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MCC Laws of Cricket (2000 Code – 4th Edition 2010)

Commentary on changes – May 2010

LAW 1 – THE PLAYERS 1.3 (b) now clarifies that only a nominated player may act in discharging the duties and responsibilities of the Captain. LAW 2 – SUBSTITUTES, FIELDER LEAVING THE FIELD, BATSMAN RETIRING AND COMMENCING INNINGS 2.6 (a) now provides for runs completed and the run in progress to be scored if they had crossed in addition to the 5 run penalty 2.8 (c) Transgression of the Laws by a batsman who has a runner – the addition of sub clauses (i) and (ii) now clarify how a batsman with a runner will be out if he is out of his ground and the wicket at the wicket-keeper’s end is put down. Additionally, clarification is provided on runs disallowed, runs scored and the non striker returning to his original end. 2.9 Batsman retiring – it is now clear that a batsman may only retire when the ball is dead. LAW 3 THE UMPIRES 3.6 (b) places the onus on the umpires to satisfy themselves that the ball, externally visible requirements of Law 6 (The Bat), size of stumps and bails comply with the Laws as well as the definition of “protective helmet” as being headwear made of hard material and designed to protect the head or the face or both. 3.8 Fitness for play – this is an important change; There are now only two types of fitness for Ground, Weather and Light conditions:

1. Fit for play to take place 2. Dangerous or unreasonable for play to take place

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It is clarified that the mere fact that conditions are not ideal does not mean that they are dangerous or unreasonable. An extra clause has been added to give umpires guidance that although posing no risk to safety, it would still not be sensible for play to proceed. 3.9 Suspension of play in dangerous or unreasonable conditions – this clause ensures that all references to ground include the pitch. If at any time the umpires together agree that the conditions are dangerous or unreasonable, they shall immediately suspend play or not allow play to start or recommence. The umpires should make inspections as often as appropriate, unaccompanied by players or officials. Once the umpires together agree that conditions are no longer dangerous or unreasonable, they shall call upon the players to resume play. Law 3.10 Exceptional circumstances, has been removed Law 3.11 has been renumbered to become Law 3.10 – Position of umpires. A slight rewording has been made to provide for the umpire to stand where he can best see the action in which HIS decision may be required. Law 3.13 Informing the umpires – information supplied to one umpire must now be conveyed to the other umpire by the umpire receiving the information. Law 3.14 Signals – an important change here is the requirement for the umpire at the bowler’s end to repeat to the scorers the following signals (with the exception of “out”): Dead ball No ball Wide The umpire at the bowler’s end shall also be responsible for the FINAL signal of short run to the scorers as well as informing them of the runs to be recorded, EVEN IF THE SHORT RUN OCCURRED AT THE STRIKER’S END. Additionally, the FINAL signals for penalty runs to either side and revoke last signal shall also be made by the bowler’s end umpire even if the striker’s end umpire has also signalled to the scorers. Law 3.15 Correctness of scores – the umpires must now satisfy themselves “throughout the match” that the scores are correct. LAW 5 THE BALL

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Law 5.4 New ball - the umpire must now also inform the other umpire that a new ball has been taken. LAW 7 – THE PITCH 7.2 Fitness of pitch for play

The umpires are now the sole judges of the fitness of the pitch for play.

LAW 10 – PREPARATION AND MAINENTANCE OF THE PLAYING AREA Law 10.1 (c) Rolling – ensures that if more than one roller is available he must choose which one is to be used. Law 10.1. (e) Insufficient time to complete rolling – now clarifies that even if there is insufficient time for rolling, the Captain may exercise his right to have the pitch rolled for not more than 7 minutes and the time for the start of the next innings will be delayed and such time shall be taken out of normal playing time. Law 10.2 Clearing debris from the pitch – states when the pitch shall be cleared of debris: Before the start of each days play Before any mowing or rolling is to take place Between innings At all intervals for meals Clearance of debris must be done by sweeping except where the umpires consider this may be detrimental to the surface of the pitch. In such cases, the debris must be cleared by hand. Finally, the pitch can also be cleared of debris whenever the umpires consider it necessary (by hand or sweeping). Law 10.3 Mowings – mowing during the course of the match are to be carried out under the supervision of the umpires. The pitch and outfield shall be mown each day of the match to ensure conditions to be as nearly the same for both sides as possible. Law 12 INNINGS 12.1 now requires any agreement as to the number of innings and determination of a result to be finalised prior to the match (run rate etc). 12.4 The toss – requires one or both umpires to be present for the toss which must take place not earlier than 30 minutes, or later than 15 minutes prior to the agreed starting time.

