The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the only authority on cricket laws since 1787, has introduced a new set of regulations for the game. These rules encapsulate the termination of certain previous rules and modifications in others. Some of the important out of many are mentioned below
Use of Saliva for better swing
The MCC has put a permanent ban on the application of saliva on the ball due to its implications on health. The ruling first came when cricket was resumed after it was halted due to Covid-19 in 2020. It has now been made a permanent part of the cricket laws and anyone found violating the rule will be treated as using unfair means and could face serious consequences.
Using Saliva to lubricate one side of the ball is a trick used since ages to give it a better motion while it’s in the air. But research done by the MCC has found that not much effect is generated on the swing by using saliva. The bowlers can instead use their sweat for this purpose. A statement released says
“The new laws will not permit the use of saliva on the ball, which 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.”
‘Mankad’ is no longer unfair
Mankad in cricket is when a bowler removes the bails at the non-strikers’ end because the batter has already moved away from the crease while the bowler hasn’t completed the delivery to the batter on strike.
Even though this is a legal practice but is always considered something opposite to the spirit of cricket. But not anymore, as the club has removed it from Law 41 to Law 38 which will consider it a run-out without falling under unfair play. It should be noted that this law was rarely practiced and the bowler would rather give the non-striker a warning instead of actually doing it.
“Running out the non-striker – has been moved from Law 41 (Unfair Play) to Law 38 (Runout). The wording of the Law remains the same.”
Batter returning when caught
The non-striker will not replace the batter who was caught out even if he crossed the line before the ball was caught. Law 18.11 has been changed and now the new batter will take the striker’s position unless it is the end of the over. This was first made to implement by the ECB in ‘The Hundred’ as suggested by the MCC.
“Law 18.11 has now been changed so that, 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).”
Striker’s right to play the ball
Previously, when a ball would sway from its usual landing position and would end up launching away from the pitch the batters would avoid the ball because it would not be considered ethical to play such delivery or a dead ball.
But Law 25.8 allows the player on strike to hit a delivery like that so long as the batter or some part of his bat remains within the boundary. In case the player moves outside the pitch will be considered as a dead ball.
“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.”
All the newly introduced or modified laws will be applicable to the game from October 1st.
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