MCC Laws Of Cricket
LAW 22 WIDE BALL
22.1 Judging a Wide
22.1.1 If the bowler bowls a ball, not being a No ball, the umpire shall adjudge it a Wide if, according to the definition in 22.1.2, the ball passes wide of where the striker is standing or has stood at any point after the ball came into play for that delivery, and which also would have passed wide of the striker standing in a normal batting position.
22.1.2 The ball will be considered as passing wide of the striker unless it is sufficiently within reach for him/her to be able to hit it with the bat by means of a normal cricket stroke.
22.2 Call and signal of Wide ball
If the umpire adjudges a delivery to be a Wide he/she shall call and signal Wide ball as soon as the ball passes the striker’s wicket. It shall, however, be considered to have beena Wide from the instant that the bowler entered his/her delivery stride, even though it cannot be called Wide until it passes the striker’s wicket.
22.3 Revoking a call of Wide ball
22.3.1 The umpire shall revoke the call of Wide ball if there is any contact between the ball and the striker’s bat or person before the ball comes into contact with any fielder.
22.3.2 The umpire shall revoke the call of Wide ball if a delivery is called a No ball. See Law
21.13 (No ball to override Wide).
22.4 Delivery not a Wide
22.4.1 The umpire shall not adjudge a delivery as being a Wide, if the striker, by moving, either causes the ball to pass wide of him/her, as defined in 22.1.2
or brings the ball sufficiently within reach to be able to hit it by means of a normal cricket stroke.
22.4.2 The umpire shall not adjudge a delivery as being a Wide if the ball touches the striker’s bat or person, but only as the ball passes the striker.
22.5 Ball not dead, The ball does not become dead on the call of Wide ball.
22.6 Penalty for a Wide
A penalty of one-run shall be awarded instantly on the call of Wide ball. Unless the call is revoked under 22.3, this penalty shall stand even if a batter is dismissed, and shall be in addition to any other runs scored, any boundary allowance and any other runs awarded for penalties.
22.7 Runs resulting from a Wide – how scored
All runs completed by the batters or a boundary allowance, together with the penalty for the Wide, shall be scored as Wide balls. Apart from any award of 5 Penalty runs, all runs resulting from a Wide shall be debited against the bowler.
22.8 Wide not to count
A Wide shall not count as one of the over. See Law 17.3 (Validity of balls).
22.9 Out from a Wide
When Wide ball has been called, neither batter shall be out under any of the Laws except 35 (Hit wicket), 37 (Obstructing the field), 38 (Run out) or 39 (Stumped).
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LAW 23 BYE AND LEG BYE
23.1 Byes
If the ball, delivered by the bowler, not being a Wide, passes the striker without touching his/her bat or person, any runs completed by the batters from that delivery, or a boundary allowance, shall be credited as Byes to the batting side. Additionally, if the delivery is a No ball, the one- run penalty for such a delivery shall be incurred.
23.2 Leg byes
23.2.1 If a ball delivered by the bowler first strikes the person of the striker, runs shall be scored only if the umpire is satisfied that the striker has
either attempted to play the ball with the bator tried to avoid being hit by the ball.
23.2.2 If the umpire is satisfied that either of these conditions has been met runs shall be scored as follows.
23.2.2.1 If there is
either no subsequent contact with the striker’s bat or person, or only inadvertent contact with the striker’s bat or person
any runs completed by the batters or a boundary allowance shall be credited to the striker in the case of subsequent contact with his/her bat but otherwiseto the batting side as in 23.2.3.
23.2.2.2 If the striker wilfully makes a lawful second strike, Laws 34.3 (Ball lawfully struck more than once) and 34.4 (Runs permitted from ball lawfully struck more than once) shall apply.
23.2.3 The runs in 23.2.2.1, unless credited to the striker, shall be scored as Leg byes.
Additionally, if the delivery is a No ball, the one-run penalty for the No ball shall be incurred.
23.3 Leg byes not to be awarded
If in the circumstance of 23.2.1 the umpire considers that neither of the conditions therein has been met, then Leg byes shall not be awarded.
If the ball does not become dead for any other reason, the umpire shall call and signal Dead ball as soon as the ball reaches the boundary or at the completion of the first run.
The umpire shall then
- disallow all runs to the batting side;
- return any not out batter to his/her original end;
- signal No ball to the scorers if applicable;
- award any 5-run Penalty that is applicable except for Penalty runs under Law
28.3 (Protective helmets belonging to the fielding side).
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LAW 24 FIELDER’S ABSENCE; SUBSTITUTES
24.1 Substitute fielders
24.1.1 The umpires shall allow a substitute fielder
24.1.1.1 if they are satisfied that a fielder has been injured or become ill and that this occurred during the match, or
24.1.1.2 for any other wholly acceptable reason.
In all other circumstances, a substitute is not allowed.
24.1.2 A substitute shall not bowl or act as captain but may act as wicket-keeper only with the consent of the umpires. Note, however, Law 42.7.1 (Additional points relating to Level 3 and Level 4 offences).
24.1.3 A nominated player may bowl or field even though a substitute has previously acted for him/her, subject to 24.2, 24.3 and Law 42.4 (Level 3 offences and action by umpires).
24.2 Fielder absent or leaving the field of play
24.2.1 A player going briefly outside the boundary while carrying out any duties as a fielder is not absent from the field of play nor, for the purposes of this Law, is he/she to be regarded as having left the field of play.
24.2.2 If a fielder fails to take the field at the start of play or at any later time, or leaves the field during play,
24.2.2.1 an umpire shall be informed of the reason for this absence.
24.2.2.2 he/she shall not thereafter come on to the field of play during a session of play without the consent of the umpire. See 24.4. The umpire shall give such consent as soon as it is practicable.
24.2.2.3 he/she shall not be permitted to bowl, until having been back on the field of play for a period of time known as Penalty time as described in 24.2.3 to
24.2.7 and 24.3.
24.2.3 A player’s unserved Penalty time shall be limited to a maximum of 90 minutes.
24.2.4 If the player leaves the field before having served all of his/her Penalty time, the balance is carried forward as unserved Penalty time.
24.2.5 The player shall not bowl until all of his/her Penalty time has been served. On any occasion of absence, the amount of Playing time for which the player is off the field shall be added to any Penalty time that remains unserved, subject to 24.2.3.
24.2.6 If there is an unscheduled break in play, the stoppage time shall count as Penalty time served, provided that,
24.2.6.1 the fielder who was on the field of play at the start of the break either takes the field on the resumption of play, or his/her side is now batting.
24.2.6.2 the fielder who was already off the field at the start of the break notifies an umpire in person as soon as he/she is able to participate, and either takes the field on the resumption of play, or his/her side is now batting. Stoppage time before an umpire has been so notified shall not count towards unservedPenalty time.
24.2.7 Any unserved Penalty time shall be carried forward into the next and subsequent days and innings of the match, as applicable.
24.2.8 If a Level 3 offence under Law 42.4 (Level 3 offences and action by umpires) is committed by a fielder, the period of time spent off the field of play as a result of the suspension shall not be added to any unserved Penalty time if he/she takes the field at the end of the period of suspension.
24.2.9 If a Level 3 offence under Law 42.4 (Level 3 offences and action by umpires) is committed by a substitute, the following shall apply.
24.2.9.1 The period of time spent off the field as a result of the suspension shall not be added to any Penalty time that remains unserved if the nominated player takes the field at the end of the period of suspension. However, any time spent off the field prior to the offence causing the suspension will remain as unserved Penalty time, subject to 24.2.3.
24.2.9.2 If the nominated player does not take the field at the end of the period of suspension, then the entire period of his/her absence will be treated as Penalty time, up to a maximum of 90 minutes.
24.3 Penalty time not incurred
A nominated player’s absence will not incur Penalty time if,
24.3.1 he/she has suffered an external blow during the match and, as a result, has justifiably left the field or is unable to take the field.
24.3.2 in the opinion of the umpires, the player has been absent or has left the field for other wholly acceptable reasons, which shall not include illness or internal injury.
24.4 Player returning without permission
If a player comes on to the field of play in contravention of 24.2.2 and comes into contact with the ball while it is in play, the ball shall immediately become dead.
- The umpires shall signal No ball or Wide to the scorers, if applicable.
- The umpire shall award 5 Penalty runs to the batting side.
- Runs completed by the batters shall be scored together with the run in progress if they had already crossed at the instant of the offence.
- The ball shall not count as one of the over.
- The umpire shall inform the other umpire, the captain of the fielding side, the batters and, as soon as practicable, the captain of the batting side of the reason for this action.
- The umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the offending side and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team.
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LAW 25 BATTER’S INNINGS; RUNNERS
25.1 Eligibility to act as a batter or runner
Only a nominated player may bat or act as a runner and, subject to 25.3 and 25.5.2, may do so even though a substitute fielder has previously acted for him/her.
25.2 Commencement of a batter’s innings
The innings of the first two batters, and that of any new batter on the resumption of play after a call of Time, shall commence at the call of Play. At any other time, a batter’s innings shall be considered to have commenced when that batter first steps onto the field of play.
25.3 Restriction on batter commencing an innings
25.3.1 If a member of the batting side has unserved Penalty time, see Law 24.2.7 (Fielder absent or leaving the field of play), that player shall not be permitted to bat or act as a runner until that Penalty time has been served. However, even if the unserved Penalty
time has not expired, that player may bat after his/her side has lost 5 wickets.
25.3.2 A member of the batting side’s Penalty time is served during Playing time, subject to the conditions in 25.3.2.1 and 25.3.2.2.
25.3.2.1 The period of time while serving a suspension for a Level 3 offence under Law
42.4 (Level 3 offences and action by umpires) does not count as Penalty time served.
25.3.2.2 In the event of an unscheduled stoppage, the stoppage time after the batter notifies an umpire in person that he/she is able to participate shall count as Penalty time served.
25.3.3 If any unserved Penalty time remains at the end of a team’s innings, it shall be carried forward to the next and subsequent innings of the match if appropriate.
25.4 Batter retiring
25.4.1 A batter may retire at any time during his/her innings when the ball is dead. The umpires, before allowing play to proceed, shall be informed of the reason for a batter retiring.
25.4.2 If a batter retires because of illness, injury or any other unavoidable cause, that batter is entitled to resume his/her innings. If for any reason this does not happen, that batter is to be recorded as ‘Retired - not out’.
25.4.3 If a batter retires for any reason other than as in 25.4.2, the innings of that batter may be resumed only with the consent of the opposing captain. If for any reason his/her innings is not resumed, that batter is to be recorded as ‘Retired - out’.
25.4.4 If after retiring a batter resumes his/her innings, subject to the requirements of
25.4.2 and 25.4.3, it shall be only at the fall of a wicket or the retirement of another batter.
25.5 Runners
25.5.1 The umpires shall allow a runner for a batter if they are satisfied
25.5.1.1 that the batter has sustained an injury that affects his/her ability to run and that this occurred during the match.
25.5.1.2 for any other wholly acceptable reason. In all other circumstances, a runner is not allowed.
25.5.2 A runner shall
25.5.2.1 be a member of the batting side.
25.5.2.2 if possible, have already completed his/her innings; when this is not possible, if circumstances change such that a dismissed batter can act as runner, then the runner must be changed immediately.
25.5.2.3 be changed only with the consent of the umpires.
25.5.2.4 wear external protective equipment equivalent to that worn by the batter for whom he/she runs and shall carry a bat.
