Law 1:
THE PLAYERS
1. Number
of Players and Captain
A match
is played between 2 sides each of eleven Players,
now of whom shall be Captain. In the event
of the Captain not being available at any time a Deputy
shall act for him.
2
Nomination of Players
Before
the toss for the innings, the Captain shall nominate his Players
who may not thereafter be changed without the consent of the
opposing Captain.
Notes:
(a) More or Less than Eleven
Players a Side:
A
match may be played by agreement between sides of more or less
than eleven players but not more than eleven players may field.
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Law
2: SUBSTITUTES AND RUNNERS;
BATSMAN
OR FIELDSMAN LEAVING THE FIELD;
BATSMAN
RETIRING;
BATSMAN
COMMENCING INNINGS
1.
Substitutes
In
normal circumstances, a Substitute shall be allowed to field
only for a player who satisfies the Umpires that he has become
injured or become ill during the match. However, in very
exceptional circumstance, the Umpires may use their discretion
to allow a Substitute for a player who has to leave the field or
does not take the field for other wholly acceptable reasons,
subject to consent being given by the opposing Captain.
If a player wishes to change his shirt, boots, etc., he may
leave the field to do so (no changing on the field) but no
Substitute will be allowed.
2. Objection
to Substitutes
The
opposing Captain shall have no right of objection to any player
acting as Substitute in the field, nor as to where he shall
field, although he may object to the Substitute acting as
Wicket-Keeper.
3.
Substitute Not to Bat or Bowl
A Substitute shall not be
allowed to bat or bowl.
4. A Player
for Whom a Substitute Has Acted
A player may bat, bowl or
field even though a Substitute has acted for him.
5. Runner
A
Runner shall be allowed for a Batsman who during the match is
incapacitated by illness or injury. The player acting as
Runner shall be a member of the batting side and shall, if
possible, have already batted in that innings.
6. Runner's
Equipment
The
player acting as Runner for an injured Batsman shall wear the
same external protective equipment as the injured Batsman.
7.
Transgression of the Laws by an Injured Batsman or Runner
An
injured Batsman my be out should his Runner break any one of
Laws 33 (Handled the Ball) , 37 (Obstructing the field) or 38
(Run Out). As Striker he remains himself subject to the
Laws. Furthermore, should he be out of his ground or any
purpose and the wicket at the Wicket-Keeper's end be put down he
shall be out under Law 38 (Run Out) or Law 39 (Stumped)
irrespective of the position of the other Batsman or the Runner
and no runs shall be scored.
When not
the Striker, the injured Batsman is out of the game and shall
stand where he does not interfere with the play. Should he bring
himself into the game in any way then he shall suffer the
penalties that any transgression of the Laws demands.
8. Fieldsman
Leaving the Field
No
Fieldsman shall leave the field or return during a session of
play without the consent of the Umpire at the Bowler's end.
The Umpire's consent is also necessary if a Substitute is
required for a Fieldsman, when his side returns to the field
after an interval. If a member of the fielding side leaves the
field or fails to return after an interval and is absent from
the field for longer than 15 minutes, he shall not be
permitted to bowl after his return until he has been not the
field for at least that length of playing time for which he was
absent. This restriction shall not apply at the start of
a new day's play.
9. Batsman
Leaving the field or retiring
A Batsman may leave the field or
retire at any time owning to illness, injury or other
unavoidable cause, having previously notified the Umpire at the
Bowler's end. He may resume his innings at the fall of a
wicket, which for the purposes of this Law shall include
the retirement of another Batsman.
If he leaves the field or retires
for any other reason he may only resume his innings with the
consent of the opposing Captain.
When a Batsman has left the field
or retired and is unable to return owing to illness, injury or
other unavoidable cause, his innings is to be recorded as "
retired, not out". Otherwise it is to be recorded as
"retired, out".
10.
Commencement of Batsman's Innings
A Batsman shall be considered to
have commenced his innings once he has stepped on to the field
of play.
Notes:
(a) Substitutes and Runners :
For the purpose of these Laws
allowable illnesses or injuries are those which occur at any
time after the nomination by the Captains of their teams.
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LAW 3
: THE UMPIRES
1. Appointment
Before the toss for the innings 2
Umpires shall be appointed, one for each end, to control the
game with absolute impartiality as required by the Laws.
2. Change of
Umpire
No Umpire shall be changed during
a match without the consent of both Captains.
3. Special
Conditions
Before the toss for innings, the
Umpires shall agree with both Captains on any special conditions
affecting the conduct of the match.
4. The
Wickets
The Umpires shall satisfy
themselves before he start of the match that the wickets are
properly pitched.
