The International Cricket Council (ICC) will reportedly implement the new playing conditions starting June with the major highlight of the changes being the return to the use of one ball in One-Day International matches.
The revised playing conditions will take affect from June in Test matches while white ball matches will see the changes being implemented from July.
The highlight of the revised playing conditions is the rule change in ODIs. Currently, an ODI match involves two balls being bowled from either ends. The new rule now dictates that the match will start with two new balls but one ball will not be used after the 34th over. This means that the last 15 overs will be bowled with a 17-over old ball. The revised playing conditions will assist the bowlers with reverse swing expected to come into play.
"There will be two new balls for overs 1 to 34. After over 34 is completed and prior to the start of over 35, the fielding team will choose one of the two balls to be used for overs 35 to 50. The chosen ball will be used at both ends for the remainder of the match (unless it needs to be changed)," the ICC informed the members as per a report in Cricbuzz. "In a match reduced to 25 overs or less per side before the first innings commences, each team shall have only one new ball for its Innings."
The ICC said: "A replacement ball at any time during the innings will be one of similar conditions to the ball that needs to be replaced. Note that the ball not used for overs 35 to 50 in the match will be added to the replacement ball supply."
A rule regarding the concussion substitute has also been tweaked.
"Under an exceptional and rare circumstance," the ICC stated, "whereby a replacement concussion player gets concussed and needs to be replaced, the match referee will deal with the situation and consider a replacement outside of the five nominated replacement players. The existing like-for-like protocols will apply in this situation."
The upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final will be played under existing rules and the new playing conditions will be implemebted from the start of the 2025-27 WTC cycle.
