New ODI Rules

The new ICC rules for ODI include -

• Two new balls to be used in each innings of a match. Under this rule, bowlers from both the ends will have to use separate new balls. Expectedly, this might reduce the reverse swing effect for fast bowlers due to lesser wear and tear of ball. At the same time, this could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for batsmen, as better condition of ball could provide better visibility.

• Lose wicket if batsman obstructs the field. This essentially means that the batsmen can no longer play fool with the hard efforts of fielders, having a go at the stumps in an attempt to run-out a batsman. If the umpire feels fit, he can adjudicate the batsman as out for obstructing the field.

•  Second and third Powerplay between 16-40^th over. By this new rule, ICC potentially wants to make the boring middle over quota more interesting by inducing mandatory powerplay blocks in the 50 over format of the game.

•  No more Runner help for batsman. The rule will not allow any batsman to access a runner in case of injuries. An injured batsman who is not willing to stretch himself on the field anymore, need to leave the ground as retired hurt from the game.

•  Bowlers can run-out a batsman at the non-striker’s end at any time before releasing the ball. This will prompt batsman to run aggressively between the wickets, yet play with thorough gamesmanship while at non-striker’s end.