25.5.2.5 not have any unserved Penalty time as described in Law 24.2.7 (Fielder absent or leaving the field of play).
25.5.3 A batter’s runner is subject to the Laws and will be regarded as a batter except where there are special provisions for his/her role as a runner. See Law 30.2 (Whichis a batter’s ground).
25.6 Dismissal and conduct of a batter and his/her runner
25.6.1 A batter who has a runner will suffer the penalty for any infringement of the Laws by the runner as if he/she, the batter, had been responsible for the infringement. In particular he/she will be out if the runner is out under either of Laws 37 (Obstructing the field) or 38 (Run out).
25.6.2 When a batter who has a runner is the striker he/she remains subject to the Laws and will be liable to the penalties that any infringement of them demands. In the case of Run
out and Stumped, however, special provisions, set out in 25.6.3, 25.6.4 and 25.6.5, apply to him/her as a striker who has a runner.
25.6.3 When a batter who has a runner is the striker, his/her ground is always at the wicket- keeper’s end.
25.6.4 If the striker who has a runner is in his/her ground, and the runner is out of his/her ground at the wicket-keeper’s end when the wicket is fairly broken at that end, the conditions of Law 38 (Run out) shall apply.
25.6.5 If the striker who has a runner is out of his/her ground and the wicket at the wicket- keeper’s end is fairly broken, the striker is liable to be out under Laws 38 (Run out) or 39 (Stumped). If the runner is also out of his/her ground at the wicket-keeper’s end, then only Law 38 (Run out) can apply.
25.6.6 If a striker who has a runner is dismissed as in 25.6.5, the umpire shall
- disallow all runs to the batting side
- return any not out batter to his/her original end
- award any 5-run Penalty that is applicable.
25.6.7 When a batter who has a runner is not the striker, he/she
25.6.7.1 remains subject to Law 37 (Obstructing the field) but is otherwise out of the match.
25.6.7.2 shall stand where directed by the striker’s end umpire so as not to interfere with play.
25.6.7.3 will be liable, even though out of the match as in 25.6.7.1, to any penalty demanded by the Laws should he/she commit any act of unfair play.
25.7 Restriction on the striker’s runner
25.7.1 Once the ball comes into play, the runner for an injured batter who is the striker shall have part of his/her person or bat grounded behind the popping crease until the ball reaches the striker or passes the popping crease, whichever is the sooner.
25.7.2 If the striker’s end umpire considers the runner for an injured striker to be in breach of this restriction then, if the ball does not become dead for any other reason, he/she shall call and signal Dead ball as soon as the ball reaches the boundary or at the completion of the first run. However, he/she shall delay the call of Dead ball to allow the opportunity for a catch to be completed.
The bowler’s end umpire shall
- disallow all runs to the batting side
- return any not out batter to his/her original end
- award any 5-run Penalty that is applicable except for Penalty runs under Law
28.3 (Protective helmets belonging to the fielding side).
25.8 Striker’s right to play the ball
The striker has a right to play the ball, or to make a legitimate second strike, after it has been delivered, without interference from the wicket-keeper or any other fielder (see Law 27.5 – Restrictions on actions of wicket-keeper and Law 27.6 – Interference with wicket-keeper by striker).
However, the striker may only attempt to play the ball if some of his/her bat or person, whether grounded or raised, remains within the pitch, as defined in Law 6.1 (Area of pitch). Should no part of the striker’s bat or person remain within the pitch, whilst the striker is playing the ball, either umpire shall immediately call and signal Dead ball.
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LAW 26 PRACTICE ON THE FIELD
26.1 Practice on the pitch or the rest of the square
26.1.1 There shall not be any practice on the pitch at any time on any day of the match.
26.1.2 There shall not be any practice on the rest of the square at any time on any day of the match, except with the approval of the umpires.
26.2 Practice on the outfield
26.2.1 On any day of the match, all forms of practice are permitted on the outfield
- before the start of play,
- after the close of play and
- 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.
26.2.2 Between the call of Play and the call of Time, practice shall be permitted on the outfield, providing that all of the following conditions are met:
- only the fielders as defined in Appendix A.7 participate in such practice.
- no ball other than the match ball is used for this practice.
- no bowling practice takes place in the area between the square and the boundary in a direction parallel to the match pitch.
- the umpires are satisfied that it will not contravene either of Laws 41.3 (The match ball – changing its condition) or 41.9 (Time wasting by the fielding side). If there is such a contravention, the sanctions in Law 41 shall be applied. However, any warning given shall apply to further instances under both Law 26 and Law 41 (Unfair play).
26.3 Trial run-up
A bowler is permitted to have a trial run-up provided the umpire is satisfied that it will not contravene either of Laws 41.9 (Time wasting by the fielding side) or 41.12 (Fielder damaging the pitch).
26.4 Penalties for contravention
All forms of practice are subject to the provisions of Laws 41.3 (The match ball – changing its condition), 41.9 (Time wasting by the fielding side) and 41.12 (Fielder damaging the pitch).
26.4.1 If there is a contravention of any of the provisions of 26.1 or 26.2, the umpire shall
- warn the player that the practice is not permitted;
- inform the other umpire and, as soon as practicable, both captains of the reason for this action.
26.4.1.1 If the contravention is by a batter at the wicket, the umpire shall inform the other batter and each incoming batter that the warning has been issued. The warning shall apply to the team of that player throughout the match.
26.4.2 If during the match there is any further contravention by any player of that team, the umpire shall
- award 5 Penalty runs to the opposing side;
- inform the other umpire, the scorers and, as soon as practicable, both captains, and, if the contravention is during play, the batters at the wicket.
The umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible after thematch to the Executive of the offending side and to any Governing Body responsiblefor the match, who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team.
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LAW 27 THE WICKET-KEEPER
27.1 Protective equipment
The wicket-keeper is the only fielder permitted to wear gloves and external leg guards. If these are worn, they are to be regarded as part of his/her person for the purposes of Law 28.2 (Fielding the ball). If by the wicket-keeper’s actions and positioning when the ball comes into play it is apparent to the umpires that he/she will not be able to carry out the normal duties of a wicket-keeper, he/she shall forfeit this right and also the right to be recognised as a wicket- keeper for the purposes of Laws 33.2 (A fair catch), 39 (Stumped), 28.1 (Protective equipment), 28.4 (Limitation of on-side fielders) and 28.5 (Fielders not to encroach on pitch).
27.2 Gloves
27.2.1 If, as permitted under 27.1, the wicket-keeper wears gloves, they shall have no webbing between the fingers except joining index finger and thumb, where webbing may be inserted as a means of support.
27.2.2 If used, the webbing shall be a single piece of non-stretch material which, although it may have facing material attached, shall have no reinforcements or tucks.
27.2.3 The top edge of the webbing shall not protrude beyond the straight line joining the top of the index finger to the top of the thumb and shall be taut when a hand wearing the glove has the thumb fully extended. See Appendix E.
27.3 Position of wicket-keeper
27.3.1 The wicket-keeper shall remain wholly behind the wicket at the striker’s end from the moment the ball comes into play until a ball delivered by the bowler
touches the bat or person of the striker or passes the wicket at the striker’s end or the striker attempts a run.
27.3.2 In the event of the wicket-keeper contravening this Law, the striker’s end umpire shall call and signal No ball as soon as applicable after the delivery of the ball.
27.4 Movement by wicket-keeper
27.4.1 After the ball comes into play and before it reaches the striker, it is unfair if the wicket- keeper significantly alters his/her position in relation to the striker’s wicket, except for the following:
27.4.1.1 movement of a few paces forward for a slower delivery, unless in so doing it brings him/her within reach of the wicket.
27.4.1.2 lateral movement in response to the direction in which the ball has been delivered.
27.4.1.3 movement in response to the stroke that the striker is playing or that his/her actions suggest he/she intends to play. However the provisions of Law 27.3 shall apply.
27.4.2 In the event of unfair movement by the wicket-keeper, either umpire shall call and signal Dead ball and inform the other umpire of the reason for doing so. The bowler’s end umpire shall then:
27.4.2.1 award the one-run penalty for Wide or No ball, if applicable
27.4.2.2 award 5 Penalty runs to the batting side
27.4.2.3 inform the captain of the fielding side of the reason for this action.
27.4.2.4 inform the batters and, as soon as practicable, the captain of the batting side of what has occurred.
The umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the offending side and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team.
27.5 Restriction on actions of wicket-keeper
If, in the opinion of either umpire, the wicket-keeper interferes with the striker’s right to play
the ball and to guard his/her wicket, Law 20.4.2.6 (Umpire calling and signalling Dead ball) shall apply.
If, however, either umpire considers that the interference by the wicket-keeper was wilful, then Law 41.4 (Deliberate attempt to distract striker) shall also apply.
27.6 Interference with wicket-keeper by striker
If, in playing at the ball or in the legitimate defence of his/her wicket, the striker interferes with the wicket-keeper, he/she shall not be out except as provided for in Law 37.3 (Obstructing a ball from being caught).
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LAW 28 THE FIELDER
28.1 Protective equipment
No fielder other than the wicket-keeper shall be permitted to wear gloves or external leg guards. In addition, protection for the hand or fingers may be worn only with the consent of the umpires.
28.2 Fielding the ball
28.2.1 A fielder may field the ball with any part of his/her person (see Appendix A.12), except as in 28.2.1.2. However, he/she will be deemed to have fielded the ball illegally if, while the ball is in play he/she wilfully
28.2.1.1 uses anything other than part of his/her person to field the ball.
28.2.1.2 extends his/her clothing with his/her hands and uses this to field the ball.
28.2.1.3 discards a piece of clothing, equipment or any other object which subsequently makes contact with the ball.
28.2.2 It is not illegal fielding if the ball in play makes contact with a piece of clothing, equipment or any other object which has accidentally fallen from the fielder’s person or been dropped by an umpire.
28.2.3 If a fielder illegally fields the ball, the ball shall immediately become dead and
- the penalty for a No ball or a Wide shall stand.
- any runs completed by the batters shall be credited to the batting side, together with the run in progress if the batters had already crossed at the instant of the offence.
- the ball shall not count as one of the over. In addition the umpire shall
- award 5 Penalty runs to the batting side.
- inform the other umpire and the captain of the fielding side of the reason for this action.
- inform the batters and, as soon as practicable, the captain of the batting side of what has occurred.
The umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the offending side and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team.
28.3 Protective helmets belonging to the fielding side
28.3.1 Protective helmets, when not in use by fielders, may not be placed on the ground, above the surface except behind the wicket-keeper and in line with both sets of stumps.
28.3.2 If the ball while in play strikes the protective helmet, placed as described in 28.3.1, the ball shall immediately become dead and, unless 28.3.3 applies:
- the umpire shall signal No ball or Wide to the scorers, if applicable
- the umpire shall award 5 Penalty runs to the batting side
- any runs completed by the batters before the ball strikes the protective helmet shall be scored, together with the run in progress if the batters had already crossed at the instant of the ball striking the protective helmet.
28.3.3 If the ball while in play strikes a helmet, placed as described in 28.3.1 and the circumstances of Law 23.3 (Leg byes not to be awarded), 25.7 (Restriction on the striker’s runner) or Law 34 (Hit the ball twice) apply, the umpire shall
- disallow all runs to the batting side
- return any not out batter to his/her original end
- signal No ball or Wide ball to the scorers if applicable
- award any 5-run Penalty that is applicable except for Penalty runs under 28.3.2.
