The game of Cricket is no longer played the way it was initially started. A hundred and forty-five years since the first-ever international match was played, cricket has evolved into a sport loved by many across the globe.

Established in 1909, the Imperial Cricket Board, presently, the International Cricket Council (<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/womens-world-cup-2022-iccs-blunder-creates-confusion-over-ind-sa-warm-up-game-result-yastika-bhatia-comes-out-to-clarify/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ICC</a>), was created to formulate a set of rules and regulations for the sport and also serve as a governing body for international matches. From three teams, in the beginning, the sport has expanded to 105 members which are associated with the council. However, with changing times, the rules must adapt to new circumstances. Hence, here is a list of-

6 cricket rules ICC should be looking to change

1. Naming the concussion substitute&nbsp;

<img class="size-full wp-image-364772" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Dean-Elgar-concussion.jpg" alt="Dean Elgar" width="640" loading="lazy"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-364772" class="wp-caption-text">Dean Elgar. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

The cricketing world saw the young Aussie – Marnus Labuschagne walk up to the crease during a Test match (England vs Australia) in 2019, scripting his name as the first concussion substitute of the sport. While this concept had often been spoken about, it came into effect when Steven Smith suffered a blow from Jofra Archer in that match.

A concussion substitute is essentially a replacement for the player who suffered a concussion. This replacement is no less than any other player in the XI, who can bat, field and bowl as well. This sets the concussion substitute apart from a regular substitute. The rule was drafted into the ICC’s rule book in 2019 keeping in mind the increased danger that head injuries posed. While the ICC had taken a step in the right direction, this rule has come under scrutiny in recent times.

A concussion substitute is a way to help the team overcome and cover up for the concussed player services. However, exploiting this advantage by bringing in a specialist finisher during the final stages of a match, or a spinner at a spinning deck is certainly against the spirit of the game. While this means getting a like-for-like replacement for the concussed player, India during its T20I against Australia in 2020 got Yuzvendra Chahal, a match-winning spinner to replace the all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja during their bowling innings. It ignited controversy as Jadeja didn’t take a concussion test at the time he suffered the blow, but was replaced after the end of the innings under unusual circumstances.

Moreover, this rule doesn’t stop teams from taking advantage in a big tournament like the World cup and changing strategies as per the situation of the match. Therefore, to overcome this, the ICC should look into the rule and make it mandatory for the concussion substitutes to be named while the teams announce their playing XI, only to level the playing field for both the teams.

2. The toss system in Test cricket

<img class="size-full wp-image-296461" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Virat-Kohli-toss.jpg" alt="Virat Kohli" width="640" loading="lazy"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-296461" class="wp-caption-text">Virat Kohli. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)</figcaption>

Time and again, we have been made to believe that toss can be a game decider. This often holds higher value in the longest format of the game. Even the best of the in-form player finds it hard to adapt to overseas conditions initially. Therefore, one of the most vital strategies is formulated way before the first delivery is bowled- the toss.

Let’s take the Indian pitches as an example. India is often associated with sporting a spinning track. It is a struggle for the touring team’s players to withstand the spin during the last days of the Test. Therefore, the team winning the toss chooses to bat first, more often than not. This might change in the English or certain Australian green top conditions where teams fielding first have won about 18% more games than they have lost.

To give the touring team some leverage and the fans an exciting game of cricket, the ICC should look into the traditional rule of flicking the coin in Test cricket. While the host teams enjoy the home advantages, as they should, the touring team should not be bound to the fortune of the coin. Therefore, doing away with the toss in Test cricket and giving the touring team, the option to bat or bowl first will increase the competitiveness over the five days.

3. Preponing breaks during a delay in Test matches

<img class="size-full wp-image-357260" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/CT_346493.jpg" alt="Afghanistan v Sri Lanka - ICC Cricket World Cup 2019" width="640" loading="lazy"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-357260" class="wp-caption-text">CARDIFF, WALES – JUNE 04: A general view of the covers as rain delays play during the Group Stage match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)</figcaption>

One of the most unpredictable and unavoidable factors of any sport is the weather. While the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/india-vs-sri-lanka-weather-forecast-dharamsala-weather-during-2nd-t20i/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">weather</a> holds no importance in certain sports, cricket mandates a dry pitch and outfield.

