The MCC announced a series of updated rules on Tuesday (February 3). 10 rules in total, 73 meaningful changes. The updated rules will take effect in October 2026. During this period, there will be enough time to adjust to the new rules.

The MCC has updated the rules keeping in mind modern cricket. Today, cricket is faster and more popular than ever before. The fast pace and widespread popularity of the game has partly influenced updates.

List of new rules approved by the MCC that will take effect from October this year:

1. Ball size and weight:

The size and weight of the ball depends on the type of cricket ball. MCC has three levels for this: Size 1, Size 2 and Size 3. 3. While size 1 is mainly recommended for men’s cricket, the other two types of balls will be used for youth and women’s cricket. “The fact that the midget girls’ ball is smaller and lighter than the large juniors ball allows manufacturers to create a ball that fits both categories,” the MCC said.

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2. Stacked bat rules:

Due to the rising cost of bats, the MCC decided to legalize laminated bats in adult team cricket as well. Laminated bats cost less than wooden non-laminated bats.

“D-type bats, which may be laminated, are now allowed for use in open-age cricket, not just youth cricket. This is part of an effort to slow down the rising cost of bats around the world,” the MCC described.

3. Rule 12.5.2 – The last innings of a day’s match does not end if a wicket is taken:

This rule will have a huge impact on multi-day competitions. To maintain the flow of the game, the MCC said in an official statement that if a bowler takes a wicket in the last over of the day, the bowling team will be allowed to complete the over. For their part, the batting side has to field a new batsman to play the remainder of the over.

“Also taking the incoming batsmen out of trouble at a time when conditions tend to be more conducive to bowling. The new changes mean the final over of the day will be bowled entirely,” the MCC said.

4. Rules 18.5.1 and 18.5.2 – Clarification of Short Operations:

Some cricket fans may already be aware of this rule as it has been adopted by the International Cricket Federation. The rule is to prevent batsmen from stealing runs by running short at the crease. If the fielding side feels that the batsman has deliberately run on the pitch, they can appeal to the umpire.

“Intentional shorting is often an attempt to create a strike situation for a particular batsman, further reducing the chance of gaining that advantage,” the official press release said.

5. Rule 19.5.2 – Boundary Capture:

This is another law that has been passed by the International Criminal Court. This rule is intended to limit “nice jump” attempts by outfielders. This rule will eliminate some great catches from outside the ropes. Under this rule, a fielder is not allowed to touch the ball outside the boundary, the fielder is in the air only once and then touches the ball completely inside the boundary for the remainder of the delivery.

MCC further added: “Even if the ball is blocked to another fielder or within the playing field, a run will be scored if the fielder falls outside the boundary or subsequently walks outside the boundary.”

6. Law 19.8 – Overturn:

This rule is intended to draw a clear line between overturning and misconceptions. The MCC clearly mentions that if a fielder throws the ball to the stumps in an attempt to get the batsman to run out or score a run. If “a fielder attempts to stop the ball or pass it to another fielder near the boundary, the conduct on the field will be deemed a misfield – it shall not be treated as a throw.”

7. Law 20.1.1.1 – New definition of “final settlement”:

This is an extremely important rule for all cricketers. This law redefines when a ball can be called final. It is often noted that batters cannot tell whether the momentum is still moving after a pitch.

Explaining the new rule, the MCC said, “The ball no longer has to be in the hands of the bowler or wicketkeeper for it to be final. It can be in the hands of any fielder or rest on the ground. This gives the umpire the freedom to make sound decisions when the ball is dead, even if a fielder or a batsman is still trying to continue play.”

8. Rule 27.3.1 – Position of the Goalkeeper:

This is an interesting change to the rules. This rule explains the position of the wicketkeeper when the ball is bowled. The rules have changed as some keepers sometimes prefer to hold the glove in front of the stump. The MCC, in its updated rules, states that the wicketkeeper must be fully behind the stumps only after the ball has been released. This aligns the wording with the fielder’s position.

9. Rules 35.1.1 and 35.2 – Hitting the wicket:

The updated rules state that a wicket will be deemed to be hit if a batsman falls on the stumps while trying to bat. But if the batsman comes into contact with other players and then falls on the stumps, it will not be deemed to have taken a wicket. In order to make a final ruling, the referee must determine whether the situation was accidental or intentional.

10. Appendix A2.7 and A2.8 – Holding the ball in the hands of the fielder and having full control:

This rule saves a batsman a lot of time. The MCC makes it clear that fielders need to have full control of the ball during a run or trip.

According to the law, “If the ball is deemed to be in the hands of a fielder (vital for a run or a stump), the ball must be held. The fielders’ hands cannot simply be touched while knocking off the stumps; they must actually have full control of the ball”.

Click here for more details

To download a document detailing the ten key changes, click here.

The full document, which includes all 73 changes to the law, can be accessed hereand provides documentation explaining each change here.

Access to the full 2026 version of the 2017 laws and regulations here.

Learn more about MCC laws here.

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