KEY POINTS
- The final over of a day’s play must now be fully bowled even if wicket falls.
- Laminated bats are approved for adult recreational cricket to reduce equipment costs.
- Clearer definitions are introduced for ‘Hit Wicket’ and ‘Overthrow’ dismissals.
- Umpires are granted more discretion to decide when the ball is ‘finally settled’ and dead.
LONDON: The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the guardian of the sport’s laws, has unveiled a significant overhaul of cricket’s rulebook, introducing 73 material changes set to take effect globally from October 1, 2026.
The most dramatic revision ensures that the final over of a day’s play in multi-day cricket will no longer be halted by a wicket, a move designed to preserve match “drama” and competitive balance.
Full final over: No respite for new batters
In a fundamental shift for Test and other multi-day cricket, Law 12.5.2 has been rewritten.
Previously, if a wicket fell on or before the fifth ball of the day’s final over, play would conclude for the day.
Under the new code, the over must be completed regardless of wickets taken, forcing a new batter to face the remaining deliveries that evening.
The MCC’s Laws sub-committee stated the change addresses a competitive imbalance.
“It was felt unfair that, if a fielding side takes a wicket in the final over of the day, the batting side does not have to send out a new batter,” the Club explained.
“This, takes the drama out of the game, while letting the incoming batter off the hook – at a time when the conditions are often more favourable to bowling.”
Laminated bats approved to curb rising costs
In a bid to make the sport more accessible, the MCC has authorised the use of laminated bats in adult recreational cricket.
Known as ‘Type D’ bats, these are constructed from up to three pieces of wood, including lower-grade willow bonded to a high-quality face.
This significantly reduces cost compared to traditional single-piece English willow bats, which require over 15 years of tree maturation.
The move extends a 2017 approval for junior cricket and follows extensive consultation with global manufacturers.
The MCC clarified that laminated bats offer “no performance advantage” but are “part of an attempt to slow the rising costs” of equipment globally.
National governing bodies will decide at which domestic levels these bats will be permitted.
Clarity on hit wicket and overthrows
The updated laws provide sharper definitions for complex dismissals:
Hit Wicket: The law now explicitly states that a batter is out if they fall onto the stumps while off-balance from playing a shot, even well after the ball is gone. However, they are protected if a fielder’s contact directly causes them to disturb the stumps.
Overthrows: A clearer distinction is now made between an overthrow and a misfield. An overthrow is defined as a throw aimed at the stumps to prevent runs or effect a run-out. A mere misfield or a pass to another fielder will not be considered an overthrow for the purpose of awarding extra runs.
Ball ‘finally settled”: Umpires granted more discretion
The definition of when the ball becomes dead has been relaxed. It no longer must be in the bowler’s or wicketkeeper’s hands.
Umpires now have “much greater leeway” to rule the ball dead once it is “finally settled” in any fielder’s hands or is stationary on the ground, even if some players continue to act.
This change aims to eliminate ambiguity in high-pressure end-of-game scenarios.
Global Ratification and Implementation
While effective from October 2026, the changes will be presented to the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Cricket Committee for ratification into international playing conditions.
National boards will independently decide on adopting these laws for their domestic competitions.
Fraser Stewart, MCC Laws Manager, stated the new edition was drafted to be “fit for the modern game” and “inclusive for everyone,” ensuring the 239-year-old code evolves with the sport.
The complete updated Laws are now available on the MCC’s official website.
