New Delhi: 

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to start implementing new playing conditions from June which will include the return to a single ball in the ODIs. The ICC, in communication to all its members, confirmed that the revised playing conditions will take place immediately from next month in the longest format.

As per a report in Cricbuzz, while the new playing conditions will be effective in Test cricket from June itself, July will see the implementation in the white-ball games. Along with the return of the single ball rule, changes to the concussions replacement rules as well as minor adjustments to the boundary line catches and the DRS clauses will also be altered, it mentioned.

Decision to phase out second ball from ODIs

‘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),’ the ICC informed the members.

Out of all the proposed revision of changes, major significance is the decision to phase out the second ball from ODIs.

 As per the current rules, there are two new balls per innings in the 50-over format and as per the revised playing conditions, there will be two new balls to start with but the match will end with only one ball.

‘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.’

The report has also mentions that some of the existing playing conditions will remain unchanged as all will not be altered. The existing rules will apply to the World Test Championship (WTC) final, which starts on June 11 at Lord’s between Australia and South Africa.

Meanwhile, the new playing conditions will come into effect from the next cycle of the WTC which begins with the first Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh starting in June 17 followed by the India- England Test series.

Read More:

Asian Championships: Sprinter Animesh breaks national record to bag men’s 200m bronze