PREFACE
The game of Cricket has been governed by a series of Codes of Law for over 250
years. These Codes have been subject to additions and alterations recommended by
the governing authorities of the time. Since its formation in 1787, the
Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has been recognised as the sole authority for
drawing up the Code and for all subsequent amendments. The Club also holds the
World copyright.
The basic Laws of Cricket have stood remarkably well the test of well over 250
years of playing the game. It is thought the real reason for this is that
cricketers have traditionally been prepared to play in the Spirit of the Game as
well as in accordance with the Laws.
Now in 2000, MCC has revised and re-written the Laws for the new Millennium. In
this Code, the major innovation is the introduction of the Spirit of Cricket as
a Preamble to the Laws. Whereas in the past it was assumed that the implicit
Spirit of the Game was understood and accepted by all those involved, now MCC
feels it right to put into words some clear guidelines, which will help to
maintain the unique character and enjoyment of the game. The other aims have
been to dispense with the Notes, to incorporate all the points into the Laws and
to remove, where possible, any ambiguities, so that captains, players and
umpires can continue to enjoy the game at whatever level they may be playing.
MCC has consulted widely with all the Full Member Countries of the International
Cricket Council, the Governing Body of the game. There has been close
consultation with the Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers. The Club has
also brought in umpires and players from all round the world. Significant dates
in the history of the Laws are as follows:
1700
Cricket was recognised as early as this date.
1744
The earliest known Code was drawn up by certain "Noblemen and Gentlemen" who
used the Artillery Ground in London.
1755
The Laws were revised by "Several Cricket Clubs, particularly the Star and
Garter in Pall Mall".
1774
A further revision was produced by "a Committee of Noblemen and Gentlemen of
Kent, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and London at the Star and Garter".
1786
A further revision was undertaken by a similar body of Noblemen and Gentlemen of
Kent, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and London.
1788
The first MCC Code of Laws was adopted on 30th May.
1835
A new Code of Laws was approved by the MCC Committee on 19th May.
1884
After consultation with cricket clubs worldwide, important alterations were
incorporated in a new version approved at an MCC Special General Meeting on 21st
April.
1947
A new Code of Laws was approved at an MCC Special General Meeting on 7th May.
The main changes were aimed at achieving clarification and better arrangement of
the Laws and their interpretations. This did not, however, exclude certain
definite alterations which were designed to provide greater latitude in the
conduct of the game as required by the widely differing conditions in which
Cricket was played.
1979
After five editions of the 1947 Code, a further revision was begun in 1974 with
the aim being to remove certain anomalies, consolidate various
Amendments and Notes, and to achieve greater clarity and simplicity. The new
Code of Laws was approved at an MCC Special General Meeting on 21st
November.
1992
Second edition of the 1980 Code was produced, incorporating all the
amendments which were approved during the intervening twelve years.
Many queries on the Laws, which apply equally to women's cricket as to men's,
are sent to MCC for decision every year. MCC, as the accepted Guardian of the
Laws, which can only be changed by the vote of two-thirds of the Members at a
Special General Meeting of the Club, has always been prepared to answer the
queries and to give interpretations on certain conditions, which will be readily
understood.
(a)
In the case of league or competition cricket, the enquiry must come from
the committee responsible for organising the league or competition. In other
cases, enquiries should be initiated by a representative officer of a club, or
of an umpires' association on behalf of his or her committee, or by a master or
mistress in charge of school cricket.
(b)
The incident on which a ruling is required must not be merely invented
for disputation but must have actually occurred in play.
(c)
The enquiry must not be connected in any way with a bet or wager.
Lord’s
Cricket Ground
R D V KNIGHT
16 February
2000
The Preamble – The Spirit of Cricket
Law 9 –
The bowling, popping and return creases
Law 10 –
Preparation and maintenance of the playing area
Law 14
–
Declaration and forfeiture
Law 16
–
Start of play; cessation of play
Law 17
–
Practice on the field
Law 29
–
Batsman out of his ground
Law 37
–
Obstructing the field
THE
PREAMBLE
– THE SPIRIT OF CRICKET
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Cricket is a game that owes much of its unique appeal to the fact that it should
be played not only within its Laws but also within the Spirit of the Game. Any
action which is seen to abuse this spirit causes injury to the game itself. The
major responsibility for ensuring the spirit of fair play rests with the
captains.
