International Cricket Council Tweaks Playing Conditions for Cricketers

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced changes to the playing conditions, with effect from October 1, 2022, to resume hygienic forms of cricket after disruptions caused by COVID-19.

The most notable of them is the permanent ban on the use of saliva to polish the ball. While this measure was undertaken temporarily during COVID-19, its permanent ban will be witnessed starting next month’s T20 World Cup.

A few other changes made to the Playing Conditions in MCC’s updated 3rd Edition of the 2017 Code of the Laws of Cricket include:

A.    When a batter is out Caught, the new batter will come in at the end where the striker was, regardless of whether the batters crossed prior to the catch being taken. 

B.     The time limit within which an incoming batter must be ready to take a strike is two minutes in Tests and ODIs, while the ninety seconds mandate for T20s remains unchanged.

C.     The striker’s right to play the ball is restricted so as to require the bat or the person to remain within the pitch. If they venture beyond that, the umpire shall declare and signal ‘Dead Ball’. ‘No ball’ will also be called if any throw forces the batter to leave the pitch.

D.     Five penalty runs would be awarded to the batting side by the umpire if any unfair or deliberate movement is made while the bowler is running into the bowl. Further, it will be called a ‘Dead Ball’.