5 changes to ODI cricket rules over the years

#3 Two new balls from both ends

Has the new ball change actually hurt the bowlers more?

The introduction of two new balls in ODIs has drastically changed the game since its introduction in 2011. It was meant to provide the bowlers with something more and bring the much needed balance in the game but instead it helped the batsmen clobber the same bowlers all over.

Before 2011, the wear and tear on the ball after 40 odd overs helped the bowlers exploit the conditions to extract some reverse swing and restrict the batsmen. After the two-ball rule though, the tables turned in favour of the batsmen.

Apart from Pakistan, no other team has been able to reverse 20-over old balls in the ODIs and that is one of the reasons why the ICC is considering to change the rule to two balls in the first 30 overs and then giving the fielding team the right to choose one of the two old balls in the next 20 overs.