MCC has updated the rules keeping in mind modern cricket. Now cricket is faster and more popular than before. The fast-paced nature of the game and its widespread popularity have influenced the updates to some extent.
List of new rules approved by the MCC that will come into effect from October this year:
1. Size and weight of the ball:
The size and weight of the ball depend on the type of cricket. MCC has established three levels for this: size 1, size 2 and size 3. 3. While size 1 is usually recommended for men’s cricket, the other two types of ball will be used in junior and women’s cricket. “In effect, a small women’s ball was smaller and lighter than a large junior ball, allowing manufacturers to create one ball that suited both categories,” MCC said.
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2. Rules for Laminated Bats:
As the cost of the bats rises, the MCC has decided to make the laminated bats legal for adult group cricket as well. The laminated bat would cost less than the wooden, non-laminated bats.
“Type D bats, which can be laminated, are now permitted for open age cricket, rather than just junior cricket. This is part of an effort to slow the rising cost of bats around the world,” describes MCC.
3. Law 12.5.2 – The last over of a match day does not end with a wicket:
This rule can have a huge impact on multi-day competitions. To maintain the flow of a match, the MCC stated in their official statement that if a bowler takes a wicket in the last over of the day, the bowling team is allowed to complete the over. For them, the batting side will have to send the new batsman to the field to play the remaining balls of the over.
“While the incoming batsman is let off the hook – at a time when conditions are often more favorable for bowling. The new change means the final of the day will be fully bowled,” MCC said.
4. Law 18.5.1 and 18.5.2 – A clarification of short runs:
A section of cricket fans may already be aware of the rule as it has already been adopted by ICC. The rule is to prevent the batters from stealing runs by running too short in the crease. The fielding side can appeal to the umpire if they feel that a batter is deliberately coming up short on the field.
“Intentional shorting is usually an attempt to get a particular batter to hit, and this further reduces the chance of gaining such an advantage,” the official press release said.
5. Law 19.5.2 – Border Capture:
It is another law that has already been passed by the ICC. This rule is intended to restrict the fielders from bonny hop attempts. This rule will eliminate some spectacular off-rope catches. Under this rule, a fielder may not touch the ball outside the boundary line if he goes into the air only once and then, after doing so, remains on the ground entirely within the boundary line for the remainder of the duration of that ball throw.
“Even if the ball is parried – to another fielder or inside the field of play – if the fielder lands outside the boundary or then steps out, a boundary is scored,” MCC further added.
6. Law 19.8 – Overthrow:
This rule is intended to draw a clear line between the concept of overthrow and misfield. MCC clearly mentioned that if a fielder throws the ball at the stumps in an attempt to run out a batter or score. And an action on the field will be wrongly executed if “a fielder attempts to stop or pass the ball to another fielder close to the boundary – it shall not be treated as an overthrow.”
7. Law 20.1.1.1 – a new definition of ‘finally settled’:
This is an extremely important rule for all cricketers. This law should redefine when a ball can be called finally settled. It was often noted that batters do not judge whether the momentum is still moving after pitching a ball or not.
Explaining the new rule, the MCC said: “The ball no longer needs to be in the hands of the bowler or wicketkeeper for final settlement. It can be in the hands of any fielder or standing still on the ground. This gives umpires the freedom to make reasonable decisions about when the ball is dead, even if one fielder or one batsman is still trying to play on.”
8. Law 27.3.1 – the position of the wicketkeeper:
It’s an interesting change in the rules. This rule has explained what the position of a wicketkeeper will be while releasing a bowled ball. The rule has been changed because some goalkeepers sometimes preferred to keep their gloves in front of the stumps. MCC stated in their updated rules that the wicketkeeper must be completely behind the stumps only after the ball has been released. This brings the wording in line with the position of a fielder.
9. Law 35.1.1 and 35.2 – Hitwicket:
The updated rule said that if a batsman fell on the stumps while trying to play the ball, it would be considered a hit wicket. But if another player is contacted by the batsman and then falls on the stumps, it is not considered a hit wicket. To make the ultimate decision, referees will have to see whether the situation is accidental or intentional.
10. Appendix A2.7 and A2.8 – Ball held in the fielder’s hand and in full control:
This rule can save a hitter a lot of time. MCC has made it clear that a fielder must hold the ball with full control during a run-out or stumping.
“For a ball to be considered to be held in the fielder’s hand – crucial for a run-out or stumping – the ball must be held. It cannot be simply touching the fielder’s hand while breaking the stumps; he must actually hold it with complete control,” the law states.
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To download a document with the ten most important changes, click here.
The full document, which contains all 73 changes to the laws, is accessible hereand a document explaining each change is available here.
The complete 2026 edition of the 2017 Code can be consulted here.
Read more about MCC laws here.
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