ICC Considers Major Rule Changes Across All Cricket Formats

The International Cricket Council is considering a set of major rule changes across all formats, including the unprecedented option of switching from a red ball to a pink ball during a conventional Test match if play is interrupted by bad weather and continues under floodlights. The proposals, which also cover One Day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals, were discussed during a recent virtual meeting of the ICC Chief Executives Committee and are scheduled for a final review by the ICC Board in Ahmedabad on May 30. If approved, the new regulations could take effect from October 1.

Under the most significant proposal for Test cricket, the traditional red ball would be swapped for a pink ball during a day match at a floodlit venue if weather delays push play into the evening. The change would require the agreement of both team captains before the series begins. Currently, pink balls are used only in day-night Tests, where they are used for the entire match. The proposal is intended to reduce lost overs due to poor visibility, as red balls become difficult to see under artificial lights. Sourav Ganguly, chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee, participated in the virtual...