The five-day-long Test match is divided into three sessions with two breaks – lunch and tea – taken at an interval of approximately 30 overs each. During times when the weather plays the spoilsport, there is a delay in proceedings. The reasons could be due to rain and thunderstorm or even bad lighting. Under such circumstances, match officials generally decide to prepone the breaks by calling an early lunch on many occasions. What happens in such a situation is that the playing duration is cut, and the overs lost out are generally bowled towards the end of the day, in the extra hour allotted.

Often, to maintain the schedule of sessions despite the stoppage of rain or the readiness of the ground, the traditional lunchtime or breaks are taken. This preponement despite ideal playing conditions may disrupt the strategies of the teams who were looking to exploit the conditions under clouds. These final remaining overs may be the difference between a win and a draw such as the 2021’s World Test Championship finals.

The ICC committee should therefore look into the existing rule and alter it in such a way that the match commences right after rain stops and when the ground is ready and safe to play on, instead of delaying things for traditional breaks. The session breaks can further be delayed for the teams to get the maximum overs possible out of the day’s play.

4. Decisions based on soft signals

<img class="size-full wp-image-576595" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Headingley-cricket-ground.jpg" alt="Headingly cricket ground" width="640" loading="lazy"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-576595" class="wp-caption-text">Headingly cricket ground. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)</figcaption>

Soft signals have often become the nemesis of many players in the past. And so, a lot of times these decisions have translated into burning controversies, as we continue to debate the existence of soft signals by the on-field umpire.

A soft signal is a decision (out/not out) taken by the on-field umpire based on intuition before referring it to the third umpire. This comes into play during a catch appeal where there isn’t conclusive evidence of whether the ball has carried and if the fingers are underneath the ball. The third umpire is bound to go with the soft signal if there is a lack of irrefutable evidence to show otherwise.

While many decisions taken by the third umpires have been controversial in the past, the soft signal controversy came to the limelight when <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/suryakumar-yadav-ruled-out-of-sri-lanka-t20is-due-to-hairline-fracture-on-hand/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Suryakumar Yadav </a>had to walk back in the face of a controversial catch from Dawid Malan. While some angles showed the fingers to be under the ball, the majority showed the ball to be hitting the ground. Nonetheless, the onfield soft signal of out prevailed. A recent example of this includes Virat Kohli’s dismissal in the first Test vs South Africa.

It will do no good to put the fielding team in the spot of bad spirit as the catcher doesn’t often have the eyes on the ball which goes for a catch. Likewise, once the ball is outside the inner circle, the on-field umpires can not judge a catch taken at the boundary through their naked eye. Following the footsteps of IPL which removed the use of soft signal, the ICC should also rethink this rule with immediate effect. An alternative could be to consider it a dead ball, indicating that it be re-bowled, in case of inconclusive evidence of a catch.

5. Role of a substitute player in T20I

<img class="size-full wp-image-550258" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Headingley-Stadium.jpg" alt="Headingley Stadium" width="640" loading="lazy"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-550258" class="wp-caption-text">Headingley Stadium. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/5-uncapped-indian-players-who-can-get-place-in-2022-t20-wc-with-a-good-ipl-season/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">T20</a> has been the format to evolve the most in recent times. The fastest and shortest format of the sport has managed to capture the eyes of many as the twenty-over match culminates innovative shots, thrilling catches, massive hits, and economical bowling. The ICC committee can look to make the format even more attractive by altering the rule about the substitute player.

Generally, in any format of cricket, both the teams contesting exchange their playing XI at the time of the toss. The team submitted, can not be changed excluding the rare concussion substitute or a substitute fielder coming in for a couple of overs. Since the format demands feisty and aggressive cricket in both innings, there is minimal scope of an error on the player’s part. A T20 game can change within an over, courtesy to a bad outing by a player.

