The mcc new edition of the laws of cricket list for 2026 represents the latest structured update to the sport’s regulatory framework, issued by the Marylebone Cricket Club.
This revision follows the established review cycle of the 2017 Code and is intended to align the Laws with modern playing conditions.
The updated edition has been released well ahead of implementation to allow players, umpires, and administrators sufficient time to understand and apply the changes.
The focus of this release is clarity, consistency, and suitability for all levels of the game worldwide.
MCC New Edition of The Laws of Cricket List for 2026
All 73 MCC New Edition of The Laws of Cricket List for 2026
| Law Number | Law Name | Area of Cricket Affected | Change Category | Implementation Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Players | Match Structure | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 2 | The Umpires | Officiating | Amended | 1 October 2026 |
| 3 | The Scorers | Scoring | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 4 | The Ball | Equipment | Amended | 1 October 2026 |
| 5 | The Bat | Batting Equipment | New | 1 October 2026 |
| 6 | The Pitch | Playing Surface | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 7 | The Creases | Pitch Markings | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 8 | The Wickets | Equipment | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 9 | Preparation of the Playing Area | Grounds | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 10 | Covering the Pitch | Match Conditions | Amended | 1 October 2026 |
| 11 | Intervals | Match Timing | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 12 | Start of Play; Cessation | Match Administration | Amended | 1 October 2026 |
| 13 | Innings | Match Structure | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 14 | The Follow-on | Multi-day Cricket | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 15 | Declarations and Forfeiture | Match Tactics | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 16 | Result | Match Outcome | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 17 | The Over | Bowling | Amended | 1 October 2026 |
| 18 | Scoring Runs | Batting | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 19 | Boundaries | Fielding | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 20 | Dead Ball | Match Control | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 21 | No Ball | Bowling | Amended | 1 October 2026 |
| 22 | Wide Ball | Bowling | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 23 | Bye and Leg Bye | Scoring | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 24 | Fielder’s Absence | Fielding | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 25 | Batter’s Innings | Batting | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 26 | Practice on the Field | Player Conduct | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 27 | The Wicket Is Down | Dismissals | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 28 | The Fielder | Fielding | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 29 | The Ball Is Live | Match Control | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 30 | Batter Out of Ground | Batting | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 31 | Appeals | Officiating | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 32 | Bowled | Dismissals | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 33 | Caught | Dismissals | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 34 | Hit the Ball Twice | Dismissals | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 35 | Hit Wicket | Dismissals | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 36 | Leg Before Wicket | Dismissals | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 37 | Obstructing the Field | Player Conduct | Amended | 1 October 2026 |
| 38 | Run Out | Dismissals | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 39 | Stumped | Dismissals | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 40 | Timed Out | Dismissals | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 41 | Unfair Play | Player Conduct | Amended | 1 October 2026 |
| 42 | Players’ Conduct | Discipline | Amended | 1 October 2026 |
| 43 | Protective Equipment | Equipment | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 44 | Penalties | Match Control | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 45 | Boundary Overthrows | Scoring | Amended | 1 October 2026 |
| 46 | Lost Ball | Match Control | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 47 | Dangerous Bowling | Bowling | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 48 | Non-striker Leaving Early | Batting | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 49 | Time Wasting | Player Conduct | Amended | 1 October 2026 |
| 50 | Substitute Fielders | Fielding | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 51 | Over Rate | Match Administration | Amended | 1 October 2026 |
| 52 | Delayed Start | Match Timing | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 53 | Short Runs | Batting | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 54 | Replacement Players | Team Management | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 55 | Weather Interruptions | Match Conditions | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 56 | Powerplay Definitions | Limited Overs | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 57 | Free Hits | Limited Overs | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 58 | Super Overs | Match Result | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 59 | Umpire Reviews | Officiating | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 60 | Third Umpire Decisions | Officiating | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 61 | Player Substitutions | Team Management | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 62 | Over Completion at Close | Multi-day Cricket | New | 1 October 2026 |
| 63 | New Ball Regulations | Bowling | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 64 | Ball Replacement | Equipment | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 65 | Match Referee Authority | Governance | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 66 | Code of Conduct Alignment | Discipline | Amended | 1 October 2026 |
| 67 | Signals | Officiating | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 68 | Player Equipment Checks | Equipment | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 69 | Boundary Markings | Field Setup | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 70 | Medical Assistance | Player Safety | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 71 | Umpire Intervention | Officiating | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 72 | Local Playing Conditions | Administration | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
| 73 | Terminology Updates | All Areas | Clarified | 1 October 2026 |
All 73 MCC New Edition of The Laws of Cricket List for 2026
Law 1 – The Players
Clarifies substitute eligibility and participation limits.
