New cricketing Laws Introduced

A sport is nothing without its rules and laws. But they should be neutral and beneficial rather than being controversial or catering to a specific side. Cricket laws have been changing over the years to facilitate the players. Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) is the governing body of cricket that defines the laws for cricket. So, MCC has introduced nine new cricketing laws. They will come into action in October 2022.

The nine laws are:

Replacement players

The replacements players will be the same as ‘replacements are to be treated as if they were the player they replaced, inheriting any sanctions or dismissals that player has done in that match.’

Before this, the replacement players had no connection with the players they were replacing.

Batters returning when Caught

‘When a batter is out caught, the new batter shall come in at the end the striker was at, i.e. to face the next ball (unless it is the end of an over).’

Earlier, the new batter had to go to the non-striker’s end. Now, he will come on the crease to face the new ball. If the over is finished, then of course he could go to the non-strikers’ end.

Dead ball:

This happens ‘if either side is disadvantaged by a person, animal, or other objects within the field of play. From a pitch invader to a dog running onto the field, sometimes there is outside interference – if this is the case, and it has a material impact on the game, the umpires will call and signal Dead ball.’

Earlier, the invasion on the ground did not affect the runs, but now if there is any interference in the ground, that ball will be declared dead.

Bowler throwing towards strikers’ end before delivery

‘If a bowler throws the ball in an attempt to run out the striker before entering their delivery stride, it will be now dead ball.’

Earlier, this was known as a no-ball.

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Judging a Wide

‘In the modern game, batters are, more than ever, moving laterally around the crease before the ball is bowled.’

Before this, the wide was called according to how the batter ended while playing the ball. Now, the umpires will decide according to the position of the batter when the delivery is bowled.

Striker’s right to play the ball

‘If the ball should land away from the pitch, the new Law 25.8 allows the striker to play the ball so long as some part of their bat or person remains within the pitch. Should they venture beyond that, the umpire will call and signal Dead ball. As recompense to the batter, any ball which would force them to leave the pitch will also be called No ball.’

Earlier the Batter had the leverage of leaving the pitch and playing the ball with it, but now their bat or themselves should be inside the pitch.

Unfair movement by the fielding side

‘Until now, any member of the fielding side who moved unfairly was punished only with a ‘Dead ball’ – potentially canceling a perfectly good shot by the batter. Given the action is both unfair and deliberate, it will now see the batting side awarded 5 penalty runs.’

Any movement by the fielders, when the bowlers run, would be an unfair movement. 5 runs would be awarded to the batting side as a penalty.

Moving the running out of the non-striker

‘Running out the non-striker – has been moved from Unfair play to Run out.’

Earlier, it was an unfair movement on the part of the bowler and against the spirit of the play. Now it is declared as run out.

No saliva

As part of the COVID-19 precautions, applying saliva to the ball was not allowed. Sweat was used instead. According to the new laws, they banned the use of saliva. ‘This also removes any grey areas of fielders eating sugary sweets to alter their saliva to apply to the ball. Using saliva will be treated the same way as any other unfair methods of changing the condition of the ball.’

Earlier saliva was used to shine the ball, now it will be considered ball-tampering.

We hope that it does not harm the spirit of the game and no one uses these laws for their own benefit.