The ICC has formally introduced a range of rule changes to the playing conditions across all three formats of men’s international cricket, aiming to modernize gameplay, address long-standing loopholes, and create a better balance between bat and ball.
While the ICC has been hinting at these changes for a while, some updates have already been put into practice with the start of the new ICC World Test Championship cycle (2025–27), while others—particularly those affecting white-ball cricket—will come into effect from July 2, 2025.
Here is what the ICC has changed in the playing conditions:
Stop Clock in Test Cricket
To speed up Test cricket, a stop clock between overs has been introduced, similar to white-ball cricket. Once an over ends, the fielding team will have exactly 60 seconds to be ready to start the next one. If they don’t comply, the umpires will first give two warnings. If it happens again after that, the bowling side will be penalized five runs. These warnings will reset after every 80 overs.
No Ball Change on Saliva Use
While using saliva on the ball is still banned, umpires no longer have to change the ball the moment saliva is applied unless it has clearly affected the condition of the ball.
This change aims to prevent teams from forcing a ball change on purpose by “accidentally” applying saliva. It will now be up to the umpires to judge if the ball needs replacing. However, the batting side will still be awarded five penalty runs if the fielding side uses saliva to shine the ball.
New DRS Rule for Multi-Mode Dismissals
While multiple modes of dismissal during a single review still remain, the fielding side will get the benefit of the review. If a batter reviews a caught behind decision but is instead judged to be LBW during their own review, they will be given out even if the ball-tracking shows an “Umpire’s Call.” Previously, a batter was given not out in such cases because the LBW wasn’t part of the original appeal.
Reviews Will Now Follow the Order of Events
When both umpires and players ask for reviews on the same delivery, they will now be processed in the order things happened on the field. So if there’s an LBW appeal followed by a run-out attempt, the third umpire will first check the LBW. If that results in a dismissal, then the ball will be declared dead, and the run-out won’t even be reviewed. This brings more logic and flow to the review system.
Fairness of a Catch to Be Reviewed Even on a No-Ball
Under the new ICC playing conditions, there’s also a change to how catches are judged when a no-ball is involved. Previously, if a catch was taken but the delivery turned out to be a no-ball, the third umpire wouldn’t even check if it was a clean catch.
Now, even if a delivery is ruled a no-ball by the third umpire, the fairness of the catch will still be reviewed. If it was a clean catch, the batting side gets only the run for the no-ball. But if the catch wasn’t clean, they get all the runs they may have managed during that ball.
Tougher Sanctions for Deliberate Short Runs
In cases where a batter is caught deliberately not completing a run, the fielding side will now be allowed to choose which batter stays on strike. This is on top of the existing five-run penalty.
The ICC says umpires will use their judgment to determine whether the short run was an honest mistake or a deliberate attempt to gain an unfair advantage.
Full-Time Injury Replacements in Domestic First-Class Matches
The ICC is also trying out a new rule in first-class cricket. If a player suffers a serious external injury, a team may now bring in a full-time replacement who can bat and bowl just like a regular player.
This will work like concussion substitutes, but only for serious injuries. Muscle pulls or internal niggles won’t qualify. It’s up to national boards to test this rule out in their own domestic competitions.
As these new ICC playing conditions come into effect, the governing body hopes that the game becomes more streamlined as a result.
