On Tuesday (February 3), the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has announced its new edition of cricket laws that shall come into effect from October 2026. The latest set of cricket laws have been framed with an intention of keeping the sport in sync with the modern era without compromising on the sanctity of the game.
Like every sport, cricket too needs to evolve and the MCC has introduced a whopping 73 law changes that shall all get into effect from October 1, 2026. Of this, one big rule change will be seen in multi-day cricket, which obviously means Test cricket as well. Currently, a wicket falling in the last over of the day effectively signals the close of play but from October, that won't be the case.
Under the new laws of cricket, if the batting side loses a wicket in the final over of the day and if the over hasn't been completed at the fall of that wicket, the bowling side has to complete the over. Which means that the next batter has to come in and the game will be prolonged for a few more minutes.
This law change makes sense, because the bowling side is otherwise getting frustrated despite picking up a wicket and the batting side inevitable escapes the pressure as play gets closed for the day. MCC Laws Manager Fraser Stewart spoke about the significance of making regular amendments to the game's laws.
“It is important that we announce these changes now as part of the Club’s global commitment to the game, giving officials from all over the world the chance to learn under the new Laws ahead of them coming into force in October," said Stewart.
“Cricket is a fast-evolving sport and this edition is drafted with the modern game in mind, as we are constantly looking to ensure that the Laws, which the Club has administered since being founded in 1787, are fit for all levels of cricket across the globe. The Laws sub-committee meets several times each year to shape the Laws and debate what changes are required to every area of the edition. The changes announced today represent the way the game continues to evolve."
