The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved several rule changes including the laws on boundary catches, one-ball rule in last 15 overs of ODIs. The rules made for Test cricket have already been implemented in the current World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle whereas the changes to white-ball cricket will take effect from July 2.
Stop clock use in-between overs for Test cricket
The first rule changed for Test cricket is the introduction of stop-ball To combat slow over rates in Test cricket, the fielding side has to be ready to start a new over within a minute. If the team ignores two warnings, they will face a five-run penalty. The fielding team will get two warnings per 80 overs. The rule has already been in place including the Headingley Test between India and England.
No ball change on saliva use but penalty stays
The ban on saliva came into existence during Covid-19 era. Earlier, the umpires would change the ball if they saw someone applying saliva in it. At times, teams would often apply it deliberately to get the ball changed. However, until and unless the ball's condition has been changed, the umpires won't change the ball if saliva is applied. However, if they catch the fielding team applying saliva, five runs will be added to the batting team's score.
More value to umpire's call
Changes have been made to DRS protocols as well. Under the new rule, the controversial umpire's call will have more weightage. For example, a batter has been adjudged out, caught behind or caught at close-in positions like forward square leg. Upon reviewing, it is clear that the ball touched the bad instead of bat. Earlier, the umpire's call for lbw in this scenario used to be 'not out'. However, in this case, the umpire had given out so the umpire's call will be 'out' if the impact on pad or stumps and bails is partial.
Dismissals to be checked in chronological order upon review
The ICC has modified the combined reviews rule as well. The fourth umpire will take the decision based on the chronology events. For instance, if the appeal is for lbw followed by a run out, the TV umpire will check the lbw first. Often, there is an appeal for lbw and the batters get out attempting to take the second or third run. In this case, if the batter was run out, the batting team will be awarded the runs completed. Now, the lbw appeal will be considered first and if the batter is out, then the ball will be declared dead.
What happens if fielder takes a clean catch off no-ball
In cases where the on-field umpires seek help from upstairs to see if the catch was taken cleanly and it is learned that the bowler had overstepped, the legitimacy of the catch will still be checked. If the catch was taken cleanly, the fielding team will get only an extra run for no-ball. If the catch wasn't taken clearnly, the batting team will get runs take by the batters via running between the wickets.
Deliberate short-run becomes expensive
A five-run penalty has been introduced if the umpires catch a batter taking a short run deliberately. Batters often take a short run to steal an extra run or to get the strike. It often happens while batting with tailenders when a set batter takes short run to take the strike. If the umpires feel the batter was trying to deceive them, the batting team will face the penalty.
Full-time replacement player on trial method
For now, this rule will be tested in domestic first-class cricket around the world. If a player suffers a serious external injury, a full-time like-for-like replacement player can come in. This is similar to that of a concussion substitute. However, in order to prevent teams from abusing this rule, match officials will now it for players who suffer hamstring pulls or niggles. The injury should be visible to the match officials to approve a full-time replacement. For example, if a player suffers a broken finger like Steve Smith did in WTC 2025 final, Australia can opt for a like-for-like replacement. After the trial run, it will be decided whether it should be implemented in international cricket or not.