhanced

The catch review process has been modified. Now, if the on-field umpire is unsure about a catch, the third umpire will check both the no-ball and the fairness of the catch, even if the delivery is illegal.

Previously, if the ball was a no-ball, the third umpire would not proceed to review the catch.

• If the catch is fair on a no-ball, 1 run for the no-ball will be awarded.
• If the catch is not fair, the batting side will receive all runs scored on that ball.