LAW CHANGES

By the time Lincolnshire cricketers, of whatever standard, step onto the field in 2011, they will need to be aware of some changes to the Laws of the game, which are administered by MCC.
Below we give you the full list to wade you way through, if you so wish. Many of the changes address very rare instances, or merely make slight amendments to the wording of the Laws, but there are three which we think will be directly relevant.

1) Umpires will now be the sole arbiters of whether play should continue in poor light. The batting side will no longer have any say in the decision, "which was often made for tactical reasons." WE THINK THAT'S A GOOD CHANGE.

2) The captain who wins the toss must notify his counterpart of his decision to bat, or field, immediately. WE THINK THAT'S A GOOD CHANGE. IT WILL REMOVE THE SITUATION OF A CAPTAIN DISAPPEARING BACK TO THE DRESSING ROOM TO ASK THE TEAM, OR SENIOR COLLEAGUES, WHAT HE SHOULD DO. IT WILL ALSO DO AWAY WITH THE PRACTICE OF SENDING OUT A 'TOKEN' CAPTAIN, ON BEHALF OF THE REAL SKIPPER, WHO MAY BE LATE ARRIVING. THEN EVERYONE WAITING UNTIL HE TURNS UP AND DECIDES ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.
The law-revisers explain: "Previously, captains could wait until 10 minutes before the start of the game, but in some cases this was being exploited to the losing side’s disadvantage – and therefore contravened the Spirit of Cricket."

Now the one which will be directly relevant to many, many bowlers in Lincolnshire cricket - and elsewhere.

The law-revisers say: "It is also clarified that deliberately bowling the ball into the ground in practice will contravene Law 42.3 (The match ball – changing its condition)."

PRESUMABLY THIS IS DESIGNED TO PUT AN END TO PLAYERS WHO COME ON TO START A SPELL AND PRECEDE IT BY SENDING DOWN A PRACTICE DELIVERY, OR TWO, TO A TEAM-MATE AT MID-ON OR MID-OFF. MANY BOWLERS IN LOCAL CRICKET ARE USED TO DOING THIS.

Fair enough - this change will save a bit of time and players shouldn't really be practising on the field of play. But it's difficult to see how gently bouncing the ball on the outfield, in practice, perhaps at half pace (usually the case) does more, or equal, damage to the condition of the ball as sending down a full-paced delivery onto a hard "batting wicket."


Now the official statement, in full....
Explanation of the changes between the 3rd Edition and 4th Edition of the 2000
Code of the Laws of Cricket

This document highlights the changes that have been made for the 4th Edition of the
2000 Code of the Laws of Cricket. Most of the changes do not materially alter the
outcome of the Laws. Where there is a change of policy, it is clearly marked.
The Spirit of Cricket
Point 4 – changed from respect for “the game’s traditional values” to “the game and
its traditional values”. It now includes respect for the game itself.
Law 1 (The players)
Law 1.1 (Number of players) – “less” changed to “fewer” – grammatical.
Law 1.3 (Captain) – for clarification that only a nominated player may act as deputy
for the captain.
Law 2 (Substitutes and runners; batsman or fielder leaving the field; batsman
retiring; batsman commencing innings)
Law 2.3 (Restrictions on role of substitutes) – cross reference to Law 1.3 added for
extra clarity.
Law 2.6 (Player returning without permission) – clarification that runs completed or
in progress (if batsmen have crossed) will count.
Law 2.8 (Transgression of the Laws by a batsman who has a runner)
· (c) – more detailed explanation of whether a batsman who has a runner is out
stumped or Run out.
· (d) – changed to batsman “who has” a runner – grammatical. There are
further instances of this change throughout the Laws which will not be
highlighted in this document.
Law 2.9 (Batsman retiring) – title changed from “Batsman leaving the field or
retiring” to “Batsman retiring”. Also a clarification that he may only retire when the
ball is dead.
Law 3 (The umpires)
Law 3.6 (Conduct of the game, implements and equipment) – the implements of the
game have been listed in sub-sections for ease of reference.