5. Clock or
Watch
The Umpires shall agree
between themselves and inform both Captains before the start of
the match on the watch or clock to be followed during the match.
6. Conduct
and Implements
Before and during a match the
Umpires shall ensure that the conduct of the game and the
implements used are strictly in accordance with the Laws.
7. Fair and
Unfair Play
The Umpires shall be the sole
judges of fair and unfair play.
8. Fitness
of Ground, Weather and Light
(a) The Umpires shall be the sole
judges of the fitness of the ground, weather and light for play.
(i) However, before deciding to
suspend play or not to start play or not to resume play after an
interval or stoppage, the Umpires shall establish whether
both Captains ( The Batsmen at the wicket may deputise for their
Captain) wish to commence or to continue in the prevailing
condition; if so, their wishes shall be met
(ii) In addition, if during
play, the Umpires decide that the light is unfit, only the
batting side shall have the option of continuing play.
After agreeing to continue to play in unfit light conditions,
the Captain of the batting side (or a Batsman at the
wicket ) may appeal against the light to the Umpires, who shall
uphold the appeal only if, in their opinion, the light has
deteriorated since the agreement to continue was made.
(b) After any suspension of
play, the Umpires, unaccompanied by any of the Players or
Officials shall, on their own initiative, carry out an
inspection immediately (sic) the conditions improve and
shall continue to inspect at intervals. Immediately the
Umpires decide that play is possible they shall call upon the
Players to resume the game.
9.
Exceptional Circumstance
In
exceptional circumstance, other than those of weather, ground or
light, the Umpires may decide to suspend or abandon play.
Before making such decision the Umpires shall establish, if the
circumstances allow, whether both Captains (the Batsmen at the
wicket may deputise for their Captain) wish to continue in the
prevailing conditions: if so their wishes shall be met.
10. Position of Umpires
The
Umpires shall stand where they can best see any act upon which
their decision may be required.
Subject
to this overriding consideration the Umpire at the Bowler's
end shall stand where he does not interfere with either the
Bowler's run-up or the Striker's view.
The Umpire at the Striker's end may elect to stand on the
off instead of the leg side of the pitch, provided he informs
the Captain of the fielding side and the Striker of his
intention to do so.
11.Umpires
Changing Ends
The Umpires shall change ends
after each side has had one innings.
12. Disputes
All disputes shall be determined
by the Umpires and if they disagree the actual state of thing
shall continue.
13.
Signals
The
following code of signals shall be used by Umpires who will wait
until a signal has been answered by a Scorer before allowing the
game to proceed:
Boundary
: by waving the arm from side to side.
Boundary 6
: by raising both arms above the head.
Bye
:by raising an open hand above the head.
Dead ball
:by crossing and re-crossing the wrists below the waist.
Leg bye :
by touching a raised knee with the hand
No Ball
: by extending one arm horizontally
Out
:
by raising the index finger above the head. If not
out the Umpire shall call " not out".
Short run
: by bending the arm upwards and by touching the
nearer shoulder with the tips of the finders.
Wide
: by extending booth arms horizontally.
14.
Correctness of Scores
The
Umpires shall be responsible for satisfying themselves on the
correctness of the scores throughout and at the conclusion of
the match. See law 21.6 (Correctness of Result).
Notes:
(a) Attendance of Umpires:
The
Umpires should be present on the ground and report to the Ground
Executive or the equivalent at least 30 minutes before the start
of a day’s play.
(b) Consultation between Umpires
and Scorers.
Consultation between Umpires
and Scores over doubtful points is essential.
Fitness of Ground:
The
Umpires should consider the ground as unfit for play when it is
so wet or slippery as to deprive the Bowlers of reasonable
foothold, the Fieldsmen, other that he deep fielders, of the
power of free movement, or the Batsmen the ability to play their
strokes or to run between the wickets. Play should not be
suspended merely because the grass and the ball are wet and
slippery.
(d) Fitness of weather and Light:
The
Umpires should only suspend play when hey consider that the
conditions are so bad that it is unreasonable or dangerous to
continue.
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LAW
4 : THE SCORERS
1. Recording
Runs
All
runs scored shall be recorded by Scorers appointed for the
purpose. Where there are two Scorers they shall frequently
check to ensure that the score sheets agree.
2.
Acknowledging Signals
The
Scorers shall accept and immediately acknowledge all
instructions and signals given tot them by the Umpires.
LAW
5: THE BALL
1. Weight
and Size
The
ball, when new, shall weigh not less than 51/2 ounces /155.9g,
nor more than 5 3/4 ounces/163g: and shall measure not less than
8.13 /16 inches/22.4 cm nor more than 9 inches/22.9cm in
circumference.
