The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which has been the guardian of the Laws of Cricket for more than two centuries, has officially released a new edition of the rulebook introducing 73 important changes.
These revised laws will come into force from October 1, 2026, and mark the most significant update since 2022. According to the MCC, the changes are designed to make the game clearer, fairer, and more engaging across Test ODI and T20 cricket.
One of the most eye-catching changes affects Test cricket, especially the final over of a day’s play.
Under the updated law, the last over must now be completed even if a wicket falls during that over.
Earlier, play could end immediately after a dismissal, which often allowed a new batter to avoid facing challenging conditions late in the day.
The MCC felt this rule reduced excitement and did not actually save time, as the remaining balls had to be bowled the following day. The new approach ensures bowlers are given a fair chance to fully exploit helpful conditions.
The MCC has also removed confusion around overthrows and misfields, an issue that has sparked debate in recent years. An overthrow will now only be counted when a fielder intentionally throws the ball at the stumps, and it goes past them.
If a fielder is simply attempting to stop the ball near the boundary and it slips away, it will be classified as a misfield. This clearer definition is expected to make on-field decisions easier for umpires.
Another major update gives umpires more discretion in declaring a ball ‘dead’. The ball no longer needs to be in the hands of the bowler or wicketkeeper.
If it is stationary on the field or held by any fielder and no further runs are possible, the umpire can call it dead. This change allows for more realistic and common-sense decisions during matches.
The hit-wicket law has also been refined to remove long-standing grey areas. A batter will be out if they lose balance after playing a shot and fall onto the stumps.
However, if the batter is pushed onto the stumps due to contact with a fielder, they will not be given out unless that contact is purely incidental.
In a move focused on affordability and sustainability, the MCC has approved the use of laminated bats, known as Type D bats, in open-age recreational cricket.
These bats were previously limited to junior cricket. The MCC clarified that they do not offer any performance advantage and could help reduce the rising cost of equipment.
The revised laws will now be reviewed by the ICC for possible inclusion in international playing conditions, while national boards may adopt them in domestic competitions.
