The ICC has introduced revised Playing Conditions covering time-wasting, ball specifications, overthrows and fielding. Changes include five-run penalties for repeated batter delays, tighter women’s ball specifications and a trial allowing pink balls in daytime Tests, effective for series starting October 1
Published Date – 1 October 2026, 05:36 PM
Hyderabad: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced a series of changes to its Playing Conditions, including measures to address time-wasting, standardise ball specifications and clarify certain aspects of fielding.
The changes will apply to all international series starting on October 1 or later, while ongoing series will continue under the previous regulations. The updated Playing Conditions for men and women across all formats incorporate changes to the MCC Laws of Cricket that come into effect from Wednesday.
Among the key changes are penalties for batters who waste time, tighter specifications for the size and weight of balls used in women’s international cricket, and a trial allowing pink balls to be used in daytime Test matches.
Key changes across formats
Batters wasting time: The playing condition for men’s cricket has been refined. If a batter is not ready to face the ball within the prescribed time, a warning will be issued for the first offence, followed by a final warning for the second. Five penalty runs will be awarded to the fielding side for the third and each subsequent offence. Code of Conduct provisions may also be invoked in cases of repeated offences.
Tighter specifications for women’s cricket balls: While men’s cricket balls allow only limited tolerance in size and weight, manufacturers have often produced a single ball for women’s and junior cricket. New limits have now been introduced, establishing three distinct size and weight specifications for men’s, women’s and junior cricket.
Overthrows: The regulation has been clarified to remove ambiguity over what constitutes an overthrow. An overthrow is an attempt to direct the ball towards the stumps to prevent runs or effect a run-out. A misfield, whether an attempt to stop the ball or pass it to another fielder, does not constitute an overthrow.
Ball ‘finally settled’: The umpire will now have greater discretion in determining whether a ball is finally settled, which can be particularly important on the final ball of a close game. The ball no longer necessarily has to be in the bowler’s or wicketkeeper’s hands to be considered finally settled.
Held in the fielder’s hand and complete control over the ball: For a ball to be considered held by a fielder for a run-out or stumping, the fielder must have complete control of it. Merely touching the ball with the hand while it breaks the stumps does not establish that the ball was held.
Test cricket-specific changes
Pink balls: As a trial, pink balls may be used in daytime Tests by mutual agreement to reduce loss of play due to bad light. The use of a pink ball must be agreed before the start of the Test and, once agreed, must apply for the duration of the match. The decision cannot be changed after the match has started, and switching from a red to a pink ball is not allowed once play has commenced.
Final over of a day’s play: Play will not automatically end when a wicket falls in the final over of the day if the over has not been completed and weather and playing conditions are suitable for play to continue.
The change has been introduced because ending play at the fall of a wicket does not save time, as the remaining deliveries still have to be bowled the following day. It also rewards the fielding team and keeps the contest alive.
ODI and T20I-specific changes
Intervals: T20Is will now have a fixed 15-minute interval, which can be reduced to a minimum of 10 minutes when playing time has been lost.
Drinks: The ODI and T20I Playing Conditions have been aligned to allow the head coach or their designate to enter the field of play during drinks intervals.
Wide ball: The leg-side wide trial has been made a permanent part of the ODI and T20I Playing Conditions.
ICC Men’s Cricket Committee Chair Sourav Ganguly said the changes included provisions relating to cricket balls, greater clarity around certain aspects of fielding and measures aimed at improving the pace of the game.
“These changes have been carefully considered to ensure the Playing Conditions continue to reflect the needs of the modern game while maintaining its integrity and consistency. I am pleased with the quality of the discussions throughout the process and the constructive approach taken by all the committee members,” Ganguly said.
ICC General Manager – Events and Operations Gaurav Saxena said: “It was a pleasure to support the process and contribute to the detailed and thoughtful discussions around these changes to the Playing Conditions.”
The revised Playing Conditions for men’s and women’s cricket across all formats are available in the Rules and Regulations section of the ICC website.
