The International Cricket Council (ICC) is going to change some rules of Test and ODI. In a message sent to its members, the ICC said that the new playing conditions will be applicable in Test matches from June and in white ball cricket from July.
The new rules include the use of one ball in ODI cricket, catches on the boundary and concussion replacement. The rule of two new balls has been in effect in ODIs since October 2011. Currently, two new balls are used from both sides in ODIs. According to the new ICC rule, there will be two new balls for 1 to 34 overs.
That is, both balls will be used for the first 34 overs in an innings. Then from the 35th over onwards, only one ball will be used from both ends till the end of the innings (unless it needs to be replaced). After the completion of 34 overs and before the start of the 35th over, the fielding team will select one of those two balls.
There will also be some changes in the concussion replacement rules. Teams will have to give the names of five concussion replacement players to the match referee before the match starts.Which will include a wicketkeeper, a batsman, a pacer, a spinner and an all-rounder. If the replaced player also gets injured, then the match referee can choose a new option.