The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has enforced new rules to the game that will ensure more fair gameplay and smooth conduct. These new laws will come into action from October. In the meantime, the relevant material in the Laws of Cricket will be updated by the MCC to assist with the official training.
Mankading, judging a wide, and no saliva on the ball are some of the major law changes. These changes are made to shape how the game should be played in an unfair manner.
MCC Laws Manager, Fraser Stewert said, “Since the publication of the 2017 Code of the Laws of Cricket, the game has changed in numerous ways.
“The 2nd edition of that Code, published in 2019, was mostly clarification and minor amendments, but the 2022 Code makes some rather bigger changes, from the way we talk about cricket to the way it’s played.”
Unfair fielding movement (Laws 27.4 and 28.6)
Before this, any member of the fielding team who moved inappropriately was merely penalised with a ‘Dead ball,’ possibly cancelling a perfectly fine batter’s hit. Because the action was both unjust and purposeful, the batting side will now be awarded 5 penalty runs.
Running out the non-striker (Laws 38.3 and 41.16)
Mankading or running out the non-striker has been relegated to Law 38 (Runout) from 41 (Unfair play). The Law’s description remains unchanged.
No saliva on the ball (Law 41.3)
When cricket resumed after Covid-19, using the saliva on the ball was no longer permitted. According to the MCC’s studies, this had little or no effect on the amount of swing the bowlers received. Sweat was used by players to polish the ball, and it worked just as well.
The new rules prohibit the use of saliva on the ball, which eliminates any grey areas that may arise from fielders consuming sugary treats and altering their saliva to apply to the ball. The use of saliva will be considered the same as any other unethical approach to altering the ball’s condition.
Player replacement (Law 1.3)
The addition of a new clause, Law 1.3, indicates that substitutes are to be considered as if they were the player they replaced, inheriting any penalties or dismissals that the player received in that match.
New batter taking the strike (18.11)
If a batter is caught, the new player will take the strike (unless it is a new over) irrespective of the players crossing each other while attempting to take a run.
Dead ball (Law 20.4.2.12)
The Dead ball Law has been updated in the current version, with the major modification being the use of the term “Dead ball” if either team is disadvantaged by a human, animal, or other objects on the field of play. In such a circumstance, if there is an impact on the game, the umpires will label it a dead ball.
Attempt to run out the striker before bowling the ball (Law 21.4)
If a bowler throws the ball before starting their delivery stride to run out the striker, it will be called a Dead ball. This has previously been referred to as a No ball.
Judging a wide (Law 22.1)
The batters move laterally around the crease before the ball is bowled taking an unfair advantage. It was considered that it was unjust for a delivery to be declared ‘Wide’ if it passed where the batsman had stood as the bowler entered his/her delivery stride.
As a result, Law 22.1 has been changed to state that a Wide applies to where the batter is standing at the time when the bowler began his run-up.
