The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved a trial of the pink ball in all Test matches to counter bad-light interruptions, allowing play to continue under floodlights. The decision was taken at the ICC Board meetings held in Ahmedabad on 1 June 2025, with the governing body releasing a formal statement on Monday outlining a sweeping set of rule changes aimed at modernising the game.

Key Decisions from the ICC Board Meeting

The Board approved several recommendations from the Chief Executives Committee, the most significant being the pink ball trial in Tests. Both teams must agree in advance before a pink ball is used in a given match, and the measure is designed to maximise playing time when bad light is anticipated. Alongside this, the ICC will co-fund research and development projects with the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) to explore improved lighting technology for match officials and venues — a longer-term structural fix to reduce overs lost to poor conditions.

Match officials have also been empowered to access Hawk-Eye data when evaluating and reporting suspected illegal bowling actions, bringing greater technological rigour to a process that has historically relied on visual assessment alone.

Playing Conditions Updated: Coaches, T20I Intervals, and Batter Readiness

In a notable change to team operations, head coaches or their designated representatives will now be permitted to consult with players during scheduled drinks intervals. This formalises on-field coaching access that was previously restricted, and could influence in-match tactical decisions at the highest level.

For the shortest format, T20I matches will now be required to have a mandatory 15-minute interval. Additionally, batters must be ready to resume play at the scheduled restart — a measure aimed at reducing time wasted between overs and at innings breaks.

Legside Wides Rule Made Permanent from October 2026

The ICC has confirmed the permanent adoption of the legside wides trial, along with all remaining MCC Laws of Cricket changes, effective 1 October 2026. The legside wides trial had been under evaluation across formats, and its full adoption signals the ICC's satisfaction with how it has functioned in competitive play. This is a meaningful shift in how umpires will adjudicate deliveries angled down the leg side.

Classification of Official Cricket Updated

The Board also approved updates to the Classification of Official Cricket, confirming that teams competing in the CWC Challenge League remain eligible to play other List A limited-overs matches during each Challenge League tournament cycle. The clarification protects the competitive calendar for associate and emerging cricket nations.

What This Means for the Game

Taken together, the changes reflect the ICC's dual focus: protecting playing time — particularly in the five-day format — while tightening administrative and officiating standards. The pink ball trial is the headline move, but the Hawk-Eye bowling-action provision and the permanent legside wides adoption carry equal long-term significance. The next phase will depend on how teams, broadcasters, and venues respond to the pink ball option in Test conditions, with findings expected to inform a more permanent policy decision.