The
New Amendments - ICC - Cricket.....
Changes to the Laws of Cricket (2000
Code)
General Introduction
There have been two main thrusts behind
the proposal of these changes so soon after the adoption of the 2000 Code.
In framing the Code, the Club took advice from cricket authorities world-wide.
As a result, not only were the Laws brought into a form suitable for the
modern game, but the detail was set out much more clearly. The new Code
has now been in use for three seasons in the southern hemisphere and two
in the northern. During that time, the increased clarity has brought awareness
that interpretations once confidently assumed by their perpetrators to
be correct are not so. Several points previously taken for granted as universally
understood now need to be laid down in more precise detail.
The second need for modification is in
the area of penalty runs. The concept of imposing these for acts of unfair
play is not entirely new. It has existed in the case of illegal fielding
for many years. In direct response to considerable international pressure,
these penalties were expanded in the 2000 Code to cover a much wider range
of malpractice and blatant cheating. In doing this, a balance had to be
struck between those wanting draconian penalties for cheating and those
fearful of the effect of such penalties on the ethos of the game. Penalty
runs were therefore introduced with circumspection. During the operation
of the new Code of Laws it has become clear that that balance needs to
be adjusted. On the one hand, there has been increasing pressure to extend
slightly the application of the penalty-run principle; on the other hand,
some opposition has evaporated as these penalties have been seen as reasonable
deterrents to the undesirable behaviour that had begun to undermine the
game. A small shift towards greater strictness is now appropriate. The
changes make this shift for two Laws in particular: wilful obstruction
of batsmen [Law 42.5] and penalty runs at the conclusion of the match [Law
42.17(b)]. A number of other changes are consequential upon the latter.
Those involving changes to Laws relating to the award of penalty runs are
therefore presented as a group first.
Changes Relating to the award of Penalty
Runs
Law 42.5--Deliberate distraction or obstruction
of batsman
One part of this change is concerned with
bringing this Law more closely in line with Law 42.4 (Deliberate attempt
to distract striker) by the addition of a new clause (vi). It was considered
that the wilful obstruction of batsmen should be subject to the slightly
stronger penalty already laid down for attempts to distract the striker.
In addition, the new clause (vii) is inserted to prevent the fielding side
sacrificing five runs they might well be able to afford in order to gain
the advantage of manoeuvring which batsman should face the next ball.
Law 42.17(b)--Penalty runs
A wilful act of cheating by the fielding
side could prevent the batting side making sufficient runs to win from
the final ball of the match. This could be offset by awarding 5 penalty
runs to the batting side but, if the last wicket fell on this ball, they
could then have more runs than the opposing side but have lost all their
wickets. It is true that, in very many instances, the incident giving rise
to a 5-run penalty award also means that neither batsman can be dismissed.
There are circumstances, however, in which a wicket could fall. It was
originally argued that the Laws could not encompass a "win by no wickets".
As part of the shift towards a stricter application of the penalty-run
principle, the embargo on awarding penalty runs at the conclusion of the
match has now been lifted. The 2000 Code prohibited the award of 5 penalty
runs in a few specific instances. These prohibitions will stand. The problem
of the result is dealt with in Law 21.7.
A second change is that, as is already
the case in some Laws, wherever possible the delivery should not count
in the over. This is not only to be an extra penalty against the fielding
side, but will ensure that the batting side is not robbed of the chance
of victory if a 5-run penalty is awarded, when 6 runs were needed. As specifying
that the ball is not to count is inappropriate in some cases where 5 penalty
runs are awarded, there is still a need for the other change made to this
Law.
Changes Consequent on those to Law 42
Law 2.6--Player returning without permission
This is one of the cases in which the
award of 5 penalty runs is to mean that the ball is not to count in the
over.
Law 18.9(a)--Batsman dismissed
The final ball of the match is no longer
an exception to the statement of what runs are to be scored.
Law 21.6--Winning hit or extras
Law 21.6 lays down the principle that
nothing that happens once a result is reached can be regarded as part of
the match. This principle is to remain in general. The change here is to
make an exception for an award of 5 penalty runs when the final ball of
the match becomes dead, and for that situation only.
Law 21.7--Statement of result
If the result would otherwise be a win
by no wickets, it will be replaced by a new form of result, "Win by penalty
runs".
Law 22.4--Balls not to count in the over
The list is increased to include the additional
occasions when 5 penalty runs have been awarded to the batting side. These
are presented as a separate category which is to include a deliberate attempt
to distract the striker, previously grouped with other causes of distraction
that do not lead to a penalty.
