MCC announces new rules for Cricket effective October 1st 2022

MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) in its recent announcement introduced and suggested rules related to the game of cricket. The players are no more allowed to shine the ball using Saliva or any other external means which will be considered unfair to the game and the most famous and controversial form of dismissal known as mankading which was termed as unfair before is now considered a legal and fair form of dismissal (Who else will be happy more than Ravi Ashwin himself :)

Apart from this, many other rules were listed in the recent proposal let's see them one by one.

Before that who is MCC or Marylebone Cricket Club?

Marylebone Cricket Club is the world’s most active cricket club, the owner of Lord’s Ground, and the guardian of the Laws of the game. There are now 18,000 Full and 5,000 Associate Members of MCC.

These Members own the Ground and all of MCC’s assets (the most famous of which is the Ashes Urn), they govern the Club through various committees, and some 2,000 of them represent MCC on the field of play each year. (Know more about MCC here)

Remember this Red - Yellow uniforms in Lords games. They are MCC members.

Law 18: No more cross before the catch is taken rule.

When a batsman is dismissed the next batsmen must take strike irrespective of whether the non-striker has crossed before the catch was taken.

Law 20.4.2.12: Dead Ball

In whatever way either side of the team is affected by any external means (dog or animal, public or audience pitcher invader, or any natural means) will be considered and will be called a dead ball by the umpire.

Law 21.4 – Bowler throwing towards striker’s end before delivery

If a bowler throws the ball in an attempt to run out the striker before entering their delivery stride, it will now be the Dead ball. This is an extremely rare scenario, which has until now been called as a No ball.

Law 22.1 - Judging a Wide

A breather for a bowler when a batsman is moving in the crease. It was felt unfair that delivery might be called ‘Wide’ if it passes where the batter had stood as the bowler entered his/her delivery stride. Therefore, Law 22.1 has been amended so that a Wide will 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.

Law 25.8 Strikers right to play the ball.

If the ball should land away from the pitch, the Law 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.

Laws 27.4 and 28.6 – Unfair movement by the fielding side

Until now if any fielder moves unfairly when the bowler is bowling the umpire will call it a dead ball, but with the new change, taking this as a way to disturb batsmen from playing a good shot. The umpire will call it a `No Ball` (the next ball will be a free hit for sure. Bowler will be mad as hell!)

These are some of the changes made by MCC for the game cricket.

What do you think about this?

Does cricket is still a batsmen's game?

Share your thoughts below! 

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