How one rule change is altering the face of one-day cricket

One rule change has changed the face of ODI cricket. BBC Sport looks at its impact, who is benefiting and what it could mean for the future. England return to action in ODI cricket against Pakistan on Tuesday (09:00 BST) . There will be Test Match Special commentary of every match in the tri-series, which also involves Sri Lanka England had just been beaten by Sri Lanka in the second one-day international at Headingley and coach Brendon McCullum was speaking to his players in the dressing room. "The game is slightly different now," he said. "The ball is playing a massive part." The difference McCullum referenced is reverse swing – the way an older ball moves in the air in the opposite direction to convention.

The playing conditions in ODIs were changed in July 2025, allowing captains to choose after 34 overs which of the two white balls used at either end they would like to use to complete the rest of the innings. With the chosen ball now able to get older and scruffier, the result has brought a reverse swing renaissance, something which is already having an impact on the format and poses intriguing possibilities for the future less than 12 months out from the next World Cup. When Sam Curran bowled England to victory with four wickets