In a significant move for fair play, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has implemented rule changes, effective since December 12, 2023. The most notable alteration pertains to stumping reviews, restricting the third umpire to side-on cameras for verdicts, eliminating scrutiny of bat-ball contact.
Under the amended rules, teams seeking to review caught-behind appeals in stumping scenarios must utilize a separate DRS option specifically designated for caught-behind appeals. This change addresses instances like the one in the Test series against India, where Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey used a review for a caught-behind appeal post-stumping without utilizing the team’s DRS option.
The ICC’s updated regulation states, “The new rule limits the review of stumpings only to the investigation of stumpings, therefore the fielding team will not get free reviews for any other outage investigation during the review.”
Concussion replacement rules have also undergone clarification. If a player with a concussion is suspended from bowling, the substitute player will not be permitted to bowl. Additionally, the ICC has set a four-minute time limit for the assessment and treatment of on-field injuries.
While these ICC rule changes are in effect globally, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has opted to maintain certain rules, including those related to dead ball and two bouncers per over. These rules were implemented during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy last year and will continue in the upcoming Ranji Trophy starting this Friday.
