The ICC is considering moving away from the rule of using two balls in an innings to bring balance to the bat-ball battle in ODIs. This week, the ICC meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe, recommended using one ball from the 35th over in an innings. That is, two balls will be used from both ends until the 34th over in an innings in ODIs. But from the 35th over, it has been recommended to use one ball at both ends of the bowling.
The recommendation was made to the ICC board's chief executives by the men's cricket committee, headed by former India captain and former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly. The fielding team will start bowling with two new balls at both ends, which is the current rule. The recommendation says that the fielding team will decide which of the two balls will be used from the 35th over of the innings. The ball that will not be used will be kept as an extra ball. If the ball used is lost or damaged, the extra ball will be used.
The cricket committee had thought about using one ball after 25 overs. ESPN Cricinfo reported that the committee members did not get much response on this issue. They thought it would be more logical to use two balls from both ends for 17 overs and then choose only one ball for the rest of the innings. The cricket boards of various countries will have to express their views on this issue within this month. Based on the consent of the boards, it will be included in the ODI playing conditions, which can be finalized at the ICC annual general meeting next July. The approval of the ICC board is not required for changing the rules of playing conditions.
624.571 SRY