The International Cricket Council (ICC) has declared modifications to the game’s playing conditions in a number of areas. The two new balls rule in one-day cricket has been modified. Additionally, adjustments have been made to short runs, boundary catches, and concussion replacements. In the meantime, red-ball cricket has also adopted a stop clock.
The ICC acknowledged the revised playing conditions on its official website on Friday, June 27, despite rumors of rule changes circulating for the past several days. The ICC Men’s Cricket Committee, led by former India captain Sourav Ganguly, proposed the modifications, according to the ICC report.
The following is a comprehensive list of all changes notified to the ICC’s playing conditions.
Tweak to two-ball rule in ODIs
According to the modified ICC playing conditions for ODI matches, two new balls will be used in the first 34 overs of an innings. For the next 16 overs of the innings, the fielding side will then have the choice of selecting one of the two balls. In ODIs, two fresh balls are used per innings, one from each end, according to the current regulation.
Boundary catches to test fielders
The ICC’s boundary catch playing conditions have undergone a major modification. According to the amended rule, a fielder in the air can only touch the ball past the boundary once when attempting a catch. To finish the catch, the fielder must then land inside the playing field.
Fielders are permitted to make many contacts with the ball beyond the boundary rope as long as they are in the air, according to the current regulation. The important thing is that they return to the field of play after making the catch.
From slow over rate clampdowns in Tests to revisions in DRS and boundary catch rules, the ICC has announced updated Playing Conditions 👀https://t.co/FbvZnuKE1U
— ICC (@ICC) June 27, 2025The new rule will apply even if another fielder makes the catch. Therefore, for a catch to be considered legal, both fielders must be inside the field of play when the fielder makes a catch and flicks the ball to a teammate before his momentum pushes him over the boundary. According to the ICC, this modification will be applied to international cricket prior to its inclusion in the MCC Laws of Cricket the following year.
Changes to concussion protocols
The concussion substitution rule has also undergone two major revisions. For a game, teams will now need to designate their substitutes for concussions. In the past, teams had access to a larger selection of players.
Additionally, before playing again, a cricket player who has been diagnosed with a concussion during a match must wait at least seven days. The ICC clarified that the ICC Medical Advisory Committee had suggested this particular regulation with player safety in mind.
Stop clock in Test cricket
The ICC has made the decision to use a stop clock in Test cricket, after its adoption in limited-overs cricket. According to the established regulations, the fielding side has one minute from the end of the previous over to be prepared to bowl the first ball of their subsequent over.
If the same does not happen, the fielding team will receive two warnings and a five-run penalty for a third offense. After 80 overs, when the bowling team has access to a new ball, the two warning sanctions will be reset to zero.
Deliberate short runs
The fielding side will now have the option to select which of the two batters they want on strike for the next delivery in addition to the current five-run penalty for a purposeful short run.
DRS wicket zone
The real outline of the stumps and bails will now be the wicket zone.
When will the new ICC playing conditions be implemented?
The first match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the 2025–27 World Test Championship (WTC), which took place from June 17–21, saw the implementation of the new playing conditions.
Additionally, the limited-overs series between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will mark the implementation of the new ODI and T20I regulations. The Asian countries will play three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) from July 2 to July 8 and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) from July 10 to July 16.
