Kathmandu, Jan 28: This February will be a special month for cricket fans not only because of the Valentine Day but also because the most spectacular tournament of cricket i.e. World Cup kicks off.
Since 2011, things have changed and new rules have emerged in ODI cricket. 
1. Field Restrictions and Powerplays
Making a number of changes regarding playing conditions for ODIs in 2012, ICC came up with the provision of maximum five to four fielders outside the 30-yard circle for the majority of the innings. There will also be two blocks of Powerplay overs rather than three: the first covering the opening ten overs, when only two fielders are allowed outside the ring; the second, a five-over block that the batting side has to take to be taken before the 40th over, restricting the number to three outside the ring.
2. Two new balls
After the previous world cup in 2011, the provision of using two new balls was introduced. Previously the white ball, was replaced after 34 overs (although not for a new one). Providing two new balls has made batting more challenging for openers in conditions that assist quick bowlers but also preserves the hardness throughout the innings, meaning faster run-scoring later on.
3. Reduced role for part-timers
According to the new rule, part- timers will have less roles in strengthening the bowling attack of the fielding side. Former Indian captain Rahul Dravid has argued that there will be less leeway for part-time bowlers than four years ago, when India regularly got ten overs out of Yuvraj Singh, due to the lack of protection.
4. New kids on the block
There will be a host of new faces in the upcoming edition of the ICC World Cup 2015. Meanwhile, star players including Jacques Kallis Graeme Smith, Virender Sehwag , Zaheer Khan, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ricky Ponting and Kevin Pietersen won’t be playing this time. Instead, the likes of Virat Kohli, Corey Anderson, Aaron Finch, Mitchell Starc and Moeen Ali will have a pivotal role to play for their team.
5. Increased prize money
The rewards for winning time has become massive. Total pool of prize money on offer has been raised by 25% from US$8m to $10m for the 2015 tournament and the winning team could collect more than $4m, if they remain unbeaten. Interestingly, the six nations who fail to make the quarter-finals won’t be empty-handed for the first time in the history of world cup and will get a purse of $35,000 each, with $45,000 also on offer for each group-stage win. (With Inputs From ESPN Cricinfo)
