ICC approves major changes to cricket laws

LAHORE: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has agreed to adopt major changes in the laws of the game to allow on-field umpires to send-off players for serious discipline breaches during matches.

The ICC said in a statement that all major recommendations made by the cricket committee related to playing conditions and cricket laws have been accepted.

“The Chief Executives’ Committee approves all recommendations from the committee. This includes the use of DRS in all T20 International games and teams not losing a review when an lbw decision is upheld on umpire’s call,” the statement said.

“The 80-over top-up of reviews in Test cricket has been removed,” it added.

The minimum standard for the use of DRS for international cricket was also agreed that includes the mandatory use of accredited ball tracking and edge detection technology.

The board also approved giving umpires the power to send-off players in response to most serious incidents of player misconduct, such as violence on the field.

“All Members have agreed to implement this in full. All other offences would continue to be dealt with under the ICC Code of Conduct.”

Other major changes to the laws that will be adopted by the ICC are the restriction on bat dimensions. These new rules will come into effect from October 1.