ICC announces major Playing Conditions changes across all formats
The International Cricket Council on Thursday, October 1, 2026, announced a series of amendments to the Playing Conditions that apply across all formats, with the measures taking effect for international series starting on October 1 or later while ongoing series will continue under the previous rules.
The ICC said the revisions address time-wasting, ball specifications and aspects of fielding and will be incorporated into the Playing Conditions across formats. The ICC Men’s Cricket Committee Chair, Sourav Ganguly, said “There are some important changes to the Playing Conditions, including provisions relating to cricket balls, greater clarity around certain aspects of fielding and measures aimed at improving the pace of the game.” Mr. Ganguly added the changes were brought in “to ensure the playing conditions continue to reflect the needs of the modern game while maintaining its integrity and consistency”.
Among the measures that will apply to all formats are new penalties for batters deemed to be wasting time. The ICC outlined the procedure: "if a batter is not ready to face the ball within the prescribed time, a warning will be issued for the first offence, a final warning for the second, and five penalty runs awarded to the fielding side for the third and each subsequent offence. Code of Conduct provisions may also be invoked in cases of repeated offences".
The amendments also introduce stricter tolerances for the size and weight of women’s cricket balls and set out provisions concerning overthrows, ball settling and complete control over the ball. The ICC framed these adjustments as part of the effort to standardise ball specifications and clarify fielding-related laws across formats.
For Test cricket specifically, the ICC authorised a trial allowing the use of pink balls in daytime Tests under tightly defined conditions. The ICC statement said: “As a trial, pink balls may be used in daytime Tests by mutual agreement to reduce loss of play due to bad light. The use of a pink ball must be agreed before the start of the Test, and once agreed, must apply for the duration of the match. The decision cannot be changed after the match has started. Switching from a red to a pink ball is also not allowed once the match has commenced.”
The council confirmed the changes take effect for all international series with a start date of October 1, 2026, or later; matches already in progress at that date will continue to be conducted under the previous Playing Conditions.
