Highlights:
- The soft Signal has been removed
- Use of Helmets in certain positions made necessary
- Any runs scored off a free hit when the ball hit the stumps counted as runs from now on
- The International Cricket Council announced New Changes in ICC Rules with effect on 1 June 2023 with the Lord’s Test between England and Ireland, a four-day one-off Test match.
New Changes in ICC Rules
New Changes in ICC Rules: The International Cricket Council (ICC) made three changes to the playing condition which comes effective from June 1, 2023.
ICC announced changes to the Playing Conditions after the Chief Executives’ Committee approved of the recommendations from the Men’s Cricket Committee led by Sourav Ganguly and the Women’s Cricket Committee.
Check out the New Changes in ICC Rules below:
- Soft Signal: Umpires will no longer be required to give soft signals while referring decisions to the TV umpires. The on-field umpires will consult with the TV Umpire before any decisions are taken.
- Helmets: The ICC made the usage of helmets mandatory for high-risk positions which include:
- When batters are facing fast bowlers
- When wicketkeepers are standing up to the stumps
- When fielders are close to the batter in front of the wicket
- Runs off a Free Hit: Any runs scored off a Free Hit when the ball hits the stumps will count as runs scored, to be consistent with all other runs scored from a free hit.
- Example: During the 2022 T20 World Cup India vs Pakistan clash, in the 4th ball of the final over which is a free-hit, Ball hit on the stumps and then Dinesh Karthik – Virat Kohli ran 3 and it was counted as byes. Now with the new rule by ICC, it will be counted as runs scored by the batter.
Watch the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 India vs Pakistan Highlights by Clicking HERE
Sourav Ganguly, the chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee, said the soft signal creates confusion and at times is unnecessary.
“Soft signals have been discussed at previous cricket committee meetings over the last couple of years. The committee deliberated this at length and concluded that soft signals were unnecessary and at times confusing since referrals of catches may seem inconclusive in replays,” Ganguly said.
Regarding the usage of Helmets in certain positions, Ganguly said ” We also discussed player safety, which is very important for us. The committee decided that it was best to make the use of helmets mandatory in certain positions to ensure the safety of players.”