Law 40.5--Restriction on actions of wicket-keeper
It is not uncommon for the wicket-keeper,
in the legal execution of his duties, to get in the striker's way. The
change to this Law is to differentiate between such innocent interference
and a wilful act by the wicket-keeper. It relates these actions to Law
23.3 and 42.4 which deal specifically with them.
Law 41.2--Fielding the ball
This is another case in which the award
of 5 penalty runs is to mean that the ball is not to count in the over.
Other Changes
Law 15.8--Tea interval--9 wickets down
This provision for continuing play beyond
the agreed time for tea interacts with two others: (1) an interval will
be taken immediately if a wicket falls within 2 minutes of the agreed time;
(2) a new over will be started if the umpire walking at his normal pace
arrives at his position behind the stumps before the agreed time is reached.
The wording of Law 15.8 in the 2000 Code clarified the position of these
other two points in relation to the clause on the tea interval when 9 wickets
are down. The number of occasions on which play will continue rather than
tea being taken has now been increased. It also further specifies the relationship
of Law 15.8 to the two quoted above at (1) and (2).
Law 17.1--Practice on the field
The 2000 Code introduced for the first
time a specific penalty for a bowler gaining an unfair advantage by practising
in breach of this Law. The intention was to penalise him in the period
immediately following the offence. It has become clear, however, that this
period needs to be more clearly defined. After some debate, it was decided
that it could be more precisely specified, making for simpler administration
of the Law, if it was based on a lapse of time, rather than on a number
of overs.
Law 18.5--Deliberate short runs
The change here is to make this particular
form of cheating a team offence rather than an individual one. It is now
in line with Law 41.14 (Batsman damaging the pitch), in that a warning
issued to any batsman will apply to all batsmen in that innings.
Law 26.2--Leg byes
It has always been accepted, but not written
into Law, that runs from an inadvertent double strike, first on the pad
and then on the bat, would be credited to the striker. The re-wording incorporates
this interpretation into Law by making it clear that Leg byes, if allowed,
do not involve contact with the bat except in the case of an attempt by
the striker to guard his wicket. There is no change of principle. The striker
must still have attempted to play the ball with his bat, or tried to avoid
being hit by the ball, for any runs at all to be allowed from an initial
strike on the person. It is also still true that a wilful second strike
will be subject to all the provisions of Law 34 (Hit the ball twice).
Law 35--Hit wicket
The change to Law 35.1 deals with the
situation of a striker putting down his wicket after the ball has come
into play but before the bowler delivers it. In the 2000 Code, whether
the striker was out or not was dependent on whether the bowler went on
to deliver the ball or not. Several consequences were identified which
could have brought the Law into disrepute. For example, the distraction
of seeing the incident could itself have been the cause of the bowler's
delivering a No ball, thus invalidating the dismissal. Under the new Law
the umpire is to call Dead ball as soon as the incident occurs, if this
is before the bowler has entered his delivery stride. This avoids unwelcome
consequences. The call of Dead ball for non-delivery is still required
in situations where it is appropriate.
The slight change of cross references in
Law 35.2(a) arises from the need to separate Law 35.1 into parts (a) and
(b), in order to effect the change above. The revised wording to Law 35.2(e)
is also a simple consequence of the change.
Law 40.2--Gloves and Appendix C
There is no change of intent in this Law
or to Appendix C, both of which relate to wicket-keepers' gloves. However,
many of the manufacturers felt that, in order to be able to distinguish
between those gloves that meet the requirements and those that do not,
it was necessary to have a more technically precise description of those
requirements. The wording of the new Law was agreed at a meeting between
representatives of manufacturers, of I.C.C. and of M.C.C.
Law 42.6 and Law 42.7--Dangerous and unfair
bowling
These two must be considered together.
They seek to clarify the definition of dangerous and unfair bowling and
the circumstances in which the umpires are to take action against it, without
in any way changing either. It had become clear that this Law had been
subject to several different misinterpretations for some time. The re-wording
was been considered by appropriate authorities from many parts of the world,
who agreed that it defines the correct interpretation more clearly.
Appendix D--Conduct of the game
This addition to the definitions makes
it clearer, in response to expressed doubts, the matters over which the
umpires have jurisdiction and the time span during which their jurisdiction
is to operate.
