Sun Jun 01 14:50:00 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**ICC Announces Major Playing Condition Changes: Single Ball ODIs and Concussion Sub Updates Coming Soon**

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced significant changes to its playing conditions, including the return to a single ball in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and revised concussion replacement rules. The changes will take effect immediately in Test matches starting June 17th with the Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh match and will be implemented in international white-ball games starting July 2nd with the Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh ODI series.

The most notable change for ODIs is the phasing out of the two-ball rule. Currently, each innings utilizes two new balls. Under the new regulations, two new balls will be used for the first 34 overs, after which the fielding team will select one of the two balls to be used for the remainder of the innings (overs 35-50). This chosen ball will be used at both ends, unless it requires replacement.

The ICC is also revising its concussion replacement rules. Teams will now be required to nominate five concussion replacement players before each match: a wicketkeeper, a batter, a seam bowler, a spinner, and an all-rounder. In extraordinary circumstances where a concussion replacement player themselves suffers a concussion, the match referee will consider a replacement outside of the five nominated players. Existing like-for-like replacement protocols will still apply.

Minor adjustments to boundary line catches and DRS clauses will also be implemented, with further details to be released later.

The upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final between Australia and South Africa will be played under the existing rules. The new Test playing conditions will come into force from the start of the next WTC cycle.

These changes have been approved by the Chief Executives Committee (CEC) and the future of formats to be used at the Under 19 World Cup will be decided at the next meeting of the Annual Conference to be held from July 17-20 in Singapore.

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