1.
There are two Laws which place the responsibility for the team’s conduct firmly
on the captain.
Responsibility of captains
The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted
within the Spirit of the Game as well as within the Laws.
Player’s conduct
In the event of a player failing to comply with instructions by an umpire, or
criticising by word or action the decisions of an umpire, or showing dissent, or
generally behaving in a manner which might bring the game into disrepute, the
umpire concerned shall in the first place report the matter to the other umpire
and to the player’s captain, and instruct the latter to take action.
2. Fair and unfair play
According
to the Laws the umpires are the sole judges of fair and unfair play. The umpires
may intervene at any time and it is the responsibility of the captain to take
action where required.
3. The umpires are authorised to intervene in cases of:
!
Time wasting
!
Damaging the pitch
!
Dangerous or unfair bowling
!
Tampering with the ball
!
Any other action that they consider to be unfair
4. The Spirit of the Game involves RESPECT for:
!
Your opponents
!
Your own captain and team
!
The role of the umpires
!
The game’s traditional values
5. It is against the Spirit of the Game:
!
To dispute an umpire’s decision by word, action or gesture
!
To direct abusive language towards an opponent or umpire
!
To indulge in cheating or any sharp practice, for instance:
a) to appeal knowing that the batsman is not out
b) to advance towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing
c) to seek to distract an opponent either verbally or by harassment with
persistent clapping or unnecessary noise under the guise of enthusiasm and
motivation of one’s own side
6. Violence
There is no place for any act of violence on the field of play.
7. Players
Captains
and umpires together set the tone for the conduct of a cricket match. Every
player is expected to make an important contribution to this.
The players, umpires and scorers in a game of cricket may be of either gender and the Laws apply equally to both. The use, throughout the text, of pronouns indicating the male gender is purely for brevity. Except where specifically stated otherwise, every provision of the Laws is to be read as applying to women and girls equally as to men and boys.
LAW 1
THE PLAYERS back to
contents
1. Number of players
By agreement a match may be played between sides of more or less than eleven
players, but not more than eleven players may field at any time.
2. Nomination of players
3. Captain
If at any time the captain is not available, a deputy shall act for him.
(a) If a captain is not available during the period in which the toss is to take
place, then the deputy must be responsible for the nomination of the players, if
this has
not already been done, and for the toss. See 2 above and Law 12.4 (The
toss).
(b) At any time after the toss, the deputy must be one of the nominated players
4. Responsibility of captains
LAW
2
SUBSTITUTES AND RUNNERS;
BATSMAN OR FIELDER LEAVING THE FIELD;
BATSMAN
RETIRING; BATSMAN COMMENCING INNINGS
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1. Substitutes and runners
(a) If the umpires are satisfied that a player has been injured or become ill
after the nomination of the players, they shall allow that player to have
(i)
a substitute acting instead of him in the field.
(ii)
a runner when batting.
Any injury or illness that occurs at any time after the nomination of the
players until the conclusion of the match shall be allowable, irrespective of
whether play is in progress or not.
(b) The
umpires shall have discretion, for other wholly acceptable reasons, to allow a
substitute for a fielder, or a runner for a batsman, at the start of the match
or at any subsequent time.
(c) A player wishing to change his shirt, boots, etc. must leave the field to do
so.
No substitute shall be allowed for him.
2. Objection to substitutes
3. Restrictions on the role of substitutes
4. A player for whom a substitute has acted
5. Fielder absent or leaving the field
(a) the umpire shall be informed of the reason for his absence.
(b) he shall not thereafter come on to the field during a session of play
without the consent of the umpire. See 6 below. The umpire shall give such
consent as soon as is practicable.
(c) if he is absent for 15 minutes or longer, he shall not be permitted to bowl
thereafter, subject to (i), (ii) or (iii) below, until he has been on the field
for at least that length of playing time for which he was absent.
(i)
Absence or penalty for time absent shall not be carried over into a new
day’s play.
(ii)
If, in the case of a follow-on or forfeiture, a side fields for two
consecutive innings, this restriction shall, subject to (i) above, continue as
necessary into the second innings but shall not otherwise be carried over into a
new innings.