Changes to the Text of the 2000 Code of
the Laws of Cricket
Law 2.6(i) ?insert at end
"The ball shall not count as one of the
over."
Law 15.8 ?delete and replace with
"If either 9 wickets are already down
when 2 minutes remain to the agreed time for tea or the 9th wicket falls
within these 2 minutes or at any later time up to and including the final
ball of the over in progress at the agreed time for tea then notwithstanding
the provisions of Law 16.5(b) (Completion of an over) tea will not be taken
until the end of the over in progress 30 minutes after the originally agreed
time for tea, unless the players have cause to leave the field of play
or the innings is completed earlier."
Law 17.1(d) ?delete and replace with
"(d) If a player contravenes (a) or (b)
above he shall not be allowed to bowl until either at least one hour later
than the contravention or there has been at least 30 minutes of playing
time since the contravention whichever is sooner. If an over is in progress
at the contravention, he shall not be allowed to complete that over."
Law 18.5(a)(i) ?delete
"batsman or"
insert at end
"This warning shall continue to apply
throughout the innings. The umpire shall so inform each incoming batsman."
Law 18.5(b) ?delete
"either of the same batsmen"
and replace with
"any batsman".
Law 18.9(a) ?delete second sentence.
Law 21.6(a) ?delete second sentence and
replace with
"Nothing that happens thereafter, except
as in Law 42.17(b), shall be regarded as part of it."
Law 21.7 ?delete first two paragraphs and
replace with
"If the side batting last wins the match
without losing all its wickets, the result shall be stated as a win by
the number of wickets still then to fall.
If the side batting last has lost all
its wickets but, as the result of an award of 5 penalty runs at the end
of the match, has scored a total of runs in excess of the total scored
by the opposing side, the result shall be stated as a win to that side
by Penalty runs.
If the side fielding last wins the match,
the result shall be stated as a win by runs."
Law 22.4(b)(iv) ?delete and replace with
"if it is called dead in the circumstances
of Law 23.3(b)(vi) (Umpire calling and signalling Dead ball)."
Insert new Law 22.4(b)(v)
"when 5 penalty runs are awarded to the
batting side under any of Laws 2.6 (Player returning without permission),
41.2 (Fielding the ball), 42.4 (Deliberate attempt to distract striker)
or 42.5 (Deliberate distraction or obstruction of batsman)."
Law 26.2 ?delete and replace with
"(a) If a ball delivered by the bowler
first strikes the person of the striker, runs shall be scored only if the
umpire is satisfied that the striker has either (i) attempted to play the
ball with his bat, or (ii) tried to avoid being hit by the ball.
If the umpire is satisfied that either
of these conditions has been met, and the ball makes no subsequent contact
with the bat, runs completed by the batsmen or a boundary allowance shall
be credited to the batting side as in (b). Note, however, the provisions
of Laws 34.3 (Ball lawfully struck more than once) and 34.4 (Runs permitted
from ball lawfully struck more than once)
(b) The runs in (a) above shall, (i) if
the delivery is not a No ball, be scored as Leg byes (ii) if No ball has
been called, be scored together with the penalty for the No ball as No
ball extras."
Law 35.1 ?insert at beginning
"(a)"
Law 35.1 ?delete the first eighteen words
of the Law and replace with
"The striker is out Hit wicket if, after
the bowler has entered his delivery stride and while the ball is in play,
his wicket is put down"
Insert new Law 35.1(b)
"If the striker puts his wicket down in
any of the ways described in Law 28.1(a)(ii) and (iii) (Wicket put down)
before the bowler has entered his delivery stride, either umpire shall
call and signal Dead ball."
Law 35.2(a) ?delete and replace with
"it occurs after he has completed any
action in receiving the delivery, other than as in 1(a)(ii), (iii) or (iv)
above."
Law 35.2(e) ?delete and replace with
"the bowler, after entering his delivery
stride, does not deliver the ball. In this case either umpire shall immediately
call and signal Dead ball. See Law 23.3 (Umpire calling and signalling
Dead ball)."
Law 40.2 ?delete and replace with
"If, as permitted under 1 above, the wicket-keeper
wears gloves, they shall have no webbing between the fingers except joining
index finger and thumb, where webbing may be inserted as a means of support.
If used, the webbing shall be
(a) a single piece of non-stretch material
which, although it may have facing material attached, shall have no reinforcement
or tucks.