To make the format entertaining and competitive, ICC can look to introduce a provision wherein a substitute player, capable of performing the roles of a playing XI player, is introduced in between a T20I game who can then be changed after one innings. According to the situation, the team can place the player to their advantage. A similar set-up called X factor was introduced by the Big Bash League in 2020. These players need to be amongst the ones nominated in the team sheet. A rule change like this may do wonders for the sport and might lead to a new era of cricket.

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1699287762854_Angelo-Mathews.jpeg" alt="Angelo Mathews" loading="lazy"><figcaption>Angelo Mathews. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)</figcaption>

The Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh Match 38 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 saw the first of its kind ‘timed out’ dismissal in international cricket as Sri Lankan batter <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/social-tracker-cricket/odi-world-cup-2023-angelo-mathews-share-video-evidence-showing-why-his-time-out-dismissal-was-incorrect/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Angelo Mathews</a> got the ignominy of being dismissed in such a manner against his name. Mathews failed to get ready to face the ball in the prescribed two-minute time period as per the playing conditions of the tournament. Hence, he was adjudged out following an appeal from Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan.<o:p></o:p>

According to the MCC Laws, the incoming batter must be ready to face the ball within three minutes after the retiring or dismissal of the previous batter. However, the playing conditions of the ODI World Cup 2023, which supersedes the MCC laws, stated that the batter must be ready within two minutes to face the ball which Mathews failed to fulfil according to the fourth umpire Adrian Holdstock.<o:p></o:p>

There was more twist in the tale as after the game, Mathews revealed that he had actually walked to the crease in the prescribed time period but a malfunctioned helmet forced him to ask for a change of his equipment. His request wasn’t considered by Shakib Al Hasan who didn’t withdraw his appeal forcing the umpire to adjudge him out.<o:p></o:p>

The incident once again sparked the debate around the spirit of cricket as the safety of a batter is paramount while facing a delivery, especially after the tragic death of former Australia cricketer Philip Hughes. Hence, the law must be altered to provide some leeway to the batters in exceptional cases where they may require some more time to get ready in a rare case of an equipment malfunction.<o:p></o:p>

The game of Cricket is no longer played the way it was initially started. A hundred and forty-five years since the first-ever international match was played, cricket has evolved into a sport loved by many across the globe.
Established in 1909, the Imperial Cricket Board, presently, the International Cricket Council (<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/womens-world-cup-2022-iccs-blunder-creates-confusion-over-ind-sa-warm-up-game-result-yastika-bhatia-comes-out-to-clarify/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ICC</a>), was created to formulate a set of rules and regulations for the sport and also serve as a governing body for international matches. From three teams, in the beginning, the sport has expanded to 105 members which are associated with the council. However, with changing times, the rules must adapt to new circumstances. Hence, here is a list of-
<h3>6 cricket rules ICC should be looking to change</h3>
<h3>1. Naming the concussion substitute&nbsp;</h3>
<figure id="attachment_364772" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-364772" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-364772" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Dean-Elgar-concussion.jpg" alt="Dean Elgar" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption id="caption-attachment-364772" class="wp-caption-text">Dean Elgar. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
The cricketing world saw the young Aussie – Marnus Labuschagne walk up to the crease during a Test match (England vs Australia) in 2019, scripting his name as the first concussion substitute of the sport. While this concept had often been spoken about, it came into effect when Steven Smith suffered a blow from Jofra Archer in that match.
A concussion substitute is essentially a replacement for the player who suffered a concussion. This replacement is no less than any other player in the XI, who can bat, field and bowl as well. This sets the concussion substitute apart from a regular substitute. The rule was drafted into the ICC’s rule book in 2019 keeping in mind the increased danger that head injuries posed. While the ICC had taken a step in the right direction, this rule has come under scrutiny in recent times.
A concussion substitute is a way to help the team overcome and cover up for the concussed player services. However, exploiting this advantage by bringing in a specialist finisher during the final stages of a match, or a spinner at a spinning deck is certainly against the spirit of the game. While this means getting a like-for-like replacement for the concussed player, India during its T20I against Australia in 2020 got Yuzvendra Chahal, a match-winning spinner to replace the all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja during their bowling innings. It ignited controversy as Jadeja didn’t take a concussion test at the time he suffered the blow, but was replaced after the end of the innings under unusual circumstances.
Moreover, this rule doesn’t stop teams from taking advantage in a big tournament like the World cup and changing strategies as per the situation of the match. Therefore, to overcome this, the ICC should look into the rule and make it mandatory for the concussion substitutes to be named while the teams announce their playing XI, only to level the playing field for both the teams.