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12.5 Decision to be notified – as soon as the toss is completed, the captain winning the toss must now advise the opposing Captain of his decision to bat or bowl. LAW 14 DECLARATION AND FORFEITURE A DECLARATION MAY NOW ONLY BE MADE DURING THE INNINGS AND A FORFIETURE MUST BE MADE AT ANY TIME BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THAT INNINGS. A FORFEITURE IS CONSIDERED TO BE A COMPLETED INNINGS. LAW 15 – INTERVALS 15.5. Changing agreed times of intervals; Clarifies that if, at any time during the match, either playing time is lost through adverse conditions of ground, weather or light or in exceptional circumstances, or the players have occasion to leave the field other than at a scheduled interval, the time of the lunch interval or of the tea interval may be changed if the two umpires and both captains so agree. 15.8 Tea interval – 9 wickets down For the purposes of this section of Law, the retirement of a batsman is not to be considered equivalent to the fall of a wicket. 15.9 Intervals for drinks Clarification that if a wicket falls, or a batsman retires, within 5 minutes of the agreed time then drinks shall be taken immediately. 15.10 Agreement to forgo intervals Clarifies that when play is in progress, the batsmen at the wicket may deputise for their captain in making an agreement to forgo a drinks interval in that session. LAW 16 – START OF PLAY AND CESSATION OF PLAY 16.8 (c) (iii) Last hour of match – intervals between innings Clarifies that three overs, for the interval, will be deducted from the resulting number to determine the number of overs still to be bowled in the last hour of play 16.9 (c) Conclusion of match Clarifies that in the case of an agreement under Law 12.1(b) (Number of innings), as soon as the final innings is completed as defined in Law 12.3(e)

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(Completed innings). That is, if a limited overs match is agreed upon, it cannot then become a two innings match. 16.10 Bowler unable to complete an over during last hour of match If, for any reason, a bowler is unable to complete an over during the last hour, Law 22.8 (Bowler incapacitated or suspended during an over) shall apply. The separate parts of such an over shall count as one over of the minimum to be bowled. (Not to be confused with counting part of an over as a full one in the case of limited overs matches) LAW 17 PRACTICE ON THE FIELD 17.1 Practice on the pitch This Law has been completely re-written. It now clarifies the area that can NEVER be used for practice as being the pitch and two strips of equal width on either side of the match pitch. There shall be no practice of any kind, at any time on any day of the match, on the pitch or on either of the two strips parallel and immediately adjacent to the pitch, one on either side of it, each of the same dimensions as the pitch. 17.2 Practice on the rest of the square There shall be no practice of any kind on any other part of the square on any day of the match, except before the start of play or after the close of play on that day. Practice before the start of play must not continue later than 30 minutes before the scheduled time or any rescheduled time for play to start on that day and importantly shall not be allowed if the umpires consider that it will significantly impair the surface of the square. 17.3 (a) Practice on the outfield All forms of practice are permitted on the outfield which may take place before the start of play or after the close of play on any day or during the lunch and tea intervals or between innings Providing the umpires are satisfied that such practice will not cause significant deterioration in the condition of the outfield and any practice must not continue later than 5 minutes before the time for play to commence or to resume.