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Laws 3.8 (Fitness for play) & 3.9 (Suspension of play in dangerous or unreasonable
conditions) – POLICY CHANGES
The changes to Laws 3.8 and 3.9 relate to the umpires suspending play as a result of
the fitness of the ground, weather or light. The main change is that the umpires will
no longer “offer the light” to the batting side. It was felt that, at present, the decision
to stay on or come off the field was often made on tactical grounds based on what best
suits the batting side, rather than on grounds of safety or visibility. In bad light,
umpires will now only suspend play when they consider it to be unreasonable or
dangerous. Unreasonable is to be regarded as being inappropriate, rather than
conditions simply not being very good. The new Law should result in less playing
time being lost, as has been evidenced through the playing regulation introduced by
the ECB in county cricket.
Law 3.10 (Position of umpires) - numbering changed from previous edition – also
“Both umpires” is changed to “Each umpire”. Also, “the umpire at the bowler’s end”
is changed to “the bowler’s end umpire”. This change, which is the same for the
striker’s end umpire, has been made throughout the Laws so that it is consistent. In
this explanation document, these changes will not be outlined on every occasion that
the change has been made. Also, in some cases, “the umpires” has been changed to
“the umpire” which, as explained in Appendix D, means the bowler’s end umpire.
Law 3.11 (Umpires changing ends)– change of reference to Law 12.3 (Completed
innings), as this covers forfeiture as well as other examples of completed innings.
Law 3.13 (Informing the umpires) – this is a new section which clarifies that captains
or players need only to inform one umpire of relevant information – the umpire so
told will inform the other umpire.
Law 3.14 (Signals) – there is a clarification of the signalling of Short runs at the end
of 3.14(a). The wording of sub-section (ii) has been altered to reflect this.
Law 3.15 (Correctness of scores) – adds the point that the umpires should check the
score throughout the match.
Law 5 (The ball)
Law 5.4 (New ball in match of more than one day’s duration) – when the new ball is
taken, the umpire at the bowler’s end shall inform the other umpire, as well as the
batsmen and scorers.
Law 6 (The Bat)
Law 6.8 (Contact with the ball) – clarification of the references by adding the word
“above” in b(iv)
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Law 7 (The pitch)
Law 7.2 (fitness of pitch for play) – the umpires shall be the “sole” judges of the
fitness of the pitch. “sole” replaces “final”.
Law 9 (The bowling, popping and return creases)
Law 9.3 (The popping crease) – for clarity, it has been altered to refer to the centres of
the “two” middle stumps.
Law 10 (Preparation and maintenance of the playing area)
Law 10.1 (Rolling)
· (c) – there is a grammatical change over the choice of rollers.
· (e) – the wording has been re-phrased for clarity but the outcome remains the
same.
Law 10.2 (Clearing debris from the pitch) – the title of this section has changed from
“Sweeping”. The new version outlines when debris may be removed from the pitch
by sweeping or by hand. The times when this may take place have not changed.
Law 10.3 (Mowing) – the titles of the sub-sections have been re-ordered. The pitch
and the outfield are put into the same sub-section to improve clarity. In sub-section
(c), a reference to clearing debris has been added for additional clarity. The timings
of mowing have not changed.
Law 10.4 (Watering the pitch) – the title has been changed from “Watering”.
Law 12 – (Innings)
Law 12.1 (Number of innings) – an additional sentence has been added at the end to
clarify the need to determine the criteria for a result in games where agreements to
limit the innings by overs or by time have been made.
Law 12.3 (Completed innings) – “as appropriate” added at the end for extra clarity.
Laws 12.4 (The toss) & 12.5 (Decision to be notified) - POLICY CHANGES
The changes to Laws 12.4 and 12.5 involve the toss. In Law 12.4, it was felt that it
would be good practice to say that the toss should be made in the presence of one or
both of the umpires. Law 3.1 already states that the umpires shall be at the ground at
least 45 minutes before the scheduled start of play. Furthermore, Laws 1.2, 3.3 and
3.4 lay down a number of points that need to be agreed between the umpires and the
captains before the toss and MCC thought that having at least one umpire at the toss
would help to formalise the whole process. Some people have expressed concerns
over this new Law for certain games at amateur level where there are no formal
umpires but the Laws must set out what is best practice. Laws 1.2, 3.3 and 3.4 have
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been in the Code since 2000 without drawing complaints. The new 12.5 forces the
captain winning the toss to notify his decision to bat or field to the other captain
straight away. The current Law states the notification could be delayed until 10
minutes before the scheduled start of play and MCC heard of examples where this
Law was being exploited as a means of gamesmanship to give the other team less
time to prepare.
Law 14 – (Declaration and forfeiture)
Law 14.1 (Time of declaration) – alteration from “batting side” to “side batting” and
clarification that the declaration can only be made during “the innings” instead of “a
match”.
