Stop clock to DRS protocol: What are the new rule changes introduced by ICC in men’s cricket across all formats

New rule changes introduced by ICC in men’s cricket across all formats (BCCI Photo)

The ICC has made important rule changes for men’s international cricket. These updates affect all three formats – Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. Some rules have already started with the 2025–27 World Test Championship (WTC). The rest, mainly for white-ball cricket, will come into effect from July 2, 2025.

Here are the key changes:

Stop clock in Test cricket

The stop clock is now part of Test cricket. It was already used in white-ball games. Now, the fielding side must start a new over within 60 seconds of the previous one ending. If they are slow, umpires will give two warnings. After that, the team will be penalised five runs. The clock will count from 0 to 60. The warnings will reset every 80 overs.

No mandatory ball change for saliva

Using saliva on the ball is still banned. But now, if it happens by mistake, umpires don’t have to change the ball immediately. They will check if the ball has changed a lot — for example, if it’s too wet or shiny. If not, the ball will continue to be used. If the ball behaves differently after that, it still won’t be replaced, but the batting team will get five runs.

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Change in DRS protocol for secondary review

In case a batter is given out caught and takes a review, the TV umpire may find that it was not a catch, but the ball hit the pads. Earlier, if they then checked for LBW, it was treated as not out by default. Now, if the original decision was out, the ball-tracking will also say 'original decision: out'. So if it’s umpire’s call, the batter will be given out.

Combined reviews in order of events

When there are two appeals on the same ball — like LBW and run out — the third umpire will now check them in the order they happened. For example, if LBW came first, it will be reviewed first. If the batter is out LBW, the ball is declared dead, and the run-out won’t be checked.

Catches will be reviewed even on No-Ball

If there’s doubt about a catch, and it turns out to be a no-ball, the TV umpire must still review the catch. If the catch is fair, the batter is not out, and the batting team gets 1 run for the no-ball. If the catch is not clean, the batting team gets all the runs they ran, including the no-ball.

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New rule for deliberate short runs

If a batter tries to steal an extra run by not making ground on purpose, the team will be penalised 5 runs, as before. But now, the fielding team can choose who faces the next ball. If the umpire feels the batters abandoned the run honestly, there will be no penalty.

Full-time replacement for injuries

In domestic first-class cricket, teams can now bring in a full-time player to replace someone injured from an external blow (like a ball hit). The injury must be clearly visible and the replacement must be like-for-like. This does not apply to cramps or muscle pulls. It is only a trial rule, and countries can choose whether or not to use it.