28.4 Limitation of on side fielders
At the instant of the bowler’s delivery there shall not be more than two fielders, other than the wicket-keeper, behind the popping crease on the on side. A fielder will be considered tobe behind the popping crease unless the whole of his/her person whether grounded or inthe air is in front of this line.
In the event of infringement of this Law by any fielder, the striker’s end umpire shall call and signal No ball.
28.5 Fielders not to encroach on pitch
While the ball is in play and until the ball has made contact with the striker’s bat or person, or has passed the striker’s bat, no fielder, other than the bowler, may have any part of his/her person grounded on or extended over the pitch.
In the event of infringement of this Law by any fielder other than the wicket-keeper, the bowler’s end umpire shall call and signal No ball as soon as possible after delivery of the ball. Note, however, Law 27.3 (Position of wicket-keeper).
28.6 Movement by any fielder other than the wicket-keeper
28.6.1 Any movement by any fielder, excluding the wicket-keeper, after the ball comes into play and before the ball reaches the striker, is unfair except for the following:
28.6.1.1 minor adjustments to stance or position in relation to the striker’s wicket.
28.6.1.2 movement by any fielder, other than a close fielder, towards the striker or the striker’s wicket that does not significantly alter the position of the fielder.
28.6.1.3 movement by any fielder in response to the stroke that the striker is playing or that his/her actions suggest he/she intends to play.
28.6.2 In all circumstances Law 28.4 (Limitation of on side fielders) shall apply.
28.6.3 In the event of such unfair movement, either umpire shall call and signal Dead ball and inform the other umpire of the reason for doing so. The bowler’s end umpire shall then:
28.6.3.1 award the one-run penalty for Wide or No ball, if applicable
28.6.3.2 award 5 Penalty runs to the batting side
28.6.3.3 inform the captain of the fielding side of the reason for this action.
28.6.3.4 inform the batters and, as soon as practicable, the captain of the batting side of what has occurred.
The umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the offending side and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team.
28.6.4 Note also the provisions of Law 41.4 (Deliberate attempt to distract striker). See also Law 27.4 (Movement by wicket-keeper).
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LAW 29 THE WICKET IS BROKEN
29.1 The wicket is broken
The wicket is broken when at least one bail is completely removed from the top of the stumps, or one or more stumps is removed from the ground.
29.2 Breaking the wicket fairly
29.2.1 The wicket is broken fairly if a bail is completely removed from the top of the stumps, or a stump is struck out of the ground,
29.2.1.1 by the ball,
29.2.1.2 by the striker’s bat if held or by any part of the bat that he/she is holding,
29.2.1.3 for the purpose of this law only, by the striker's bat not in hand, or by any part of the bat which has become detached,
29.2.1.4 by the striker’s person or by any part of his/her clothing or equipment becoming detached from his/her person. However, any detached equipment shall not include the striker’s protective helmet, or any part thereof, as defined in Appendix A.2.3,
29.2.1.5 by a fielder with his/her hand or arm, providing that the ball is held in the hand or hands so used, or in the hand of the arm so used.
29.2.1.6 The wicket is also broken fairly if a fielder strikes or pulls a stump out of the ground as in 29.2.1.5.
29.2.2 The disturbance of a bail, whether temporary or not, shall not constitute its complete removal from the top of the stumps, but if a bail in falling lodges between two of the stumps this shall be regarded as complete removal.
29.3 One bail off
If one bail is off, it shall be sufficient for the purpose of breaking the wicket to remove the remaining bail or to strike or pull any of the three stumps out of the ground, in any of the ways stated in 29.2.
29.4 Remaking wicket
If a wicket is broken while the ball is in play, it shall not be remade by an umpire until the ball is dead. See Law 20 (Dead ball). Any fielder may, however, while the ball is in play,
- replace a bail or bails on top of the stumps.
- put back one or more stumps into the ground where the wicket originally stood.
29.5 Dispensing with bails
If the umpires have agreed to dispense with bails in accordance with Law 8.5 (Dispensing with bails), it is for the umpire concerned to decide whether or not the wicket has been broken.
29.5.1 After a decision to play without bails, the wicket has been broken fairly if the umpire concerned is satisfied that the wicket has been struck by the ball, by the striker’s bat, person or items of his/her clothing or equipment as described in 29.2.1.2, 29.2.1.3 or 29.2.1.4, or by a fielder in the manner described in 29.2.1.5.
29.5.2 If the wicket has already been broken, 29.5.1 shall apply to any stump or stumps still in the ground. Any fielder may replace a stump or stumps, in accordance with 29.4, in order to have an opportunity of breaking the wicket fairly.
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LAW 30 BATTER OUT OF HIS/HER GROUND
30.1 When out of his/her ground
30.1.1 A batter shall be considered to be out of his/her ground unless some part of his/her person or bat is grounded behind the popping crease at that end.
30.1.2 However, a batter shall not be considered to be out of his/her ground if, in running or diving towards his/her ground and beyond, and having grounded some part of his/her
person or bat beyond the popping crease, there is subsequent loss of contact between the ground and any part of his/her person or bat,
or between the bat and person.
30.2 Which is a batter’s ground
30.2.1 If only one batter is within a ground, it is his/her ground and will remain so even if he/she is later joined there by the other batter.
30.2.2 If both batters are in the same ground and one of them subsequently leaves it, the ground belongs to the batter who remains in it.
30.2.3 If there is no batter in either ground, then each ground belongs to whichever batter is nearer to it, or, if the batters are level, to whichever batter was nearer to it immediately prior to their drawing level.
30.2.4 If a ground belongs to one batter then, unless there is a striker who has a runner, the other ground belongs to the other batter, irrespective of his/her position.
30.2.5 When a batter who has a runner is striker, his/her ground is always at the wicket- keeper’s end. However, 30.2.1, 30.2.2, 30.2.3 and 30.2.4 will still apply, but only to the runner and the non-striker, so that that ground will also belong to either the non- striker or the runner, as the case may be.
30.3 Position of non-striker
The non-striker, when standing at the bowler’s end, should be positioned on the opposite side of the wicket to that from which the ball is being delivered, unless a request to do otherwise is granted by the umpire.
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LAW 31 APPEALS
31.1 Umpire not to give batter out without an appeal
Neither umpire shall give a batter out, even though he/she may be out under the Laws, unless appealed to by a fielder. This shall not debar a batter who is out under any of the Laws from leaving the wicket without an appeal having been made. Note, however, the provisions of 31.7.
31.2 Batter dismissed
A batter is dismissed if he/she is
either given out by an umpire, on appeal
or out under any of the Laws and leaves the wicket as in 31.1.
31.3 Timing of appeals
For an appeal to be valid, it must be made before the bowler begins his/her run-up or, if there is no run-up, his/her bowling action to deliver the next ball, and before Time has been called.
The call of Over does not invalidate an appeal made prior to the start of the following over, provided Time has not been called. See Laws 12.2 (Call of Time) and 17.2 (Start of an over).
31.4 Appeal “How’s That?”
An appeal “How’s That?” covers all ways of being out.
31.5 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.
When an appeal is made, each umpire shall answer on any matter that falls within his/her jurisdiction.
When a batter has been given Not out, either umpire may answer an appeal, made in accordance with 31.3, if it is on a further matter and is within his/her jurisdiction.
31.6 Consultation by umpires
Each umpire shall answer appeals on matters within his/her own jurisdiction. If an umpire is doubtful about any point that the other umpire may have been in a better position to see, he/she shall consult the latter on this point of fact and shall then give the decision. If, after consultation, there is still doubt remaining, the decision shall be Not out.
31.7 Batter leaving the wicket under a misapprehension
An umpire shall intervene if satisfied that a batter, not having been given out, has left the wicket under a misapprehension of being out. The umpire intervening shall call and signal Dead ball to prevent any further action by the fielding side and shall recall the batter.
A batter may be recalled at any time up to the instant when the ball comes into play for the next delivery, unless it is the final wicket of the innings, in which case it should be up to the instant when the umpires leave the field.
31.8 Withdrawal of an appeal
The captain of the fielding side may withdraw an appeal only after obtaining the consent of the umpire within whose jurisdiction the appeal falls. If such consent is given, the umpire concerned shall, if applicable, revoke the decision and recall the batter.
The withdrawal of an appeal must be before the instant when the ball comes into play for the next delivery or, if the innings has been completed, the instant when the umpires leave the field.
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LAW 32 BOWLED
32.1 Out Bowled
32.1.1 The striker is out Bowled if his/her wicket is broken by a ball delivered by the bowler, not being a No ball, even if it first touches the striker’s bat or person.
32.1.2 However, the striker shall not be out Bowled if before striking the wicket the ball has been in contact with any other player or an umpire. The striker will, however, be subject to Laws 37 (Obstructing the field), 38 (Run out) and 39 (Stumped).
32.2 Bowled to take precedence
The striker is out Bowled if his/her wicket is broken as in 32.1, even though a decision against him/her for any other method of dismissal would be justified.
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LAW 33 CAUGHT
33.1 Out Caught
The striker is out Caught if a ball delivered by the bowler, not being a No ball, touches his/her bat without having previously been in contact with any fielder, and is subsequently held by a fielder as a fair catch, as described in 33.2 and 33.3, before it touches the ground.
33.2 A fair catch
33.2.1 A catch will be fair only if, in every case either the ball, at any time
or any fielder in contact with the ball,
is not grounded beyond the boundary before the catch is completed. Note Laws 19.4 (Ball grounded beyond the boundary) and 19.5 (Fielder grounded beyond the boundary).
33.2.2 Furthermore, a catch will be fair if any of the following conditions applies:
33.2.2.1 the ball is held in the hand or hands of a fielder, even if the hand holding the ball is touching the ground, or is hugged to the body, or lodges in the external protective equipment worn by a fielder, or lodges accidentally in a fielder’s clothing.
33.2.2.2 a fielder catches the ball after it has been lawfully struck more than once by the striker, but only if it has not been grounded since it was first struck. See Law 34 (Hit the ball twice).
33.2.2.3 a fielder catches the ball after it has touched the wicket, an umpire, another fielder, a runner or the other batter.
33.2.2.4 a fielder catches the ball after it has crossed the boundary in the air, provided that the conditions in 33.2.1 are met.
33.2.2.5 the ball is caught off an obstruction within the boundary that is not designated a boundary by the umpires.
33.3 Making a catch
The act of making a catch shall start from the time when the ball first comes into contact with a fielder’s person and shall end when a fielder obtains complete control over both the ball and his/her own movement.
33.4 No runs to be scored
If the striker is dismissed Caught, runs from that delivery completed by the batters before the completion of the catch shall not be scored but any runs for penalties awarded to either side shall stand. The non-striker shall return to his/her original end. See Law 18.11 (Batter returning to original end).
33.5 Caught to take precedence
If the criteria of 33.1 are met and the striker is not out Bowled, then he/she is out Caught, even though a decision against either batter for another method of dismissal would be justified.
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LAW 34 HIT THE BALL TWICE
34.1 Out Hit the ball twice
34.1.1 The striker is out Hit the ball twice if, while the ball is in play, it strikes any part of his/her person or is struck by his/her bat and, before the ball has been touched by a fielder, the striker wilfully strikes it again with his/her bat or person, other than a hand not holding the bat, except for the sole purpose of guarding his/her wicket. See 34.3 and Law 37 (Obstructing the field).
