The International Cricket Council’s board meeting, held in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, reached certain conclusions and reforms to implement, that would change the course of the game in the coming times. The key decisions taken revolve around topics such as strict regulation of slow-over rate, pay parity of umpires, shifting of Under-19 World Cup from Sri Lanka, and transgenders in women’s cricket. 

Transgender in Women’s cricket

ICC has debarred any transitioned male to female who went through puberty as a male at any point, irrespective of the hormone level or any gender change surgery undergone by the person. Unlike previously, where a transgender woman had to keep her testosterone serum to 5 nanomoles or below for 12 months. 

However, with the new regulations, no transgender women will be allowed to participate in professional cricket, as per the recommendations of the ICC and the reforms in other sports. While World Athletics has strictly restricted transgender women from competing, Rugby and Swimming have implemented the same regulations. 

Stop Clock to regulate slow-overs

From December 1 onwards, a stop clock will monitor the time taken by the bowling team to bowl the first ball of the new over after bowling the last ball of the concluding over. The bowling team is supposed to take at most 60 seconds to start the new over. However, if the team violates this time limit three times in the innings, it will be penalised by 5 runs. 

Until now, there was a schedule set for the bowling team to conclude their overs within 3.5 hours in a 50-over game. Failing to do so resulted in the bowling team being compelled to set the field with four fielders outside the inner circle instead of five for the remaining overs.

Pay Parity

ICC has endorsed a plan to accelerate the development of female match officials. ICC will provide equal pay to the officials of both men’s and women’s cricket. In every ICC Women’s championship, there will be one neutral umpire. 

Sri Lanka loses U-19 World Cup hosting rights

Suspended-cricket governing body Sri Lanka Cricket loses the hosting rights of the U19 Cricket World Cup. South Africa will host the tournament in place of the island nation. Sri Lanka Cricket was suspended on the grounds of the government’s influence and intervention in the management, which is strictly against the norms of ICC.