New Delhi, Oct. 1 -- International cricket has a tighter rulebook from Thursday (October 1). The International Cricket Council (ICC) has updated its Playing Conditions to cut time-wasting, clear up fielding calls and set separate standards for the ball. The changes cover men's and women's cricket in Tests, ODIs and T20Is. They apply to every series that starts on or after October 1.

Series already underway stay on the old regulations. The new documents also take in the MCC Laws of Cricket that came into force the same day. One of the first fixtures under the revised code is the World Test Championship series between Australia and South Africa.

ICC Men's Cricket Committee chair Sourav Ganguly said the package was written for the modern g...