International cricket is not a joke at all, the emotions and hard work it holds are actually too much to be held by both, be it players or audience. Cricket has a lot of enthusiasm and critical situations all at once within itself.  

When we talk about cricket, it is not just the match on the field which is going on. We also are talking about the things involved in its management for a smooth running. In this article, we will be talking about the new guidelines issued by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the bowlers. These guidelines issued by ICC were done before the cricket resumption.  

Here are a few listed guidelines for the bowlers that are needed to be taken care of in order to maintain a better and healthy competition during the matches.  

The Stop Clock Rule  

This rule is established by the International Cricket Council to take care of the time being wasted so that the flow of the match is maintained. Here are a few points listed in this rule –  

1. Implementation Date – This rule has been in action since June 1st, 2024, and is implemented in all One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty-20 Internationals (T20Is)  
2. Details – Every new over will have to be started within 60 seconds and the timer for the same will be displayed on the big screen.  
3. Purpose – This is done to maintain the time as well as flow, and the matches are completed within the planned time schedule.  

Laws Against Illegal Bowling Actions 

The International Cricket Council has set a few laws in order to make sure that the match is played with no ill practices, and that there is fair play.  

We will first know what is considered to be illegal bowling. When the bowler’s elbow extends more than 15 degrees between the horizontal position and the point when the ball is released is considered to be an illegal ball.  

So now if any of the ballers use this illegal way of bawling then they have to face serious consequences decided as per the ICC’s new rules.  

The consequences are that they will be reported for their illegal actions and might even be suspended from bowling in international matches. This suspension will last till they pass the assessment and undergo a definite remedial time period given by the ICC for the illegal bowling. 

New Updates for the Playing Conditions by ICC  

The new rules are not just to provide a tough time for the bowlers but also they are to improve the bowling conditions for the players and especially for the bowlers. These rules will bring clarity and consistency to the match and will retain its flow throughout the match.  

These new rules have led to the enhancement of playing conditions in every format for each and every match which includes Test matches, One Day Internationals, and Twenty20 Internationals and the updates are as of December 2023.  

The thing that has key change is that there will be notable documentation for the bowlers, this will include the regulation on player conduct, equipment specifications, and match scheduling.  

While these were the basic including factors that are supposed to be followed for better gameplay. We will now state the more important features and rules in order to make sure that the bowlers do not face any kind of stress, or injury and avoid any other kind of work load. 

These measures were made in the year 2020 by the medical team of the International Cricket Council during the time of COVID-19 these are –  

1. Health and safety – The players were properly educated and were awakened about all the risks. They were promoted to apply prevention measures between the players as well as staff.  
2. Hygiene practices – Regular handwashing and the use of sanitizers were implemented to ensure the disinfection of players as well as the equipment. 
3. Monitoring and Testing – Under the COVID-19 rules proper screening of the players under the protocols established then. 

Training and Match Preparations  

While it was the pandemic time and the players were supposed to train for their matches, it was done by taking proper measures to avoid any kind of mishappening. The players were out in the field in individual sessions and if necessary, they were allowed in small groups only, and that too by following each and every COVID-19 protocol.  

In order to ensure that bowlers do not face any kind of work load and it is well managed the environment for the players was created so they do not face any kind of unhealthy situations and the minimum physical be it direct or indirect contact happened to avoid any kind of risk.  

Regulatory Adjustments  

While the bowlers and fielders used to have direct contact with the ball, so they were asked to follow regulatory measures so that healthy and risk free matches could be played and also no one was infected as well.  

Hence the ban was implemented on the use of saliva on the ball which fielders and bowlers are quite used to which was a measure to control the spreading of the deadly virus.  

FAQs  

Ques – What is the ICC rule for bowlers? 

Ans- As defined above the bowlers should not extend the measure of 15 degrees between their arm reaching the horizontal and the ball release. 

Ques- What are the new ball rules in ICC? 

Ans- As per the new ball rule of ICC it should not weigh less than 5.5 ounces or 155.9 grams to the minimum and as for the maximum it should not exceed more than, 5.75 ounces or 163 grams. As for the measure, it should not be less than 22.4 cm and not more than 33.9 cm. 

Ques- What is a legal bowling action? 

Ans- In order to a fair bowling the laws 24(2) and 24(3) of cricket must be followed.  

Ques- Can a bowler change on a free hit? 

Ans- No.