34.1.2 For the purpose of this Law ‘struck’ or ‘strike’ shall include contact with the person of the striker.
34.1.3 This Law will apply whether or not No ball is called.
34.2 Not out Hit the ball twice
The striker will not be out under this Law if he/she
34.2.1 strikes the ball a second or subsequent time in order to return the ball to any fielder. Note, however, the provisions of Law 37.4 (Returning the ball to a fielder).
34.2.2 wilfully strikes the ball after it has touched a fielder. Note, however the provisions of Law 37.1 (Out Obstructing the field).
34.3 Ball lawfully struck more than once
The striker may, solely in order to guard his/her wicket and before the ball has been touched by a fielder, lawfully strike the ball a second or subsequent time with the bat, orwith any part
of his/her person other than a hand not holding the bat.
The striker may guard his/her wicket even if the delivery is a No ball.
However, the striker may not prevent the ball from being caught by striking the ball more than once in defence of his/her wicket. See Law 37.3 (Obstructing a ball from being caught).
34.4 Runs permitted from ball lawfully struck more than once
When the ball is lawfully struck more than once, as permitted in 34.3, if the ball does not become dead for any reason, the umpire shall call and signal Dead ball as soon as the ball reaches the boundary or at the completion of the first run. However, he/she shall delay the call of Dead ball to allow the opportunity for a catch to be completed.
The umpire shall
- disallow all runs to the batting side
- return any not out batter to his/her original end
- signal No ball to the scorers if applicable.
- award any 5-run Penalty that is applicable except for Penalty runs under Law 28.3 (Protective helmets belonging to the fielding side).
34.5 Bowler does not get credit
The bowler does not get credit for the wicket.
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LAW 35 HIT WICKET
35.1 Out Hit wicket
35.1.1 The striker is out Hit wicket if, after the bowler has entered the delivery stride and while the ball is in play, his/her wicket is broken by either the striker’s bat or person as described in Laws 29.2.1.2 to 29.2.1.4 (Breaking the wicket fairly) in any of the following circumstances:
35.1.1.1 in the course of any action taken by him/her in preparing to receive or in receiving a delivery,
35.1.1.2 in setting off for the first run immediately after playing or playing at the ball,
35.1.1.3 if no attempt is made to play the ball, in setting off for the first run, providing that in the opinion of the umpire this is immediately after the striker has had the opportunity of playing the ball,
35.1.1.4 in lawfully making a second or further stroke for the purpose of guarding his/her wicket within the provisions of Law 34.3 (Ball lawfully struck more than once).
35.1.2 If the striker breaks his/her wicket in any of the ways described in Laws 29.2.1.2 to
29.2.1.4 (Breaking the wicket fairly) before the bowler has entered the delivery stride, either umpire shall call and signal Dead ball.
35.2 Not out Hit wicket
The striker is not out under this Law should his/her wicket be broken in any of the ways referred to in 35.1 if any of the following applies:
- it occurs after the striker has completed any action in receiving the delivery, other than in 35.1.1.2 to 35.1.1.4.
- it occurs when the striker is in the act of running, other than setting off immediately for the first run.
- it occurs when the striker is trying to avoid being Run out or Stumped.
- it occurs when the striker is trying to avoid a throw in at any time.
- the bowler after entering the delivery stride does not deliver the ball. In this case either umpire shall immediately call and signal Dead ball. See Law 20.4 (Umpire calling and signalling Dead ball).
- the delivery is a No ball.
35.3 Runs scored
No runs shall be scored when the striker is dismissed Hit wicket other than the one-run penalty for a Wide and any award of 5 Penalty Runs.
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LAW 36 LEG BEFORE WICKET
36.1 Out LBW
The striker is out LBW if all the circumstances set out in 36.1.1 to 36.1.5 apply.
36.1.1 The bowler delivers a ball, not being a No ball
36.1.2 the ball, if it is not intercepted full-pitch, pitches in line between wicket and wicket or on the off side of the striker’s wicket
36.1.3 the ball not having previously touched his/her bat, the striker intercepts the ball, either full-pitch or after pitching, with any part of his/her person
36.1.4 the point of impact, even if above the level of the bails, either is between wicket and wicket
or if the striker has made no genuine attempt to play the ball with the bat, is between wicket and wicket or outside the line of the off stump.
36.1.5 but for the interception, the ball would have hit the wicket.
36.2 Interception of the ball
36.2.1 In assessing points in 36.1.3, 36.1.4 and 36.1.5, only the first interception is to be considered.
36.2.2 In assessing point 36.1.3, if the ball makes contact with the striker’s person and bat simultaneously, this shall be considered as the ball having first touched the bat.
36.2.3 In assessing point 36.1.5, it is to be assumed that the path of the ball before interception would have continued after interception, irrespective of whether the ball might have pitched subsequently or not.
36.3 Off side of wicket
The off side of the striker’s wicket shall be determined by the striker’s batting position at the moment the ball comes into play for that delivery. See Appendix A.13.
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LAW 37 OBSTRUCTING THE FIELD
37.1 Out Obstructing the field
37.1.1 Either batter is out Obstructing the field if, except in the circumstances of 37.2, and while the ball is in play, he/she wilfully attempts to obstruct or distract the fielding side by word or action. See also Law 34 (Hit the ball twice).
37.1.2 The striker is out Obstructing the field if, except in the circumstances of 37.2, in the act of receiving a ball delivered by the bowler, he/she wilfully strikes the ball with a hand not holding the bat. This will apply whether it is the first strike or a second or subsequent strike. The act of receiving the ball shall extend both to playing at the balland to striking the ball more than once in defence of his/her wicket.
37.1.3 This Law will apply whether or not No ball is called.
37.2 Not out Obstructing the field
A batter shall not be out Obstructing the field if obstruction or distraction is accidental,
or obstruction is in order to avoid injury, or in the case of the striker, he/she makes a second or subsequent strike to guard his/her wicket lawfully as in Law 34.3 (Ball lawfully struck more than once). However, see 37.3.
37.3 Obstructing a ball from being caught
37.3.1 If the delivery is not a No ball, the striker is out Obstructing the field if wilful obstruction or distraction by either batter prevents the striker being out Caught.
37.3.2 37.3.1 shall apply even if an obstruction is caused by the striker in lawfully guarding his/her wicket under the provision of Law 34.3 (Ball lawfully struck more than once).
37.3.3 If an obstruction or distraction takes place from a No ball then the batter who caused the obstruction or distraction will be out Obstructing the field. However, the striker is not out if the obstruction of a catch occurs while defending his/her wicket from a No ball with a lawful second strike.
37.4 Returning the ball to a fielder
Either batter is out Obstructing the field if, at any time while the ball is in play and, without the consent of a fielder, he/she uses the bat or any part of his/her person to return the ball to any fielder.
37.5 Runs scored
When either batter is dismissed Obstructing the field,
37.5.1 unless the obstruction or distraction prevents the striker being out Caught, any runs completed by the batters before the offence shall be scored, together with any one-run Penalty for No ball or Wide, or any other award of 5 Penalty Runs to either side. See Laws 18.6 (Runs awarded for penalties) and 18.8 (Runs scored when a batter is dismissed).
37.5.2 if the obstruction or distraction prevents the striker being out Caught, any runs completed by the batters shall not be scored but any award of 5 Penalty Runs to either side shall stand. Law 18.11 (Batter returning to original end) will apply.
37.6 Bowler does not get credit
The bowler does not get credit for the wicket.
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LAW 38 RUN OUT
38.1 Out Run out
Either batter is out Run out, except as in 38.2, if, at any time while the ball is in play,
- he/she is out of his/her ground
- and his/her wicket is fairly broken by either the action of a fielder or
the ball rebounding off a fielder’s person
even though No ball has been called, except in the circumstances of 38.2.2.2, and whether or not a run is being attempted.
38.2 Batter not out Run out
38.2.1 A batter is not out Run out in the circumstances of 38.2.1.1 or 38.2.1.2.
38.2.1.1 He/She has been within his/her ground and has subsequently left it to avoid injury, when the wicket is fairly broken.
Note also the provisions of Law 30.1.2 (When out of his/her ground).
38.2.1.2 The ball, delivered by the bowler, has not made contact with a fielder before
the wicket is fairly broken.
38.2.2 The striker is not out Run out in any of the circumstances in 38.2.2.1 and 38.2.2.2.
38.2.2.1 He/She is out Stumped. See Laws 25.6.5 (Dismissal and conduct of a batter and his/her runner) and 39.1.2 (Out Stumped).
38.2.2.2 No ball has been called
- and he/she is out of his/her ground not attempting a run
- and the wicket is fairly broken by the wicket-keeper without the intervention of another fielder.
However, if the striker has a runner and the runner is out of his/her ground, then only 38.1 applies.
38.3 Non-striker leaving his/her ground early
38.3.1 If the non-striker is out of his/her ground at any time from the moment the ball comes into play until the instant when the bowler would normally have been expected to release the ball, the non-striker is liable to be Run out. In these circumstances, the non- striker will be out Run out if he/she is out of his/her ground when his/her wicket is broken by the bowler throwing the ball at the wicket or by the bowler’s hand holding the ball, whether or not the ball is subsequently delivered.
38.3.2 If the ball is not delivered,
- if there is an appeal, the umpire shall make his/her decision on the Run out.
- if there is no appeal, or if the decision is not out, he/she shall call and signal Dead ball as soon as possible.
- the ball shall not count as one in the over.
38.3.3 If the ball is delivered and there is an appeal,
- the umpire shall make his/her decision on the Run out.
- if the non-striker is not dismissed, the ball remains in play and Law
21.6 (Bowler breaking wicket in delivering ball) shall apply.
- if the non-striker is dismissed, the ball shall not count as one in the over.
38.4 Which batter is out
The batter out in the circumstances of 38.1 is the one whose ground is at the end where the wicket is fairly broken. See Laws 25.6 (Dismissal and conduct of a batter and his/her runner) and 30.2 (Which is a batter’s ground).
38.5 Runs scored
If either batter is dismissed Run out, the run in progress when the wicket is broken shall not be scored, but any runs completed by the batters shall stand, together with any runs for penalties awarded to either side. See Laws 18.6 (Runs awarded for penalties) and
18.8 (Runs scored when a batter is dismissed).
If, however, a striker who has a runner is himself/herself dismissed Run out and runs are completed by the runner and the other batter before the wicket is broken,
- all runs to the batting side from that delivery shall be disallowed.
- the one-run penalty for No ball shall stand and 5-run penalties shall be allowed.
- the umpire shall return the non-striker to his/her original end.
See Law 25.6 (Dismissal and conduct of a batter and his/her runner).
38.6 Bowler does not get credit
The bowler does not get credit for the wicket.
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LAW 39 STUMPED
39.1 Out Stumped
39.1.1 The striker is out Stumped, except as in 39.3, if
a ball which is delivered is not called No ball
and he/she is out of his/her ground, other than as in 39.3.1 and he/she has not attempted a run
when his/her wicket is fairly broken by the wicket-keeper without the intervention of another fielder. Note, however Laws 25.6.2 and 25.6.5 (Dismissal and conduct of a batter and his/her runner) and 27.3 (Position of wicket-keeper).
39.1.2 The striker is out Stumped if all the conditions of 39.1.1 are satisfied, even though a decision of Run out would be justified.
