The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released a new update to all playing conditions for all formats, Test, ODI, and T20I. These changes, some of which aim to pack more accountability, consistency, and integrity into the game, are now in effect for the 2025–27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, but will apply from July 2, 2025, for white-ball conditions.
The ICC has indeed stepped boldly into the 21st century with their introduction of a stop clock in Test cricket, to the new guidance on the DRS (Decision Review System), the ICC has taken a bold step into modernising the game in its current environment. In this blog, we will outline some of the key rule changes, what it means for teams and fans, and how this could impact the way cricket is played around the world.
The Stop Clock comes to Test Cricket
One of the biggest innovations coming to Test cricket is the introduction of a stop clock. Previously used in white-ball cricket to help alleviate slow over rates, the stop clock now means that the fielding side must be ready to bowl the next over within 60 seconds of the end of the last over.
The teams will be given two warnings for the delay of the over.
On the third occasion, the bowling side will incur a penalty of five runs.
After every 80 overs, the warning counter resets.
The change is aimed at vastly improving the speed of Test cricket, something that has bothered fans and administrators for years. This ensures teams cannot take liberties and waste time.
No Automatic Ball Change for Saliva Application
The ICC still prohibits saliva from ball polishing purposes, but they have changed how that will be penalized. Previously, any deliberate or even accidental use of saliva (even just once in a day’s play) would result in an automatic ball change. The new rule states:
Umpires will choose to not change the ball, unless the state of the ball is clearly in doubt (i.e., visibly wet, or excessively shiny).
The aim of this is to curtail manipulation, where a fielding side uses saliva to influence an automatic ball change.
Once an umpire decides a ball remains unchanged, even if the ball starts behaving strangely, it cannot be reversed.
This implies the umpires have a lot of power, but for the sake of fair play and fair judgment.
Refined DRS for Further Dismissal
DRS decisions are about to get a bit more complex. If the batter requests a review for an “out” decision with caught-behind and UltraEdge shows the ball did not touch the bat previously. The further dismissal option (such as LBW) was automatically classified as “not out” unless conclusive.
The new rule states:
If an LBW review is sought after a caught behind has already been called out, the original “out” decision remains “out”.
If ball tracking offers “umpire’s call”, the batter is now “out”.
Thus, this brings fairness and consistency whilst respecting the original judgment of the umpire for every mode of dismissal!
Combined Reviews (Umpire and Player Referrals) will be in Chronological Order
The ICC has also changed how combined reviews (involving player and umpire referrals) will occur now. Moving forward:
For combined reviews, the chronology of the incidents will dictate the flow of reviews.
For example, if an LBW occurs before a run-out, LBW will be reviewed first.
If the batter is out due to the first incident, the second cannot be reviewed as the ball is dead.
Clarity and logical thought have been brought to the review process to avoid unnecessary delays!
Catch Even on No-Balls
In the past, a catch that is taken with a no-ball would not be reviewed. That has changed:
The third umpire will still review to see if the catch was taken in a fair manner, even when the ball is a no-ball.
If the catch is fair, then the batting team earns one run for the no-ball.
If it is determined the catch was not taken in a fair manner, then counts for the batter(s).
This change means that review of the fairness of the catch may happen, irrespective of the delivery being fair or unfair, which means there will now greater clarification and transparency in umpiring decisions.
Deliberate Short Runs now have Strategic Penalty
As part of the 2023 laws and watching various teams approach to leggy run scoring, the ramifications of deliberately going short – where the batter does not run hard to make the full run – has now consequences:
The fielding team can choose which batter they do not wish to strike.
A five (5) run penalty still remains in play.
This gives the fielding team less chances to be impacted and deters teams being clever when running short.
Playing Replacements Full-time in Domestic Cricket
While this would impact the immediate future of international cricket, the ICC have urged domestic first clause leagues, test out playing replacements for any serious external injury sustained during the match that an original player would have sustained.
Replacements must be direct like-for-like replacements, like concussions.
Should not apply to anything that is deemed as internal injury (i.e. hamstring, strain, cramps).
This is a sustainable program, and recognizes the realitites of player safety and provides avenues for more flexibility around roster management.
Conclusion
The changes and modernization of ICC rules are a paradigmatic shift in how cricket is governed and played.
The ICC is not just addressing match times, promoting fair play, collaborating with technology, but also looking to improve enjoyment for players, officials, and spectators alike.
These changes will commence in white-ball formats from July 2, 2025, with test cricket operating under the new protocols adjusting to the nature of the competition and context of game. It will be interesting how teams manage these strategies with the upcoming changes including in terms of over rates and re-evaluating a catch on a no-ball with people having the ability to take any prior incident into account, and to ensure that cricket continues as a sport which is governed on trust, creditability and creativity.
