KARACHI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday considered major changes in the playing conditions of each of the three formats of the game during its Executive Committee (CEC) meeting held virtually.
According to a report by the International Cricket News website, the most important amendment mentioned during the meeting was that it would be possible to switch from the red ball to the pink ball during a regular Test, subject to the mutual consent of both teams, in case of weather disturbances, so that the match could continue under lights.
While the finer points of the proposed change in Test playing conditions are still unclear, the report suggested that mutual consent between the two teams to change balls should be obtained before the start of the series and if the rule is approved at the ICC Board meeting on May 30, it would come into effect from October 1 this year.
Also, the CEC meeting discussed allowing the head coach to enter the field during the liquor break in ODIs.
As per the current rules for the long format, only substitutes are allowed to enter the stadium during drinks breaks.
Notably, two drinks breaks are allowed in each innings of an ODI match, scheduled at an hour and 10-minute intervals, meaning that if the amendment is approved, the head coach can interact with the players twice during that period.
The apex cricket body has considered making slight changes to the playing conditions of T20Is with plans to reduce the innings break to 15 minutes, which is currently set at 20.
“There shall be an interval of 20 minutes between innings, from the call of time before half-time to the call of replay after half-time,” the existing playing condition states.
Another change proposed at the ICC CEC meeting was to provide on-field umpires with Hawk Eye data to analyze bowlers for illegal activities during matches as part of their determination to crack down on bowlers with suspicious activities.