BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Rule changes affecting 50-over one-day and Twenty20 international cricket matches will take effect from July 5. The International Cricket Council says the aim is to restore the balance between bat and ball after this year's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand yielded the largest number of 300 and even 400-plus totals at the ICC's showpiece tournament. From July 5, five fielders will be allowed outside the 30-yard circle between the 41st and 50th overs, rather than the current four. Meanwhile there will be no compulsory catchers from the first to the 10th over in ODIs and no batting powerplays will be allowed between the 15th and 40th overs. In both ODI and T20 internationals, all no-balls, not just foot faults, will lead to a free hit.
