12 Apr 2017

MCC confirms major law changes

6:57 am on 12 April 2017

The guardians of the laws of cricket, the MCC, have confirmed a series of law changes, including the introduction of sendings off, will come into effect from October.

However it will be up to the International Cricket Council and governing bodies in each country as to whether the laws are adopted at international and national level.

A new law entitled 'players' conduct' gives umpires a range of powers, from imposing penalty runs to ejecting players from a match.

Cricket is to follow the lead of other sports and introduce a red card, enabling umpires to send players off.

Cricket is to follow the lead of other sports and introduce a red card, enabling umpires to send players off. Photo: Photosport

Bat sizes will also be restricted while the laws will also be written in language that is not gender specific.

Terms such as batsman and third man remain, but the laws will remove previous references to the term "he".

The law regarding handled the ball has been removed, with that form of dismissal merged into obstructing the field.

"MCC has left no stone unturned in researching and redrafting the new Laws of Cricket and has done so in order to make the laws work in a way that makes sense to players, umpires and spectators," MCC laws manager Fraser Stewart said.

"The laws are applicable worldwide so they need to be as simple as possible to understand and inclusive to all.

"The club hopes to encourage interest in the game at all levels and believes these new laws are reflective of the present time and easier for cricketers and umpires to interpret."

Other changes include alterations to running out the non-striker, a batsman being run out if their bat 'bounces' after being grounded, and substitutes being allowed to keep wicket.

-BBC