DUBAI: The International Cricket Council on Monday has announced changes to its Playing Conditions that will come into effect from June 1 this year during England and Ireland Test match at the Lord’s.
The decisions were taken after the Chief Executives’ Committee ratified recommendations from Men’s Cricket Committee.
The changes were also endorsed by the Women’s Cricket Committee.
“Soft signals have been discussed at previous cricket committee meetings over the last couple of years. The committee deliberated this at length and concluded that soft signals were unnecessary and at times confusing since referrals of catches may seem inconclusive in replays,” said Sourav Ganguly, head of Men’s Cricket Committee.
“We also discussed player safety, which is very important for us. The committee decided that it was best to make the use of helmets mandatory in certain positions to ensure the safety of players.”
The main changes to the playing conditions are as follows:
Soft signal: Umpires will no longer be required to give a soft signal while referring decisions to the TV umpires. The on-field umpires will consult with the TV umpire before any decisions are taken.
Helmets: Helmet protection will be mandatory in international cricket for the following high injury risk positions: (i) when batters are facing fast bowlers, (ii) when wicketkeepers are standing up to the stumps, and (iii) when fielders are close to the batter in front of the wicket.
Runs off a Free Hit: Any runs scored off a Free Hit when the ball hits the stumps will count as runs scored, to be consistent with all other runs scored from a free hit.
(ICC Media)