(iii)
The time lost for an unscheduled break in play shall be counted as time
on the field for any fielder who comes on to the field at the resumption of
play. See Law 15.1 (An interval).
6. Player returning without permission
(i)
the ball shall immediately become dead and the umpire shall award 5
penalty runs to the batting side. See Law 42.17 (Penalty runs).
(ii)
the umpire shall inform the other umpire, the captain of the fielding
side, the batsmen and, as soon as practicable, the captain of the batting side
of the reason for this action.
(iii)
the umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible to
the Executive of the fielding side and any Governing Body responsible for the
match, who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the
captain and player concerned.
7. Runner
8. Transgression of the Laws by a batsman who has a runner
(a) A batsman’s runner is subject to the Laws. He will be regarded as a batsman
except where there are specific provisions for his role as a runner. See 7 above
and Law 29.2 (Which is a batsman’s ground).
(b) A batsman with a runner will suffer the penalty for any infringement of the
Laws by his runner as though he had been himself responsible for the
infringement. In particular he will be out if his runner is out under any of
Laws 33 (Handled the ball), 37 (Obstructing the field) or 38 (Run out).
(c) When a batsman with a runner is striker he remains himself subject to the
Laws and will be liable to the penalties that any infringement of them demands.
Additionally, if he is out of his ground when the wicket is put down at the
wicket-keeper’s end, he will be out in the circumstances of Law 38 (Run out) or
Law 39 (Stumped) irrespective of the position of the non-striker or of the
runner. If he is thus dismissed, runs completed by the runner and the other
batsman before the dismissal shall not be scored. However, the penalty for a No
ball or a Wide shall stand, together with any penalties to either side that may
be awarded when the ball is dead. See Law 42.17 (Penalty runs).
(d) When a batsman with a runner is not the striker
(i)
he remains subject to Laws 33 (Handled the ball) and 37 (Obstructing the
field) but is otherwise out of the game.
(ii)
he shall stand where directed by the striker’s end umpire so as not to
interfere with play.
(iii)
he will be liable, notwithstanding (i) above, to the penalty demanded by
the Laws should he commit any act of unfair play.
9. Batsman leaving the field or retiring
(a) If a batsman retires because of illness, injury or any other unavoidable
cause, he is entitled to resume his innings subject to (c) below. If for any
reason he does not do so, his innings is to be recorded as ‘Retired – not out’.
(b) If a batsman retires for any reason other than as in (a) above, he may only
resume his innings with the consent of the opposing captain. If for any reason
he does not resume his innings it is to be recorded as ‘Retired – out’.
(c) If after retiring a batsman resumes his innings, it shall be only at the
fall of a wicket or the retirement of another batsman.
10. Commencement of a batsman’s innings
LAW 3 THE UMPIRES
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1. Appointment and attendance
2. Change of umpire
3. Agreement with captains
(a) ascertain the hours of play and agree with the captains
(i)
the balls to be used during the match. See Law 5 (The ball).
(ii)
times and durations of intervals for meals and times for drinks
intervals. See Law 15 (Intervals).
(iii)
the boundary of the field of play and allowances for boundaries. See Law
19 (Boundaries).
(iv)
any special conditions of play affecting the conduct of the match.
(b) inform the scorers of the agreements in (ii), (iii) and (iv) above.
4. To inform captains and scorers
(i)
which clock or watch and back-up time piece is to be used during the
match.
(ii)
whether or not any obstacle within the field of play is to be regarded as
a boundary. See Law 19 (Boundaries).
5. The wickets, creases and boundaries
(i)
the wickets are properly pitched. See Law 8 (The wickets).
(ii)
the creases are correctly marked. See Law 9 (The bowling, popping and
return creases).
(iii)
the boundary of the field of play complies with the requirements of Law
19.2 (Defining the boundary – boundary marking).
6. Conduct of the game, implements and equipment
(a)
the conduct of the game is strictly in accordance with the Laws.
(b) the implements of the game conform to the requirements of Laws 5 (The ball)
and 6 (The bat), together with either Laws 8.2 (Size of stumps) and 8.3 (The
bails) or, if appropriate, Law 8.4 (Junior cricket).
