Stop the clock for Tests, no ball change after using saliva, new DRS rules, and more
Stop the clock for Tests, no ball change after using saliva, new DRS rules, and more
ICC has introduced a stop clock rule in Test matches, now in effect with the beginning of the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. The stop clock rule has already been in effect in One-Day Internationals and T20Is involving Full Members since June 1, 2024.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced a set of rule changes across all formats of men’s cricket aimed at improving fairness, speeding up gameplay, and closing loopholes. Some of these updates, such as the stop clock in Test matches, are already active as part of the 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle, while others, particularly in white-ball cricket, will come into effect from July 2, 2025.
A major update is the introduction of a stop clock in Test cricket. To tackle slow over rates, the fielding side must now start the next over within 60 seconds of the previous one finishing. If they fail to meet the time limit, the umpires will issue two warnings. If delays continue after that, a five-run penalty will be awarded to the batting team. The warning count resets after every 80 overs. The aim is to bring more discipline to the longest format without compromising the natural flow of the game.
Another notable rule addresses the use of saliva on the ball, which remains banned due to health concerns. However, unlike before, umpires no longer need to change the ball if saliva is applied unless they believe its condition has been significantly altered. This update closes the loophole where teams could deliberately apply saliva to get a different ball. Now, ball changes are left to the umpire’s judgment, and if the ball behaves unusually without being replaced, the batting side will still be awarded five penalty runs.
The ICC has also updated how DRS reviews are handled in certain cases. If a batter is given out caught behind and asks for a review that overturns the catch (for example, UltraEdge shows only pad contact), the third umpire can now check for LBW as a secondary dismissal. Under the new rule, if ball-tracking shows the ball is clipping the stumps and it’s an “umpire’s call,” the batter will be ruled out, because the original decision was “out.” Previously, this would have resulted in a “not out”.
The DRS process for combined reviews (involving both player and umpire referrals) has also been streamlined. Reviews will now be conducted based on the order of events. For instance, if there’s an LBW appeal followed by a run-out, the third umpire will review the LBW first. If the batter is found out, the rest of the play won’t be reviewed, and the ball will be declared dead from the moment of dismissal.
Another tweak affects no-ball and catch decisions. If a catch is in question and the third umpire discovers a no-ball was bowled, they must still check whether the catch was taken cleanly. If it was a fair catch, the batting team gets just one run for the no-ball. But if the catch wasn’t clean, the batting side is awarded however many runs they completed.
Lastly, the rule concerning deliberate short runs has been revised. If the umpires believe a batter intentionally failed to complete a run properly to gain an unfair advantage, they will impose a five-run penalty as before, but now the fielding team gets to choose which batter will be on strike for the next ball. This adds an extra strategic element and discourages manipulation of running between the wickets.
All in all, these updates are designed to modernise the game, close loopholes, and keep play moving fairly and efficiently. They reflect the ICC’s ongoing efforts to balance tradition with innovation in the evolving landscape of international cricket.
A deliberate short run is an attempt for batters to appear to run more than one run, while at least one batter deliberately does not make good their ground at one end," Rule 18.5.1 of the playing conditions says. "Batters may choose to abort a run, provided the umpire believes that there was no intention by the batter concerned to deceive the umpires or to score the run in which they didn't make their ground.
To offset the loss of a player who has suffered a serious external injury, the ICC has asked boards to trial in their domestic first-class cricket fielding a full-time replacement player who can come in and perform the role of a team participant. The replacement player will have to be like-for-like, as is the case for a concussion sub. The injury will need to be evident and visible to the match officials before they allow a full-time replacement. This would not apply for players suffering hamstring pulls or niggles.
This rule will be on a trial basis and is entirely up to the member countries to implement in their domestic first-class circuit.