2. Approval
of Balls
All balls used in matches shall
be approved by the Umpires and Captains before the start of the
match.
3. New Ball
Subject
to agreement to the contrary, having been made before the toss,
either Captain may demand a new ball at the start of each
innings.
4. New Ball
in Match of Three or /more Days' Duration
In a
match of three or more days' duration, the Captain of the
fielding side may demand a new ball after the prescribed
number of oversee has been bowled with the old one.
The Governing Body for cricket in. he country concerned shall
decide the number of overs applicable in that hat country which
shall be not less than 75 six-ball overs (55 eight-ball overs)
5. Ball
Lost or Becoming Unfit for Play
In
the event of a ball during play begin lost or , in the
opinion of the Umpires, becoming unfit for play, the
Umpires shall allow it to be replaced by one that in their
opinion has had a similar amount of wear. If a ball is to
be replaced, the Umpires shall inform the Batsmen.
Notes:
(a) Specifications:
The
specifications, as described above, shall apply to
top-grade balls only. The following degrees of tolerance
ill be acceptable for other grades of ball:
(i) Men's Grades 2-4
Weight: 5.5/16
ounces/150 g to 5.13/16 ounces/165 g
Size: 8.11/16/ inches
/22.0 cm to 9.1 /16 inches /23.0 c,
(ii) Women's
Weight: 4.15/16 ounces/
140 g to 5.5/16 ounces/150 g
Size: 8.1/4 inches/21.0
cm to 8.7 /8 inches /22.5 cm
(iii) Junior
Weight: 4.5/16 ounces
/133 g to 5.11/16 ounces/143 g
Size: 8.1/16 inches
/20.5 cm to 8.11/16 inches/22.0cm
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LAW 6:
The Bat
1. Width and
Length
The a
bat overall shall not be more than 38 inches/96.5 cm in length;
the blade of the bat shall be made of wood and shall not exceed
4 1/4 inches /10.8 cm at the widest part.
Notes:
(a) the blade of the bat may
be covered with material for protection, strengthening or
repair, Such material shall not exceed 1/16 inches /1.56 mm in
thickness.
LAW 7:
THE PITCH
1. Area of
pitch
The
pitch is the area between the bowling creases- See
Law 9 (The Bowling, Popping and Return creases). It
shall measure 5 ft./1.52 m in width on either side of a line
joining the centre of the middle stumps of the wickets
2. Selection
and Preparation
Before
the toss for innings, the Executive of the Ground shall be
responsible for the selection and preparation of the
pitch; thereafter the Umpires shall control its use and
maintenance.
3. Changing
Pitch
The
pitch shall not be changed during a match unless it becomes
unfit for play, and then only with the consent of both Captains.
4. Now-Turf
Pitches
In the event of a non-turf pitch
being used, the following shall apply:
(a) Length: That of playing
surface to a minimum of 58 ft (17.68 m)
(b) Width: That of the
playing surface to a minimum of 6 ft (1.83 m).
See LAW 10 (Rolling, Sweeping,
Mowing, Watering the Pitch and Re-marking of Creases) Note (a).
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LAW 8
: THE WICKETS
1. Width and
Pitching
Two
sets of wickets, each 9 in/22.86 cm wide, and consisting of the
three wooden stumps with two wooden bails upon the top, shall be
pitched opposite and parallel to each other at a distance
of 22 yards/20.12m between the centers of the two middle stumps.
2.
Size of Stumps
The
stumps shall be of equal and sufficient size to prevent the ball
from passing between them. Their tops shall be 28 in /7.1
cm above the ground, and shall be dome shaped except for the
bail grooves.
3. Size of
Bails
The
bails shall be each 4 3/8 inches /11.1 cm in length and when in
position on the top of the stumps shall not project more than
1/2 in /1.3 cm above them.
Notes:
(a) Dispensing with Bails:
In a high wind the Umpires
may decide to dispense with the use of bails.
(b) Junior Cricket:
For Junior Cricket, as
defined by the local Governing Body, the following measurements
for the Wickets shall apply:-
Width :
8 in /20.32 cm
Pitch :
21 yards/19.20 m
Height : 27
in/68.58 cm
Bails : each
3 7/8 in 9.84 cm in length and should not project more
than 1/2 in /1/3 cm above them.
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LAW 9:
THE BOWLING, POPPING AND RETURN CREASES
1. The
Bowling Creases
The
bowling crease shall be marked in line with the stumps at each
end and shall be 8ft 8 in/2.64 m in length, with the stumps in
the center.
