Netherlands were awarded Twenty20 International status even after they lost their ODI status

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

The International Cricket Council (ICC) have awarded the Netherlands and Nepal Twenty20 International status at their annual conference in Melbourne.

The other Associate Members that received Twenty20 International status were Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Ireland, Scotland, Papua New Guinea and the UAE since they all possess ODI status as well.

The ICC also confirmed that the USA Cricket Association (USACA) will be recognised as the sole cricketing body in the country.

Furthermore, Oman Cricket was made the 38th Associate Member of the ICC, while Brunei was suspended as an Affiliate Member and Tonga was removed as an Affiliate Member for failing to comply with the ICC rules and regulations.

The ICC also agreed on some new rules that will be implemented on October 1.

Firstly, any Test bowler who has spent time off the field will be allowed to bowl once again when he spends the same amount of time on the field or has been on the field for 30 overs.

Secondly, the top-up of reviews after 80 overs during a Test match will continue for another 12 months.

Thirdly, in Twenty20 Internationals, teams will now have 85 minutes to complete their innings instead of 80.

Fourthly, the board also called on all international venues to extend their boundaries to its maximum dimensions in order to create a fairer contest between bat and ball.

Finally, the board announced that members must sign all their bilateral series agreements from this month to 2023 by October.