THE International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced it will introduce major rule changes to one-day international matches on a 10-month trial basis starting on July 30.
The major alterations, which were approved at a meeting of the governing body's chief executives' committee (CEC) in London, involve an extension of the current 15 overs fielding restrictions and the introduction of replacement players. Under the new rules there will be an increase from 15 to 20 overs of restrictions where teams are only allowed two players outside the 30-yard circle.
Unlike the present system, where the fielding restrictions are only in place for the first 15 overs, the new set-up means they will apply for the first 10 overs of every innings plus two additional blocks of five overs which must be selected by the fielding captain.
The CEC decided that the additional close-catcher field restrictions, where two stationary players must be within the 15-yard inner circle, should only apply for the first 10 overs.
The CEC also approved the introduction of football-style replacements, which will permit sides to replace a player at any stage of a match.
The replaced player will be ruled out of the rest of the match, while the replacement will be entitled to assume any remaining batting or bowling duties. Both players will receive a cap.
Currently substitutes in all forms of cricket are generally only permitted to field.
The two innovations may be trialled during the NatWest Challenge between England and Australia starting on July 7 at Headingley.
However, the England and Wales Cricket Board and Cricket Australia will both need to give their consent before the new rules can be introduced in the three-game series.
The changes will be be reviewed by the ICC's cricket committee, chaired by former India batsman Sunil Gavaskar.
As well as the one-day changes, a proposal to undertake a technology trial during the Super Series in Australia in October was also approved.
This will allow on-field umpires to consult with the TV umpire on any aspect of any decision, with the final decision remaining with the on-field umpire.
The only exceptions to this will be line decisions, which will be dealt with by the TV umpire in the same manner as at present, and clean catches, where the existing process will also be retained.
Meanwhile, the ICC also announced the establishment of an expert panel to work with the game's lawmakers, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), and manufacturers to review the rules governing cricket bats.
Concerns have been expressed that some leading players' bats exceed the permitted width of four-and-a-quarter inches and that, following a banned practice in baseball, some bats have been injected with cork in a bid to increase their power.
Law Six, the rule relating to bats, currently states that "the blade of the bat shall be made solely of wood".
In particular, the CEC considered the specific case of the controversial Kookaburra bat used by several international players, including Australia captain Ricky Ponting.
These have a thin film of graphite running down the back in a bid to strengthen the blade.
The CEC did not make a definitive judgment but agreed that the bats should be allowed pending a final decision from the MCC on their legality in relation to current regulations.
