As international cricket is not far away to resume when the coronavirus pandemic is still on, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has given some green signals for the crucial changes in the international cricket’s playing regulations. These rules will be followed for the interim period.
While coronavirus is spreading highly and taking a dangerous turn to the lives, the Anil Kumble-led ICC Cricket Committee recently came with some crucial proposals to continue the game safely. On Tuesday (9th June), the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) has approved those proposals.
The interim regulation changes by the ICC CEC have been briefed in the following.
COVID-19 Replacements
During a Test match, the teams can now replace their players who are displaying symptoms of COVID-19. The replacement can be done according to the similar rules of concussion replacements, where the nearest like-for-like replacement can be applicable after Match Referee’s approval.
However, this new regulation can’t be applicable during the ODI and T20I matches.
Ban on applying saliva to the ball
ICC has now banned on applying saliva to the ball. In the initial period of the resumption of the game, the umpires will have to manage the situation with some leniency if the saliva gets applied on the ball. But the team will get a warning for their subsequent mistakes on this.
After receiving two warnings in an innings, if the team again uses saliva to the ball, the batting side will get a five-run penalty.
Moreover, after the use of saliva to the ball, the umpires will have to make sure that the ball has been cleaned before the game resumption.
Non-neutral umpires
Understanding the present logistical issues with international travel, the ICC has temporarily removed the neutral match officials regulations from the playing conditions for all international formats.
Now, for every international match, the ICC will appoint locally based match officials who are in the list of Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Officials and the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Officials.
Additional DRS reviews
As lesser experienced umpires are going to be appointed in the upcoming international matches, there is more chance to make wrong decisions in the game. So, the ICC has raised one more unsuccessful DRS review for each team in each innings of a match.
It means now each team will have three DRS reviews in each innings of a Test match and two DRS reviews in each innings of a limited-over match.
Additional logo allowed
The ICC CEC has also relaxed the rules on apparel logos for the next 12 months.
As per regulations, a logo, which is not exceeding 32 square inches in size, can be placed on the chest of the Test match shirt and sweater in addition to the three other logos allowed. Earlier, the logos on chests were only allowed in the limited-overs matches.