The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved a series of changes aimed at reducing interruptions, improving match management and modernising the game, with the most notable being a trial of pink balls in Test matches threatened by bad light.
The changes, approved during the ICC Board meeting in Ahmedabad, will come into effect from October 1, 2026, and include the permanent adoption of the leg-side wides trial, coach-player consultations during drinks breaks, the use of Hawk-Eye data for illegal bowling action reviews, and mandatory 15-minute intervals in T20 Internationals.
Why does the ICC want pink balls in daytime Test matches?
The ICC has approved a trial allowing the use of a pink ball in Test matches when poor light or weather-related interruptions threaten to reduce playing time.
Unlike the traditional red ball, the pink ball is easier to see under floodlights and in fading light conditions. The move is intended to help matches continue for longer periods rather than being stopped early because umpires deem conditions unsafe for visibility.
The trial will only take place with prior agreement from both participating teams.
Other key changes approved by the ICC
1. Permanent adoption of leg-side wides trial
The ICC has approved the permanent implementation of the leg-side wides trial, which was tested in selected competitions. The move is designed to bring greater consistency to wide-ball decisions.
2. Coaches can speak to players during drinks breaks
Head coaches or designated team representatives will now be allowed to consult players during scheduled drinks intervals, providing teams with greater tactical flexibility during matches.
3. Hawk-Eye data for illegal bowling actions
Match officials will be able to access Hawk-Eye technology when assessing potentially illegal bowling actions, giving them additional data to support reporting decisions.
4. Mandatory 15-minute interval in T20Is
All T20 International matches will now have a compulsory 15-minute break between innings to ensure consistency across competitions. To improve over-rate management and reduce delays, batters will be required to be prepared immediately when play resumes following breaks or interruptions.
5. Research into lighting technology
The ICC and the Marylebone Cricket Club will jointly fund research into advanced lighting technology for venues and match officials to reduce the amount of play lost due to poor visibility.
6. List A status clarification
The ICC has confirmed that teams competing in the ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League will remain eligible to play other List A limited-overs matches during each Challenge League cycle.
What happens next?
While most of the playing-condition changes and updated MCC Laws will take effect from October 1, 2026, the pink-ball proposal will initially be trialled before any decision is taken on broader implementation in Test cricket. The experiment is part of the ICC’s wider effort to maximise playing time and improve the spectator experience without altering the fundamental nature of the longest format.