<h3>2. The toss system in Test cricket</h3>
<figure id="attachment_296461" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-296461" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-296461" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Virat-Kohli-toss.jpg" alt="Virat Kohli" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption id="caption-attachment-296461" class="wp-caption-text">Virat Kohli. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
Time and again, we have been made to believe that toss can be a game decider. This often holds higher value in the longest format of the game. Even the best of the in-form player finds it hard to adapt to overseas conditions initially. Therefore, one of the most vital strategies is formulated way before the first delivery is bowled- the toss.
Let’s take the Indian pitches as an example. India is often associated with sporting a spinning track. It is a struggle for the touring team’s players to withstand the spin during the last days of the Test. Therefore, the team winning the toss chooses to bat first, more often than not. This might change in the English or certain Australian green top conditions where teams fielding first have won about 18% more games than they have lost.
To give the touring team some leverage and the fans an exciting game of cricket, the ICC should look into the traditional rule of flicking the coin in Test cricket. While the host teams enjoy the home advantages, as they should, the touring team should not be bound to the fortune of the coin. Therefore, doing away with the toss in Test cricket and giving the touring team, the option to bat or bowl first will increase the competitiveness over the five days.

<h3>3. Preponing breaks during a delay in Test matches</h3>
<figure id="attachment_357260" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-357260" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-357260" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/CT_346493.jpg" alt="Afghanistan v Sri Lanka - ICC Cricket World Cup 2019" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption id="caption-attachment-357260" class="wp-caption-text">CARDIFF, WALES – JUNE 04: A general view of the covers as rain delays play during the Group Stage match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
One of the most unpredictable and unavoidable factors of any sport is the weather. While the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/india-vs-sri-lanka-weather-forecast-dharamsala-weather-during-2nd-t20i/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">weather</a> holds no importance in certain sports, cricket mandates a dry pitch and outfield.
The five-day-long Test match is divided into three sessions with two breaks – lunch and tea – taken at an interval of approximately 30 overs each. During times when the weather plays the spoilsport, there is a delay in proceedings. The reasons could be due to rain and thunderstorm or even bad lighting. Under such circumstances, match officials generally decide to prepone the breaks by calling an early lunch on many occasions. What happens in such a situation is that the playing duration is cut, and the overs lost out are generally bowled towards the end of the day, in the extra hour allotted.
Often, to maintain the schedule of sessions despite the stoppage of rain or the readiness of the ground, the traditional lunchtime or breaks are taken. This preponement despite ideal playing conditions may disrupt the strategies of the teams who were looking to exploit the conditions under clouds. These final remaining overs may be the difference between a win and a draw such as the 2021’s World Test Championship finals.
The ICC committee should therefore look into the existing rule and alter it in such a way that the match commences right after rain stops and when the ground is ready and safe to play on, instead of delaying things for traditional breaks. The session breaks can further be delayed for the teams to get the maximum overs possible out of the day’s play.

