ICC Playing Conditions: A Look at Key Changes

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced several changes to the playing conditions across Test matches, One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 (T20) matches.

Key changes include:

• Stop Clock in Test Matches: After a successful introduction in white-ball cricket, the stop clock has now been extended to Test cricket to tackle slow over rates. The bowling team must be ready to bowl the first ball of their next over within 60 seconds of the previous over being completed. Failure to comply for the third time in an innings (following two warnings) will result in a five-run penalty on each occasion. The warning sanctions reset to zero after every 80 overs in that innings.
• One-ball Rule in ODIs: The one-ball rule has returned in ODIs from the 35th over onward.
• ‘Bunny Hop’ Catches: A fielder making airborne contact with the ball beyond the boundary must land and remain inside the boundary. If the fielder leaves the field of play after first contact with the ball, they may only make contact with the ball once more while airborne beyond the boundary, and must land and remain wholly within the boundary. This condition applies even if another player completes the fielding.
• Concussion Protocols: – Updated protocols mandate nomination of designated concussion replacements and a minimum seven-day stand-down for any player diagnosed with a concussion.

Other revisions include changes to the DRS wicket zone and deliberate short runs. Further modifications will be trialled by full members from October 2025 for an initial six-month period.