The International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering changes to the wide ball rule for One Day Internationals (ODIs) and T20 formats, aiming to provide greater clarity and fairness to bowlers.
In this regard, the ICC is set to launch a trial phase for changes in the wide ball law. According to a press release issued by the ICC, the new criterion will judge a wide ball based on the batter’s position at the time of ball release, not their movement afterwards.
This means if the batter moves across to the off-side after the ball has been delivered, it will not influence the umpire’s wide ball decision.
The rule aims to limit the growing trend of batters shifting positions, which has made it difficult for umpires to judge legitimate deliveries. The ICC intends to assist umpires in making clearer decisions—especially on leg-side deliveries—by extending the protected area marker line up to the popping crease.
This move is being seen as an effort to balance the scales between batters and bowlers, particularly in white-ball cricket, where aggressive batting techniques have sometimes skewed the game in favour of the bat.
The proposed adjustment is expected to benefit bowlers, reducing the number of wides unfairly attributed due to last-minute batter movement.
If successful, the trial could pave the way for official amendments in cricket’s rulebook, potentially reshaping the dynamics of modern limited-overs cricket.
