ICC approves major changes: ODI ball rule revised, stricter concussion protocols - check out new playing conditions

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced significant changes to playing conditions in men's international cricket, with the revised two-ball rule in ODIs and stricter concussion substitute regulations being the big updates.

These changes, recommended by the ICC Men’s Cricket Committee, will come into effect from June 17 in Tests, July 2 in ODIs, and July 10 in T20Is.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Two-ball rule tweaked to aid bowlersCurrently, ODIs are played with two new balls used from each end throughout the innings. Under the new regulation, two new balls will still be used, but only until the 34th over. From the 35th to the 50th over, teams must select one of those two balls to continue bowling from both ends.

If an ODI is reduced to 25 overs or fewer before the first innings begins, only one new ball will be used.The ICC said the modification aims to “readdress the balance between bat and ball” - a long-standing concern in high-scoring ODIs where bowlers have often struggled to find reverse swing or grip in the latter stages of the innings.

Concussion substitutes now role-specificIn a move to avoid ambiguity, teams must now pre-name five concussion substitutes to the match referee before the toss: a wicketkeeper, a batter, a seam bowler, a spinner, and an all-rounder.

If a concussion substitute also gets injured, the match referee may approve a replacement from outside the initial five, following existing like-for-like eligibility protocols.

Other amendmentsA minor but notable change includes the MCC's disallowance of the “bunny hop” catch outside the boundary - a move designed to ensure cleaner, fairer dismissals.