ICC bring pink-ball trial, new penalties for batters

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday introduced a trial allowing pink balls in daytime Test matches and tougher penalties for time-wasting batters as part of sweeping changes to international cricket’s playing conditions, effective from 1 October.

In another move to protect playing time, batters in men’s cricket will face escalating penalties for failing to be ready for the next delivery within the prescribed time.

The first offence will attract a warning, followed by a final warning for the second. A third and every subsequent offence will result in five penalty runs for the fielding side, while repeated breaches could also trigger Code of Conduct action.

Time-wasting became a talking point during the Lord’s Test in 2025, when India captain Shubman Gill alleged that his confrontation with Zak Crawley stemmed from the England opener and Ben Duckett arriving at the crease seemingly 90 seconds late to face the final over of Day Three.

The cricket governing body has also introduced separate ball size and weight specifications for men’s, women’s and junior cricket.

A new men’s ball must weigh 5.5 to 5.75 ounces (156-163 grams), with a circumference of 22.4 to 22.9 centimetres. The women’s ball must weigh 5 to 5.25 ounces (142-149 grams), measuring 21.5 to 22 centimetres in circumference.