New ODI rules announced at ICC Annual Conference

An ODI match in progress

Some new ODI rules have been introduced by the ICC as a result of the ICC Annual Conference in Barbados, bringing in some changes which have been widely called for by captains and coaches of several teams in the past.

ICC CEO Dave Richardson, in a press conference on Friday, listed the changes one-day cricket is about to see – with a closer contest between the bat and the ball being the need of the hour.

The Batting powerplay is to be done away with.

A free-hit will be awarded to the batsman for all no-balls, instead of being reserved for overstepping only.

Whether or not the Decision Review System will be put into use will depend on the respective cricket boards of the countries.

And finally, in the most anticipated change in ODI rules for fielding team captains, five fielders will be allowed outside the 30-yard circle in the last 10 overs of an innings.

The previously existing rule stated that only four fielders can be placed outside the 30-yard circle during the regular overs, and that number is further reduced during the powerplay overs, helping batsmen to score at a brisk pace throughout the match.

Richardson further said that the world cricket body has approved a strategy which is aimed at making cricket the most popular sport globally.

We don't know yet from when the new playing conditions will come into effect. May be from October 2015. Waiting for ICC press release....

— Mazher Arshad (@cricket_U) June 26, 2015

ICC, whose chairman avoids his presser, who snub Olympics, who shrink their World Cup, want #cricket to be world's favourite sport. Truly

— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) June 26, 2015