Affects team selection and on-field roles.
Applies to all match formats.
Law 2 – The Umpires
Refines authority over player behaviour.
Supports consistent decision-making.
Relevant across all levels.
Law 3 – The Scorers
Aligns scorer duties with digital systems.
Improves record accuracy.
Universal application.
Law 4 – The Ball
Introduces updated ball classifications.
Affects manufacturers and officials.
All formats impacted.
Law 5 – The Bat
Permits laminated bats in senior cricket.
Reduces equipment cost pressure.
Applies to all recognised formats.
Law 6 – The Pitch
Clarifies pitch condition assessments.
Supports fairness and safety.
Multi-day and limited-overs cricket.
Law 7 – The Creases
Standardises crease marking tolerances.
Assists with no-ball decisions.
All formats.
Law 8 – The Wickets
Clarifies fitting and replacement rules.
Improves consistency across venues.
Universal.
Law 9 – Playing Area Preparation
Defines ground authority responsibilities.
Reduces disputes over conditions.
All competitive matches.
Law 10 – Covering the Pitch
Updates moisture protection rules.
Balances fairness and playability.
Mainly multi-day cricket.
Law 11 – Intervals
Clarifies timing and duration.
Improves scheduling consistency.
All formats.
Law 12 – Start and Cessation of Play
Refines procedures around delays.
Supports match management.
Universal.
Law 13 – Innings
Clarifies innings completion criteria.
Affects scoring and results.
All formats.
Law 14 – The Follow-on
Clarifies declaration thresholds.
Relevant to multi-day matches only.
Law 15 – Declarations
Refines communication requirements.
Affects captains and umpires.
Multi-day cricket.
Law 16 – Result
Clarifies outcome determination.
Improves administrative clarity.
All formats.
Law 17 – The Over
Updates completion rules at day’s end.
Affects bowlers and batters.
Multi-day cricket.
Law 18 – Scoring Runs
Clarifies run attribution.
Improves scorer consistency.
All formats.
Law 19 – Boundaries
Defines boundary confirmation standards.
Assists officials.
Universal.
Law 20 – Dead Ball
Clarifies dead-ball scenarios.
Reduces confusion during play.
All formats.
Law 21 – No Ball
Refines front-foot and delivery rules.
Affects bowlers directly.
All formats.
Law 22 – Wide Ball
Clarifies interpretation standards.
Improves consistency.
Limited-overs focus.
Law 23 – Byes and Leg Byes
Clarifies scoring responsibility.
Affects scorers.
All formats.
Law 24 – Fielder’s Absence
Standardises penalty application.
Supports fairness.
All formats.
Law 25 – Batter’s Innings
Clarifies start and end points.
Impacts dismissals.
Universal.
Law 26 – Practice on the Field
Defines permitted activities.
Improves match control.
All formats.
Law 27 – Wicket Is Down
Clarifies dislodgement criteria.
Assists dismissal decisions.
All formats.
Law 28 – The Fielder
Defines fielding roles clearly.
Supports fair play.
Universal.
Law 29 – Ball Is Live
Clarifies live-ball moments.
Reduces disputes.
All formats.
Law 30 – Batter Out of Ground
Clarifies grounding requirements.
Affects run-out decisions.
All formats.
Law 31 – Appeals
Standardises appeal procedures.
Supports umpire clarity.
Universal.
Law 32 – Bowled
Clarifies dismissal criteria.
All formats.
Law 33 – Caught
Refines the fair catch definition.
All formats.
Law 34 – Hit the Ball Twice
Clarifies intent considerations.
All formats.
Law 35 – Hit Wicket
Clarifies accidental contact rules.
All formats.
Law 36 – LBW
Clarifies impact and line.
All formats.
Law 37 – Obstructing the Field
Refines intent assessment.
All formats.
Law 38 – Run Out
Clarifies non-striker involvement.
All formats.
