ODI format under review: ICC considers changing the two-ball rule
The International Cricket Council is considering changes to the two-ball rule to restore the balance between bat and ball in the One Day Internationals (ODI) format. At the ICC meetings in Harare this week, a recommendation was made to use only one ball from the 35th over of an innings.
Currently, two new balls are used in each innings, which was introduced in October 2011. Prior to that, during the 1992 World Cup, a similar approach was used.
The ICC men’s cricket committee, led by Sourav Ganguly, made the recommendation to tweak the pre-existing rule. This change will take effect after the 34th over when both balls have aged 17 overs. The fielding side will choose which ball to continue using, while the other becomes a spare if needed later.
The proposal is under review, with member boards expected to provide feedback by the end of the month.
A change in the Test cricket format is also brewing as they try to implement the 60-second stop clock. That decision is brought about to combat slow over-rates. This rule, already in place in T20Is and ODIs, will penalise teams running behind.
