Two new balls will be used by a fielding side from each end in one-day cricket when revised rules for the international game come into force this weekend. The changes to playing conditions were approved by the International Cricket Council's Executive Board in May, following proposals from its Cricket Committee. Besides two new balls, to be used in alternate overs, there will also be a change in powerplays in ODIs. The total number of powerplay overs will remain at 20 per innings with the first block of 10 being at the start of the innings. “The remaining second and third block of (five) powerplay overs may not be taken so as to commence earlier than the 16th over nor be completed later than the 40th over,” the ICC said Thursday in a statement. The injured or ill batsman will have the option of retiring hurt and returning to bat at the fall of ninth wicket. In another development, if an umpire feels that a batsman, whilst running between the wickets, has significantly changed his direction and obstructed a fielder's attempt to run him out, the batsman should be given out for obstructing the field. Other changes provide extra time to complete a Test match and affect a bowler's attempt to run out a non-striker before delivery.
