The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved the usage of pink balls in day-time Tests on a trial basis to reduce the effect of fading light in the final session of the day, which often results in the loss of overs.
The new playing conditions will apply to all international series that start on 1 October or later, and it means that the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy match between India and Australia at Guwahati could be played with a pink ball considering the early sun set in that city. The ICC said the decision to use pink balls should be mutually made ahead of a Test match, and it remains binding for the whole contest. ICC also made lot of playing changes across all formats. Here is a look at some of them.
Batters wasting time (men’s cricket)
This playing condition 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, a final warning for the second, and five penalty runs awarded to the fielding side for the third and each subsequent offence. Code of Conduct provisions may also be invoked in case of repeated offences.
Tighter tolerances for size/weight of women’s cricket balls
The specifications for men’s cricket balls allow only a limited tolerance in size and weight. For women’s and junior cricket, manufacturers have often produced a single ball for both categories. New limits have now been introduced, establishing three distinct size and weight specifications for men’s, women’s and junior cricket.
Overthrows
This 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 leeway in determining whether a ball is finally settled, which can often be extremely important, particularly on the final ball of a close game. The ball no longer must necessarily be in the bowler’s or wicketkeeper’s hands to be finally settled.
Held in 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 the ball. Merely touching the ball with the hand while it breaks the stumps does not establish holding it.
Pink Balls (Test cricket specific)
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. Switching from red to pink ball is also not allowed once the match has commenced.
Final over of a day’s play doesn’t end at fall of a wicket
Play will not automatically come to an end at the fall of a wicket in the last over of the day if that over has not been completed, if the weather and conditions are fit for play to continue. This change has been made because it does not save time as the remaining deliveries still need to be bowled the next day, while it will also reward the fielding team and keep drama in the game.
Intervals
In T20I cricket, there is now a fixed 15-minute interval. This can be reduced to a minimum of 10 minutes when time is lost.
Drinks
The ODI and T20Is are now aligned to allow the ‘Head Coach or their designate’ to enter the field of play at drinks intervals.
Wide balls
The leg-side wide trial has been added permanently to the ODI and T20Is