ICC makes major changes to cricket laws

Dubai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced new laws, making significant changes to the laws of all three formats of men's cricket—Test, ODI, and T20.

The new cricket laws were designed following the recommendation of the ICC Men's Cricket Committee, the Chief Executives Committee approved.

According to the ICC, the new laws aim to establish a balance between bat and ball in the game.

Most important change in ODIs: Amendment to rule of using 2 balls

Currently, two new balls are used from both ends (either side of the wicket) during each innings in the entire ODI match, which has now been changed by the ICC.

According to the new ICC laws, two balls will be used from both ends from the start of the innings until the end of the 34th over only.

However, after the 34th over, the bowling team will choose only one of these two balls, which will then be used from the 35th to the 50th over at both ends.

If the ODI match is of 25 overs or less, only one ball will be used.

This change will give the bowlers the advantage of reverse swing, especially in the closing overs, which had been reduced due to the use of new balls.

New ‘connection substitute’ policy

According to the ICC, teams will now have to nominate five substitute players before the start of each international match. These will include a wicketkeeper, a batter, a fast bowler, a spin bowler, and an all-rounder.

If any of these substitutes gets injured, then with the permission of the match referee, another player who is not already included in the list of five substitute players can be added.

This rule applies to all three formats of men's cricket.

When will new rules come into effect?

According to the ICC, these new rules will come into effect from June 17 for Test matches, July 2 for ODI matches, and July 10 for T20 matches.