<h3>4. Decisions based on soft signals</h3>
<figure id="attachment_576595" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-576595" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-576595" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Headingley-cricket-ground.jpg" alt="Headingly cricket ground" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption id="caption-attachment-576595" class="wp-caption-text">Headingly cricket ground. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
Soft signals have often become the nemesis of many players in the past. And so, a lot of times these decisions have translated into burning controversies, as we continue to debate the existence of soft signals by the on-field umpire.
A soft signal is a decision (out/not out) taken by the on-field umpire based on intuition before referring it to the third umpire. This comes into play during a catch appeal where there isn’t conclusive evidence of whether the ball has carried and if the fingers are underneath the ball. The third umpire is bound to go with the soft signal if there is a lack of irrefutable evidence to show otherwise.
While many decisions taken by the third umpires have been controversial in the past, the soft signal controversy came to the limelight when <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/suryakumar-yadav-ruled-out-of-sri-lanka-t20is-due-to-hairline-fracture-on-hand/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Suryakumar Yadav </a>had to walk back in the face of a controversial catch from Dawid Malan. While some angles showed the fingers to be under the ball, the majority showed the ball to be hitting the ground. Nonetheless, the onfield soft signal of out prevailed. A recent example of this includes Virat Kohli’s dismissal in the first Test vs South Africa.
It will do no good to put the fielding team in the spot of bad spirit as the catcher doesn’t often have the eyes on the ball which goes for a catch. Likewise, once the ball is outside the inner circle, the on-field umpires can not judge a catch taken at the boundary through their naked eye. Following the footsteps of IPL which removed the use of soft signal, the ICC should also rethink this rule with immediate effect. An alternative could be to consider it a dead ball, indicating that it be re-bowled, in case of inconclusive evidence of a catch.

<h3>5. Role of a substitute player in T20I</h3>
<figure id="attachment_550258" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-550258" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-550258" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Headingley-Stadium.jpg" alt="Headingley Stadium" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption id="caption-attachment-550258" class="wp-caption-text">Headingley Stadium. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/5-uncapped-indian-players-who-can-get-place-in-2022-t20-wc-with-a-good-ipl-season/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">T20</a> has been the format to evolve the most in recent times. The fastest and shortest format of the sport has managed to capture the eyes of many as the twenty-over match culminates innovative shots, thrilling catches, massive hits, and economical bowling. The ICC committee can look to make the format even more attractive by altering the rule about the substitute player.
Generally, in any format of cricket, both the teams contesting exchange their playing XI at the time of the toss. The team submitted, can not be changed excluding the rare concussion substitute or a substitute fielder coming in for a couple of overs. Since the format demands feisty and aggressive cricket in both innings, there is minimal scope of an error on the player’s part. A T20 game can change within an over, courtesy to a bad outing by a player.
To make the format entertaining and competitive, ICC can look to introduce a provision wherein a substitute player, capable of performing the roles of a playing XI player, is introduced in between a T20I game who can then be changed after one innings. According to the situation, the team can place the player to their advantage. A similar set-up called X factor was introduced by the Big Bash League in 2020. These players need to be amongst the ones nominated in the team sheet. A rule change like this may do wonders for the sport and might lead to a new era of cricket.
<h3 class="MsoNormal">6. Timed out Rule</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1699287762854_Angelo-Mathews.jpeg" alt="Angelo Mathews" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Angelo Mathews. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
The Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh Match 38 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 saw the first of its kind ‘timed out’ dismissal in international cricket as Sri Lankan batter <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/social-tracker-cricket/odi-world-cup-2023-angelo-mathews-share-video-evidence-showing-why-his-time-out-dismissal-was-incorrect/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Angelo Mathews</a> got the ignominy of being dismissed in such a manner against his name. Mathews failed to get ready to face the ball in the prescribed two-minute time period as per the playing conditions of the tournament. Hence, he was adjudged out following an appeal from Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan.<o:p></o:p>
According to the MCC Laws, the incoming batter must be ready to face the ball within three minutes after the retiring or dismissal of the previous batter. However, the playing conditions of the ODI World Cup 2023, which supersedes the MCC laws, stated that the batter must be ready within two minutes to face the ball which Mathews failed to fulfil according to the fourth umpire Adrian Holdstock.<o:p></o:p>
There was more twist in the tale as after the game, Mathews revealed that he had actually walked to the crease in the prescribed time period but a malfunctioned helmet forced him to ask for a change of his equipment. His request wasn’t considered by Shakib Al Hasan who didn’t withdraw his appeal forcing the umpire to adjudge him out.<o:p></o:p>
The incident once again sparked the debate around the spirit of cricket as the safety of a batter is paramount while facing a delivery, especially after the tragic death of former Australia cricketer Philip Hughes. Hence, the law must be altered to provide some leeway to the batters in exceptional cases where they may require some more time to get ready in a rare case of an equipment malfunction.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>
<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>