(c) (i)
no player uses equipment other than that permitted. See Appendix D.
(ii)
the wicket-keeper’s gloves comply with the requirements of Law 40.2
(Gloves).
7. Fair and unfair play
The umpires shall be the sole judges of fair and unfair play.
8. Fitness of ground, weather and light
9. Suspension of play for adverse conditions of ground,
weather or light
(a) (i)
All references to ground include the pitch. See Law 7.1 (Area of pitch).
(ii)
For the purpose of this Law and Law 15.9(b)(ii) (Intervals for drinks)
only, the batsmen at the wicket may deputise for their captain at any
appropriate time.
(b) If at any time the umpires together agree that the condition of the ground,
weather or light is not suitable for play, they shall inform the captains and,
unless
(i)
in unsuitable ground or weather conditions both captains agree to
continue, or to commence, or to restart play,
or
(ii)
in unsuitable light the batting side wish to continue, or to commence, or
to restart play, they shall suspend play, or not allow play to commence or to
restart.
(c) (i)
After agreeing to play in unsuitable ground or weather conditions, either
captain may
appeal against the conditions to the umpires before the next call of Time. The
umpires shall uphold the appeal only if, in their opinion, the factors taken
into account when making their previous decision are the same or the conditions
have further deteriorated.
(ii)
After deciding to play in unsuitable light, the captain of the batting
side may appeal against the light to the umpires before the next call of Time.
The umpires shall uphold the appeal only if, in their opinion, the factors taken
into account when making their previous decision are the same or the condition
of the light has further deteriorated.
(d) If at any time the umpires together agree that the conditions of ground,
weather or light are so bad that there is obvious and foreseeable risk to the
safety of any player or umpire, so that it would be unreasonable or dangerous
for play to take place, then notwithstanding the provisions of (b)(i) and
(b)(ii) above, they shall immediately suspend play, or not allow play to
commence or to restart. The
decision as to whether conditions are so bad as to warrant such action is one
for the umpires alone to make.
The fact that the grass and the ball are wet and slippery does not warrant the
ground conditions being regarded as unreasonable or dangerous. If the umpires
consider the ground is so wet or slippery as to deprive the bowler of a
reasonable foothold, the fielders of the power of free movement, or the batsmen
of the ability to play their strokes or to run between the wickets, then these
conditions shall be regarded as so bad that it would be unreasonable for play to
take place.
(e) When there is a suspension of play it is the responsibility of the umpires
to monitor the conditions. They shall make inspections as often as appropriate,
unaccompanied by any of the players or officials. Immediately the umpires
together agree that conditions are suitable for play they shall call upon the
players to resume the game.
(f) If play is in progress up to the start of an agreed interval then it will
resume after the interval unless the umpires together agree that conditions are
or have become unsuitable or dangerous. If they do so agree, then they shall
implement the procedure in (b) or (d) above, as appropriate, whether or not
there had been any decision by the captains to continue, or any appeal against
the conditions by either captain, prior to the commencement of the interval.
10. Exceptional circumstances
11. Position of umpires
Subject to this over-riding consideration the umpire at the bowler’s end shall
stand where he does not interfere with either the bowler’s run up or the
striker’s view. The umpire at the striker’s end may elect to stand on the off
side instead of the on side of the pitch, provided he informs the captain of the
fielding side, the striker and the other umpire of his intention to do so.
12. Umpires changing ends
The umpires shall change ends after each side has had one completed innings. See
Law 14.2 (Forfeiture of an innings).
13. Consultation between umpires
14. Signals
(a) The following code of signals shall be used by umpires.
(i)
Signals made while the ball is in play
Dead ball
-
by crossing and re-crossing the wrists below the
waist.
No ball
-
by extending one arm horizontally.
Out
-
by raising an index finger above the head. (If not out
the umpire shall call Not out.)
Wide
-
by extending both arms horizontally.
(ii)
When the ball is dead, the signals above, with the exception of the
signal for Out, shall be repeated to the scorers. The signals listed below shall
be made to the scorers only when the ball is dead.
Boundary 4
-
by waving an arm from side to side finishing with the
arm across the chest.
Boundary 6
-
by raising both arms above the head.
Bye
-
by raising an open hand above the head.