(b) such that the top edge of the webbing
(i) does not protrude beyond the straight line joining the top of the index
finger to the top of the thumb (ii) is taut when a hand wearing the glove
has the thumb fully extended. See Appendix C."
Law 40.5 ?delete and replace with
"If in the opinion of either umpire the
wicket-keeper interferes with the striker's right to play the ball and
to guard his wicket, Law 23.3(b)(vi) (Umpire calling and signalling Dead
ball) shall apply.
If, however, the umpire concerned considers
that the interference by the wicket-keeper was wilful, then Law 42.4 (Deliberate
attempt to distract striker) shall apply."
Law 41.2(a) ?insert at end
"The ball shall not count as one of the
over."
Law 42.5(b)(vi) ?renumber as (viii).
Insert new Law 42.5(b)(vi)
"the ball shall not count as one of the
over."
Insert new Law 42.5(b)(vii)
"the batsmen at the wicket shall decide
which of them is to face the next delivery."
Law 42.6(a)(ii) ?delete and replace with
"Any delivery which, after pitching, passes
or would have passed over head height of the striker standing upright at
the crease, although not threatening physical injury, shall be included
with bowling under (i) both when the umpire is considering whether the
bowling of fast short pitched balls has become dangerous and unfair and
after he has so decided. The umpire shall call and signal No ball for each
such delivery."
Law 42.7(a) ?delete and replace with
"As soon as the umpire at the bowler's
end decides under 6(a) above that the bowling of fast short pitched balls
has become dangerous and unfair, or, except as in 8 below, there is an
instance of dangerous and unfair bowling as defined in 6(b) above, he shall
call and signal No ball and, when the ball is dead, caution the bowler,
inform the other umpire, the captain of the fielding side and the batsmen
of what has occurred. This caution shall continue to apply throughout the
innings."
Law 42.7(b) ?delete and replace with
"If there is any further instance of dangerous
and unfair bowling by the same bowler in the same innings, the umpire at
the bowler's end shall repeat the above procedure and indicate to the bowler
that this is a final warning."
Law 42.7(c) ?delete the first ten words
of the Law and replace with
"Should there be any further repetition
by the same bowler"
Law 42.17(b) ?delete and replace with
"Notwithstanding the provisions of Law
21.6 (Winning hit or extras), penalty runs shall be awarded in each case
where the Laws require the award. Note, however, that the restrictions
on awarding penalty runs in Laws 26.3 (Leg byes not to be awarded), 34.4(d)
(Runs permitted from ball struck lawfully more than once) and Law 41.4
(Penalty runs not to be awarded) will apply."
Preamble to the Laws
Cricket is a game that owes much of its
unique appeal to the fact that it should be played not only within its
Laws but also within the Spirit of the Game. Any action which is seen to
abuse this spirit causes injury to the game itself. The major responsbility
for ensuring the spirit of fair play rests with the captains.
1. There are two Laws which place responsibility
for the team's conduct firmly on the captain.
Responsibility of captains
The captains are responsible at all times
for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of the Game as well
as within the Laws.
Player's conduct
In the event of a player failing to comply
with instructions by an umpire, or criticising by word or action the decision
of an umpire, or showing dissent, or generally behaving in a manner which
might bring the game into disrepute, the umpire concerned shall in the
first place report the matter to the other umpire and to the player's captain,
and instruct the latter to take action.
2. Fair and unfair play
According to the Laws the umpires are the
sole judges of fair and unfair play.
The umpires may intervene at any time and
it is the responsibility of the captain to take action where required.
3. The umpires are authorised to intervene
in cases of:
Time wasting
Damaging the pitch
Dangerous or unfair bowling
Tampering with the ball
Any other action that they consider to
be unfair
4. The Spirit of the Game involves RESPECT
for:
Your opponents
Your own captain
The roles of the umpires
The game's traditional values
5. It is against the Spirit of the Game:
To dispute an umpire's decision by word,
action or gesture
To direct abusive language towards an
opponent or umpire
To indulge in cheating or any sharp practice,
for instance:
(a) to appeal knowing that the batsman
is not out
(b) to advance towards an umpire in an
aggressive manner when appealing
(c) to seek to distract an opponent either
verbally or by harassment with persistent clapping or unnecessary noise
under the guise of enthusiasm and motivation of one's own side
6. Violence
There is no place for any act of violence
on the field of play.
7. Players
Captains and umpires together set the tone
for the conduct of a cricket match. Every player is expected to make an
important contribution towards this. |