ICC Proposes Pink-Ball Change for Regular Test Cricket

The International Cricket Council (ICC) discussed possible changes to the playing rules across all three formats of cricket during a virtual Chief Executives Committee (CEC) meeting on Thursday.

As reported by several news outlets, the biggest idea talked about was the option of changing from the red ball to the pink ball during a normal Test match. This could happen if both teams agree, especially when weather causes delays, so play can continue under floodlights.

The exact details of the proposed Test rule change are still not fully clear. However, the report says both teams would need to agree before the series starts if they want to switch to a different ball. If the ICC Board approves it in its May 30 meeting, the rule would begin from October 1 this year.

The CEC meeting also talked about another idea, which is allowing the head coach to come onto the field during drink breaks in ODI matches.

As per the current rules, only substitute players are allowed to come onto the field during the drinks break, something that could now change in the future.

In ODI matches, there are two drink breaks in each innings, usually taken about 70 minutes apart. If this change is approved, the head coach would get a chance to speak with players twice during the innings through these breaks.

The ICC also looked at a small change for T20Is, suggesting the innings break could be cut from 20 minutes down to 15 minutes.

"There shall be a 20-minute interval between innings, taken from the call of Time before the interval until the call of Play on resumption after the interval," the existing ICC rule states.

Meanwhile, another idea discussed at the ICC CEC meeting was to allow on-field umpires to use HawkEye data during matches. This would help them check bowlers who may have illegal bowling actions, as part of efforts to deal more strictly with suspect actions.