Law 14.2 (Forfeiture of an innings) – clarification that forfeiture may only take place
before the commencement of that innings.
Law 15 (Intervals)
Law 15.4 (No allowance for interval between innings) – in (a), “there will be no play”
is changed to “there shall be no play”.
Law 15.5 (Changing agreed times of intervals) – rewording of this Law, for clarity,
about changing the agreed time of intervals without any change to the outcome.
Law 15.7 (Changing agreed time for tea interval) – “remain” changed to “remains” as
a grammatical change. In (a)(ii), “if conditions permit” has been added for clarity.
Law 15.8 (Tea interval – 9 wickets down) – a new sentence is added as clarification
that, for this Law, the retirement of a batsman is not to be considered equivalent to the
fall of a wicket.
Law 15.9 (Intervals for drinks) – in (b), “as permitted in 10 below” is added for clarity
that the drinks interval may be forgone. A batsman retiring is added to the moment
when drinks may be taken up to 5 minutes early.
Law 15.10 (Agreement to forgo intervals) – a new sentence is added to clarify that the
batsmen at the crease may deputise for their captain in making an agreement to forgo
a drinks interval. The right to deputise was previously included with decisions on
ground, weather & light – it is now stated here.
Law 16 (Start of play; cessation of play)
Law 16.2 (Call of Time) – reference to the new Law 23.3 added.
Law 16.5 (Completion of an over) – in (b)(i) “batsman is out” is changed to “batsman
is dismissed”.
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Law 16.8 (Last hour of match – intervals between innings) – in (c)(iii), the wording
has been amended for added clarity, as has the wording at the end of (d)(iii).
Law 16.9 (Conclusion of match) – a new subsection (c) has been added to cater for
agreements made under Law 12.1(b) (Number of Innings). The previous subsection
(c) is now (d) and has had the word “thereafter” removed at the end.
Law 16.11 (Bowler unable to complete an over during last hour of match) –
clarification added that separate parts of an over where the bowler was unable to
complete the over shall count as one of the minimum to be bowled.
Law 17 – (Practice on the field)
POLICY CHANGE
Law 17 concerns Practice on the field. Law 17.1 has clarified the area that can never
be used for practice as being the pitch and the two strips either side of it. Laws 17.2
and 17.3 clearly outline when and what practice may take place on the rest of the
square (17.2) and on the outfield (17.3). A ban has been placed on fielders partaking
in practice with a coach or 12th man during play. MCC has noticed that such practice
is becoming more prevalent and felt it should not be allowed. With slow over rates
becoming an increasing problem, the fact that practice should not waste any time is
reinforced more strongly than before. It is also clarified that deliberately bowling the
ball into the ground in practice will contravene Law 42.3 (The match ball – changing
its condition).
Law 18 (Scoring runs)
Law 18.2 (Runs disallowed) – rewording, for clarity, on the disallowance of runs or
the non-award of penalties.
Law 18.3 (Short runs) – in (b), a minor change, for clarity, about the striker who sets
off from outside his popping crease.
Law 18.4 (Unintentional short runs) – changing of word order in (a).
Law 18.5 (Deliberate short runs)
· (a) – the procedure for warning the batsmen has been re-phrased and renumbered,
without any change to the outcome.
· (b) – there is a change of word order. In (b)(iii), the wording on the reporting
procedure has been changed. This new wording is now the same in all Laws
where a report is necessary and each instance will not be highlighted in this
document.
Law 18.9 (Runs scored when a batsman is dismissed) – re-wording and re-numbering
without any change to the outcome. This section is a combination of what previously
was in Laws 18.9 & 18.10.
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Law 18.10 (Runs scored when the ball becomes dead other than at the fall of a
wicket) – title changed from the corresponding previous Law 18.11, with “other than
at the fall of a wicket” has been added. Re-wording and re-numbering without any
change to the outcome.
Laws 18.11 (Batsman returning to original end) and 18.12 (Batsman returning to
wicket he has left) – these sections were previously covered by just one section,
namely 18.12. For clarity, it has been split into 2 sections without any change to the
outcome.
Law 19 (Boundaries)
Law 19.4 (Ball beyond the boundary) – POLICY CHANGE
A new 19.4 has been created to clarify further when the ball is beyond the boundary.
