The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the official guardian of cricket’s laws, has announced 73 significant updates to the rulebook.
These changes are designed to modernize the game, improve fairness, and increase excitement. The new laws are set to come into effect from October 2026.
Mandatory Final Over
One of the most important updates involves multi-day matches, such as Test cricket. Previously, if a wicket fell during the final over of the day, play could end immediately. The MCC has now made it mandatory to complete the over in full.
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This prevents new batters from avoiding a difficult period at the end of the day and keeps the drama alive for the fans.
Equipment and Safety
The MCC has also introduced new standards for cricket balls. They will now be classified into three categories: Size 1 (for men), Size 2, and Size 3 (for women and juniors). Additionally, laminated bats—made from multiple pieces of wood—are now allowed in adult recreational cricket. This move aims to reduce the high cost of equipment for players worldwide.
Fielders and Wicketkeepers
The rules for fielders have also been tightened. The “bunny hop” catch, where a fielder repeatedly jumps outside the boundary to save a ball, is now restricted. A fielder can only touch the ball once while in the air if they are outside the rope.
Furthermore, wicketkeepers have more freedom; they will no longer be penalized for moving their gloves slightly before the ball is bowled, as long as they stay behind the stumps until the release.
Fair Play and Dismissals
To discourage gamesmanship, the MCC has updated the law on deliberate short runs. If a batter intentionally runs short to gain an advantage, the fielding captain now chooses which batter faces the next ball.
Additionally, the “Hit Wicket” rule has been clarified: if a batter falls on the stumps while trying to regain balance after a shot, they are now out, even if the ball has already passed them.
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For the first time, an “overthrow” has been clearly defined as a deliberate throw at the stumps to stop runs. Simple misfields near the boundary will no longer count as overthrows. These updates by the MCC ensure that cricket remains fair and easy to understand for everyone.