Laws 1 - 5

[Macc]

LAW 1

THE PLAYERS

• Number of Players and Captain
  
  A match is played between two sides each of eleven Players, one of whom shall be Captain. In the event of the Captain not being available at any time a Deputy shall act for him.
  
  
• Nomination of Players
  
  Before the toss for innings, the Captain shall nominate his Players who may not thereafter be changed without the consent of the opposing Captain.
  

NOTES

(a) More or Less than Eleven Players a Side

A match may be played by agreement between sides of more or less than eleven players but not more than eleven players may field.

LAW 2

SUBSTITUTES AND RUNNERS:
BATSMAN OR FIELDSMAN LEAVING THE FIELD:
BATSMAN RETIRING:
BATSMAN COMMENCING INNINGS

• Substitutes
  
  In normal circumstances, a Substitute shall be allowed to field only for a player who satisfies the Umpires that he has become injured or become ill during the match. However, in very exceptional circumstances, the Umpires may use their discretion to allow a Substitute for a player who has to leave the field for other wholly acceptable reasons, subject to consent being given by the opposing Captain. If a player wishes to change his shirt, boots, etc., he may leave the field to do so (no changing on the field) but no Substitute will be allowed.
  
  
• Objection to Substitutes
  
  The opposing Captain shall have no right of objection to any player acting as Substitute on the field, nor as to where he shall field; however, no Substitute shall act as Wicket-Keeper.
  
  
• Substitute Not to Bat or Bowl
  
  A Substitute shall not be allowed to bat or bowl.
  
  
• A Player for whom a Substitute has acted
  
  A player may bat, bowl or field even though a Substitute has acted for him.
  
  
• Runner
  
  A Runner shall be allowed for a Batsman who during the match is incapacitated by illness or injury. The player acting as Runner shall be a member of the batting side and shall, if possible, have already batted in that innings.
  
  
• Runner's Equipment
  
  The player acting as Runner for an injured Batsman shall wear the same external protective equipment as the injured Batsman.
  
  
• Transgression of the Laws by an Injured Batsman or Runner
  
  An injured Batsman may be out should his Runner break any one of Laws 33 (Handled the Ball), 37. (Obstructing the Field) or 38 (Run Out). As Striker he remains himself subject to the Laws. Furthermore, should he be out of his ground for any purpose and the wicket at the Wicket-Keeper's end be put down he shall be out under Law 38. (Run Out) or Law 39.(Stumped) irrespective of the position of the other Batsman or the Runner and no runs shall be scored.
  
  When not the Striker, the injured Batsman is out of the game and shall stand where he does not interfere with the play. Should he bring himself into the game in any way then he shall suffer the penalties that any transgression of the Laws demands.
  
  
• Fieldsman Leaving the Field
  
  No Fieldsman shall leave the field or return during a session of play without the consent of the Umpire at the Bowler's end. The Umpire's consent is also necessary if a Substitute is required for a Fieldsman, when his side returns to the field after an interval. If a member of the fielding side leaves the field or fails to return after an interval and is absent from the field for longer than 15 minutes, he shall not be permitted to bowl after his return until he has been on the field for at least that length of playing time for which he was absent. This restriction shall not apply at the start of a new day's play.
  
  
• Batsman Leaving the Field or Retiring
  
  A Batsman may leave the field or retire at any time owing to illness, injury or other unavoidable cause, having previously notified the Umpire at the Bowler's end. He may resume his innings at the fall of a wicket, which for the purposes of this Law shall include the retirement of another Batsman.
  
  If he leaves the field or retires for any other reason he may only resume his innings with the consent of the opposing Captain.
  When a Batsman has left the field or retired and is unable to return owing to illness, injury or other unavoidable cause his innings is to be recorded as "retired, not out". Otherwise it is to be recorded as "retired, out".
  
  Commencement of a Batsman's Innings
  A Batsman shall be considered to have commenced his innings once he has stepped on to the field of play.
  
  

NOTES
(a) Substitutes and Runners
For the purpose of these Laws allowable illnesses or injuries are those which occur at any time after the nomination by the Captains of their teams.

LAW 3

THE UMPIRES

• Appointment
  
  Before the toss for innings two Umpires shall be appointed, one for each end, to control the game with absolute impartiality as required by the Laws.
  
  
• Change of Umpire
  
  No Umpire shall be changed during a match without the consent of both Captains.
  
  
• Special Conditions
  
  Before the toss for innings, the Umpires shall agree with both Captains on any special conditions affecting the conduct of the match.
  
  
• The Wickets
  
  The Umpires shall satisfy themselves before the start of the match that the wickets are properly pitched.
  
  
• Clock or Watch
  
  The Umpires shall agree between themselves and inform both Captains before the start of the match on the watch or clock to be followed during the match.
  
  
• Conduct and Implements
  
  Before and during a match the Umpires shall ensure that the conduct of the game and the implements used are strictly in accordance with the Laws.
  
  
• Fair and Unfair Play
  
  The Umpires shall be the sole judges of fair and unfair play.
  
  
• Fitness of Ground, Weather and Light
  
  (a) The Umpires shall be the sole judges of the fitness of the ground, weather and light for play.
  
  (i) However, before deciding to suspend play or not to start play or not to resume play after an interval or stoppage, the Umpires shall establish whether both Captains (the Batsmen at the wicket may deputise for their Captain) wish to commence or to continue in the prevailing conditions; if so, their wishes shall be met.
  
