The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a fresh set of changes to the playing conditions for international men’s and women’s cricket, with the new regulations coming into effect from October 1, 2026. Under the new rules, a team can be penalised five runs when one of their batters is repeatedly found guilty of failing to be ready for the next delivery within the permitted time.

The first offence will result in a warning, while a second offence will carry a final warning. If the same batter commits another time-wasting offence, five runs will be awarded to the fielding side. Every additional offence can result in another five-run penalty.

"If a batter is not ready to face the ball within the prescribed time, a warning will be issued for the first offence, a final warning for the ‌second, ⁠and five penalty runs awarded to the fielding side for the third and each subsequent offence," the ICC said in a statement on Thursday. 

The ICC has also tightened the rules surrounding the size and weight of cricket balls used in women's international cricket. Earlier, manufacturers could produce a ball suitable for both women's and junior cricket. Now, as per revised rules, there are separate specifications for men's, women's and junior cricket. For women's cricket, the ball must weigh between 5 and 5.25 ounces (142-149 grams) and measure between 21.5 and 22 centimetres in circumference.

"For women’s and junior cricket, manufacturers have often produced a single ball for both categories. New limits have now been introduced, establishing three distinct size and weight specifications for men’s, women’s and junior cricket,” the ICC statement said. 

The ICC has also provided clarification on dismissals pertaining to a run-out or stumping. For the ball to be regarded as being in a fielder’s possession, the player must have complete control of the ball in order for it to be regarded as being in a fielder’s possession. Simply making contact with the ball as it hits the stumps will not be enough.

In another change, teams can now agree before a daytime Test begins to use the pink ball, traditionally associated with day-night Tests. However, the decision must be taken before the match starts and cannot be changed once the match has started. Moreover, a team cannot switch from a red ball to a pink one during an ongoing Test.