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17.4 (b) Practice on the outfield Between the call of Play and the call of Time: No one may participate in practice of any kind on the field of play, even from outside the boundary, except the fielders as defined in Appendix D and the batsmen at the wicket. Any player involved in practice contravening this Law shall be considered to have himself contravened the Law and will be subject to the penalty as set out in 17.4. There shall be no bowling or batting practice on the outfield. Bowling a ball, using arm action only, to a player in the outfield is not to be regarded as bowling practice but shall be subject to (b)(iii) and (c) below. However, a bowler deliberately bowling a ball on to the ground will contravene Law 42.3 (The match ball – changing its condition). Between the call of Play and the call of Time other practice shall be permitted, subject to the restrictions above:

• At the fall of a wicket. • Or during other gaps in play for legitimate activities, such as

adjustment of the sight-screen.

Practice at the fall of a wicket must cease as soon as the incoming batsman steps on to the square. Practice during other legitimate gaps in play must not continue beyond the minimum time required for the activity causing the gap in play. If these time restrictions are not observed, umpires shall apply the procedures of Law 42.9 (Time wasting by the fielding side). 17.5 Penalty for contravention If a player contravenes the above he shall not be allowed to bowl until: Either at least one hour has elapsed Or there has been at least 30 minutes of playing time since the contravention, whichever is sooner. If the contravention is by the bowler during an over, he shall not be allowed to complete that over. It shall be completed by another bowler, who shall neither have bowled any part of the previous over nor be allowed to bowl any part of the next over. 17.6 Trial run up

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A bowler is permitted to have a trial run up at the fall of a wicket or at other legitimate gaps in play. 18.2 Runs disallowed Wording changed to clarify that there are circumstances not only for the disallowance of runs but also for the non-award of penalties. 18.3 Short runs Removes the wording of the striker taking his stance in front of the popping crease and clarifies that if he sets off for his first run from in front of his popping crease may do so also without penalty. 18.5. Deliberate short runs This Law has been completely re-worded for clarity of the processes in warning the batsmen, disallowing runs. It should be noted that the only runs permitted will be those awarded for Penalties (No ball, Wide or other penalties), the batsmen must be returned to their original ends and ALL runs disallowed (including a boundary). 18.9 Runs scored when a batsman is dismissed Clauses 18.9 and 18.10 from the 3rd Edition are now combined into one new clause which clarifies how runs shall be scored or disallowed when either batsman is dismissed. 18.10. Runs scored when the ball becomes dead other than at the fall of a wicket This clause has been renumbered from 18.11 in the 3rd Edition. 18.11 Batsman returning to original end and 18.12 Batsman returning to wicket he has left There are now separate clauses to define where a batsman should be placed following the scoring of boundaries, disallowance of runs and either batsman being dismissed. LAW 19 BOUNDARIES 19.4 Ball beyond the boundary This clause requires that a fielder’s first contact with the ball must be when some part of his person is grounded within the boundary, or if he is airborne, that his final contact with the ground before touching the ball was within the boundary.

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LAW 22 THE OVER 22.3 Validity of balls Changes have been made to clarify that a ball shall not count as one of the 6 balls of the over unless it is delivered, even though, as in Law 42.15 (Bowler attempting to run out non-striker before delivery) a batsman may be dismissed or some other incident occurs without the ball having been delivered. Only valid balls shall count towards the 6 balls of the over. If, having miscounted, the umpire allows an over to continue after 6 valid balls have been bowled, he may subsequently call Over as the ball becomes dead after any delivery, even if that delivery is not a valid ball. LAW 23 DEAD BALL 23.1 Ball is dead When there is an award of penalty runs under either of Laws 2.6 (Player returning without permission) or 41.2 (Fielding the ball) the ball shall not count as one of the over. 23.3 Call of Over or Time (New clause) Neither the call of Over (see Law 22.4), nor the call of Time (see Law 16.2) is to be made until the ball either becomes dead or is called dead by either umpire. 23.4 Umpire calling and signalling Dead ball (clause renumbered) 23.4 (v) Umpire calling and signalling Dead ball This clause has been included to clarify that if the striker is not ready for the delivery of the ball and, if the ball is delivered, makes no attempt to play it the umpire will call and signal Dead ball. Provided the umpire is satisfied that the striker had adequate reason for not being ready, the ball shall not count as one of the over. 23.6(a) Dead Ball Counting as one of the over When a ball which has been delivered is called dead or is to be considered dead, it will not count in the over if the striker has not had an opportunity to play it. It will be a valid ball if the striker has had an opportunity to play it unless No ball or Wide has been called, except in the circumstances of 4 (b) (vi) and Laws 2.6 (Player returning without permission), 42.2 (Fielding the ball), 42.4 (Deliberate attempt to distract striker) and 42.5 (Deliberate distraction or obstruction of batsman)