2. The
Popping Crease
The
popping crease, which is the back edge of the crease marking,
shall be in front of and parallel with the bowling crease.
It shall have the back edge of the crease marking 4 ft/1/22 m
from the centre of the stumps and shall extend to a minimum of 6
ft/1.83 m on either side of the line of the wicket.
The popping crease shall be
considered to be unlimited in length.
3. The
Return Crease
The
return crease marking, of which the inside edge is the
crease, shall be at each end of the bowling crease and at right
angles to it. The return crease shall be marked to
a minimum of 4 ft/1.22 m behind the wicket and shall be
considered to be unlimited in length. A forward extension
shall be marked to the popping crease.
LAW
10: ROLLING, SWEEPING, MOWING, and WATERING THE PITCH
AND REMARKING OF CREASES
1. Rolling
During
the match the pitch may be rolled at the request of the Captain
of the batting side, for a period of not more than 7 minutes
before the start of each innings, other than the first innings
of the match, and before the start of each day's play. In
addition, if, after the toss and before the first innings of the
match, and before the start of each day's play. In addition, if,
after the toss and before the first innings of the match, the
start is delayed, the Captain of the batting side shall have the
right to have the pitch rolled for not more than 7
minutes.
The
pitch shall not otherwise be rolled during the match.
The 7
minutes' rolling permitted before the start of a day's play
shall take place not earlier than half an hour before the start
of play and the Captain of the batting side may delay such
rolling until 10 minutes before the start of play should he so
desire.
If a
Captain declares an innings closed less than 15 minutes before
the resumption of play, and the other Captain is thereby
prevented from exercising his option of 7 minutes rolling or if
he is so prevented for any other reason the time for rolling
shall be taken out of the normal playing time .
2.
Sweeping
Such
sweeping of the pitch as in necessary during the match shall be
done so that the 7 minutes allowed for rolling the pitch provide
for in (1) above is not affected.
3. Mowing
(a)
Responsibilities of Ground Authority and of Umpires:
All
mowings which are carried out before the toss for innings shall
be the responsibility of the Ground Authority. Thereafter
they shall be carried out under the supervision of the
Umpires
(b) Initial
Mowing:
The
pitch shall be mown before play begin on the day the match is
scheduled to start or in the case of a delayed start on
the day the match is expected to start.
(c) Subsequent
Mowing in a Match of 2 or More Day's Duration:
In a
match of two or more days' duration, the pitch shall be mown
daily before play begins. Should this mowing not take
place because of weather conditions, rest days or other reasons
the pitch shall be mown on the first day on which the match is
resumed.
(d)
Mowing of the Outfield in a Match of 2 or More Days' Duration:
In
order to ensure that conditions are as similar as possible for
both sides, the outfield shall normally be mown before the
commencement of play on each day of the match, if ground and
weather conditions allow. See Note (b) to this Law.
4.
Watering
The
pitch shall not be watered during a match.
5.
Re-marking Creases
Whenever
possible the creases shall be re-marked.
6.
Maintenance of Foot Holes
In
wet weather, the Umpires shall ensure that the holes made by the
Bowlers and Batsmen are cleaned out and dried whenever necessary
to facilitate play. In matches of 2 or more days'
duration, the Umpires shall allow, if necessary, the returfing
of foot holes made by the Bowler in his delivery stride, or the
use of quick-setting fillings for the same purpose, before the
start of each day's play.
7.
Securing of Footholds and Maintenance of Pitch
During
play, the Umpires shall allow either Batsman to beat the pitch
with his bat and players to secure their footholds by the use of
sawdust, provided that no damage to the pitch is so
caused, and Law 42 (Unfair Play ) is not contravened.
Notes:
(a)
Non- Turf Pitches:
LAW
10 APPLIES TO TURF PITCHES
The
game is played on non-turf pitches in may countries a t
various levels. Whilst the conduct of the game on these surfaces
should always be in accordance with the Laws of Cricket, it is
recognised that it may sometimes be necessary for Governing
Bodies to lay down special playing conditions to suit the type
of non-turf pitch used in their country.
In
matches played against Touring Teams, any special playing
conditions should be agreed in advance by both parties.
(b)
Mowing of the Outfield in a Match of 2 or More Days' Duration:
If,
for reasons other than ground and weather conditions, daily and
complete ,owing is not possible, the Ground Authority shall
notify the Captains and Umpires, before the toss for innings, of
the procedure to be adopted for such mowing during the match.
(c)
Choice of Roller:
If
there is more than one roller available the Captain of the
batting side shall have a choice.
