The age-old custodian of cricket laws, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), has made some remarkable changes to some of the existing rules of the game. As part of an amendment to its 2022 code, new sets of laws were introduced on Wednesday.
According to the new laws, the use of saliva has been completely banned from now on. This rule, enforced during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been made permanent and if it is violated, it will be considered an unfair means of ball tampering.
Also, the controversial style of dismissal – mankading – has been officially legalized and will be called run out.
The club has made changes to 9 laws and the new rules will be implemented from 1 October 2022. Let’s take a look at them and try to understand from whom they will be followed during the game.
- Law 1 , replacement player
The introduction of Law 1.3 states that replacements are now treated as if they were players they had replaced on the field. They will receive a ban or dismissal made by the player in that match.
Explanation: Previously, changed players were treated as new players, not connected to the actions of the player they replaced. Now if a player has taken a wicket before being replaced, then the dismissal will be added to the account of the new player who comes in his place.
- Law 18 – Batsmen returning when caught
Law 18.11 has been changed; When a batsman is caught, the new batsman will start at the striker’s end (unless it is the end of an over), even if the batsmen have crossed before taking the catch.
Explanation: Earlier, strikers and non-strikers used to run and change when the ball was in the air. If the ends are switched before the striker is out, the new incoming batsman will go to the non-striker’s end. But the new rule will not allow this. The new man did strike, regardless; Unless the delivery on which it is dismissed is the last ball of the over.
- Law 20.4.2.12 – Dead Ball
In recent times, on several occasions intruders have entered the field, hurting the continuity of the game and sometimes benefiting both sides. The new law will allow the umpire to call it a dead ball when any person, animal or other object on the field of play causes damage to either side.
Explanation: Prior to this, it was considered appropriate that a run or boundary was conceded or that a dismissal was effected immediately before an interference. According to the new rule, it will be called a dead ball.
- Law 21.4 – The bowler throws to the striker’s end before the delivery
If a bowler throws the ball in an attempt to run out the striker before entering his delivery stride, it is now a dead ball. Till now it was considered a no ball.
Explanation: If a bowler tries to run out the batsman before entering the delivery stride, it will be considered a dead ball. This is a very rare scenario because it makes no sense to try to influence the dismissal in this way.
- Law 22.1 – Comprehensive Decision Making
Law 22.1 has been amended to take unfair advantage of batsmen. According to the new law, a ‘wide’ shall apply to the place where the batsman is standing, where the striker is standing at any point since the bowler has commenced the run-up, and which in normal batting position is also within the widest of the striker. Would have passed ,
Explanation: Batsmen nowadays improve their stance to score runs and spoil the bowler’s rhythm. He could be seen walking sideways in his crease just before the ball was bowled. Earlier, wide deliveries were decided on the basis of where the batsman ended up after changing his stance. According to the new law, the umpires will take into account where the batsman stands at the crease after the bowler starts the run-up. However, it remains to be seen whether this also changes the way umpires call wides when the striker changes his stance at the last minute and attempts a reverse scoop or pull.
- Law 25.8 – Striker’s right to play the ball
This will allow the batsman to hit the ball as it moves away from the pitch, however, he needs to ensure that some part of the bat or person remains within the pitch. If they go over it, the umpire will call it a ‘dead ball’. Any ball that will force the batsman to leave the pitch as a reward is also called a ‘no ball’.
Explanation: Remember David Warner’s shot to Mohammad Hafeez in T20 World Cup 2022 which went for a boundary. The ball had slipped from the bowler’s hand and bounced twice and reached the batsman. Now the batsman cannot leave the pitch to play such balls. It often happens that the ball slips from the hands of a bowler. If the striker wishes to play that ball, he must ensure that some part of the bat or person remains inside the pitch area. And if a delivery forces the batsman to leave the pitch area and play a shot, he will be awarded a no ball.
- Laws 27.4 and 28.6 – Unfair movement by the fielding side
If there is an improper act by the fielding side while the ball is being bowled, the batting side will be awarded 5 penalty runs. Previously, this was called a dead-ball and would have been detrimental to the batting side as a good shot or boundary with that dead ball was forfeited.
Explanation: Once the field is set, the fielder cannot change his position when the bowler starts the run up. Any such activity not only distracts the batsman but is also considered unfair. There have been instances when the batsmen did not notice the sudden change. Earlier, in such a scenario the umpire would indicate a dead ball, but as per the new law, 5 penalty runs would be awarded to the batting side.
- Law 38.3 – Advancing the run out of a non-striker
The act of being run out by a bowler while running-up a batsman at the non-striker’s end – often called mankading – has been moved from Law 41 – Unfair Play to Law 38 – Run-out.
Explanation: Well, this part is quite easy to understand. Who can forget the incident that happened in IPL 2019 when Ashwin ‘Manked’ Jos Buttler. This sparked controversy as some called the act not in the spirit of the game. Putting an end to the speculation, the MCC has decided to officially call it ‘run out’ and will no longer see it as unfair.
For information, let us tell you that in 1948, former India captain Vinoo Mankad had run out Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Bill Brown at the non-striker’s end. Australian media is called ‘mankding’ and hence the term came into existence.
- Rule 41.3 – No saliva
The Covid-19 pandemic forced the MCC to ban saliva on the ball, which helps bowlers to swing, especially with the red ball. Now the club has claimed that its research states that applying saliva to the ball has little or no effect on the amount of swing bowlers get. As such it has been banned. In addition, saliva will be used in the same way as any other improper way of changing the position of the ball.
Explanation: Shining the ball is an important aspect from the bowler’s point of view but using saliva to do so is now strictly prohibited. Players can apply their sweat to shine the ball but not saliva. The decision also eliminates the possibility of players chewing on mints or gums to thicken saliva to use for the ball.
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