List of all rule changes implemented by ICC in international cricket

The ICC has approved several changes in international cricket.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently made several changes to international cricket. For instance, the updated boundary law restricts bunny hop catches and the use of only one ball in the ODIs in the later stages.

While some of the rules in tests have already been implemented, some rules related to white-ball cricket will be effective from July 2. Below is the list of all crucial rule changes implemented by the ICC in international cricket.

List of all rule changes implemented by ICC in international cricket

1. Stop clock in tests

The ICC has decided to introduce the stop watch for test cricket too to battle slow over rates. Hence, the bowling team should be ready to start the next over within a minute of the previous over.

If they fail to do so, they will get two warnings from the umpire. In the third instance, a five-run penalty will be imposed on the bowling team. The warnings will reset after each block of 80 overs. The rule has already been implemented since the start of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27.

2. No compulsory ball change for deliberate use of saliva

The ban on the use of saliva on the ball is in place. However, it will not be mandatory for umpires to change the ball after the use of saliva by players. This has been done to avoid a situation where bowling teams can deliberately use saliva to replace the ball.

Now, the umpires will change the ball if its condition has drastically changed, for example, if it appears too wet or there is more shine. The final decision will be of the umpires.

3. DRS protocol for secondary review on out decision

Earlier, when a batter was given out caught behind and asked for a review, the TV umpire used to first check whether the ball hit the bat or not. If the ball did not hit the bat and only brushed the pads, then the umpire would check for the second mode of dismissal, i.e. LBW.

According to earlier rules, if the batsman is adjudged not out on caught behind, the default decision for lbw was not out. Moreover, in a case of umpire’s call verdict, the batsman was adjudged not out. However, now the default decision on such dismissals will be out. Also, if the ball-tracking ends up in the umpire’s call, the batsman will be considered out.

4. Decision to be taken in chronological order in combined review

According to present rules, when an on-field umpire and player both ask for a review, the TV umpire first refers umpire’s decision. However, now the analysis will be done according to how events happened.

For example, if there is a referral for lbw by players and run-out by umpire on a delivery, the TV umpire will first check the lbw review before the run-out. If the batsman is found out, the ball will be declared dead.

5. Fairness of catch to be reviewed on no-ball

Earlier, if on-field umpires were not certain about a catch and during the discussion, the third umpire declared it a no-ball, no review was done to check the fairness of the catch. However, in the updated rules, the fairness of the catch will be reviewed.

If the catch is properly taken, the batting team will only get one run for a no-ball. However, if the catch is not taken properly, the batting team will also get the runs the batters have taken.

6. Deliberate short run

In the case of deliberate short runs, the batting team face a five-run penalty. However, in the updated rules, if a batsman is found deliberately not grounding his bat to steal an extra run, the umpires will ask the fielding team which batsman they want on strike. Also, the five-run penalty will be part of the sanction.

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