ICC introduces significant amendments to playing conditions

Mankading will be in the run out section [PC: Twitter]

In a remarkable turn of events, the International Cricket Council has made major changes to the existing playing conditions. 

The new Playing Conditions will come into effect on October 1, 2022, which means the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Australia next month will enforce the new rules. 

The main changes as stated by the ICC are as follows

• Batters returning when caught: When a batter is out Caught, the new batter will come in at the striker's end, irrespective of whether the batters crossed before the catch being taken. Previously, in case the batters crossed before the catch was taken, the non-striker used to take strike the next ball, with the new batter being at the non-striker's end.
• No use of saliva to polish the ball: This prohibition has been in place for more than two years in international cricket as a Covid-related temporary measure and it is considered appropriate for the ban to be made permanent.
• Incoming batter ready to face the ball: An incoming batter will now be needed to take strike within two minutes in Tests and ODIs, while the current cut-off time of 90 seconds in T20Is is unchanged. Previously, the incoming batter had three minutes to take strike in ODIs and Tests but it has now been reduced. Failing to do so, the fielding captain can appeal for timed out.
• Striker’s right to play the ball: This is so as to require some part of their bat or person to remain within the pitch. Should they venture beyond that, the umpire will call and signal Dead ball. Any ball which would force the batter to leave the pitch will also be called No ball.
• Unfair movement by the fielding side: Any unfair and deliberate movement while the bowler is running in to bowl could now result in the umpire awarding five penalty runs to the batting side, in addition to calling of a Dead ball.
• Running out of the non-striker: The Playing Conditions follow the Laws in moving this method of effecting a Run out from the ‘Unfair Play’ section to the ‘Run out’ section. Previously looked down as unfair play, running out a non-striker for backing up too much will now be considered as a regular run-out.
• Bowler throwing towards striker’s end before delivery: Previously, a bowler who saw the batter advancing down the wicket before entering their delivery stride, could throw the ball to attempt to Run out the striker. This practice will now be called a Dead ball.

Other major decisions

The in-match penalty introduced in T20Is in January 2022, (whereby the failure of a fielding team to bowl their overs by the scheduled cessation time leads to an additional fielder having to be brought inside the fielding circle for the remaining overs of the innings), will now also be adopted in ODI matches after the completion of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League in 2023. 

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