Commencement of last hour
-
by pointing to a raised wrist with the other hand.
Five penalty runs awarded
-
by repeated tapping of one shoulder to the batting
side with the opposite hand.
Five penalty runs awarded
-
by placing one hand on the opposite to the fielding
side shoulder.
Leg bye
-
by touching a raised knee with the hand.
New ball
-
by holding the ball above the head.
Revoke last signal
-
by touching both shoulders, each with the opposite
hand.
Short run
-
by bending one arm upwards and touching the nearer
shoulder with the tips of the fingers.
(b) The umpires shall wait until each signal to the scorers has been separately
acknowledged by a scorer before allowing play to proceed.
15. Correctness of scores
LAW
4 THE SCORERS
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1. Appointment of scorers
Two scorers shall be appointed to record all runs scored, all wickets taken and,
where appropriate, number of overs bowled.
2. Correctness of scores
3. Acknowledging signals
The scorers shall accept all instructions and signals given to them by the
umpires. They shall immediately acknowledge each separate signal.
LAW 5 THE BALL
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1. Weight and size
2. Approval and control of balls
(a) All balls to be used in the match, having been approved by the umpires and
captains, shall be in the possession of the umpires before the toss and shall
remain under their control throughout the match.
(b) The umpire shall take possession of the ball in use at the fall of each
wicket, at the start of any interval and at any interruption of play.
3. New ball
4. New ball in match of more than one day’s duration
The umpires shall indicate to the batsmen and the scorers whenever a new ball is
taken into play.
5. Ball lost or becoming unfit for play
6. Specifications
(i)
Women’s cricket
Weight: from
415/16
ounces/140g to
55/16
ounces /151g
Circumference: from 8¼ in/21.0cm to
87/8
in/22.5cm
(ii)
Junior cricket – under 13
Weight: from
411/16
ounces/133g to
51/16
ounces/144g
Circumference: from
81/16
in/20.5cm to
811/16
in/22.0cm
LAW 6 THE BAT
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1. Width and length
2. Covering the blade
The blade may be covered with material for protection, strengthening or repair.
Such material shall not exceed
1/16
inches/1.56mm in thickness, and shall not be likely to cause unacceptable damage
to the ball.
3. Hand or glove to count as part of bat
In these Laws,
(a) reference to the bat shall imply that the bat is held by the batsman.
(b) contact between the ball and
either
(i)
the striker’s bat itself
or
(ii)
the striker’s hand holding the bat
or
(iii)
any part of a glove worn on the striker’s hand holding the bat shall be
regarded as
the ball striking or touching the bat, or being struck by the bat.
LAW 7 THE PITCH
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1. Area of pitch
2. Fitness of the pitch for play
3. Selection and preparation
4. Changing the pitch
5. Non-turf pitches
Length - a minimum of 58ft/17.68m
Width - a minimum of 6ft/1.83m
See Law 10.8 (Non-turf pitches).
LAW 8 THE WICKETS
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1. Width and pitching
2. Size of stumps
3. The bails
(a) The bails, when in position on the top of the stumps,
(i)
shall not project more than ½ in/1.27cm above them.
(ii)
shall fit between the stumps without forcing them out of the vertical.
(b) Each bail shall conform to the following specifications. See Appendix A.
Overall length: -
45/16
in/10.95cm
Length of barrel: -
21/8
in/5.40cm
Longer spigot: -
13/8
in/3.49cm
Shorter spigot: -
13/16
in/2.06cm
4. Junior cricket
Pitched for under 13: - 21 yards/19.20m
Pitched for under 11: - 20 yards/18.29m
Pitched for under 9: - 18 yards/16.46m
Height above playing surface: - 27 in/68.58cm
Each stump
Diameter: - not less than
11/4
in/3.18cm
nor more than
13/8
in/3.49cm
Each bail
Overall: -
313/16
in/9.68cm
Barrel: -
113/16
in/4.60cm
Longer Spigot: -
11/4
in/3.18cm
Shorter Spigot: -
3/4
in/1.91cm
5. Dispensing with bails
LAW 9 THE BOWLING, POPPING AND RETURN CREASES
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1. The creases
2. The bowling crease
3. The popping crease
4. The return creases