From July 2025, playing conditions in One Day International (ODI) matches were altered, allowing captains to select which of the two white balls, used at opposite ends, to use for the remainder of the innings after 34 overs. This change, which sees a single ball used for the final 16 overs, was introduced to assist bowlers.
Data indicates the impact has been substantial. Half of full deliveries by fast bowlers in the final 10 overs swing more than one degree since the rule change, a jump from 35 per cent compared to the 18 months prior. Fast bowler economy in the final five overs fell from 8.40 runs per over before the change to 7.95, while their bowling average decreased from 19.2 runs per wicket to 18.3.
England had just been defeated by Sri Lanka in the second ODI at Headingley, and head coach Brendon McCullum spoke to players in the dressing room following that loss. Sam Curran bowled England to a four-wicket victory in the death overs of the third ODI against India at Lord's in July. A year earlier, Saqib Mahmood found less than half as much swing in the death overs of an ODI in Cardiff against the West Indies compared to the start of the innings.
Sri Lankans bowled 69 per cent of deliveries six metres from the stumps or fuller against England in the ODI at Headingley last month. Sri Lanka sealed a 16-run victory over England at Headingley. England's death-over bowling average fell from 36.76 to 20.91 since July 2025, while death-over economy dropped from 9.78 to 7.53. England's death-over batting run-rate improved from 8.07 to 9.16. At The Oval, England progressed from 104-2 to 214-2 in 10 overs before the Sri Lankans selected their preferred ball.
Australia, New Zealand, the West Indies, South Africa, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan have all scored more slowly during the final overs since the rule change. The West Indies' death run-rate fell by 2.39 runs per over. Alzarri Joseph's average swing increased by 84 per cent, and his bowling average dropped from 24.1 to 17.4. Lungi Ngidi's bowling average fell to 13, and his economy dropped from 9.34 to six following a 63.3 per cent increase in swing. Nathan Smith, Naseem Shah and Mustafizur recorded a jump in ball movement. Shaheen Afridi has an average of 1.3 degrees of swing since the rule change, compared to 1.2 previously. Jofra Archer is the English bowler with the most movement in the death overs, with an average of 0.97 degrees, a 37 per cent increase.
The ball swings 63 per cent more in the death overs in England, while a 33 per cent jump was recorded in Bangladesh. Matches in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan had significantly more late movement than before. The increase in late movement was less pronounced in Australia and South Africa. Only three ODIs have been played in South Africa since the rule change, and teams have scored 7.35 runs per over in that country in recent years.