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The ball will not count in the over only if both conditions of not attempting to play the ball and having an adequate reason for not being ready are met. Otherwise the delivery will be a valid ball. LAW 24 NO BALL 24.2 Fair delivery – the arm This clause has been reworded to clarify the warning process and the advice to the batsman at the wicket instead of the need to inform the Captain of the batting side. Also the umpire shall direct the captain of the fielding side to suspend the bowler forthwith rather than have the bowler “taken off”. 24.5 Fair delivery – the feet The bowler’s front foot must land with some part of it behind an imaginary line joining the two middle stumps on the SAME side to his original delivery stride (over or around the wicket). LAW 26 BYE AND LEG BYE 26.1 Byes If the ball, delivered by the bowler, not being a No ball or a Wide, passes the striker without touching his bat or person, any runs completed by the batsmen from that delivery, or a boundary allowance, shall be credited as Byes to the batting side. 26.2 (b) Leg byes (reworded to clarify how runs are to be scored) If there is either inadvertent contact with the striker’s bat or person, runs completed by the batsmen or a boundary allowance shall be credited to the striker in the case of subsequent contact with his bat. If the striker wilfully makes a lawful second strike, Laws 34.3 (Ball lawfully struck more than once) and 34.4 (Runs scored from ball lawfully struck more than once) shall apply. 26.3 Leg byes not to be awarded This clause now clarifies that if leg byes are not to be awarded, there shall be no other penalties awarded to the batting side other than for a No ball or Wide. LAW 27 APPEALS 27.1 Umpire not to give batsman out without an appeal It is now only necessary for an appeal to be made by a fielder as opposed to the previous requirement of an appeal by the fielding side.

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27.5 Answering appeals The striker’s end umpire shall answer all appeals arising out of any of Laws 35 (Hit wicket), 39 (Stumped) or 38 (Run out) when this occurs at the wicket-keeper’s end. The bowler’s end umpire shall answer all other appeals. LAW 28 THE WICKET IS DOWN 28.1 (a) Wicket put down The wicket is considered to be put down by the strikers bat in falling if he has let go of it, or by any part of his bat becoming detached (broken off etc.) 28.3 Remaking wicket Any fielder may, while the ball is in play, remake the wicket. LAW 29 BATSMAN OUT OF HIS GROUND 29.1 When out of his ground If a running batsman, having grounded some part of his foot behind the popping crease, continues running further towards the wicket at that end and beyond, then any subsequent total loss of contact with the ground of both his person and his bat during his continuing forward momentum shall not be interpreted as being out of his ground. LAW 31 TIMED OUT 31.1 Out Timed out After the fall of a wicket or the retirement of a batsman, the incoming batsman must, unless Time has been called, be in position to take guard or for his partner to be ready to receive the next ball within 3 minutes of the dismissal or retirement. LAW 32 CAUGHT 32.3 A fair catch The Law now clarifies that although a catch cannot be effected if it touches a protective helmet worn by a fielder the ball will remain in play. LAW 37 OBSTRUCTING THE FIELD