The game of Cricket is no longer played the way it was initially started. A hundred and forty-five years since the first-ever international match was played, cricket has evolved into a sport loved by many across the globe.
Established in 1909, the Imperial Cricket Board, presently, the International Cricket Council (<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/womens-world-cup-2022-iccs-blunder-creates-confusion-over-ind-sa-warm-up-game-result-yastika-bhatia-comes-out-to-clarify/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ICC</a>), was created to formulate a set of rules and regulations for the sport and also serve as a governing body for international matches. From three teams, in the beginning, the sport has expanded to 105 members which are associated with the council. However, with changing times, the rules must adapt to new circumstances. Hence, here is a list of-
<h3>6 cricket rules ICC should be looking to change</h3>
<h3>1. Naming the concussion substitute&nbsp;</h3>
<figure id="attachment_364772" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-364772" style="width: 640px;" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img class="size-full wp-image-364772" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Dean-Elgar-concussion.jpg" alt="Dean Elgar" width="640" loading="lazy">
<figcaption id="caption-attachment-364772" class="wp-caption-text">Dean Elgar. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
The cricketing world saw the young Aussie – Marnus Labuschagne walk up to the crease during a Test match (England vs Australia) in 2019, scripting his name as the first concussion substitute of the sport. While this concept had often been spoken about, it came into effect when Steven Smith suffered a blow from Jofra Archer in that match.
A concussion substitute is essentially a replacement for the player who suffered a concussion. This replacement is no less than any other player in the XI, who can bat, field and bowl as well. This sets the concussion substitute apart from a regular substitute. The rule was drafted into the ICC’s rule book in 2019 keeping in mind the increased danger that head injuries posed. While the ICC had taken a step in the right direction, this rule has come under scrutiny in recent times.
A concussion substitute is a way to help the team overcome and cover up for the concussed player services. However, exploiting this advantage by bringing in a specialist finisher during the final stages of a match, or a spinner at a spinning deck is certainly against the spirit of the game. While this means getting a like-for-like replacement for the concussed player, India during its T20I against Australia in 2020 got Yuzvendra Chahal, a match-winning spinner to replace the all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja during their bowling innings. It ignited controversy as Jadeja didn’t take a concussion test at the time he suffered the blow, but was replaced after the end of the innings under unusual circumstances.
Moreover, this rule doesn’t stop teams from taking advantage in a big tournament like the World cup and changing strategies as per the situation of the match. Therefore, to overcome this, the ICC should look into the rule and make it mandatory for the concussion substitutes to be named while the teams announce their playing XI, only to level the playing field for both the teams.

<h3>2. The toss system in Test cricket</h3>
<figure id="attachment_296461" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-296461" style="width: 640px;" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img class="size-full wp-image-296461" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Virat-Kohli-toss.jpg" alt="Virat Kohli" width="640" loading="lazy">
<figcaption id="caption-attachment-296461" class="wp-caption-text">Virat Kohli. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
Time and again, we have been made to believe that toss can be a game decider. This often holds higher value in the longest format of the game. Even the best of the in-form player finds it hard to adapt to overseas conditions initially. Therefore, one of the most vital strategies is formulated way before the first delivery is bowled- the toss.
Let’s take the Indian pitches as an example. India is often associated with sporting a spinning track. It is a struggle for the touring team’s players to withstand the spin during the last days of the Test. Therefore, the team winning the toss chooses to bat first, more often than not. This might change in the English or certain Australian green top conditions where teams fielding first have won about 18% more games than they have lost.
To give the touring team some leverage and the fans an exciting game of cricket, the ICC should look into the traditional rule of flicking the coin in Test cricket. While the host teams enjoy the home advantages, as they should, the touring team should not be bound to the fortune of the coin. Therefore, doing away with the toss in Test cricket and giving the touring team, the option to bat or bowl first will increase the competitiveness over the five days.

