ICC changes 7 cricket rules including No ball, inury and DRS

Summary of ICC’s New Cricket Rule Changes (2024-2025)

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has made seven major changes to the cricket rules across all formats. These updates include adjustments to the stop clock rule, ball change rules, and the Decision Review System (DRS) process. Here are the key changes in simple terms:

1. Stop Clock Rule in Tests

• Already used in ODIs, now Test matches will also have a stop clock.

• The fielding team must start a new over within 60 seconds of the last one.

• If they don’t, two warnings are given, followed by a 5-run penalty.

• The warning count resets after every 80 overs.

2. Saliva Ban and Ball Change

• The ban on using saliva to shine the ball will continue.

• If a team uses saliva, the umpire may not immediately change the ball.

• The ball will only be replaced if it’s visibly changed (too wet or shiny).

• If the umpire says saliva hasn’t affected the ball but it swings more than expected, the batting team will get 5 runs.

3. Updated DRS (Review) for Caught Outs

• Previously, if a batter asked for DRS after being caught behind but the ball hit the pad (not the bat), the review would go straight to LBW.

• Now, the DRS process will handle such cases differently, aiming for more fairness in how caught and LBW decisions are reviewed.

These rules aim to speed up the game, prevent unfair advantages, and make reviews more accurate. Some of these rules are already in place for the new World Test Championship cycle, while ODI-related changes will begin from July 2.