# Reverse swing transforms ODI cricket after rule change

> A July 2025 rule allowing one white ball for the final 16 overs has revived reverse swing in ODIs, making death bowling harder and reshaping tactics ahead of next year's World Cup.
- Title: Reverse swing transforms ODI cricket after rule change
- Summary: A July 2025 rule allowing one white ball for the final 16 overs has revived reverse swing in ODIs, making death bowling harder and reshaping tactics ahead of…
- Keywords: cricket, one-day internationals, reverse swing, rule change, england cricket, death bowling, world cup 2026, sports, Reverse, swing, transforms, ODI
- Source: BBC Sport — https://bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/c6eweg47wv11o
- Published: 2026-10-19T05:27:56.663+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: cricket, one-day internationals, reverse swing, rule change, england cricket, death bowling, world cup 2026, sports
## McCullum sees the game shift
After England lost to Sri Lanka at Headingley, coach Brendon McCullum told his players the game had changed. The ball, he said, was playing a massive part in how matches unfolded.

> The game is slightly different now. The ball is playing a massive part.
## New rule allows one ball for final overs
In July 2025, ODI playing conditions changed. Captains can now choose after 34 overs which of the two white balls they prefer to use for the remaining 16 overs of the innings.
## Reverse swing makes a comeback
With one ball getting older and scruffier over 16 overs, reverse swing has returned to ODI cricket. This shift is already reshaping the format less than 12 months before the next World Cup.
## Bowlers finding twice the swing
Sam Curran found more than twice as much swing with the old white ball in his final spell against India at Lord's in July compared to the start of the innings.
## Death bowling statistics shift sharply
Half of pace bowlers' full deliveries in the final 10 overs have swung more than one degree since the rule change, up from 35 percent.Economy rates in the final five overs dropped from 8.
## England leads the statistical gains
England's bowling average at the death has plummeted from 36.76 to 20.91 since July 2025, while their economy rate fell from 9.78 to 7.53. Their batting run-rate actually improved from 8.07 to 9.16.
## Other nations struggle at the death
Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, South Africa, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan have all scored slower during death overs since the rule change. West Indies' death run-rate dropped by 2.39 runs per over.
## Individual bowlers see dramatic gains
Windies quick Alzarri Joseph's average swing increased by 84 percent, dropping his bowling average from 24.1 to 17.4. South Africa's Lungi Ngidi's bowling average fell to 13 after a 63.3 percent increase in swing.
## Reverse swing varies by location
The change has been most significant in England, where the ball swings 63 percent more at the death.Bangladesh saw a 33 percent jump.
## Teams may need to score earlier
South Africa already has high levels of late-innings movement but teams score at 7.35 runs per over there. If reverse swing increases, teams may need to get their scoring done earlier than previously.
## Key takeaway

A rule change in July 2025 allowing captains to use one white ball for the final 16 ODI overs has revived reverse swing, making death batting harder and forcing teams to rethink their strategies.