International Cricket may see several changes soon, with new rules being considered.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is looking at important updates to the playing conditions in red-ball, white-ball, and pink-ball cricket. This includes the option to use different colored balls within the same match format. These changes are under discussion and might be approved in an ICC Board meeting set for May 30 in Ahmedabad.
One suggested change is allowing head coaches to enter the field during drinks breaks, particularly in ODI cricket, where only substitute players are currently permitted on the field. The existing rule states that “Any player taking drinks onto the field shall be dressed in proper cricket attire.”
If approved, head coaches will also be allowed to go on the field during drinks breaks, though it isn’t clear yet if they will need to wear team jerseys. In ODIs, teams are allowed two drinks breaks per innings, spaced one hour and 10 minutes apart. In T20Is, head coaches can already speak with players during drinks breaks for tactical advice.
The ICC also plans to reduce the innings break in T20Is from 20 minutes to 15 minutes. As per current rules, the break lasts 20 minutes from the call of Time to the call of Play to resume. With the proposed changes, teams will have five minutes less to rest and discuss strategies for the second innings.
Another suggested update is providing on-field umpires with access to HawkEye data to monitor bowlers for illegal actions during matches. Details on how this will be implemented are still pending, but the ICC is focused on addressing suspect bowling actions.
A potentially major change being considered is switching from the red ball to the pink ball in traditional Test matches. According to Cricbuzz, teams might agree to use pink balls during a Test if daily play goes into the evening due to weather interruptions. More information on this rule is expected soon.
These proposed updates were discussed during a virtual ICC Chief Executives Committee (CEC) meeting on May 21, which included Sourav Ganguly, head of the ICC Cricket Committee.