The International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended Zimbabwe Cricket with immediate effect for a breach of Article 2.4 (c) and (d) of the ICC Constitution which imposes “an obligation on Members to provide a process for free and democratic elections and to ensure that there is no government interference in its governance and/or administration for cricket respectively”.

The decision was taken following the ICC’s Annual Conference in London.

Meanwhile, the ICC has also approved concussion player replacements in all formats of men’s and women’s international cricket and for first-class cricket worldwide. This will be included in ICC playing conditions from August 1, 2019.

Also, captains will no longer be suspended for repeated or serious over rate breaches.

The ICC has stated that all players should be held equally responsible for slow over rates, and as such will be fined at the same level as the captain.

In World Test Championship matches, a team that is behind the required over rate at the end of a match will have two competition points deducted for each over it is behind.