Laws of Cricket: MCC Announces New Edition with 73 Changes

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the custodian of cricket’s laws, has announced 73 amendments to the rulebook, which are expected to take effect from 1 October 2026.

The changes have been drafted based on two main principles: ensuring that the laws are current and suitable for the modern game, and making them as inclusive as possible.

Mandatory Completion of the Final Over:

As per the earlier practice, if a wicket fell in the final over of the day, play could end immediately, and the remaining deliveries of the over would be completed on the next day. Under the revised laws, this provision has been removed, meaning that the final over must now be completed even if a wicket falls, provided playing conditions remain suitable.

The MCC explained that it felt it was unfair that, if a fielding side takes a wicket in the final over of the day, the batting side does not have to send out a new batter, as it “takes the drama out of the game while letting the incoming batter off the hook—when the conditions are often more favourable to bowling.”

Categorising different balls:

The revised laws introduce a clearer categorisation of cricket balls by replacing the earlier labels of men’s, women’s, and junior balls with Size 1, Size 2, and Size 3 balls, all defined within the same provision.

The MCC stated the change was developed in consultation with manufacturers and current and former women’s players through its World Cricket Connects initiative, to establish clearer standards across different levels of the game.

‘Bunny-Hop’ Boundary Catch Removed:

Under the updated rule, a fielder who jumps from outside the boundary may touch the ball only once while airborne. After making that contact, the fielder must land and remain inside the boundary until the ball becomes dead.

The change effectively eliminates the so-called “bunny-hop catch,” where fielders repeatedly jump from outside the boundary to keep the ball in play.

Laminated Bats Permitted in Adult Cricket:

Type D bats are now permitted in open-age cricket, instead of just being restricted to junior cricket. These bats may be laminated or made from multiple pieces of wood. According to the MCC, laminated bats allow better use of available willow and may help reduce bat costs without providing a significant performance advantage.

Leeway for wicketkeepers:

Greater clarity has also been provided regarding the wicketkeeper’s position. The updated rule states that a wicketkeeper will no longer be penalised for having their gloves in front of the stumps during the bowler’s run-up, but must be wholly behind the stumps at the moment the ball is released.

The MCC explained that modern match analysis showed wicketkeepers occasionally moving slightly in front of the stumps during the run-up without gaining any advantage, and that the revised wording reflects how the position is commonly interpreted in practice.

Overthrows and Short Running Clarified:

A clearer definition of an overthrow has been provided. Now, an overthrow will arise when, “in an attempt to run out a batter or prevent further run-scoring, a fielder directs the ball towards the wickets, and the ball subsequently crosses the boundary.”

The laws also clarify deliberate short running, defining it as “an attempt by the batters to appear to run more than one run, while at least one batter deliberately does not make good their ground at one end.” The rules further state that if there was no intention to deceive, abandoning an attempted run will not be treated as a deliberate short run.

Other changes:

In addition to these revisions, the updated laws introduce several technical clarifications regarding fielding positions, dead-ball situations, and equipment standards. The MCC noted that many of the remaining amendments are aimed at improving clarity in the interpretation of the laws and aligning them with modern playing practices across different levels of the game.