39.2 Ball rebounding from wicket-keeper’s person
If the wicket is broken by the ball, it shall be regarded as having been broken by the wicket-keeper if the ball:
rebounds on to the stumps from any part of the wicket-keeper’s person or equipment or has been kicked or thrown on to the stumps by the wicket-keeper.
39.3 Not out Stumped
39.3.1 The striker will not be out Stumped if, after having received the delivery, he/she has left his/her ground in order to avoid injury.
39.3.2 If the striker is not out Stumped he/she may, except in the circumstances of Law
38.2.2.2 (Batter not out Run out), be out Run out if the conditions of Law 38.1 (Out Run out) apply.
39.4 Runs Scored
When a striker is dismissed Stumped from a Wide ball, the one-run penalty shall stand. Note Laws 12.9 (Conclusion of match), 16.6 (Winning hit or extras) and 22.2 (Call and signal of Wide ball) mean that if the penalty for a Wide concludes the match, then a stumping is not possible, but the one-run penalty for the Wide remains.
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LAW 40 TIMED OUT
40.1 Out Timed out
40.1.1 After the fall of a wicket or the retirement of a batter, the incoming batter must, unless Time has been called, be ready to receive the ball, or for the other batter to be ready to receive the next ball within 3 minutes of the dismissal or retirement. If this requirement is not met, the incoming batter will be out, Timed out.
40.1.2 In the event of an extended delay in which no batter comes to the wicket, the umpires shall adopt the procedure of Law 16.3 (Umpires awarding a match). For the purposes of that Law the start of the action shall be taken as the expiry of the 3 minutes referred to above.
40.2 Bowler does not get credit
The bowler does not get credit for the wicket.
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LAW 41 UNFAIR PLAY
41.1 Fair and unfair play – responsibility of captains
The captains are responsible for ensuring that play is conducted within The Spirit of Cricket, as described in The Preamble – The Spirit of Cricket, as well as within the Laws.
41.2 Unfair actions
41.2.1 The umpires shall be the sole judges of fair and unfair play. If an umpire considers that any action by a player, not covered in the Laws, is unfair, he/she shall call and signal Dead ball, if appropriate, as soon as it becomes clear that the call will not disadvantage the non- offending side, and report the matter to the other umpire.
41.2.1.1 If this is a first offence by that side, the bowler’s end umpire shall then
- summon the offending player’s captain and issue a first and final warning which shall apply to all members of the team for the remainder of the match.
- warn the offending player’s captain that any further such offence by any member of his/her team shall result in the award of 5 Penalty runs to the opposing team.
41.2.1.2 If this is a second or subsequent offence by that side, the bowler’s end umpire shall then
- summon the offending player’s captain and inform him/her that there has been a further such offence.
- award 5 Penalty runs to the opposing side
41.2.1.3 The umpires together shall report the incident as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the offending side and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team.
41.3 The match ball – changing its condition
41.3.1 The umpires shall make frequent and irregular inspections of the ball. In addition, they shall immediately inspect the ball if they suspect anyone of attempting to change the condition of the ball, except as permitted in 41.3.2.
41.3.2 It is an offence for any player to take any action which changes the condition of the ball.
Except in carrying out his/her normal duties, a batter is not allowed to wilfully damage the ball. See also Law 5.5 (Damage to the ball).
A fielder may, however
41.3.2.1 polish the ball on his/her clothing provided that no artificial substance is used, that the only natural substance used is sweat, and that such polishing wastes no time.
41.3.2.2 remove mud from the ball under the supervision of an umpire.
41.3.2.3 dry a wet ball on a piece of cloth that has been approved by the umpires.
41.3.3 The umpires shall consider the condition of the ball to have been unfairly changed if any action by any player does not comply with the conditions in 41.3.2.
41.3.4 If the umpires consider that the condition of the ball has been unfairly changed by a member or members of either side, they shall ask the captain of the opposing side if he/she would like the ball to be replaced. If necessary, in the case of the batting side, the batters at the wicket may deputise for their captain.
41.3.4.1 If a replacement ball is requested, the umpires shall select and bring into use immediately, a ball which shall have wear comparable to that of the previous ball immediately prior to the contravention.
41.3.4.2 Regardless of whether a replacement ball has been chosen to be used, the bowler’s end umpire shall
- award 5 Penalty runs to the opposing side.
- if appropriate, inform the batters at the wicket and the captain of the fielding side that the ball has been changed and the reason for their action.
- inform the captain of the batting side as soon as practicable of what has occurred.
The umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the offending side and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team.
41.3.5 If the umpires agree that in the match there has been any further instance by that team of unfairly changing the condition of the ball, they shall
41.3.5.1 repeat the procedure in 41.3.4.1 and 41.3.4.2.
If the further offence is committed by the fielding side, additionally the bowler’s end umpire shall
41.3.5.2 - direct the captain of the fielding side to suspend immediately from bowling the bowler who delivered the preceding ball; he/she shall not be allowed to bowl again in the match.
- inform the batters at the wicket and, as soon as practicable, the captain ofthe batting side of the reason for the action.
- if necessary, the over 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.
41.4 Deliberate attempt to distract striker
41.4.1 It is unfair for any fielder deliberately to attempt to distract the striker while he/she is preparing to receive or receiving a delivery.
41.4.2 If either umpire considers that any action by a fielder is such an attempt, he/she shall immediately call and signal Dead ball and inform the other umpire of the reason forthe call. The bowler’s end umpire shall
- award 5 Penalty runs to the batting side.
- inform the captain of the fielding side, the batters and, as soon as practicable, the captain of the batting side of the reason for the action.
Neither batter shall be dismissed from that delivery and the ball shall not count as one of the over. However, if either umpire had reason to call and signal No ball, he/she shall do so regardless of the attempt to distract, and this call shall stand.
Together with the other umpire report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the offending side and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team.
41.5 Deliberate distraction, deception or obstruction of batter
41.5.1 In addition to 41.4, it is unfair for any fielder wilfully to attempt, by word or action, to distract, deceive or obstruct either batter after the striker has received the ball.
41.5.2 It is for either one of the umpires to decide whether any distraction, deception or obstruction is wilful or not.
41.5.3 If either umpire considers that a fielder has caused or attempted to cause such a distraction, deception or obstruction, he/she shall immediately call and signal Dead ball and inform the other umpire of the reason for the call.
41.5.4 Neither batter shall be dismissed from that delivery.
41.5.5 If an obstruction involves physical contact, the umpires together shall decide whether or not an offence under Law 42 (Players’ conduct) has been committed.
41.5.5.1 If an offence under Law 42 (Players’ conduct) has been committed, they shall
apply the relevant procedures in Law 42 and shall also apply each of 41.5.7 to 41.5.9.
41.5.5.2 If they consider that there has been no offence under Law 42 (Players’ conduct), they shall apply each of 41.5.6 to 41.5.10.
41.5.6 The bowler’s end umpire shall
- Signal No ball or Wide to the scorers, if applicable,
- award 5 Penalty runs to the batting side,
- inform the captain of the fielding side of the reason for this action and as soon as practicable inform the captain of the batting side.
41.5.7 The ball shall not count as one of the over.
41.5.8 Any runs completed by the batters before the offence shall be scored, together with any runs for penalties awarded to either side. Additionally, the run in progress shall be scored whether or not the batters had already crossed at the instant of the offence.
41.5.9 The batters at the wicket shall decide which of them is to face the next delivery.
41.5.10 The umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the offending side and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team.
41.6 Bowling of dangerous and unfair short pitched deliveries
41.6.1 The bowling of short pitched deliveries is dangerous if the bowler’s end umpire considers that, taking into consideration the skill of the striker, by their speed, length, height and direction they are likely to inflict physical injury on him/her. The fact that the striker is wearing protective equipment shall be disregarded.
41.6.2 The bowler’s end umpire may consider that the bowling of short pitched deliveries, although not dangerous under 41.6.1, is unfair if they repeatedly pass above head height of the striker standing upright at the crease. See also Law 21.10 (Ball bouncing over head height of striker).
41.6.3 As soon as the umpire decides that the bowling of short pitched deliveries has become dangerous under 41.6.1, or unfair under 41.6.2, he/she shall call and signal No ball. When the ball is dead, the umpire shall caution the bowler, indicating that thisis a first and final warning, and inform the other umpire, the captain of the fielding sideand the batters of what has occurred.
This caution shall apply to that bowler throughout the innings.
41.6.4 Should there be any further such delivery by the same bowler in that innings, the umpire shall
- call and signal No ball
- when the ball is dead, direct the captain of the fielding side to suspend the bowler immediately from bowling
- inform the other umpire for the reason for this action.
The bowler thus suspended shall not be allowed to bowl again in that innings.
If applicable, the over 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.
- The umpire shall inform the batters and, as soon as practicable, the captain of the batting side.
The umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the offending side and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team.
41.6.5 The warning sequence in 41.6.3 and 41.6.4 is independent of the warning and action sequence in 41.7.
41.7 Bowling of dangerous and unfair non-pitching deliveries
41.7.1 Any delivery, which passes or would have passed, without pitching, above waist height of the striker standing upright at the popping crease, is unfair. Whenever such a delivery is bowled, the umpire shall call and signal No ball.
41.7.2 The bowling of a delivery as defined in 41.7.1 is also dangerous if the bowler’s end umpire considers that there is a risk of injury to the striker. In making that judgement the umpire shall:
- disregard any protective equipment worn by the striker
- be mindful of:
- the speed, height and direction of the delivery
- the skill of the striker
- the repeated nature of such deliveries.
41.7.3 If the umpire considers a non-pitching delivery, or a series of non-pitching deliveries, to be dangerous under 41.7.2, when the ball is dead, the umpire shall repeat the No ball signal to the scorers and then caution the bowler, indicating that this is a first and final warning. The umpire shall also inform the other umpire, the captain of the fielding side and the batters of what has occurred. This caution shall apply to that bowler throughout the innings.
41.7.4 Should there be any further dangerous such delivery by the same bowler in that innings, the umpire shall
- call and signal No ball
- when the ball is dead, direct the captain of the fielding side to suspend the bowler immediately from bowling
- inform the other umpire for the reason for this action.
The bowler thus suspended shall not be allowed to bowl again in that innings.
If applicable, the over 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.
Additionally, the umpire shall
- inform the batters and, as soon as practicable, the captain of the batting side.
The umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the offending side and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team.
41.7.5 The warning and action sequences in 41.7.3 and 41.7.4 are independent of those in 41.6.
41.7.6 If the umpire considers that a bowler deliberately bowled a non-pitching delivery, deemed to be unfair as defined in 41.7.1, then the caution and warning in 41.7.3 shall be dispensed with. The umpire shall
- immediately call and signal No ball.
- when the ball is dead, direct the captain of the fielding side to suspend the bowler
immediately from bowling and inform the other umpire for the reason for this action.
The bowler thus suspended shall not be allowed to bowl again in that innings.
If applicable, the over 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.
- inform the batters and, as soon as practicable, the captain of the batting side.
The umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the offending side and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team.
41.8 Bowling of deliberate front-foot No ball
If the umpire considers that the bowler has delivered a deliberate front-foot No ball, he/she shall
- immediately call and signal No ball.
- when the ball is dead, direct the captain of the fielding side to suspend the bowler immediately from bowling
- inform the other umpire for the reason for this action.
The bowler thus suspended shall not be allowed to bowl again in that innings.
If applicable, the over 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.
- inform the batters and, as soon as practicable, the captain of the batting side.
The umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the offending side and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team.
