MCC Introduces Major Updates to Laws of Cricket Ahead of 2026 Season

The MCC have announced an update on the existing Laws of Cricket, which will come into effect in October 2026. The MCC have made 10 major changes in the law book for 2026, including tightening the definition of “control over the ball” for a fielder while affecting catches or run outs. A new update will now ensure that in multi-day cricket, a wicket in the last over will not end the day’s play. As far as control over the ball is concerned, the MCC has termed: “For a ball to be considered held in the fielder’s hand – vital for a run out or stumping – the ball has to be held. It cannot be simply touching the fielder’s hand while they break the stumps, they must actually be holding it with complete control.” The Law adds that a similar approach will be used to determine whether the catch was legal. For the new final-over rule, the MCC felt that ending a day’s play with a wicket “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.” So, from October 2026, all multi-day cricket’s final overs of the day will be bowled completely despite a wicket, provided the conditions are conducive. Other new updates include tightening regulations on ball size in men’s, women’s and junior cricket. There used to be little room for tolerance regarding the ball size in men’s cricket, and a similar case will now be followed for the other two forms. The balls will now come in three distinct, uniform sizes – Size 1, Size 2 and Size 3, with the first used for men’s cricket. Laminated bats will be allowed in open-age cricket as well from October 2026, whereas previously they were only used in junior cricket. This will help bring down the “rising costs of bats around the world”. The MCC also have clarification on the short-running laws, which ICC have already adopted. As per the update, batters can turn back while taking a run despite having crossed each other. However, if there is a deliberate short run, “the fielding side will also get to determine which of the batters takes strike”. The MCC also highlightedthe new boundary-catching rulethat has been adopted by the ICC, while also giving a clear definition of overthrows: “an overthrow is an attempt to direct the ball towards the stumps to stop run-scoring or attempt a Run out. A misfield – whether an attempt to stop the ball or pass it to another fielder close to the boundary – should not be treated as an overthrow.” Umpires will now have the liberty to deem a ball “dead” and it doesn’t necessarily has to be when it is in the bowler or wicketkeeper’s hands. Officials can take the call even if the ball is with a fielder or lying stationary on the ground. Play:Quiz! Unusual dismissals in men’s Test cricket There’s also a slight update in where the wicketkeepers can position themselves. Previously, they were penalised for “having their gloves in front of the stumps when the bowler runs up”, but that will no longer be the case. They can have their gloves in front of the stumps during the run-up but will have to move it back completely behind after the ball is delivered. There have been modifications made in the hit wicket regulations as well: “If the batter is off balance because of the shot they played, hops around for a few steps and falls onto their stumps, that is as a result of the action they took to receive the ball. The ball may be long gone, but the striker is still out Hit wicket.” The batter can, however, receive the ball if he has gained control of his balance. Moreover, if they lose balance and fall on the stumps, they will be deemed hit wicket, but if they are falling away from the stump and come in contact of a fielder who push them towards the stumps, they will not be deemed out. The same stands for a batter’s equipment as well. Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, includinglive scores, match stats,quizzesand more. Stay up to date with thelatest cricket news, player updates, team standings,match highlights,video analysisandlive match odds.