In recent years, increasingly athletic pieces of fielding on the boundary have brought
this area of the Law into the spotlight. MCC felt that it would be wrong to allow a
fielder, seeing a ball flying over his head and over the boundary, to retreat beyond the
boundary and then to jump up and parry the ball back towards the field of play.
Consequently, Law 19.4(i) requires that the fielder’s first contact with the ball must
be when some part of his person is grounded within the boundary or, if he is airborne,
that his final contact with the ground before touching the ball was within the
boundary.
Law 19.6 (Runs scored) – in (a), the wording about runs awarded for penalties has
been simplified.
Law 19.7 (Overthrow or wilful act of fielder) – in (a), the wording about runs
awarded for penalties has been simplified. Also, change in reference to Law 18.12(b)
instead of 18.12(a).
Law 20 (Lost ball)
Law 20.1 (Fielder to call Lost ball) - change in reference to Law 18.12(b) instead of
18.12(a).
Law 20.3 (Runs scored) – in (a), the wording about runs awarded for penalties has
been simplified. A new sentence has been added at the end which replaces the
previous Law 20.4 (How scored).
Law 21 – (The result)
Law 21.1 (A win – two innings match) – change in the reference to Law 12.3
(Completed innings).
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Law 21.2 (A win – one innings match) – change in the reference to Law 12.3
(Completed innings).
Law 21.3 (Umpires awarding a match) – at the start, reference is made to agreements
made under Law 12.1(b) (Number of innings)
Law 21.4 (Matches in which there is an agreement under Law 12.1(b)) is a new
section which refers to games limited by overs or time. Such agreements would cater
for, for example, a limited over game where the scores are level – an agreement may
have been made in playing regulations that the side losing the fewest wickets is the
winner. MCC does not wish to lay down what the criteria should be but felt that it
was important to recognise such agreements in the Laws.
Law 21.5 (All other matches – A Tie or Draw) – the Tie and the Draw have been put
into two sub-sections of this Law.
Law 21.6 (Winning hit or extras) –
· (a) – there is an additional reference to 5(a) above.
· (b) – there is a change of wording for clarity.
Law 21.7 (Statement of result) – the words “without having scored a total of runs in
excess of the total scored by the opposing side” have been added for clarity.
Law 21.9 (Mistakes in scoring) – in (a)(ii), there is a rewording of “finishing time” for
clarity and there are further minor changes in wording in (a) and (b) without any
change to the outcome.
Law 22 (The over)
Law 22.2 (Start of an over) – “delivery action” is changed to “action”.
Laws 22.3 (Validity of Balls) and 23.4 (Call of Over) – these sections have been
swapped, with the new 22.3 also being re-named to “Validity of balls”. There has
been re-numbering, re-wording and new references added but the outcome of the Law
has not changed. 22.3(c) introduces the description “valid balls” for those that are to
count in the over.
Law 22.5 (Umpire miscounting) –
· (a) - “an umpire” has changed to “the umpire”.
· (b) – a new (b) has been added to clarify that an umpire who has miscounted
may call Over at any time when the ball is dead. For example, a seventh ball
is bowled but it is a No ball – if the umpire then realises that he has
miscounted and that there have already been 6 valid balls, he may call Over.
Law 22.6 (Bowler changing ends) – minor alteration of wording for added clarity.
Law 22.8 (Bowler incapacitated or suspended during an over) – minor alteration of
wording for added clarity.
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Law 23 (Dead ball)
Law 23.1 (Ball is dead) – in (vi), “a member of the fielding side” has been changed to
“fielder”. Appendix D makes a clear distinction between a member of the fielding
side and a fielder and alterations to wording have been made throughout the Laws to
be consistent with these definitions. Further examples of it will not be highlighted in
this explanation document. The wording in (vii) and (viii) has been altered slightly
for added clarity.
Law 23.3 (Call of Over or Time) – this is a new section which simply clarifies that
neither Over nor Time may be called until the ball is dead. Subsequent sections are
re-numbered accordingly.
Law 23.4 (Umpire calling and signalling Dead ball)
· (b)(iv) - “he” has been changed to “the striker” for clarity.
· (b)(v) has been re-worded and clarifies that such balls shall not count as one of
the over.
· (b)(vii) this new sub-section is added in relation to deliberate attempts to
distract the striker or obstruct the batsman, which are covered by Laws 42.4
and 42.5. Their reference here is for added clarity and is not a change in
policy.
· (b)(x), the words “not included above” have been added for clarity.