41.9 Time wasting by the fielding side
41.9.1 It is unfair for any fielder to waste time.
41.9.2 If either umpire considers that the progress of an over is unnecessarily slow, or time is being wasted in any other way, by the captain of the fielding side or by any other fielder, at the first instance the umpire concerned shall
- if the ball is in play, call and signal Dead ball.
- inform the other umpire of what has occurred. The bowler’s end umpire shall then
- warn the captain of the fielding side, indicating that this is a first and final warning.
- inform the batters of what has occurred.
41.9.3 If either umpire considers that there is any further waste of time in that innings by any fielder, the umpire concerned shall
- if the ball is in play, call and signal Dead ball.
- inform the other umpire of what has occurred.
The bowler’s end umpire shall then
either, if the waste of time is not during an over, award 5 Penalty runs to the batting side and inform the captain of the fielding side of the reason for thisaction
or, if the waste of time is during the course of an over, direct the captain of the fielding side to suspend the bowler immediately from bowling.
The bowler thus suspended shall not be allowed to bowl again in that innings.
If applicable, the over 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.
Additionally the umpire shall inform the batters and, as soon as is practicable, the captain of the batting side of what has occurred.
The umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the offending side and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team.
41.10 Batter wasting time
41.10.1 It is unfair for a batter to waste time. In normal circumstances, the striker should always be ready to take strike when the bowler is ready to start his/her run-up.
41.10.2 Should either batter waste time by failing to meet this requirement, or in any other way, the following procedure shall be adopted. At the first instance, either before the bowler starts his/her run-up or when the ball becomes dead, as appropriate, the umpire shall
- warn both batters and indicate that this is a first and final warning. This warning shall apply throughout the innings. The umpire shall so inform each incoming batter.
- inform the other umpire of what has occurred.
- inform the captain of the fielding side and, as soon as practicable, the captain of the batting side of what has occurred.
41.10.3 If there is any further time wasting by any batter in that innings, the umpire shall, at the appropriate time while the ball is dead
- award 5 Penalty runs to the fielding side.
- inform the other umpire of the reason for this action.
- inform the other batter, the captain of the fielding side and, as soon aspracticable, the captain of the batting side of what has occurred.
The umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the offending side and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team.
41.11 The protected area
The protected area is defined as that area of the pitch contained within a rectangle bounded at each end by imaginary lines parallel to the popping creases and 5 ft/1.52 m in front of each, and on the sides by imaginary lines, one each side of the imaginary line joining the centres of the two middle stumps, each parallel to it and 1 ft/30.48 cm from it.
41.12 Fielder damaging the pitch
41.12.1 It is unfair to cause deliberate or avoidable damage to the pitch. A fielder will be deemed to be causing avoidable damage if either umpire considers that his/her presence on the pitch is without reasonable cause.
41.12.2 If a fielder causes deliberate or avoidable damage to the pitch, other than as in 41.13.1, 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.
- inform the batters of what has occurred.
41.12.3 If, in that innings, there is any further instance of deliberate or avoidable damage to the pitch, by any fielder, the umpire seeing the contravention shall, when the ball is dead, inform the other umpire. The bowler’s end umpire shall then
- signal No ball or Wide to the scorers, if applicable.
- award 5 Penalty runs to the batting side.
- award any other 5-run Penalty that is applicable.
- inform the fielding captain of the reason for this action.
- inform the batters and, as soon as practicable, the captain of the batting side of what has occurred.
The umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the offending side and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team.
41.13 Bowler running on protected area
41.13.1 It is unfair for a bowler to enter the protected area in his/her follow-through without reasonable cause, whether or not the ball is delivered.
41.13.2 If a bowler contravenes this Law, at the first instance and when the ball is dead, the umpire shall
- caution the bowler and inform the other umpire of what has occurred. This caution shall apply to that bowler throughout the innings.
- inform the captain of the fielding side and the batters of what has occurred.
41.13.3 If, in that innings, the same bowler again contravenes this Law, the umpire shall repeat the above procedure indicating that this is a final warning. This warning shall also apply throughout the innings.
41.13.4 If, in that innings, the same bowler contravenes this Law a third time, when the ball is dead, the umpire shall,
- direct the captain of the fielding side to suspend the bowler immediately from bowling. If applicable, the over shall be completed by another bowler, who shall neither have bowled any part of the previous over, nor be allowed to bowl any partof the next over. The bowler thus suspended shall not be allowed to bowl again in that innings.
- inform the other umpire of the reason for this action.
- inform the batters and, as soon as practicable, the captain of the batting side of what has occurred.
The umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the offending side and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team.
41.14 Batter damaging the pitch
41.14.1 It is unfair to cause deliberate or avoidable damage to the pitch. If the striker enters the protected area in playing or playing at the ball, he/she must move from it immediately thereafter. A batter will be deemed to be causing avoidable damage ifeither umpire considers that his/her presence on the pitch is without reasonable cause.
41.14.2 If either batter causes deliberate or avoidable damage to the pitch, other than as in 41.15, at the first instance the umpire seeing the contravention shall, when the ball is dead, inform the other umpire of the occurrence. The bowler’s end umpire shall then
- warn both batters that the practice is unfair and indicate that this is a first and final warning. This warning shall apply throughout the innings. The umpire shall so inform each incoming batter.
- inform the captain of the fielding side and, as soon as practicable, the captain of the batting side of what has occurred.
41.14.3 If there is any further instance of deliberate or avoidable damage to the pitch by any batter in that innings, the umpire seeing the contravention shall, when the ball is dead, inform the other umpire of the occurrence.
The bowler’s end umpire shall
- disallow all runs to the batting side
- return any not out batter to his/her original end
- signal No ball or Wide to the scorers if applicable.
- award 5 Penalty runs to the fielding side.
- award any other 5-run Penalty that is applicable except for Penalty runs under Law
28.3 (Protective helmets belonging to the fielding side).
- Inform the captain of the fielding side and, as soon as practicable, the captain of the batting side of the reason for this action.
The umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the offending side and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team.
41.15 Striker in protected area
41.15.1 The striker shall not adopt a batting position in the protected area or so close to it that frequent encroachment is inevitable.
The striker may make a mark on the pitch, for the purpose of indicating his/her batting position, provided that no mark is unreasonably close to the protected area.
41.15.2 If there is breach of any of the conditions in 41.15.1 by the striker, the umpire seeing the contravention shall, if the bowler has not entered his/her delivery stride, immediately call and signal Dead ball, otherwise, he/she shall wait until the ball is dead and then inform the other umpire of the occurrence.
The bowler’s end umpire shall then
- warn the striker that the practice is unfair and indicate that this is a first and final warning. This warning shall apply throughout the innings. The umpire shall so inform the non-striker and each incoming batter.
- inform the captain of the fielding side and, as soon as practicable, the captain of the batting side of what has occurred.
41.15.3 If there is any further breach of any of the conditions in 41.15.1 by any batter in that innings, the umpire seeing the contravention shall, if the bowler has not entered his/her delivery stride, immediately call and signal Dead ball, otherwise, he/she shall wait until the ball is dead and then inform the other umpire of the occurrence.
The bowler’s end umpire shall then
- disallow all runs to the batting side
- return any not out batter to his/her original end
- signal No ball or Wide to the scorers if applicable.
- award 5 Penalty runs to the fielding side.
- award any other 5-run Penalty that is applicable except for Penalty runs under Law
28.3 (Protective helmets belonging to the fielding side).
- inform the captain of the fielding side and, as soon as practicable, the captain of the batting side of the reason for this action.
The umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match
to the Executive of the offending side and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team
41.16 Batters stealing a run
It is unfair for the batters to attempt to steal a run during the bowler’s run-up. Unless the bowler attempts to run out the non-striker – see Law 38.3 (Non-striker leaving his/her ground early) – the umpire shall
- call and signal Dead ball as soon as the batters cross in such an attempt.
- inform the other umpire of the reason for this action.
The bowler’s end umpire shall then
- return the batters to their original ends and disallow the attempted run.
- award 5 Penalty runs to the fielding side.
- award any other 5 run Penalty that is applicable.
- inform the batters, the captain of the fielding side and, as soon as practicable, the captain of the batting side, of the reason for this action.
The umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the offending side and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team.
41.17 Penalty runs
41.17.1 When Penalty runs are awarded to either side, when the ball is dead the umpire shall signal the Penalty runs to the scorers. See Law 2.13 (Signals).
41.17.2 Penalty runs shall be awarded in each case where the Laws require the award, even if a result has already been achieved. See Law 16.6 (Winning hit or extras).
Note, however, that the restrictions on awarding Penalty runs, in Laws 23.3 (Leg byes not to be awarded), 25.7 (Restriction on the striker’s runner), 28.3 (Protective helmets belonging to the fielding side) and 34.4 (Runs permitted from ball lawfully struck more than once) will apply.
41.17.3 When 5 Penalty runs are awarded to the batting side,
- they shall be scored as Penalty extras and shall be in addition to any other penalties.
- they are awarded when the ball is dead and shall not be regarded as runs scored from either the immediately preceding delivery or the immediately following delivery and shall be in addition to any runs from those deliveries.
- the batters shall not change ends solely by reason of the 5-run penalty.
41.17.4 When 5 Penalty runs are awarded to the fielding side, they shall be added as Penalty extras to that side’s total of runs in its most recently completed innings. If the fielding side has not completed an innings, the 5 Penalty runs shall be added to the score in its next innings.
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LAW 42 PLAYERS’ CONDUCT
42.1 Unacceptable conduct
42.1.1 The umpires shall act upon any unacceptable conduct. Four Levels of offence and the corresponding actions by the umpires are identified as Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4 offences in 42.2 to 42.5.
42.1.2 If either umpire considers that the conduct of a player, at any time during the match, is unacceptable, the umpire concerned shall call and signal Dead ball. This call may be delayed until the umpire is satisfied that it will not disadvantage the non-offending side.
42.1.3 The umpire concerned shall report the matter to the other umpire and together they shall decide whether misconduct has occurred. If so, they shall determine into which of the Levels the conduct falls, as set out in 42.2 to 42.5 below, and then apply the related sanctions.
42.1.4 Any call of No ball or Wide before the offence shall stand.
42.1.5 For each Level 1 to 4, if the offence is by a batter, the umpires shall summon the offending player’s captain to the field. Solely for the purpose of this Law, the batters at the wicket may not deputise for their captain.
42.1.6 For each Level 1 to 4,
- Playing time shall be counted as lost from the call of Time to the call of Play, excluding intervals (Law 11) and suspensions of play (Law 2.8).
- the time for close of play on that day shall be extended by this length of time.
- if applicable, no overs shall be deducted during the Last hour of the match solely onaccount of this time.
42.2 Level 1 offences and action by umpires
42.2.1 Any of the following actions by a player shall constitute a Level 1 offence:
- wilfully mistreating any part of the cricket ground, equipment or implements used in the match
- showing dissent at an umpire’s decision by word or action
- using language that, in the circumstances, is obscene, offensive or insulting
- making an obscene gesture
- appealing excessively
- advancing towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing
- any other misconduct, the nature of which is, in the opinion of the umpires, equivalent to a Level 1 offence.
42.2.2 If such an offence is committed, 42.2.2.1 to 42.2.2.6 shall be implemented as appropriate, according to whether or not it is the first offence at any Level.
42.2.2.1 The umpire shall call Time, if necessary.
42.2.2.2 Together the umpires shall summon and inform the offending player’s captain that an offence at this Level has occurred.
