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What Are The New ICC Playing Conditions Set To Be Enforced From June 2025?
Follow UsThe ICC will implement new playing conditions from June 2025 in Tests and July 2025 in white-ball matches, including a single-ball rule in ODIs
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to enforce updated playing conditions from June 2025 in Test matches and from July 2025 in all international white-ball matches. Among several changes, the most significant is the decision to move to one ball per innings in ODIs, replacing the current system of using two balls from two ends.
Although two balls will still be used to start ODI innings, after the 34th over, the bowling team will have the option to choose one of the two balls to continue with for the remainder of the innings. This change aims to reintroduce reverse swing into ODIs and restore balance between bat and ball.
"There will be two new balls for overs 1 to 34. After over 34 is completed and prior to the start of over 35, the fielding team will choose one of the two balls to be used for overs 35 to 50. The chosen ball will be used at both ends for the remainder of the match (unless it needs to be changed). In a match reduced to 25 overs or less per side before the first innings commences, each team shall have only one new ball for its Innings,” the ICC said in a communication sent to all member bodies.
"A replacement ball at any time during the innings will be one of similar conditions to the ball that needs to be replaced. Note that the ball not used for overs 35 to 50 in the match will be added to the replacement ball supply."
In another change, the ICC has amended the concussion substitution rule. Both teams will now be required to name five concussion substitutes before the start of a match—one wicketkeeper, one batter, one seam bowler, one spinner, and one all-rounder.
"Under an exceptional and rare circumstance, whereby a replacement concussion player gets concussed and needs to be replaced, the match referee will deal with the situation and consider a replacement outside of the five nominated replacement players. The existing like-for-like protocols will apply in this situation."
These updated rules will not be applicable to the World Test Championship Final between Australia and South Africa. Instead, they will come into effect from the next WTC cycle, starting with the first Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Galle on June 17.