The umpire review system, to be implemented in Tests from October, will give umpires the power to decide on bad light calls.

In the present format, light is offered to the batsmen.

Also, at the ICC's meetings in Lord's this week, the scope for a day-night Test in 2010 and harsher penalties for slow over rates, were discussed.

The meeting stressed that play should only be suspended for bad light only after umpires decide the conditions were unreasonable or dangerous, rather than 'unsuitable', as is currently the case. The umpires will henceforth take that call on their own instead of offering the light to the batsmen.

New FTP

It was decided that a new Future Tours and Programme (FTP) would be constituted according to the needs. The current FTP concludes in May 2012 and the CEC and the ICC board received draft proposals for a new programme, following on from bilateral and multilateral discussions between the members, ahead of the meetings.

It was agreed that further consultation would now take place between the ICC, its members and other stakeholders with a view to the ICC finalising the new FTP as soon as possible.

ICC president David Morgan said: "I am encouraged by the hard and effective work put in by members towards a long-term structure for international cricket.

"It is vitally important that this framework is put in place to create certainty for our Members, as well as other key stakeholders, including players, broadcasters and the public.

"We will work with our members in refining the draft model over the coming weeks, consult with those stakeholders and seek approval of a new programme as soon as possible," Morgan added.

Day-night Test

It was also agreed that the concept of the day-night cricket would be looked into, with the scope for a day-night Test in 2010, if issues like a suitable ball (suitable colour) is developed and successfully used at first-class level.

Finding a suitable coloured ball remains one of the major stumbling blocks and Australia are keen to test several prototypes during a mock match, possibly during the 2009-10 summer.

Strict over-rate rules

The ICC will also recommend that fines for slow over-rates be doubled and a captain of a team guilty of three over-rate fines in the same format in a year's time will be automatically suspended for one match, the release said.

The match officials will also be told to be more strict in enforcing the playing conditions to minimise delays due to such interruptions as unscheduled drinks breaks, the release added.

That the current practice of appointing "neutral" umpires to international matches (both on-field officials for Tests and one for ODIs) should continue as is currently the case but that players and umpires should be surveyed for their opinions on the subject and the matter should then be discussed again by the ICC Cricket Committee in 2010.