The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has announced a new edition of the Laws of Cricket that will come into effect on October 1, 2026.
This marks the fourth update under the 2017 Code and includes 73 changes, along with several language revisions aimed at making the Laws clearer and more inclusive.
MCC said the changes are designed to ensure the Laws remain relevant to the modern game and suitable for players at all levels worldwide. The updated Laws have been released early to give players, umpires, and officials enough time to understand and adapt to them before they come into force.
Fraser Stewart, MCC’s Laws Manager, said the early release reflects the Club’s global responsibility toward cricket. He noted that the sport continues to evolve, and the Laws must change with it to remain fair and practical.
He added that the Laws sub-committee meets several times a year to review and debate changes across all areas of the game, and that the latest updates reflect how cricket continues to develop.
One of the most significant changes involves cricket bats. Laminated bats, previously permitted only in junior cricket, have now been approved for open-age cricket. MCC said the decision followed extensive research and is intended to help reduce the increasing cost of bats worldwide.
Changes have also been made to cricket balls. MCC worked closely with manufacturers to introduce new size and weight limits for balls used in different formats, including women’s and junior cricket. These updates were influenced by discussions initiated by current and former women cricketers.
A major rule change affecting Test cricket concerns the final over of the day. Under the previous rule, play could end early if a wicket fell close to stumps. From October 2026, the full over must be completed, meaning a new batter may need to face the remaining deliveries on the same day. MCC said the earlier rule gave an unfair advantage to the batting side.
The Laws relating to overthrows have also been rewritten to improve clarity. The updated wording clearly defines what constitutes an overthrow and a misfield, helping umpires make more consistent decisions, particularly in close boundary situations.
Several other updates focus on clearer definitions of Dead ball, No ball, Wide, short runs, obstruction, catches, hit wicket, LBW decisions, and player conduct. MCC said many of these changes are intended to reduce confusion and promote fairness for both players and officials.
The full 2026 edition of the Laws of Cricket, along with a detailed list of all 73 changes, is now available on the MCC website.