Law 23.6 (Dead ball; ball counting as one of over) – this is a new title for this section
and there is re-wording and additions to provide clarity without changing the
outcome.
Law 24 (No ball)
Law 24.2 (Fair delivery – the arm) – the wording “umpire to ensure the fairness of a
delivery” has been changed to “umpire to assess the fairness of a delivery”.
Throughout this section, there is clarification on which umpire should call and signal
the No ball and who should make the appropriate cautions. There are also changes to
the wording without altering the outcome of the Law. A new sub-section (d) has been
created, which contains what was previously in (c)(iii).
Law 24.5 (Fair delivery – the feet) – POLICY CHANGE
Law 24.5 (Fair delivery – the feet) has been amended in relation to the landing of the
bowler’s front foot. It became apparent that some slow bowlers were bowling with
their front foot going right across to the other side of the stumps. This meant that a
bowler could, for example, say that he was bowling over the wicket but release the
ball as though bowling round the wicket. MCC felt that this is not fair, particularly
taking into account the positioning of the sight-screen, and consequently altered the
Law so that the bowler’s front foot must land with some part of his foot, whether
grounded or raised, on the same side as an imaginary line joining the two middle
stumps as the side of the wicket on which he has stated he will bowl.
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Law 24.8 (Call of No ball for infringement of other Laws), minor changes to word
order in the first sentence.
Law 24.9 (Revoking a call of No ball) – “revoke his call of No ball” changed to
“revoke the call of No ball”.
Law 24.13 (Runs resulting from a No ball – how scored) – minor alteration by adding
the word “stated” in the second sentence.
Law 24.14 (No ball not to count) – change of reference required.
Law 25 (Wide ball)
Law 25.5 (Penalty for a Wide) – reference changed to “see 3(b) and (c) above” and
also a change from “any other penalties awarded” to “runs awarded for penalties”.
Law 25.6 (Runs resulting from a Wide – how scored) – “a five run penalty” is
changed to “5 penalty runs”.
Law 26 (Bye and Leg Bye)
Law 26.1 (Byes) – minor changes for clarification.
Law 26.2 (Leg byes) – a new sub-section (b) has been added to contain what was
previously in part of (a). The re-numbering and re-wording are done to create clarity.
The new (c) is similar to the previous (b), with one addition saying “unless credited to
the striker”.
Law 26.3 (Leg byes not to be awarded) – “penalties arising from that delivery” has
been added for clarity. In (b)(i) there is a change of word order.
Law 27 (Appeals)
Law 27.5 (Answering appeals) – this section has been re-worded for clarity without
any change to the outcome.
Law 27.6 (Consultation by umpires) – “his decision” changed to “the decision”.
Law 27.8 (Withdrawal of an appeal) – “only with the consent of the umpire” has been
changed to “if he obtains the consent of the umpire”. There is a further minor change
where the first sentence has been split into 2 sentences.
Law 28 (The wicket is down)
Law 28.1 (Wicket put down) – POLICY CHANGE
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Law 28.1 (Wicket put down) has been amended so that any part of the striker’s bat is
capable of putting the wicket down. Although it is a rare occurrence, MCC is aware
of situations where the bat has broken while hitting the ball and a part of the bat has
hit the stumps, putting the wicket down. MCC felt that, whilst this would be an
unfortunate method of dismissal for a batsman, a part of a bat that has broken off
should be treated in the same way as a bat that has fallen out of the batsman’s hand.
There are also minor changes to the formatting of this section.
Law 28.3 (Remaking wicket) – “the” has been removed from the title and there are
minor changes in wording to add clarity.
Law 28.4 (Dispensing with bails) – change in word order in first sentence for clarity.
In (a), there are changes to the references.
Law 29 (Batsman out of his ground)
Law 29.1 (When out of his ground) – POLICY CHANGE
Law 29.1 (When out of his ground) has been amended so that a batsman who has
been running to make his ground will be considered to be in his ground if, having
grounded some part of his foot behind the popping crease, and still with continuing
forward momentum, he loses contact with the ground. This will particularly be useful
in televised games where a player has clearly made his ground but, at the moment that
the wicket was put down, he is not in contact with the ground because he is running
and, for example, his bat has flicked up off the ground after passing through a
bowlers’ foothole. It is in the nature of running that in every stride, both feet are
simultaneously not in contact with the ground. It would therefore be unjust if a
batsman were to be out in such circumstances. This new Law is added as a new subsection
(b).
