ICC unveils major rule changes across all cricket formats from JulyThe International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced key updates to the playing conditions for men’s international cricket, with new rules set to apply across all formats starting in July.
Some of these changes have already been introduced in the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC), while the new regulations for white-ball cricket will take effect from July 2, according to Cricinfo.
Stop-clock in Tests:
A stop clock will now be used in Test matches to address slow over rates. Fielding sides must be ready to start the next over within 60 seconds. Umpires will issue two warnings before imposing a five-run penalty for further delays. This rule is already in use for the WTC.
Saliva rule revision:
The ban on saliva remains, but if saliva is applied to the ball, umpires will no longer change it unless its condition has clearly been affected. In cases of unusual ball behaviour, the batting side will get five penalty runs, but the ball will not be replaced.
DRS adjustments:
For reviews where a batter is given out caught but replays show no bat involved, a secondary mode of dismissal — like LBW — can now still result in an “out” if ball-tracking returns an “umpire’s call,” bringing greater consistency to DRS decisions.
Combined appeals:
When combined appeals (e.g., LBW and run-out) occur, reviews will now be considered in the sequence the incidents happened. If the first results in dismissal, the second will not proceed.
No-ball and catch reviews:
If a no-ball is called during a catch review, the fairness of the catch will still be checked. A clean catch will only result in the no-ball run being awarded, while an unfair catch allows the batting team to keep any completed runs.
Stricter penalty for short runs:
For deliberate short runs, in addition to a five-run penalty, the fielding captain can now choose which batter stays on strike.
These updates aim to improve fairness, consistency, and the pace of play across formats. Players, officials, and fans will soon see these measures in action as they reshape match dynamics in the coming weeks.
