How ODI rules have changed since the 1992 World Cup?

The 1992 Benson & Hedges World Cup was the first to feature coloured player clothing, white cricket balls and black sight-screens with a number of matches being played under floodlights. Some of these rules were in vogue off and on, but this tournament was the first since which they were formally inducted in ODI cricket. Ever since then, the ICC has often changed and amended rules for ODIs.

Let us look at a brief history of the main rule changes starting from the World Cup 1992:

Fielding restrictions:

By 1992, the standard rule of fielding restrictions mandated that only two fielders can be allowed outside the circle in the first 15 overs after which 5 fielders will be allowed outside the circle for the remaining overs.

The latest rule change in 2015 did away with the batting powerplay as well. 4 fielders are allowed outside the circle now for overs 41-50 and only 2 fielders for powerplay 1 from overs 1 -10.

The bouncer rule:

Bouncers in ODI cricket have been in vogue at the time of the World Cup 1992 when one bouncer per over was allowed. But the latest rule change in 2012 has allowed two bouncers once again and the run penalty has been done away with. Exceeding the limit only results in the delivery being called a no-ball.

Balls used:

Previously, red balls were used even in ODI cricket as the players donned all whites. The introduction of coloured clothing and floodlights made it mandatory to switch to white balls as it became difficult to spot the red ball. In 2011, a new rule was introduced which mandated using two new balls from either end from the beginning.

The advent of technology - The DRS:

The Decision Review System or the DRS was first introduced in ODI cricket in 2011. It was made mandatory and then optional. The various components of the DRS are ball-tracking which is used for LBW decisions, Snickometer which was later done away with the Hawk-Eye. Currently, in ODIs, one review for each team is allowed for each innings which they get back for each successful challenge.

Rain-affected matches - The DLS method:

Before the 1992 World Cup, the rule in case of rain interruptions was to deduct runs-per-over of the first innings for each over lost in the second innings. The new rule for the World Cup 1992 was if rain interrupted play in the second innings, the reduction in the target was to be proportionate to the lowest scoring overs of the side batting first.

After the retirements of Frank Duckworth and Tony Lewis, Professor Steven Stern became the custodian of the method which was renamed in 2014 as the DLS method.