Law 31 (Timed out)
Law 31.1 (Out Timed out) – change of word order.
Law 32 (Caught)
Law 32.3 (A fair catch)
· in (a), words have been added for clarification of when the act of making a
catch shall start.
· In (d), “touched the ground” has changed to “been grounded”.
· In (e), “previously” has been added and the 2nd sentence has been split into 2
sentences.
· In (f), there is a change of reference.
· In (g) there is a minor change of wording which does not alter the outcome.
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Law 32.4 (Fielder within the field of play) - there is a minor change of wording which
does not alter the outcome.
Law 32.5 (No runs to be scored) - there is a minor change of wording which does not
alter the outcome.
Law 33 (Handled the ball)
Law 33.1 (Out Handled the ball) – this has been split into 2 sections, (a) and (b). The
new section (b) makes it clear that a batsman will be out under this Law if he uses his
hand or hands not holding the bat to return the ball to any fielder without the consent
of a fielder. This reverses the earlier change from Handled the ball to Obstructing the
field.
Law 33.3 (Runs scored) - there are minor changes of wording which do not alter the
outcome and changes in the references.
Law 34 (Hit the ball twice)
Law 34.2 (Not out Hit the ball twice) - there is a minor change of wording which does
not alter the outcome.
Law 34.3 (Ball lawfully struck more than once) - there are minor changes of wording
which do not alter the outcome.
Law 34.4 (Runs scored from ball lawfully struck more than once) - there are several
minor changes of wording, to add clarity to this complicated Law, which do not alter
the outcome.
Law 34.5 (Ball lawfully struck more than once – action by the umpire) “runs are to be
allowed” is changed to “runs are to be permitted. In (b)(i), the order of the last two
sentences has been swapped.
Law 35 (Hit wicket)
Law 35.2 (Not out Hit wicket) – “the batsman” is replaced by “the striker” in the first
line.
Law 36 (Leg before wicket)
Law 36.1 (Out LBW) – the word order in section (d)(ii) has been changed for clarity.
Law 36.3 (Off side of wicket) – a reference to Appendix D has been added.
Law 37 (Obstructing the field)
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Law 37.1 (Out Obstructing the field) – there are a few minor word changes. There is
also a new sentence at the end, which states “This shall apply whether or not there is
any disadvantage to the fielding side”.
Law 37.4 (Returning the ball to a fielder) – there is a change in the title and also the
insertion of the words “other than a hand not holding the bat” to allow for the change
in Law 33.1 (Out Handled the ball) as explained above.
Law 37.5 (Runs scored) – minor changes to the wording for clarity that do not alter
the outcome.
Law 38 (Run out)
Law 38.1 (Out Run out)
· In (a)(ii), “fairly put down by the opposing side” has been changed to “fairly
put down by the action of a fielder”.
· In (b), there is a change of reference.
Law 38.2 (Batsman not Run out)
· In (a), there is a new reference to Law 29.1(b) (When out of his ground).
· In (c), “helmet” has become “protective helmet” – this occurs throughout the
new Laws and such changes will not be highlighted in other instances in this
document.
· In (e), the word order has been changed to provide more clarity.
Law 38.4 – (Runs scored) – there are several minor changes to the wording to provide
more clarity.
Law 39 (Stumped)
Law 39.1 (Out Stumped) – the word order of (a) has been altered for clarity. There is
also a new reference to Law 2.8(c) (Transgression of the Laws by a batsman who has
a runner).
Law 39.2 (Ball rebounding from wicket-keeper’s person) – “his person” has been
changed to “wicket-keeper’s person” for added clarity.
Law 39.3 (Not out Stumped)
· In (a), the words “Notwithstanding 1 above” have been added.
· In (b), the wording has been altered and reference is made to Law 38.2(e), as
mentioned above.
Law 40 (The wicket-keeper)
Law 40.5 (Restriction on actions of wicket-keeper) – there is a necessary change of
reference to Law 23.4(b)(vi) due to the renumbering of that Law. Also, “the umpire
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concerned” is changed to “either umpire” and the word “also” is added for clarity near
the end of the section.
Law 41 (The fielder)
Law 41.2 (Fielding the ball) – the wording but not the intent of the procedure the
umpires should follow after an act of illegal fielding has been altered and indeed
standardised with other warning procedures that follow in Law 42.