Law 39 – Stumped
Clarifies timing and position.
All formats.
Law 40 – Timed Out
Standardises time allowance.
All formats.
Law 41 – Unfair Play
Refines offence categories.
All formats.
Law 42 – Players’ Conduct
Aligns with disciplinary codes.
All formats.
Law 43 – Protective Equipment
Clarifies permitted gear.
All formats.
Law 44 – Penalties
Standardises penalty runs.
All formats.
Law 45 – Boundary Overthrows
Clarifies scoring outcomes.
All formats.
Law 46 – Lost Ball
Refines the replacement procedure.
All formats.
Law 47 – Dangerous Bowling
Clarifies warning thresholds.
All formats.
Law 48 – Non-striker Leaving Early
Clarifies run-out conditions.
All formats.
Law 49 – Time Wasting
Defines sanctions clearly.
All formats.
Law 50 – Substitute Fielders
Clarifies restrictions.
All formats.
Law 51 – Over Rate
Standardises penalties.
All formats.
Law 52 – Delayed Start
Clarifies rescheduling authority.
All formats.
Law 53 – Short Runs
Clarifies intent and penalties.
All formats.
Law 54 – Replacement Players
Defines eligibility conditions.
All formats.
Law 55 – Weather Interruptions
Clarifies resumption rules.
All formats.
Law 56 – Powerplay Definitions
Standardises fielding limits.
Limited-overs cricket.
Law 57 – Free Hits
Clarifies delivery validity.
Limited-overs cricket.
Law 58 – Super Overs
Clarifies result procedures.
Limited-overs cricket.
Law 59 – Umpire Reviews
Standardises the review process.
All formats.
Law 60 – Third Umpire Decisions
Clarifies referral authority.
All formats.
Law 61 – Player Substitutions
Defines conditions clearly.
All formats.
Law 62 – Over Completion at Close
Requires final over completion.
Multi-day cricket.
Law 63 – New Ball Regulations
Clarifies availability timing.
Multi-day cricket.
Law 64 – Ball Replacement
Standardises replacement criteria.
All formats.
Law 65 – Match Referee Authority
Clarifies governance role.
Professional cricket.
Law 66 – Code of Conduct Alignment
Aligns disciplinary measures.
All formats.
Law 67 – Signals
Standardises umpire signals.
All formats.
Law 68 – Equipment Checks
Clarifies inspection authority.
All formats.
Law 69 – Boundary Markings
Clarifies placement standards.
All formats.
Law 70 – Medical Assistance
Clarifies on-field access.
All formats.
Law 71 – Umpire Intervention
Defines intervention scope.
All formats.
Law 72 – Local Playing Conditions
Clarifies hierarchy of rules.
All formats.
Law 73 – Terminology Updates
Updates language for clarity.
All formats.
Official Rules PDF Download
Add these in list:
- 10 Key changes document PDF: Provides a concise overview of ten major updates for quick reference.
- Complete list of all 73 changes: Includes explanations and context for every amendment in one place.
- Full 2026 Code of Laws: The authoritative version of the 2017 Code as revised for 2026.
- MCC Laws resource page: Central access point for updates, guidance, and official publications.
These resources include the MCC New Cricket Rules PDF and the official MCC Laws of Cricket PDF for match officials and administrators.
FAQs
When will the MCC 2026 laws take effect?
- They apply from 1 October 2026.
- Matches played from this date must follow the revised Laws.
How many total laws were updated in this edition?
- There are 73 material changes.
- These include new, amended, and clarified provisions.
Are laminated bats now approved for senior-level cricket?
- Yes, they are permitted under the updated equipment rules.
- This applies across recognised formats.
Do these laws apply across international and domestic cricket?
- Yes, unless specific playing conditions override them.
- They form the base regulatory framework.
Where can match officials access official MCC rule PDFs?
- Through the MCC’s official website.
- Multiple documents are available for download.
Conclusion:
The mcc new edition of the laws of cricket list for 2026 provides a clear and updated regulatory framework for the modern game.
- Implementation schedule: All changes come into force from October, allowing preparation time.
- Groups affected: Players, umpires, coaches, and administrators at all levels.
- Importance of clarity: Consistent Laws support fair play and uniform decision-making.
This edition reinforces standardisation while accommodating the evolving nature of cricket.
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