London: In an effort to cut down on the boredom factor, the International Cricket Council has decided to end the Test matches early on the last afternoon if no clear result is possible.
The Chief Executives' Committee approved the recommendation that in a Test match where, on the last afternoon, it is clear no result is possible, play can be called off any time once a minimum of 75 overs have been completed.
Previous regulations allowed for stumps to be drawn after 30 minutes of the final hour had elapsed.
This new regulation will apply with immediate effect, ICC said.
The CEC also adopted the ICC Gender Recognition Policy, enabling cricketers who have undergone gender reassignment surgery to play women's cricket at international level providing they meet the required criteria.
The adoption of such a policy follows ICC's integration with International Women's Cricket Council in 2005 and brings it into line with other international sporting organisations.
The annual conference also adopted ICC's new Strategic Plan, the organisation's second such plan following on from the previous one that ran from 2001 - 2005.
Newly appointed ICC President Percy Sonn said the new Strategic Plan was an excellent document which charted the course of the ICC through to 2010.
"It has been put together following an extensive consultation process between an ICC project team, our members and stakeholders. It is the organisation's roadmap for the next five years, years that should be great for cricket."
"The requirement now is for our members and stakeholders to work closely with ICC's management so that the outcomes projected in the strategic plan are achieved as soon as possible," Sonn added.
It was also decided to include Myanmar as ICC's 97th member after the conference approved an application from the country to become an affiliate member.
This takes the total membership to 97, made up of 10 full members, 32 associates and 55 affiliates.
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