<h3>3. Preponing breaks during a delay in Test matches</h3>
<figure id="attachment_357260" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-357260" style="width: 640px;" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img class="size-full wp-image-357260" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/CT_346493.jpg" alt="Afghanistan v Sri Lanka - ICC Cricket World Cup 2019" width="640" loading="lazy">
<figcaption id="caption-attachment-357260" class="wp-caption-text">CARDIFF, WALES – JUNE 04: A general view of the covers as rain delays play during the Group Stage match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)</figcaption>
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One of the most unpredictable and unavoidable factors of any sport is the weather. While the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/india-vs-sri-lanka-weather-forecast-dharamsala-weather-during-2nd-t20i/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">weather</a> holds no importance in certain sports, cricket mandates a dry pitch and outfield.
The five-day-long Test match is divided into three sessions with two breaks – lunch and tea – taken at an interval of approximately 30 overs each. During times when the weather plays the spoilsport, there is a delay in proceedings. The reasons could be due to rain and thunderstorm or even bad lighting. Under such circumstances, match officials generally decide to prepone the breaks by calling an early lunch on many occasions. What happens in such a situation is that the playing duration is cut, and the overs lost out are generally bowled towards the end of the day, in the extra hour allotted.
Often, to maintain the schedule of sessions despite the stoppage of rain or the readiness of the ground, the traditional lunchtime or breaks are taken. This preponement despite ideal playing conditions may disrupt the strategies of the teams who were looking to exploit the conditions under clouds. These final remaining overs may be the difference between a win and a draw such as the 2021’s World Test Championship finals.
The ICC committee should therefore look into the existing rule and alter it in such a way that the match commences right after rain stops and when the ground is ready and safe to play on, instead of delaying things for traditional breaks. The session breaks can further be delayed for the teams to get the maximum overs possible out of the day’s play.

<h3>4. Decisions based on soft signals</h3>
<figure id="attachment_576595" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-576595" style="width: 640px;" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img class="size-full wp-image-576595" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Headingley-cricket-ground.jpg" alt="Headingly cricket ground" width="640" loading="lazy">
<figcaption id="caption-attachment-576595" class="wp-caption-text">Headingly cricket ground. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)</figcaption>
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Soft signals have often become the nemesis of many players in the past. And so, a lot of times these decisions have translated into burning controversies, as we continue to debate the existence of soft signals by the on-field umpire.
A soft signal is a decision (out/not out) taken by the on-field umpire based on intuition before referring it to the third umpire. This comes into play during a catch appeal where there isn’t conclusive evidence of whether the ball has carried and if the fingers are underneath the ball. The third umpire is bound to go with the soft signal if there is a lack of irrefutable evidence to show otherwise.
While many decisions taken by the third umpires have been controversial in the past, the soft signal controversy came to the limelight when <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/suryakumar-yadav-ruled-out-of-sri-lanka-t20is-due-to-hairline-fracture-on-hand/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Suryakumar Yadav </a>had to walk back in the face of a controversial catch from Dawid Malan. While some angles showed the fingers to be under the ball, the majority showed the ball to be hitting the ground. Nonetheless, the onfield soft signal of out prevailed. A recent example of this includes Virat Kohli’s dismissal in the first Test vs South Africa.
It will do no good to put the fielding team in the spot of bad spirit as the catcher doesn’t often have the eyes on the ball which goes for a catch. Likewise, once the ball is outside the inner circle, the on-field umpires can not judge a catch taken at the boundary through their naked eye. Following the footsteps of IPL which removed the use of soft signal, the ICC should also rethink this rule with immediate effect. An alternative could be to consider it a dead ball, indicating that it be re-bowled, in case of inconclusive evidence of a catch.

