The ICC’s updated playing conditions apply to international series starting on or after 1 October 2026. In men’s cricket, a batter who is not ready within the prescribed time faces a warning for a first offence, a final warning for a second, then five penalty runs for the fielding side for a third and each subsequent offence. A pink ball may be used in a daytime Test only if both teams agree before the match; that choice is fixed for the entire Test.
When do the new ICC playing conditions take effect?
The revised conditions apply to international series beginning on or after 1 October 2026. A series already in progress on that date remains under the previous regulations. The ICC has published the updated conditions across men’s and women’s formats on its Playing Conditions index. For the effective date and summary of changes, see the ICC’s 1 October 2026 announcement.
What is the penalty for a batter wasting time?
In men’s cricket, the penalty applies when a batter fails to be ready within the prescribed time. It escalates by offence: the first brings a warning, the second a final warning, and the third and every later offence brings five penalty runs for the fielding side. Repeated offences may also be dealt with under the Code of Conduct. This is a batter-readiness rule, separate from rules addressing a fielding side’s slow over rate.
| Offence | Consequence |
|---|---|
| First | Warning |
| Second | Final warning |
| Third and each subsequent offence | Five penalty runs to the fielding side |
Can a pink ball be used in a daytime Test?
Yes, as a trial intended to reduce play lost to bad light. Both teams must agree to use a pink ball before the Test begins. Once agreed, the choice applies for the whole match: teams cannot switch from a red ball to a pink ball after the Test has started. The ICC announcement describes the trial’s purpose, but does not establish comparative effects on visibility, performance, cost or competitive advantage.
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What other playing-condition changes are included?
Test match play
A wicket before completion of the final over of the day no longer necessarily ends play, provided conditions remain fit for play. The ICC also clarified what counts as an overthrow, gave umpires more latitude to determine when a ball is finally settled, and clarified that a fielder must have complete control for a ball to count as held in a run-out or stumping.
Ball specifications
The updated conditions introduce distinct size and weight specifications for men’s, women’s and junior cricket balls. The announcement does not provide the measurements in its summary; the applicable format-specific documents are listed on the ICC’s Playing Conditions page.
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Limited-overs cricket
- T20I innings intervals are 15 minutes, reducible to a minimum of 10 minutes when time has been lost.
- In ODIs and T20Is, the head coach or a designated person may enter the field during drinks.
- The leg-side wide rule previously trialled is now included permanently in the ODI and T20I conditions.
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