Law 41.3 (Protective helmets belonging to the fielding side) – there are some minor
changes in wording in the first paragraph. For convenience, a new paragraph is added
to clarify what is already laid down in Law 18.10 (Runs scored when the ball becomes
dead other than at the fall of a wicket).
Law 41.4 (Penalty runs not to be awarded) – a new sentence has been added at the end
which refers to the procedure laid down in Law 26.3 (Leg byes not to be awarded).
Law 41.6 (Fielders not to encroach on pitch) – “the bat or person of the striker” is
changed to “the striker’s bat or person”. “Either umpire” is changed to “the bowler’s
end umpire”.
Law 42 (Fair and unfair play)
In sections 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14 and 16 of Law 42, the warning and reporting
procedures have been altered to improve their clarity. Once the unfair play has been
noticed by either umpire, it will be for the bowler’s end umpire to take all the
necessary steps in warning the players.
Law 42.3 (The match ball – changing its condition
· (a)(iii) – “ a towel” is changed to “a piece of cloth”
· (b) – minor alterations to the grammar.
· (d) – further clarification on deterioration of the ball.
Law 42.4 (Deliberate attempt to distract striker)
· (a) – there is an alteration to the formatting.
· (b) – similar changes to those made in (a) above.
Law 42.5 (Deliberate distraction or obstruction of batsman) - there is an alteration to
the formatting and the word order.
Law 42.6 (Dangerous and unfair bowling) – for clarity, “upright at the crease” has
been changed to “upright at the popping crease”.
Law 42.7 (Dangerous & unfair bowling – action by the umpire) – there are minor
alterations in grammar for clarity and the formatting has changed slightly.
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Law 42.8 (Deliberate bowling of high full pitched balls) – there are minor alterations
in grammar for clarity and the formatting has changed slightly.
Law 42.9 (Time wasting by the fielding side) – there are minor alterations in grammar
and wording for clarity and the formatting has changed.
Law 42.10 (Batsman wasting time) – in (a), the warning is to both batsmen. The
formatting has changed slightly.
Law 42.12 (Bowler running on protected area after delivering the ball) – there are
alterations in wording for clarity and the formatting has changed.
Law 42.13 (Fielder damaging the pitch) – there are minor alterations in wording for
clarity and the formatting has changed slightly.
Law 42.14 (Batsman damaging the pitch) POLICY CHANGE
Law 42.14 (Batsman damaging the pitch) has been amended so that the batting side
receives one less warning than under the current Law. Currently, on the first offence
the side is warned; on the second offence, there is a further warning and any runs
scored are disallowed; on all subsequent offences, any runs scored are disallowed, 5
penalty runs are awarded to the fielding side and a report is lodged with the
appropriate Governing body. In the proposed new version, there is a warning on the
first offence but any repetition will see any runs scored disallowed, 5 penalty runs
awarded to the fielding side and a report being lodged with the appropriate Governing
body. This is consistent with Law 42.13 (Fielder damaging pitch), where there is only
one warning before penalty runs are issued.
Law 42.15 (Bowler attempting to run out non-striker before delivery) – the words
“whether the attempt is successful or not” have been added and the word order of the
last sentence has been changed without altering the outcome.
Law 42.16 (Batsman stealing a run) – in (i) there is a minor change in word order.
Law 42.17 (Penalty runs)
· (c) “either” is changed to “any of” and the references to Law 41 have been
made more specific.
· (d) “to the score” has been added for clarity in the last sentence.
Law 42.18 (Players’ conduct) – the list of breaches has been put onto separate lines
for ease of reference. The reporting procedure has also been standardised.
Appendix D
New sections for the following definitions have been added:
· The outfield
· Behind (new 2nd paragraph)
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· Original end
· Wicket he has left
· Over the wicket / round the wicket
· Fielding side
· Member of the fielding side
· A protective helmet
· Hand
· Held in batsman’s hand
Furthermore, minor changes have been made to the following definitions:
· In front of the line of the striker’s wicket
· Behind the wicket
· Umpire
· Fielder
· External protective equipment
· Clothing
Appendix E
In “Categories of bat” (and thereafter), “Grade” has been changed to “Type”. This is
because the public was confusing the quality of the willow or the bat with its
category.
In “Adhesives”, “minimal in quantity” is changed to “in minimal quantity”.
In “Commercial identifications”, “cover” is changed to “occupy”.

CONGRATULATIONS IF YOU'VE READ ALL THE WAY TO THE END.
Now spare a thought for your umpires who have to implement all that!