<h3>5. Role of a substitute player in T20I</h3>
<figure id="attachment_550258" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-550258" style="width: 640px;" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img class="size-full wp-image-550258" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Headingley-Stadium.jpg" alt="Headingley Stadium" width="640" loading="lazy">
<figcaption id="caption-attachment-550258" class="wp-caption-text">Headingley Stadium. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>
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<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/5-uncapped-indian-players-who-can-get-place-in-2022-t20-wc-with-a-good-ipl-season/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">T20</a> has been the format to evolve the most in recent times. The fastest and shortest format of the sport has managed to capture the eyes of many as the twenty-over match culminates innovative shots, thrilling catches, massive hits, and economical bowling. The ICC committee can look to make the format even more attractive by altering the rule about the substitute player.
Generally, in any format of cricket, both the teams contesting exchange their playing XI at the time of the toss. The team submitted, can not be changed excluding the rare concussion substitute or a substitute fielder coming in for a couple of overs. Since the format demands feisty and aggressive cricket in both innings, there is minimal scope of an error on the player’s part. A T20 game can change within an over, courtesy to a bad outing by a player.
To make the format entertaining and competitive, ICC can look to introduce a provision wherein a substitute player, capable of performing the roles of a playing XI player, is introduced in between a T20I game who can then be changed after one innings. According to the situation, the team can place the player to their advantage. A similar set-up called X factor was introduced by the Big Bash League in 2020. These players need to be amongst the ones nominated in the team sheet. A rule change like this may do wonders for the sport and might lead to a new era of cricket.
<h3 class="MsoNormal">6. Timed out Rule</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1699287762854_Angelo-Mathews.jpeg" alt="Angelo Mathews" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Angelo Mathews. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)</figcaption>
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The Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh Match 38 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 saw the first of its kind ‘timed out’ dismissal in international cricket as Sri Lankan batter <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/social-tracker-cricket/odi-world-cup-2023-angelo-mathews-share-video-evidence-showing-why-his-time-out-dismissal-was-incorrect/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Angelo Mathews</a> got the ignominy of being dismissed in such a manner against his name. Mathews failed to get ready to face the ball in the prescribed two-minute time period as per the playing conditions of the tournament. Hence, he was adjudged out following an appeal from Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan.<o:p></o:p>
According to the MCC Laws, the incoming batter must be ready to face the ball within three minutes after the retiring or dismissal of the previous batter. However, the playing conditions of the ODI World Cup 2023, which supersedes the MCC laws, stated that the batter must be ready within two minutes to face the ball which Mathews failed to fulfil according to the fourth umpire Adrian Holdstock.<o:p></o:p>
There was more twist in the tale as after the game, Mathews revealed that he had actually walked to the crease in the prescribed time period but a malfunctioned helmet forced him to ask for a change of his equipment. His request wasn’t considered by Shakib Al Hasan who didn’t withdraw his appeal forcing the umpire to adjudge him out.<o:p></o:p>
The incident once again sparked the debate around the spirit of cricket as the safety of a batter is paramount while facing a delivery, especially after the tragic death of former Australia cricketer Philip Hughes. Hence, the law must be altered to provide some leeway to the batters in exceptional cases where they may require some more time to get ready in a rare case of an equipment malfunction.<o:p></o:p>
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The game of Cricket is no longer played the way it was initially started. A hundred and forty-five years since the first-ever international match was played, cricket has evolved into a sport loved by

6 traditional cricket rules ICC should look to change

There are certain rules of cricket which need to be changed as per the modern requirements of the game.

5 traditional cricket rules ICC should look to change

A hundred and forty-five years since first-ever international match was played, cricket has evolved into a sport loved by many across globe.