42.2.2.3 If the Level 1 offence is the first offence, at any Level, by that team, the umpire shall
42.2.2.3.1 issue a first and final warning which shall apply to all members of the team for the remainder of the match.
42.2.2.3.2 warn the offending player’s captain that any further Level 1 offence by any member of his/her team shall result in the award of 5 Penalty runs to the opposing team.
42.2.2.4 If the Level 1 offence follows an offence, at any Level, by that team, the umpire shall award 5 Penalty runs to the opposing team.
42.2.2.5 As soon as practicable the umpire shall call Play.
42.2.2.6 The umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the offending player’s team and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such further action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individualsconcerned and, if appropriate, the team.
42.3 Level 2 offences and action by umpires
42.3.1 Any of the following actions by a player shall constitute a Level 2 offence:
- showing serious dissent at an umpire’s decision by word or action
- making inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with another player
- throwing the ball at a player, umpire or another person in an inappropriate and dangerous manner
- using language or gesture to another player, umpire, team official or spectator that, in the circumstances, is obscene or of a seriously insulting nature
- or any other misconduct, the nature of which is, in the opinion of the umpires, equivalent to a Level 2 offence.
42.3.2 If such an offence is committed, 42.3.2.1 to 42.3.2.6 shall be implemented.
42.3.2.1 The umpire shall call Time, if necessary.
42.3.2.2 Together the umpires shall summon and inform the offending player’s captain that an offence at this Level has occurred.
42.3.2.3 The umpire shall award 5 Penalty runs to the opposing team.
42.3.2.4 The umpire shall warn the offending player’s captain that any future Level 1 offence by any member of his/her team shall result in the award of 5 Penalty runs to the opposing team.
42.3.2.5 As soon as practicable the Umpire shall call Play.
42.3.2.6 The umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the offending player’s team and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such further action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team.
42.4 Level 3 offences and action by umpires
42.4.1 Either of the following actions by a player shall constitute a Level 3 offence:
- intimidating an umpire by language or gesture
- threatening to assault a player or any other person except an umpire. See 42.5.1.
42.4.2 If such an offence is committed, 42.4.2.1 to 42.4.2.5 shall be implemented.
42.4.2.1 The umpire shall call Time, if necessary.
42.4.2.2 Together the umpires shall summon and inform the offending player’s captain that an offence at this Level has occurred.
42.4.2.3 The umpires shall direct the captain to remove the offending player immediately from the field of play for a period in accordance with the following:
42.4.2.3.1 In a match where the innings are not limited to a number of overs, the player shall be suspended from the field of play for 10 overs. Any balls remaining in the over in progress at the time of suspension shall not count towards the overs for which the player is suspended.
42.4.2.3.2 In a match where the innings are limited to a number of overs, the player shall be suspended for one fifth of the number of overs allocated to the current innings at its commencement. If, in calculatingthe length of the suspension, a part-over results, it shall be considered as a whole over. Any balls remaining in the over in progress at the time of suspension shall not count towards the overs for which the player is suspended.
42.4.2.3.3 If the offending player is a fielder, no substitute shall be allowed for him/her. The offending player may return to the field of play after serving the period of suspension and may bowl immediately.
42.4.2.3.4 If a bowler is suspended mid-over, then that over must be completed
by a different bowler, who shall not have bowled the previous over nor shall he/she bowl the next over.
42.4.2.3.5 If the offending player is a member of the batting side, who has not been dismissed, he/she may bat or return to bat after having served the suspension, only at the fall of a wicket. If the offending player is suspended while batting, he/she shall be replaced by another member of his/her team. If no batter is available to bat during a batter’s suspension, the innings is completed. If the offending player was suspended while batting and does not continue his/her innings for whatever reason, he/she is to be recorded as ‘Retired – not out’.
42.4.2.3.6 If the offending player is a dismissed member of the batting side, the period of suspension will not commence until the start of the next innings. Furthermore, in these circumstances, the offending player may not act as a runner during the innings when he/she was suspended.
42.4.2.3.7 Warn the offending player’s captain that any future Level 1 offence shall result in the award of 5 Penalty runs to the opposing team.
42.4.2.3.8 Any overs remaining to be served from a suspension shall be carried forward to the next and subsequent innings of the match. A part over at the end of the innings shall not count towards the overs for which the player is suspended.
42.4.2.4 As soon as practicable, the umpire shall
- signal the Level 3 offence to the scorers
- award 5 Penalty runs to the opposing team
- call Play.
42.4.2.5 The umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the offending player’s team and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such further action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team.
42.5 Level 4 offences and action by umpires
42.5.1 Any of the following actions by a player shall constitute a Level 4 offence:
- threatening to assault an umpire
- making inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with an umpire
- physically assaulting a player or any other person
- committing any other act of violence.
42.5.2 If such an offence is committed, 42.5.2.1 to 42.5.2.5 shall be implemented.
42.5.2.1 The umpire shall call Time, if necessary.
42.5.2.2 Together the umpires shall summon and inform the offending player’s captain that an offence at this Level has occurred.
42.5.2.3 The umpires shall direct the captain to remove the offending player immediately from the field of play for the remainder of the match and shall apply the following:
42.5.2.3.1 If the offending player is a fielder, no substitute shall be allowed for him/her. He/She is to be recorded as ‘Retired – out’ at the commencement of any subsequent innings in which his/her team is the batting side.
42.5.2.3.2 If a bowler is suspended mid-over, then that over must be completed by a different bowler, who shall not have bowled the previous over nor shall be permitted to bowl the next over.
42.5.2.3.3 If the offending player is a batter he/she is to be recorded as ‘Retired
– out’ in the current innings, unless he/she has been dismissed under any of Laws 32 to 39, and at the commencement of any subsequent innings in which his/her team is the batting side. If no further batter is available to bat, the innings is completed.
42.5.2.3.4 Warn the offending player’s captain that any future Level 1 offence shall result in the award of 5 Penalty runs to the opposing team.
42.5.2.4 As soon as practicable, the umpire shall
- signal the Level 4 offence to the scorers
- award 5 Penalty runs to the opposing team
- call Play.
42.5.2.5 The umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the offending player’s team and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such further action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team.
42.6 Captain refusing to remove a player from the field
42.6.1 If a captain refuses to carry out an instruction under 42.4.2.3 or 42.5.2.3, the umpires shall invoke Law 16.3 (Umpires awarding a match).
42.6.2 If both captains refuse to carry out instructions under 42.4.2.3 or 42.5.2.3 in respect of the same incident, the umpires shall instruct the players to leave the field. The match is not concluded as in Law 12.9 (Conclusion of match) and there shall be no result under Law 16 (The result).
42.7 Additional points relating to Level 3 and Level 4 offences
42.7.1 If a player, while acting as wicket-keeper, commits a Level 3 or Level 4 offence, Law
24.1.2 (Substitute fielders) shall not apply, meaning that only a nominated player may act as wicket-keeper, even if another fielder becomes injured or ill and is replaced by a substitute.
42.7.2 A nominated player who has a substitute or has a runner will suffer a penalty for any Level 3 or Level 4 offence committed by that substitute or by that runner.
42.7.2.1 When the offence is committed by a substitute, the nominated player and substitute will each suffer the penalty defined in 42.4.2.3 or in 42.5.2.3 as appropriate. Only the substitute and captain will be reported as in 42.4.2.5 or 42.5.2.5.
42.7.2.2 When the offence is committed by a runner, the batter who has the runner and the runner will each suffer the penalty defined in 42.4.2.3 or in 42.5.2.3as appropriate. The penalty for a Level 4 offence (see 42.5.2.3) will apply to the runner for the remainder of the match, but in only the current innings to the batter for whom the runner acted. Only the runner and captain will be reported as in 42.4.2.5 or 42.5.2.5.
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APPENDIX A
DEFINITIONS AND EXPLANATIONS OF WORDS OR PHRASES NOT DEFINED IN THE TEXT
A.1 The match
A.1.1 The game is used in these Laws as a general term meaning the Game of Cricket.
A.1.2 A match is a single encounter (or contest) between two sides (or teams), played underthe Laws of Cricket.
A.1.3 The toss is the toss for choice of innings.
A.1.4 Before the toss is at any time before the toss on the day the match is expected to startor, in the case of a one-day match, on the day the match is due to take place.
A.1.5 Before the match is at any time before the toss, not restricted to the day on which thetoss is to take place.
A.1.6 During the match is at any time after the toss until the conclusion of the match, whether play is in progress or not.
A.1.7 Playing time is any time between the call of Play and the call of Time. See Laws 12.1 (Call of Play) and 12.2 (Call of Time).
A.1.8 Conduct of the match includes any action relevant to the match at any time on anyday of the match.
A.2 Implements and equipment
A.2.1 Implements used in the match are the bat, the ball, the stumps and bails.
A.2.2 External protective equipment is any visible item of apparel worn for protectionagainst external blows.
For a batter, items permitted are a protective helmet, external leg guards (batting pads), batting gloves and, if visible, forearm guards.
For a fielder, only a protective helmet is permitted, except in the case of a wicket-keeper, for whom wicket-keeping pads and gloves are also permitted.
A.2.3 A protective helmet is headwear made of hard material and designed to protect the head, neck and/or the face. For the purposes of interpreting these Laws of Cricket, such a description will include faceguards, grilles and neck guards.
A.2.4 Equipment – a batter’s equipment is his/her bat as defined above, together with any external protective equipment he/she is wearing.
A fielder’s equipment is any external protective equipment that he/she is wearing.
A.2.5 The bat – the following are to be considered as part of the bat:
– the whole of the bat itself.
– the whole of a glove (or gloves) worn on the hand (or hands) holding the bat.
– the hand (or hands) holding the bat, if the batter is not wearing a glove on that hand
or on those hands.
A.2.6 Held in batter’s hand - contact between a batter’s hand, or glove worn onhis/her hand, and any part of the bat shall constitute the bat being held in that hand.
A.3 The playing area
A.3.1 The field of play is the area contained within the boundary.
A.3.2 The square is a specially prepared area of the field of play within which the match pitchis situated.
A.3.3 The outfield is that part of the field of play between the square and the boundary.
A.4 Positioning
A.4.1 Behind the popping crease at one end of the pitch is that area of the field of play, including any other marking, objects and persons therein, that is on that side of the popping crease that does not include the creases at the opposite end of the pitch. Behind, in relation to any other marking, object or person, follows the same principle. See the diagram in A.13.
A.4.2 In front of the popping crease at one end of the pitch is that area of the field of play, including any other marking, objects and persons therein, that is on that side of the popping crease that includes the creases at the opposite end of the pitch. In front of, in relation to any other marking, object or person, follows the same principle. See the diagram in A.13.
A.4.3 The striker’s end is the place where the striker stands to receive a delivery from the bowler only insofar as it identifies, independently of where the striker may subsequently move, one end of the pitch.
A.4.4 The bowler’s end is the end from which the bowler delivers the ball. It is the other end of the pitch from the striker’s end and identifies that end of the pitch that is not the striker’s end as described in A.4.3.
A.4.5 The wicket-keeper’s end is the same as the striker’s end as described in A.4.3.
A.4.6 In front of the line of the striker’s wicket is in the area of the field of play in front of the imaginary line joining the fronts of the stumps at the striker’s end; this line to be considered extended in both directions to the boundary. See A.4.2.
