On June 27, 2025, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced important revisions to the playing conditions for men’s international cricket, which will apply to Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. These changes aim to enhance fairness and efficiency in the game.
The key changes include the introduction of a stop clock in Test matches, revised protocols for the Decision Review System (DRS), and stricter penalties for deliberately shortening the game.
The stop clock, already used in limited-overs formats, now applies to Test cricket to address slow over rates. Fielding teams must start a new over within 60 seconds of the previous one’s end. For instance, umpires will issue two warnings before imposing a five-run penalty for each subsequent violation, with warnings resetting every 80 overs. The countdown, displayed on-screen, is active in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle.
What the powerplay overs will now look like when the innings is shortened 🔢
A tweak in the rules for men's T20Is effective July 2025 🔁
Read more: https://t.co/8I6WHRmLc1 pic.twitter.com/EzyFWDaX4x
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 27, 2025The DRS system receives notable updates. Previously, if a caught-out decision was overturned, the system automatically defaulted secondary appeals, such as lbw, to “not out.” Now, when ball-tracking shows an “umpire’s call” for lbw after reversing a caught decision, the batter remains out, respecting the original call. Additionally, officials now review multiple appeals—like lbw and run-out—in chronological order. If the first incident dismisses the batter, the ball becomes dead, and further reviews stop. Meanwhile, umpires now scrutinise no-ball catches for fairness and award only the no-ball run if the catch is clean.
The saliva ban remains in effect, but umpires no longer immediately replace the ball if they detect saliva. Instead, they assess the ball’s condition and award five runs to the batting side if the ball’s state does not change significantly. Furthermore, deliberate short runs face stricter penalties. Umpires can impose a five-run penalty and allow the fielding captain to choose the batter on strike if they detect a deliberate short run, as Rule 18.5.1 defines, ensuring clear intent.
