Image Credit- BCCI
Changes to the terms of play for all formats have been
implemented in the new year; some of these may not have been properly
publicised. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken a notable stand
against a long-standing player exploit.
This rule change relates to the umpire’s evaluation of
a stumping; it will no longer evaluate the caught-behind situation and will
only consider side-on replays. Players have often pleaded for stumping,
therefore guaranteeing a review for a caught-behind appeal, since a successful
stumping appeal spares the fielding team from using a review.
The Australian team, which included wicketkeeper Alex
Carey behind the stumps, made multiple stumping appeals during the last home
series against Australia last year. This resulted in a review of the
caught-behind appeal without the need to employ the Decision Review System
(DRS). From now on, stumping appeals will only display replays from the side-on
cameras, thus a fielding side will need to use a review for a caught-behind
plea.
Says the new rule: “The change confines a
stumping review to only check for stumped, therefore preventing the fielding
team a free review for other modes of dismissal (i.e, caught behind) without
choosing a player review.” The rule change had come into effect from
December 12, 2023.
Another rule change is about clarity on concussion
replacement. “(It) provides clarity in the regulations to ensure that a
replacement player will not be permitted to bowl if the replaced player was
suspended from bowling at the time of their concussion.”
Auto no-ball: “The third umpire will have broader
scope to automatically check all forms of foot fault no ball in addition to the
front foot.
On Field Injury Assessment and Treatment:
“Clarifies the time limit (maximum four minutes) allowed for an on-field
assessment or treatment of an injury.”