ICC set to enforce new playing conditions starting June 2025

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced sweeping changes to the playing conditions, which are set to roll out from June in Test cricket and from July in white-ball formats. One of the biggest changes is the return of the single ball rule in One Day Internationals (ODIs).

Presently, the ODI matches are played with two new balls in each innings. But from July, teams will start with two new balls, but the ICC has now mandated that the match must end with just one, bringing back the old style of play where reverse swing was more common in the final overs.

There will also be small changes to concussion substitutes, alongside subtle but critical changes to the Decision Review System (DRS) and boundary catch regulations.

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ICC announces changes to the Playing Conditions

ICC informed all the cricket boards, as quoted by Cricbuzz: “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). 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.”

With some existing playing conditions remaining unchanged, one important update is about replacement balls during an ODI innings. The ICC said that if a ball needs to be changed at any point, the new ball must be in similar condition to the one being replaced.

Furthermore, if the second new ball (which is no longer used from overs 35 to 50 under the new rule) is still in good condition, it will be kept as part of the supply for replacement balls.

International Cricket Council makes the concussion rule stricter

Meanwhile, the ICC has brought in a new rule for handling concussion-related injuries during the matches. From now on, before the start of every game, each team must submit the names of five players who can be used as concussion substitutes if needed.

These five players must cover all key roles in a team — one wicketkeeper, one batter, one fast bowler, one spinner, and one all-rounder. This change is designed to ensure that any replacements made during a match are fair.

The ICC explained, “Under an exceptional and rare circumstance, 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.”

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WTC Final 2025 to be played under old rules

However, the International Cricket Council has confirmed that the current playing rules will remain in place for the World Test Championship (WTC) final between Australia and South Africa, starting June 11 at Lord's. The new rules will take effect from the next WTC cycle, beginning with the Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh Test in Galle on June 17.

For white-ball matches, the changes will also start with the Sri Lanka-Bangladesh series. The new ODI rules will be implemented from the first match on July 2 in Colombo, and the changes in the T20I cricket will start from the first game on July 10.

The ICC has said that details about the updated rules for boundary catches and DRS will be shared soon. Notably, the changes have already been approved by the Chief Executives Committee (CEC).

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