Cricket playing conditions will change from August 1 as ICC allows THESE new rules

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday approved concussion substitutes in men's and women's international cricket. The new rule, allowing a like-for-like replacement for injured player, will come into effect from August 1, 2019.

"Decisions on replacements will continue to be made by the team medical representative and the player should be a like-for-like replacement who will need to be approved by the Match Referee," the ICC said in a press release.

Earlier in 2017, the ICC had approved a trial period for concussion substitutes during the Sheffield Shield - Australia's domestic four-day tournament. In another development related to the playing conditions, the highest cricket body has also accepted the recommendation of ICC's Cricket Committee on punishment for slow over rate. As of now captains are punished for the slow over rate.

As per the new rule, ICC will now deduct "competition points" and fine the whole team instead of only punishing the captains in a bid to reduce the instances of slow over-rates.

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“In World Test Championship matches, a team that is behind the required over rate at the end of a match will have two competition points deducted for each over it is behind.

“Captains will no longer be suspended for repeated or serious over rate breaches. All players should be held equally responsible for slow over rates, and as such will be fined at the same level as the captain,” the ICC said.

Meanwhile, the BCCI has also decided to use "limited DRS" during the Ranji Trophyknockout matches from this season in a bid to cut down on umpiring howlers that grabbed headlines during previous seasons.