The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced massive changes to playing conditions in men’s international cricket, with the revised two-ball rule in ODIs and stricter concussion substitute regulations. These changes, recommended by the ICC Men’s Cricket Committee, will come into effect from June 17 in Tests, July 2 in ODIs, and July 10 in T20Is.
Currently, ODIs are played with two new balls used from each end throughout the innings. Under the new regulation, two new balls will still be used, but only until the 34th over. From the 35th to the 50th over, teams must select one of those two balls to continue bowling from both ends. If an ODI is reduced to 25 overs or fewer before the first innings begins, only one new ball will be used.
The ICC has modified rules to “readdress the balance between bat and ball,” a long-standing concern in high-scoring One-Day Internationals where bowlers often struggle with reverse swing and grip late in innings. Regarding concussion protocols, teams must now name five substitute players to the match referee before the game: one wicketkeeper, one batter, one seam bowler, one spin bowler, and one all-rounder. Should a concussion substitute also sustain an injury, the match referee can approve a replacement from outside this initial five, adhering to existing like-for-like eligibility protocols.