  (ii) In addition, if during play, the Umpires decide that the light is unfit, only the batting side shall have the option of continuing play. After agreeing to continue to play in unfit light conditions, the Captain of the batting side (or a Batsman at the wicket) may appeal against the light to the Umpires, who shall uphold the appeal only if, in their opinion, the light has deteriorated since the agreement to continue was made.
  
  (b) After any suspension of play, the Umpires, unaccompanied by any of the Players or Officials shall, on their own initiative, carry out an inspection immediately the conditions improve and shall continue to inspect at intervals. Immediately the Umpires decide that play is possible they shall call upon the Players to resume the game.
  
  
• Exceptional Circumstances
  
  In exceptional circumstances, other than those of weather, ground or light, the Umpires may decide to suspend or abandon play. Before making such a decision the Umpires shall establish, if the circumstances allow, whether both Captains (the Batsmen at the wicket may deputise for their Captain) wish to continue in the prevailing conditions: if so their wishes shall be met.
  
  
• Position of Umpires
  
  The Umpires shall stand where they can best see any act upon which their decision may be required.
  
  Subject to this over-riding consideration the Umpire at the Bowler's end shall stand where he does not interfere with either the Bowler's run up or the Striker's view.
  
  The Umpire at the Striker's end may elect to stand on the off instead of the leg side of the pitch, provided he informs the Captain of the fielding side and the Striker of his intention to do so.
  
  
• Umpires Changing Ends
  
  The Umpires shall change ends after each side has had one innings.
  
  
• Disputes
  
  All disputes shall be determined by the Umpires and if they disagree the actual state of things shall continue.
  
  
• Signals
  
  The following code of signals shall be used by Umpires who will wait until a signal has been answered by a Scorer before allowing the game to proceed.
  
  Boundary - by waving the arm from side to side.
  Boundary 6 - by raising both arms above the head.
  Bye - by raising an open hand above the head.
  Dead Ball - by crossing and re-crossing the wrists below the
  waist.
  Leg Bye - by touching a raised knee with the hand.
  No Ball - by extending one arm horizontally.
  Out - by raising the index finger above the head. If
  not out the Umpire shall call "not out".
  Short Run - by bending the arm upwards and by touching the
  nearer shoulder with the tips of the fingers.
  Wide - by extending both arms horizontally.
  
  
• Correctness of Scores
  
  The Umpires shall be responsible for satisfying themselves on the correctness of the scores throughout and at the conclusion of the match. See Law 21.6. (Correctness of Result).
  
  NOTES
  (a) Attendance of Umpires
  
  The Umpires should be present on the ground and report to the Ground Executive or the equivalent at least 30 minutes before the start of a day's play.
  
  (b) Consultation Between Umpires and Scorers
  Consultation between Umpires and Scorers over doubtful points is essential.
  
  (c) Fitness of Ground
  The Umpires shall consider the ground as unfit for play when it is so wet or slippery as to deprive the Bowlers of a reasonable foothold, the Fieldsmen, other than the deep- fielders, of the power of free movement, or the Batsmen the ability to play their strokes or to run between the wickets. Play should not be suspended merely because the grass and the ball are wet and slippery.
  
  (d) Fitness of Weather and Light
  The Umpires should only suspend play when they consider that the conditions are so bad that it is unreasonable or dangerous to continue.
  

LAW 4

THE SCORERS

• Recording Runs
  
  All runs scored shall be recorded by Scorers appointed for the purpose. Where there are two Scorers they shall frequently check to ensure that the score sheets agree.
  
  
• Acknowledging Signals
  
  The Scorers shall accept and immediately acknowledge all instructions and signals given to them by the Umpires.
  

LAW 5

THE BALL

• Weight and Size
  
  The ball, when new, shall weigh not less than 5-1/2 ounces/ 155.9g., nor more than 5-3/4 ounces/163 g.: and shall measure not less than 8-13/16 inches/22.4 cm., nor more than 9 inches/22.9 cm. in circumference.
  
  
• Approval of Balls
  
  All balls used in matches shall be approved by the Umpires and Captains before the start of the match.
  
  
• New Ball
  
  Subject to agreement to the contrary, having been made before the toss, either Captain may demand a new ball at the start of each innings.
  
  
• New Ball in Match of 3 or more Days Duration
  
  In a match of 3 or more days duration, the Captain of the fielding side may demand a new ball after the prescribed number of overs has been bowled with the old one. The Governing Body for cricket in the country concerned shall decide the number of overs applicable in that country which shall be not less than 75 six-ball overs (55 eight-ball overs).
  
  
• Ball Lost or Becoming Unfit for Play
  
  In the event of a ball during play being lost or, in the opinion of the Umpires, becoming unfit for play, the Umpires shall allow it to be replaced by one that in their opinion has had a similar amount of wear. If a ball is to be replaced, the Umpires shall inform the Batsmen.
  

NOTES:

(a) Specifications

The specifications, as described in 1. above shall apply to top-grade balls only. The following degrees of tolerance will be acceptable for other grades of ball.

(i) Men's Grades 2-4
Weight: 5-5/16 ounces/150g. to 5-13/16 ounces/165g.
Size: 8-11/16 inches/22.0cm. to 9-1/16 inches/23.0cm.

(ii) Women's
Weight: 4-15/16 ounces/140g. to 5-5/16 ounces/150g.
Size: 8-1/4 inches/21.0cm. to 8-7/8 inches/22.5cm.

(iii)Junior
Weight: 4-5/16 ounces/133g. to 5-1/16 ounces/143g.
Size: 8-1/16 inches/20.5cm. to 8-11/16 inches/22.0cm.