The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced a significant update to its playing conditions, particularly affecting the use of the Decision Review System (DRS) in stumping decisions. Effective from December 12, 2023, umpires will now solely rely on side-on replays when reviewing stumping appeals, eliminating the consideration of caught-behind scenarios during these referrals.
This change follows instances, such as during last year's series against India, where Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey frequently used the review for caught-behind during stumping decisions without depleting the team's DRS option. With the new ruling in place, teams desiring to challenge a caught-behind decision in the course of a stumping appeal will be required to utilize a separate DRS option specifically for the caught-behind appeal.
"The change confines a stumping review to only check for stumped, therefore preventing the fielding team a free review for other modes of dismissal (i.e, caught behind) without choosing a player review," read ICC’s new amendment.
In addition to this, the ICC has brought more precision to the concussion substitute rule. The updated regulation stipulates that a concussion substitute will not be allowed to bowl if the player they are replacing was barred from bowling at the time of sustaining the concussion. This amendment aims to maintain fairness and the balance of the game in case of such player replacements.
The ICC has also implemented a restriction on the time allowed for on-field injury assessments and treatments. Now, the duration for such medical evaluations and treatments is capped at four minutes, intending to streamline the game and reduce delays.
Parallel to these ICC modifications, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to uphold certain rules that were trialed during last year’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy. These include the 'Dead Ball' rule and the allowance of two bouncers per over, which will now be continued in the Ranji Trophy starting on Friday.
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