MCC announces new laws for Cricket; Judging a dead ball & wide will no longer be the same

New Delhi: The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), responsible for writing and interpreting the Laws of Cricket, has released the new code of laws for international cricket on Wednesday. The laws were approved by the MCC Laws sub-committee last week. The new changes have come after 5 years as the last changes were made in cricket rules in 2017.

MCC has today announced its new code of Laws for 2022, which will come into force from 1 October.

Full information on the changes ⤵️#MCCLaws

— Marylebone Cricket Club (@MCCOfficial) March 8, 2022

Notably, the 2022 rules will be seen being followed by players on cricket grounds from October 1. Some of the important changes are given below.

1. Better returning when caught (Law 18)

According to Law 18.11, the new players who are coming to bat will begin at the striker’s end when a batter gets caught. The old law stated that the new player would go to the non-strikers’ end if the batter crossed before the catch was taken.

2. Bowler throwing towards striker’s end before delivery (Law 21.4)

If the bowler throws the ball towards the striker’s end before entering the delivery stride, it is not a No ball. However, the umpire shall call and signal Dead ball, as per the rule of Law 21.4.

3. Dead ball (20.4.2.12)

In the new law, the MCC has modified the rule of dead-ball. When an intruder enters the ground it hurts the continuity of the game and it may also give an advantage to either side. It is reported that the new law will help the umpoire to declare a dead ball if both side does not have any disadvantage from an animal, person, or any object which enter the field of play.

4. Replacement players (Law 1)

The new rule says no players can be replaced after the nomination to one of the umpires. It may be done after the consent of the opposing captain. A replacement shall not bat in an innings in which the nominated player he/she is replacing has completed his/her innings.

5. Judging a Wide (Law 22)

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. Besides, if the bowler bowls a ball, not being a No ball, the umpire shall adjudge it a Wide if 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.