ICC amends rules in ODIs, bonus for bowlers

New Delhi: The ICC Annual Conference concluded in Barbados and several key changes were implemented in the One Day Internationals format.

The ICC conference was held under the chairmanship of N Srinivasan. Among the discussions held, decisions made and reports received were:

The ICC Board noted amendments to the ICC playing conditions, which were approved by the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee on Monday and Tuesday. These playing conditions will come into effect for series starting on or after 5 July 2015.

The key changes were:

No compulsory catchers in overs 1-10 (ODIs)

No batting Powerplay between overs 15-40 (ODIs)

Five fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle in overs 41-50 (ODIs)

All “no balls”, not just “foot faults”, to result in a free hit (ODIs & T20Is)

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said: “We have thoroughly reviewed the ODI format after a very successful ICC Cricket World Cup. There was no need to make any radical changes to what has proved to be a vibrant and popular format but we wanted to take this opportunity to make the format simpler and easier to follow for the public as well as maintaining a balance between bat and ball.

“In making these adjustments, we have tried to ensure that ODI cricket retains the attacking, aggressive and thrilling brand, which has recently become the hallmark of 50-over cricket and sets us on a positive path to the next World Cup in England in 2019.”

(With inputs from ICC official site)