Ahmedabad (Sports Desk) The ICC Board meeting has approved an important experimental measure aimed at reducing playing time lost due to poor light in Test cricket.
Under the new decision, in Test matches where there is a risk of play being affected by poor light, the use of a pink ball instead of the traditional red ball will be allowed with the consent of both teams before the start of the match.
The pink ball has so far only been used in day-night Test matches; however, this new initiative aims to allow play to continue under floodlights and reduce the number of overs lost due to bad light.
The ICC has also approved several other key changes in One Day and T20 International cricket, under which head coaches or designated support staff will be allowed to enter the field during drinks breaks to consult with players.
Furthermore, the T20 International format will now have a 15-minute interval between innings, while guidelines for judging leg-side wide deliveries have been made a permanent part of the laws.
In addition, umpires will now be given access to Hawk-Eye data for reviewing suspicious bowling actions, a move expected to increase transparency in decision-making.