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New Cricket Rules From October 1: MCC Introduces Major Changes to Boundary Catch and Other Laws
By CricShots - Oct 1, 2026 6:13 pm
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The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has introduced a major update to the Laws of Cricket, with the latest edition coming into effect from Thursday, October 1. The revised code includes 73 material changes, along with several linguistic amendments aimed at making the laws clearer and easier to interpret. Announced by the MCC in February, the latest edition is the first complete rewrite of the Laws of Cricket since 2022. It is also the third time the MCC’s Laws sub-committee has amended the 2017 Code, following previous revisions in 2019 and 2022.

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Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)

The latest changes are designed to ensure the Laws remain relevant to the modern game while providing greater clarity in situations that have previously required interpretation from umpires and match officials. However, the MCC has left it to individual national governing bodies to decide how the revised laws will be incorporated into their respective domestic playing conditions.

MCC Head of Cricket Fraser Stewart said maintaining a fair balance between bat and ball remains one of the key considerations behind the changes. Some of the amendments, he explained, are also intended to provide greater reward to the fielding side.

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“Absolutely, the balance of the game is crucial to cricket and in 2017 we reduced the sizes of bats to try to limit the power of the bat, the dominance of the bat over ball,” Stewart was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. Among the most notable changes are amendments concerning the final over of a day in multi-day cricket, catches near the boundary, overthrows, the definition of when a ball becomes dead, wicketkeeper positioning and hit-wicket dismissals.

Final Over of the Day to Continue After a Wicket

One of the most significant changes has been made to Law 12.5.2, which applies to multi-day cricket, including Test matches. Under the revised law, the final over of a day will now continue even if a wicket falls, provided playing conditions remain suitable. The incoming batter will have to take the field and face the remaining deliveries of the over.

 

Previously, the fall of a wicket during the final over brought the day’s play to an immediate end. The remaining deliveries were then completed the following morning. The MCC said the earlier provision could disadvantage the fielding team because the batting side did not have to send a new batter to the crease at the end of the day. The unused deliveries also had to be completed the next morning, meaning the old rule did not necessarily save time.

Stewart believes the change provides a clearer reward for a team that takes a wicket late in the day. “The fielding side have taken a wicket, they will be rewarded with having a new batter coming out. The batting side will have to decide are we going to send in a night watchman,” Stewart said.

New Rules for Boundary Catches

Law 19.5.2 has also been revised to clarify how catches taken close to the boundary should be treated. A fielder who jumps from outside the boundary can make one airborne touch of the ball. Following that touch, however, every subsequent landing before the ball becomes dead must take place inside the field of play. The amendment brings the MCC Laws in line with the approach already used by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in international cricket.

Greater Clarity on Overthrows and Misfields

The MCC has rewritten Law 19.8 to clearly distinguish between an overthrow and a misfield. Under the revised definition, an overthrow occurs when a fielder attempts to direct the ball towards the stumps either to prevent runs or to attempt a run-out. A misfield, including an attempt to stop the ball or pass it to another fielder near the boundary, will not automatically be classified as an overthrow. The MCC said the revised wording is intended to remove ambiguity from the previous law and provide umpires with a clearer framework when making decisions.

Umpires Given More Clarity Over a Dead Ball

Another important amendment has been made to Law 20.1.1.1, which deals with when the ball is considered dead. The ball no longer needs to be in the hands of the bowler or wicketkeeper before it can be considered finally settled. It may also be held by another fielder or remain stationary on the ground, provided the conditions required for the ball to be declared dead have been satisfied.

The previous provisions relating to the ball being finally settled and no player considering it to be in play have also been brought together. This change gives umpires greater discretion when deciding whether a passage of play has effectively ended, particularly in situations where the ball has stopped but a player may still be attempting to continue the play.

Wicketkeeper Position Rules Changed

Law 27.3.1 has been amended to clarify the position of the wicketkeeper. Once the ball has been released by the bowler, the wicketkeeper must be completely behind the striker’s stumps. The keeper can have the gloves in front of the stumps during the bowler’s run-up, but they must be fully behind the stumps at the moment of delivery. The amendment therefore changes the precise point at which the wicketkeeper’s position becomes relevant under the Laws.

Hit-Wicket Rules Clarified

The MCC has also made changes to Laws 35.1.1 and 35.2 concerning hit-wicket dismissals. A batter can still be dismissed hit wicket if they play a shot, lose their balance and subsequently fall onto the stumps. The revised law clarifies that receiving the ball continues until the batter has regained control of their balance after playing the shot.

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However, if a fielder pushes the batter onto the stumps while the batter is attempting to regain balance, the dismissal will not be classified as hit wicket. The amendment also addresses situations involving a batter’s equipment. If a detached piece of equipment hits another player before making contact with the stumps, the batter cannot be dismissed hit wicket. If the batter accidentally lets go of the bat and the bat itself hits the stumps directly, however, the dismissal remains possible.

Laminated Bats Allowed in Adult Recreational Cricket

Another notable change is the MCC’s decision to allow laminated bats in adult recreational cricket. Laminated bats were already permitted in junior cricket following an MCC decision in 2017. The latest amendment extends their use to adult recreational cricket after research and discussions with bat manufacturers.

Such bats can contain up to three pieces of wood, allowing manufacturers to combine lower-quality willow with a higher-quality willow face. According to the MCC, the change is partly aimed at addressing the rising cost of cricket bats. The governing body has also stated that laminated bats do not offer a performance advantage over conventional bats. National governing bodies will ultimately decide which levels of cricket can use laminated bats under their playing conditions.

Ball Control Rules Tightened

The revised Laws also provide greater clarity around the meaning of control when fielders attempt run-outs, stumpings or catches. Simply touching the ball while breaking the stumps will not be sufficient for a dismissal. The fielder must have complete control of the ball when the stumps are broken. The same principle will apply when determining whether a catch has been successfully completed.

Deliberate Short Runs and Strike Changes

The new edition also clarifies the rules surrounding deliberate short runs. Batters are permitted to turn back while running even after they have crossed each other. However, if a short run is deemed deliberate, the fielding side will determine which batter takes strike for the next delivery. The ICC had already adopted this provision before it was formally incorporated into the MCC Laws.

Standardised Ball Sizes Introduced

The revised Laws also introduce standardised categories for cricket ball sizes across men’s, women’s and junior cricket. The balls will now be classified into three sizes, with Size 1 designated for men’s cricket. The move is intended to create greater consistency in ball specifications across different formats and levels of the sport.

Overall, the MCC said the 2026 edition has been developed around two central principles: ensuring the Laws remain suitable for the modern game and making them more inclusive and accessible for players and officials at every level. With 73 material amendments coming into force, the latest MCC Laws represent one of the most significant updates to the playing framework in recent years, with several changes directly affecting match situations that regularly attract debate and interpretation.

Tags boundary catchCricket RulesMCC laws of cricketNew Cricket RulesNew Cricket Rules October 1October 1