ICC ratifies rules changes

The International Cricket Council has confirmed a number of changes to playing conditions that will come into effect from Wednesday.

No substitutes for 'comfort breaks'

The International Cricket Council has confirmed a number of changes to playing conditions that will come into effect from Wednesday. All future Tests and one-day internationals will now be played under the revised laws after an the ICC committee ratified the proposals. Amongst the changes include the rule that all catches can now be referred to the third umpire when the on-field officials are unsure as to the validity of an appeal. The practice of players leaving the field for 'comfort breaks' and replaced by substitutes has been outlawed, with the new rules stating that it does not represent 'wholly acceptable' justification. In one-day internationals, one of the two options power-plays - periods of five overs when fielding restrictions are applied - is to be picked by the batting side. Current rules have a 10-over enforced power-play, with the fielding captain choosing the timing of the next two. Another alteration gives the umpires the chance to reduce the interval between innings when the game has been delayed or interrupted. An ICC statement read: "These amendments, which were unanimously approved by all 10 full members and the three associate member representatives on the CEC at its meeting at the end of June, are designed to improve the game for players, umpires and spectators."