The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) is set to usher in one of the most significant updates to the Laws of Cricket in recent years, with a clear focus on making the game more accessible at the grassroots level. From October 1, 2026, a revised edition of the Laws will come into effect, headlined by changes to Law 5.8 (Categories of bat), which will allow a wider range of bats to be used in open-age recreational cricket. The move is designed to ease the growing financial burden on amateur players as the price of traditional English willow continues to soar.

Under the new framework, laminated “Type D” bats will be permitted beyond junior cricket for the first time. These bats, made from up to three pieces of wood, typically feature an English willow face supported by more affordable alternatives such as Kashmir willow. Until now, adult cricketers in competitive recreational leagues have largely been restricted to Type A, B and C bats, which are crafted from a single piece of solid willow.

The MCC expects elite and professional cricket to continue favouring traditional one-piece bats, but believes the expanded options will be a game-changer for club cricketers and community leagues worldwide. The updated law will also allow manufacturers to use non-willow materials behind the bat’s face, further opening the door to innovation.

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MCC Laws manager Fraser Stewart confirmed that extensive testing had been carried out with leading bat manufacturers to ensure laminated bats do not provide an unfair performance advantage. He stressed that the changes reflect the game’s modern realities and the MCC’s responsibility to keep cricket inclusive at all levels. The decision follows a stakeholder conference at Lord’s, where concerns were raised about cricket’s heavy reliance on English willow.

With demand surging, particularly from South Asia, bat prices have reportedly tripled in recent years, with premium models nearing the £1,000 mark. The MCC is also cautiously exploring alternative materials, with research from the University of Cambridge highlighting bamboo as a potential substitute. However, officials remain mindful of preserving game balance and avoiding any increase in injury risk. Past experiments, such as graphite-backed bats that were outlawed in 2006, serve as a reminder of how equipment changes can alter the sport.

🗣”It could be potentially game-changing.”

Fraser Stewart, MCC Laws Manager, on one of the most interesting new laws being introduced in October. 👀 pic.twitter.com/ZTiCi7F8tL

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) February 3, 2026

Beyond bats, the 2026 Laws update introduces several important reforms aimed at clarity, safety and fairness. Gendered language will be removed from the Laws, and wording will be simplified to help non-native English speakers better understand the rules. A notable on-field change affects multi-day cricket: if a wicket falls in the final over of the day, that over must now be completed, preserving the drama of late-evening play rather than cutting it short.

Ball regulations will also be standardised in junior and women’s cricket, with three defined ball sizes introduced to ensure consistency in size and weight. The MCC has also tightened fielding and wicketkeeping laws. “Bunny hop” boundary catches will be restricted, limiting fielders to a single airborne touch after returning from beyond the rope. Wicketkeepers will be allowed to stand with their gloves in front of the stumps during the bowler’s run-up, provided they are fully behind the stumps at the point of release.

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Captains will no longer be permitted to declare the final innings of a match, while clearer guidance on abandoned runs, overthrows and dead-ball calls gives umpires greater discretion and authority. Collectively, these updates underline the MCC’s intent to modernise cricket without losing its essence. By tackling rising equipment and refereeing costs and refining on-field laws, the governing body is signalling a future in which the sport remains competitive at the top while remaining accessible and fair for players at every level of the game.