The rules could be implemented from 2028.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering three major rules to introduce in international cricket. These could be implemented in the next broadcast cycle, which starts in 2028. One of the few changes is that the board is looking to discard the usage of two new balls in One Day Internationals (ODIs).
They might also introduce in-game clocks in Test matches for better management of the over rates. Besides these, the U-19 Men’s World Cup could be changed into a T20 format.
The ICC is also considering introducing on-field clocks in red-ball cricket. These will have a 60-second upper limit between each over of a Test match.
After a successful trial from December 2023 to April 2024, the ICC made it mandatory to use stop-clocks in white-ball cricket from June 2024. This helped to regulate the time between overs and finish the match in the allocated time. With the addition of clocks in Test matches, the ICC intends to complete 90 overs in a day.
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The ICC committee, including the chairperson Jay Shah, is discussing phasing out the second new ball in 50-over matches. The bowlers can start the game with two new balls but can use only one after 25 overs. They can choose from the two new balls with which they want to continue.
Previously, legendary players like Sachin Tendulkar and Brett Lee had criticised the rule of two new balls in ODIs. They complained that the rule favours the batters more in the game while disrupting the balance between bat and ball. However, the ICC is not changing the two-ball rule entirely in the playing conditions. The rule just aims to bring back the reverse swing by using an old ball after the halfway stage of the match.
The ICC officials are also considering changing the format of the Men’s Under-19 World Cup. The 50-over tournament could be shifted into a 20-over event.
As per a Cricbuzz report, many experts voiced for keeping the Men’s Under-19 World Cup format unchanged. But some contradicted their opinion. After two Under-19 Women’s World Cups played in the T20 format, in 2023 (South Africa) and 2025 (Malaysia), the board wants to bring similarity in both the ICC U-19 championships.
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