New ICC rules effective from October 1 allow umpires to dismiss players for serious misconduct

The International Cricket Council’s Chief Executives Committee has approved several changes proposed by its Cricket Committee, including authorising umpires on the field of play to remove players in cases of serious misconduct, including violence, according to a media release from the ICC on Friday.

With the ICC ratifying the new changes, the laws are expected to come into effect on October 1.

The changes were proposed by the committee headed by Anil Kumble at the ICC’s annual conference recently. Other changes include the provision that teams will not lose a review if a Decision Review System appeal they have lodged for a leg-before wicket decision results in an “Umpires Call” conclusion

This change in the DRS rule will be effective for all formats including Tests, where the top-up of reviews after the completion of 80 overs has been scrapped. All of ICC’s member nations unanimously agreed to the implementation of all these changes.

There are more changes to the existing laws with restrictions on the size of a bat, including edge thickness and depth. A batsman will no longer be declared run out if the bat is in the air after the batter has reached the crease. Currently, if the bat has bounced after touching the ground behind the crease and the wickets are dislodged, a batter is declared run out.