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37.1 Out Obstructing the field Either batsman is out Obstructing the field if he wilfully obstructs or distracts the fielding side by word or action. This shall apply whether or not there is any disadvantage to the fielding side. 37.4 Returning the ball to a fielder Either batsman is out Obstructing the field if, without the consent of a fielder and while the ball is in play, he uses his bat or person, other than a hand not holding the bat, to return the ball to any fielder. This now clearly distinguishes the difference between Handled the ball and Obstructing the field. LAW 38 RUN OUT 38.2 Batsman not Run out Reworded to ensure clarity if No ball has been called and the striker is out of his ground not attempting a run and the wicket is fairly put down by the wicket-keeper without the intervention of another fielder, the striker will not be out Run out. 38.4 Runs scored. Clarifies that if either batsman is dismissed Run out, the run in progress when the wicket is put down shall not be scored, LAW 41 THE FIELDER 41.2 Fielding the ball Has now been amended and all runs completed by the batsmen will be credited to the batting side, together with the run in progress if the batsmen had already crossed at the instant of the offence. This is in addition to the 5 run penalty and any other penalties for a No ball or Wide. The ball shall not count as one of the over. 40.3 Protective helmets belonging to the fielding side Additionally runs completed by the batsmen before the ball strikes the protective helmet shall be scored, together with the run in progress if the batsmen had already crossed at the instant of the ball striking the protective helmet.

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LAW 42 FAIR AND UNFAIR PLAY 42.3 The match ball – changing its condition Any fielder may also dry a wet ball on a piece of cloth. If the umpires together agree that the deterioration in the condition of the ball is greater than is consistent with the use it has received, they shall consider that there has been a contravention of this Law. The umpires must inform the captain of the fielding side that the reason for the action was the unfair interference with the ball. 42.4 Deliberate attempt to distract striker It is unfair for any fielder deliberately to attempt to distract the striker while he is preparing to receive or receiving a delivery. 42.5 Deliberate distraction or obstruction of batsman In addition to 4 above, it is unfair for any fielder wilfully to attempt, by word or action, to distract or obstruct either batsman after the striker has received the ball. Note that there only needs to be an attempt to distract or obstruct either batsman. 42.6 Dangerous and unfair bowling (b) Bowling of high full pitched balls (Now defined that any delivery, other than a slow paced one, which passes or would have passed on the full above waist height of the striker standing upright at the popping crease is to be deemed dangerous and unfair. 42.7 Dangerous and unfair bowling – action by the umpire The warning shall also apply throughout the innings. (Previously mentioned the bowler changing ends). The process now requires that when the ball is dead the umpire must direct the captain to suspend the bowler forthwith and inform the other umpire of the reason for this action. 42.8 Deliberate bowling of high full pitched balls. The warning process now requires that when the ball is dead direct the captain of the fielding side to suspend the bowler forthwith and inform the other umpire of the reason.

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42.9 Time wasting by the fielding side If the waste of time is during the course of an over, direct the captain of the fielding side to suspend the bowler forthwith. (Consistent with Dangerous and Unfair Bowling). 42.12 Bowler running on protected area after delivering the ball A bowler will contravene this Law if he runs on to the protected area, either after delivering the ball or, if he fails to release the ball, after the completion of his delivery swing and delivery stride. Following the caution and final warning, if the bowler runs into the protected area again, the Captain will be directed to suspend the bowler. 42.13 Fielder damaging pitch If any fielder causes avoidable damage to the pitch, other than as in 12(a) above, at the first instance the umpire seeing the contravention shall, when the ball is dead, inform the other umpire. The bowler’s end umpire shall then caution the captain of the fielding side and indicate that this is a first and final warning. This warning shall apply throughout the innings. 42.14. Batsman damaging the pitch (amended to cater for a first and final warning only) If either batsman causes avoidable damage to the pitch, at the first instance the umpire seeing the contravention shall, when the ball is dead, inform the other umpire of the occurrence. The bowlers end umpire shall then warn both batsmen that the practice is unfair and indicate that this is a first and final warning. 42.15 Bowler attempting to run out non-striker before delivery The bowler is permitted, before entering his delivery stride, to attempt to run out the non-striker. Whether the attempt is successful or not, the ball shall not count as one of the over. If the bowler fails in an attempt to run out the non-striker, the umpire shall call and signal Dead ball as soon possible.