The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced a series of changes to its playing conditions, with the new regulations coming into effect for international series beginning on October 1, 2026 or later. Ongoing series will continue under the previous regulations. The changes incorporate several amendments from the Marylebone Cricket Club’s (MCC) 2026 Laws of Cricket and cover time-wasting, ball specifications, fielding and playing conditions across formats.
Batters face penalties for time-wasting
One of the most notable changes concerns batters who are not ready to face the next delivery within the prescribed time. The first offence will result in a warning, while the second brings a final warning. A third and every subsequent offence will result in five penalty runs being awarded to the fielding side. Repeated violations can also lead to action under the ICC Code of Conduct.
The ICC has also tightened specifications for women’s and junior cricket balls, introducing distinct size and weight requirements for men’s, women’s and junior cricket. Meanwhile, the distinction between an overthrow and a misfield has been clarified, while a fielder must have complete control of the ball for it to count as being held during a run-out or stumping.
Pink balls can now be used in daytime Tests
Test cricket will see one of the most significant changes, with teams allowed to mutually agree to use a pink ball in a daytime Test to reduce interruptions caused by poor light. The decision must be made before the match begins and cannot be changed once play has started.
Another change means a wicket in the final over of the day’s play will not automatically bring play to an end if the over remains incomplete and conditions remain suitable.
T20Is and ODIs get new provisions
T20Is will now have a fixed 15-minute innings interval, although it can be reduced to 10 minutes when time has been lost. Head coaches or their designated representatives can also enter the field during scheduled drinks breaks in ODIs and T20Is.
The leg-side wide rule, previously trialled in limited-overs cricket, has now been permanently incorporated into the ODI and T20I Playing Conditions. The changes form part of the ICC and MCC’s broader effort to bring greater consistency and clarity to modern cricket. The MCC’s 2026 Code contains 73 material changes, several of which have already been incorporated into international playing conditions.
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