DUBAI (Kashmir English): The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced significant changes to playing conditions, effective from October 1, 2026.
Under the new rules, batters who deliberately waste time will face a 5-run penalty, while specific ball size specifications have also been outlined for women’s cricket.
According to the new rule, a batter will face a penalty if they are not ready to face the next delivery within the allotted time.
For the first violation, the umpire at the bowler’s end will issue a warning to the striker and inform the non-striker, incoming batters, the fielding captain, and the other umpire.
The umpire will issue a final warning for a second violation. For the third and every subsequent violation, 5 penalty runs will be awarded to the fielding team.
This rule applies to multi-day cricket within 80-over blocks; once an 80-over block is completed, the warnings will reset for the next block of the same innings.
The allotted time generally covers the period when the fielding side and bowler prepare for the next delivery. The striker is expected to be ready to face the ball by the time the bowler reaches the top of their run-up.
However, this rule does not alter the existing regulation regarding dismissals following a wicket; an incoming batter still has two minutes to enter the field and be ready to face the first ball, or else they risk being given out as ‘Timed Out’.
In another significant change, distinct specifications regarding the size and weight of the ball have been introduced for men’s, women’s, and junior cricket.
The ICC notes that manufacturers have often produced the same ball for both women’s and junior categories; consequently, separate parameters have been established to define three distinct specifications.
This move ensures that women’s cricket will utilize a ball specifically designed for the format, rather than relying on a shared specification.
The latest ICC release also formally incorporates previously approved changes.
Use of pink ball
The use of the pink ball in day-time Test matches has now been officially sanctioned, while in multi-day cricket, the fall of a wicket during the final over of the day will no longer automatically signal the end of the day’s play.
The ICC has also clarified the law regarding a “settled” ball. Umpires have been granted greater discretion in determining exactly when the ball has become “finally settled.”
According to the clarification, the ball need not be in the hands of the bowler or wicket-keeper to be considered finally settled.
Furthermore, the requirements for run-outs and stumpings have been clarified. A fielder or wicket-keeper must have complete control of the ball at the moment the stumps are broken; merely touching the ball to dislodge the bails will not suffice to complete a run-out or stumping.
