New rules in cricket: the MCC has announced updates to cricket’s rules, which will come into effect later this year
In recent Law revisions, the MCC has taken steps to de-stigmatise non-striker run-outs.
The new batter will be on strike even if the players cross when catching the ball, a reframe of the law for running out non-strikers while backing up, and a permanent prohibition on using saliva to shine the ball will all be implemented later this year.
The MCC's main committee adopted a revised code of the Laws this week. The modifications would also give bowlers more latitude in assessing wides when a batsman moves over the crease, while penalty runs for the batting side will be introduced if a fielder is considered to have moved unjustly.
Following a trial in the Hundred, the decision to modify the law regarding caught dismissals was made. Previously, if the two batters crossed before a catch was taken, the new batter would go to the non-end; striker's currently, unless the over is finished, they would always remain on strike, in a move that was advocated as a means to reward the bowler for taking a wicket.
Changes in playing circumstances under Covid led to the restriction of saliva as a technique of shining the ball, with MCC study finding it had "little or no influence" on bowlers' ability to produce swing. Making this the default position was thought to clear up any misunderstanding around the use of mints or sweets to alter the state of the ball, which was previously prohibited.
Meanwhile, the rewording of Law 22.1 ensures that broad calls will be made: "apply to where the batter is standing, where the striker has stood at any point since the bowler began their run-up, and which would also have passed wide of the striker in a normal batting position".
Additional amendments have been agreed upon regarding the usage of substitutes, the laws regulating dead balls, and the legality of attempting to play the ball after it has strayed off the cut strip.
In short, here are the cricket changes:
- No crossing
- More leeway for wides
- Non-striker run-outs legitimised
- No saliva
- Penalty runs for moving fielders
- Hitting balls that land off the pitch
- Dead ball for pitch invaders
- Dead ball for strikers run-outs
- Replacement players
