Pink ball in one-day Tests, time-wasting penalties: ICC announces new playing conditions in men’s and women’s cricket
England batsman Zak Crawley and India captain Shubman Gill exchange words after Crawley called a doctor after being hit on the finger during the third day of the third Test match at Lord’s Cricket Ground on July 12, 2025 in London, England. (Photo/Getty Images) The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday introduced several changes to the playing conditions of men’s and women’s cricket, including penalties for time-wasting batsmen, stricter specifications for balls used in women’s cricket, the option to use pink balls in one-day Test matches and a change to the rules for the finals of the day’s match.The changes will apply to all international series starting on or after October 1, while series already underway will continue under existing regulations.The updated playing conditions for men and women across all formats include changes to the MCC’s Laws of Cricket, which will come into force on Thursday.The changes were introduced to “address time-wasting, standardize ball specifications and clarify certain aspects of fielding”.
Batsmen will face time-wasting penalties
In men’s cricket, the playing conditions for wasting batting time have been revised.If the batsman is not ready to face the next delivery in the prescribed time, he will receive a warning for the first offense and a final warning for the second. The third offense and each subsequent offense will result in five penalty runs awarded to the fielding team.Code of conduct provisions can also be invoked if a batsman repeatedly loses time.
New ball specifications for women’s cricket
The ICC has introduced stricter limits on the size and weight of balls used in women’s international cricket.Men’s cricket already has limited tolerances for ball size and weight. However, manufacturers often produced one ball for both women’s and junior cricket. The new rules introduce three separate size and weight specifications for men’s, women’s and junior cricket.A new men’s ball must weigh between 5.5 and 5.75 ounces (156-163 grams) and measure 22.4-22.9 centimeters in circumference. For women’s cricket, the ball must weigh 5–5.25 ounces (142–149 grams) and measure 21.5–22 centimeters in circumference.
Coups clarified
Based on the MCC’s recommendation, the ICC also clarified what overthrow means.An overthrow is defined as an attempt to direct the ball towards the stumps to prevent a run or to complete a runout. A foul field, whether a fielder attempts to stop the ball or pass it to another fielder, shall not be considered a pitch.
More flexibility than when the ball is finally settled
Referees will now have more discretion in deciding when the ball is “finally settled”, which can be especially important in the final serve of a close match.The ball no longer needs to be in the hands of the pitcher or the keeper to be considered finally settled.
Greater visibility of players in the field holding the ball
For the ball to be considered to be in the fielder’s possession during a run-out or trip, the fielder must be in complete control of the ball.Merely touching the ball with the hand as it breaks the stumps will not be sufficient to confirm that the ball has been held.
Changes specific to Test cricket
Pink balls in daily tests: Pink balls may be used on a trial basis in day test matches if both teams agree prior to the match. The change is aimed at reducing the loss of playing time due to poor lighting.Once the test starts with the pink ball, the decision cannot be changed and the pink ball must be used for the rest of the match. A transition from the red ball to the pink ball after the start of the test will not be allowed.Last during the day: The fall of a wicket during the final over of a day’s match will no longer automatically end the day’s play unless the over has been completed and the weather and conditions permit play to continue.The ICC said the change was made because stopping at the fall of a wicket does not save time as the remaining deliveries still have to be bowled the next day. The change will also reward the fielding team and keep the game going in such situations.
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ODI and T20I specific changes
Intervals: T20Is will now have a fixed 15-minute interval. If game time is lost, this time may be reduced to a minimum of 10 minutes.Drinks: The ODI and T20I playing conditions now allow the head coach or his nominee to enter the field during the drinks break.Widths on the side of the legs: The test for the leg width rule has now become permanent in ODI and T20I playing conditions.