A.4.7 Behind the wicket is in the area of the field of play behind the imaginary line joining the backs of the stumps at the appropriate end; this line to be considered extended in both directions to the boundary. See A.4.1.
A.4.8 Behind the wicket-keeper is behind the wicket at the striker’s end, as defined above, but in line with both sets of stumps and further from the stumps than the wicket-keeper.
A.4.9 Off side/on side – see diagram in A.13
A.4.10 Inside edge is the edge on the same side as the nearer wicket.
A.5 Umpires
A.5.1 Umpire – where the description the umpire is used on its own, it always means ‘the bowler’s end umpire’ though this full description is sometimes used for emphasis or clarity. Similarly the umpires always means both umpires. An umpire and umpires are generalised terms. Otherwise, a fuller description indicates which one of the umpires is specifically intended. Each umpire will be bowler’s end umpire and striker’s end umpire in alternate overs.
A.5.2 Bowler’s end umpire is the umpire who is standing at the bowler’s end (see A.4.4) forthe current delivery.
A.5.3 Striker’s end umpire is the umpire who is standing at the striker’s end (see A.4.3), toone side of the pitch or the other, depending on his/her choice, for the current delivery.
A.5.4 Umpires together agree applies to decisions which the umpires are to make jointly, independently of the players
A.6 Batters
A.6.1 Batting side is the side currently batting, whether or not play is in progress.
A.6.2 Member of the batting side is one of the players nominated by the captain of the batting side, or any authorised replacement for such nominated player.
A.6.3 The striker is the batter who receives the ball delivered by the bowler.
A.6.4 The non-striker is the batter whose ground is at the bowler’s end when the ball is delivered.
A.6.5 A batter’s ground – at each end of the pitch, the whole area of the field of play behind the popping crease is the ground at that end for a batter.
A.6.6 Original end is the end where a batter was when the ball came into play for that delivery.
A.6.7 Wicket he/she has left is the wicket at the end where a batter was at the start of the run in progress.
A.6.8 A batting position is the position and posture adopted by the striker to receive a ball delivered by the bowler. A normal batting position is one from which a striker could be reasonably expected to defend his/her wicket.
A.6.9 For the purposes of these Laws, waist height is defined as the point at which the top of the batter’s trousers would conventionally be when he/she is standing upright at the popping crease.
A.7 Fielders
A.7.1 Fielding side is the side currently fielding, whether or not play is in progress.
A.7.2 Member of the fielding side is one of the players nominated by the captain of the fielding side, or any authorised replacement or substitute for such nominated player.
A.7.3 Fielder is one of the 11 or fewer players who together represent the fielding side on the field of play. This definition includes not only both the bowler and the wicket-keeper but also nominated players who are legitimately on the field of play, together with players legitimately acting as substitutes for absent nominated players. It excludes any nominated player who is absent from the field of play, or who has been absent from the field of play and who has not yet obtained the umpire’s permission to return.
A player going briefly outside the boundary in the course of discharging his/her duties as a fielder is not absent from the field of play nor, for the purposes of Law 24.2 (Fielder absent or leaving the field of play), is he/she to be regarded as having left the field of play.
A.8 Substitutes, Replacements and Runners
A.8.1 A Substitute is a player who takes the place of a fielder on the field of play, but does not replace the player for whom he/she substitutes on that side’s list of nominated players. A substitute’s activities are limited to fielding.
A.8.2 A Replacement is a player who takes the place of a nominated player and who, thereby, becomes a nominated player. A replacement’s activities on the field of play are no more limited than those of any other nominated player.
A.8.3 A Runner is a nominated player who runs for another nominated player of his/her own side who is batting and is unable to run.
A.9 Bowlers
A.9.1 Over the wicket/round the wicket – if, as the bowler runs up between the wicket and the return crease, the wicket is on the same side as his/her bowling arm, he/she is bowling over the wicket. If the return crease is on the same side as his/her bowling arm, he/she is bowling round the wicket.
A.9.2 Delivery swing is the motion of the bowler’s arm during which he/she normally releases the ball for a delivery.
A.9.3 Delivery stride is the stride during which the delivery swing is made, whether the ball is released or not. It starts when the bowler’s back foot lands for that stride and ends when the front foot lands in the same stride. The stride after the delivery stride is completed when the next foot lands, i.e. when the back foot of the delivery stride lands again.
A.10 The ball
A.10.1 The ball is struck/strikes the ball unless specifically defined otherwise, mean ‘theball is struck by the bat’/‘strikes the ball with the bat’.
A.10.2 Full-pitch describes a ball delivered by the bowler that reaches or passes the strikerwithout having touched the ground. Sometimes described as non-pitching.
A.11 Runs
A.11.1 A run to be disallowed is one that in Law should not have been taken. It is not only to be cancelled but the batters are to be returned to their original ends.
A.11.2 A run not to be scored is one that is not illegal, but is not recognised as a properly executed run. It is not a run that has been made, so the question of cancellation does not arise. The loss of the run so attempted is not a disallowance and the batters will not be returned to their original ends on that account.
A.12 The person
A.12.1 Person; A player’s person is his/her physical person (flesh and blood) together with any clothing or legitimate external protective equipment that he/she is wearing except, in the case of a batter, his/her bat.
A hand, whether gloved or not, that is not holding the bat is part of the batter’s person.
No item of clothing or equipment is part of the player’s person unless it is attached to him/her.
For a batter, a glove being held but not worn is part of his/her person.
For a fielder, an item of clothing or equipment he/she is holding in his/her hand or hands is not part of his/her person.
A.12.2 Clothing – anything that a player is wearing, including such items as spectacles or jewellery, that is not classed as external protective equipment is classed as clothing, even though he/she may be wearing some items of apparel, which are not visible, for protection. A bat being carried by a batter does not come within this definition of clothing.
A.12.3 Hand for batter or wicket-keeper shall include both the hand itself and the whole of a glove worn on the hand.
A.13 Off side/on side; in front of/behind the popping crease
Appendix B: The bat (Law 5)
B.1. General guidance
B.1.1. Measurements - all provisions in sections B.2 to B.6 below are subject to the measurements and restrictions stated in the Law and this Appendix.
B.1.2 Adhesives – throughout, adhesives are permitted only where essential and only in minimal quantity.
B.1.3 Categories of bat – the specifications given below relate to Type A, B C and D bats unless specified otherwise.
B.2. Specifications for the handle
B.2.1 One end of the handle is inserted into a recess in the blade as a means of joining the handle and the blade.
This lower portion is used purely for joining the blade and the handle together. It is not part of the blade but, solely in interpreting B.3 and B.4 below, references to the blade shall be considered to extend also to this lower portion of the handle where relevant.
B.2.2. The handle may be glued where necessary and bound with twine along the upper portion.
Providing Law 5.5 is not contravened, the upper portion may be covered with materials solely to provide a surface suitable for gripping. Such covering is an addition and is not part of the bat, except in relation to Law 5.6. The bottom of this grip should not extend below the point defined in B.2.4 below.
Twine binding and the covering grip may extend beyond the junction of the upper and lower portions of the handle, to cover part of the shoulders of the bat as defined in B.3.1.
No material may be placed on or inserted into the lower portion of the handle other than as permitted above together with the minimal adhesives or adhesive tape used solely for fixing these items, or for fixing the handle to the blade.
B.2.3 Materials in handle – As a proportion of the total volume of the handle, materials other than cane, wood or twine are restricted to one-tenth for Types A and B and one-fifth for Type C and Type D. Such materials must not project more than 3.25 in/8.26 cm into the lower portion of the handle
B.2.4 Binding and covering of handle – The permitted continuation beyond the junctionof the upper and lower portions of the handle is restricted to a maximum, measured along the length of the handle, of
2.5 in/6.35 cm in for the twine binding
2.75 in/6.99 cm for the covering grip.
B.3 Specifications for the blade
B.3.1. The blade has a face, a back, a toe, sides and shoulders
B.3.1.1 The face of the blade is its main striking surface and shall be flat or have a slight convex curve resulting from traditional pressing techniques. The back isthe opposite surface.
B.3.1.2 The shoulders, sides and toe are the remaining surfaces, separating the face and the back.
B.3.1.3. The shoulders, one on each side of the handle, are along that portion of the blade between the first entry point of the handle and the point at which the blade first reaches its full width.
B.3.1.4. The toe is the surface opposite to the shoulders taken as a pair.
B.3.1.5. The sides, one each side of the blade, are along the rest of the blade, between the toe and the shoulders.
B.3.2. No material may be placed on or inserted into the blade other than as permitted in B.2.4, B.3.3, and Law 5.4 together with the minimal adhesives or adhesive tape used solely for fixing these items, or for fixing the handle to the blade.
B.3.3 Covering the blade - Type A and Type B bats shall have no covering on the blade except as permitted in Law 5.4. Type C and Type D bats may have a cloth covering on the blade. This may be treated as specified in B.4 below.
The cloth covering permitted for Type C and D bats shall be of thickness not exceeding
0.012 in/0.3 mm before treatment as in B.4.1.
Any materials referred to above, in Law 5.4 and B.4 below, are to be considered as part of the bat, which must still pass through the gauge as defined in B.8.
B.4 Protection and repair
B.4.1. The surface of the blade may be treated with non-solid materials to improve resistance to moisture penetration and/or mask natural blemishes in the appearance of the wood. Save for the purpose of giving a homogeneous appearance by masking natural blemishes, such treatment shall not materially alter the colour of the blade.
B.4.2. Materials can be used for protection and repair as stated in Law 5.4 and are additional to the blade. Note however Law 5.6.
Any such material shall not extend over any part of the back of the blade except in the case of Law 5.4.1 and then only when it is applied as a continuous wrapping covering the damaged area.
The repair material shall not extend along the length of the blade more than 0.79 in/2.0 cm in each direction beyond the limits of the damaged area. Where used as a continuous binding, any overlapping shall not breach the maximum of 0.04 in/0.1 cm in total thickness.
The use of non-solid material which when dry forms a hard layer more than 0.004 in/0.01 cm in thickness is not permitted.
Additionally, for protection from damage, for Bat Types B, C and D, material may be inserted at the toe and/or along the sides, parallel to the face of the blade.
B.4.3. Permitted coverings, repair material and toe guards, not exceeding their specified thicknesses, may be additional to the dimensions above, but the bat must still pass through the gauge as described in B.8.
B.5. Toe and side inserts – the wood used must not be more than 0.35 in/0.89 cm in thickness.
The toe insert shall not extend from the toe more than 2.5 in/6.35 cm up the blade at any point.
Neither side insert may extend from the edge more than 1 in/2.54 cm across the blade at any point.
B.6 Commercial identifications - these identifications may not exceed 0.008 in/0.02 cm in thickness. On the back of the blade they must occupy no more than 50% of the surface. On the face of the blade, they must be confined within the top 9 in/22.86 cm, measured from where the bottom of the grip as defined in B.2.2 and B.2.4, would finish.
B.7 Type D Bats
Type D bats, as defined, shall comply with the size specifications and restrictions in Law 5 and this Appendix. The blade in addition may be
B.7.1 laminated but using only wood and with no more than three pieces.
B.7.2. coloured, providing Law 5.5 is not contravened.
B.8 Bat Gauge
All bats that conform to the Laws of Cricket must meet the specifications defined in Law 5.7. They must also, with or without protective coverings permitted in Law 5.4, be able to pass through a bat gauge, the dimensions and shape of which are shown in the diagram on the following page.
Appendix C: Laws 6 (The pitc
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