In News:

• The International Cricket Council (ICC) has come up with a host of changes in the rules on playing conditions of cricket.
• The changes will come into effect on October 1.

What’s in today’s article:

• About MCC (History, Code of Laws, etc.)
• News Summary (New Laws)

Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC):

• It was founded in London in 1787.
• In 1788, the MCC had laid down a Code of Laws, requiring the wickets to be pitched 22 yards apart and detailing how players could be given out.
• Its Laws were adopted throughout the game – and the Club today remains the custodian and arbiter of Laws relating to cricket around the world.
• Headquarters: Lord’s Cricket Ground, London

The Laws of Cricket:

• The game of Cricket has been governed by a series of Codes of Laws for over 275 years.
• These Codes have been subject to additions and alterations recommended by the governing authorities of the time.
• Since its formation in 1787, MCC has been recognised as the sole authority for drawing up the Code and for all subsequent amendments.
• Although the International Cricket Council (ICC) is the global Governing Body for cricket, it still relies on MCC to write and interpret the Laws of Cricket, which are applicable to all formats of international cricket.
• MCC's Laws sub-committee are responsible for the debating, decision making and drafting of the Laws, which are - in turn - passed by MCC's Main Committee, retaining a robust and measured decision-making process.

News Summary:

• MCC has announced that its new code of laws, will be effective from October 1, 2022.
• The last time changes were made to the code of laws was in 2017.

Major Changes:

• Replacement players:
• The introduction of a new clause, Law 1.3, explains that replacements are to be treated as if they were the player they replaced, inheriting any sanctions or dismissals that player has done in that match.
• Batters when Caught out:
• Law 18.11 has now been changed so that, when a batter is out Caught, the new batter shall come in at the end the striker was at, i.e. to face the next ball (unless it is the end of an over).
• Moving the running out of the non-striker:
• Named after legendary Indian bowler Vinoo Mankad, ‘Mankading’ is a method of run out where a bowler dismisses a non-striker by hitting the bails before bowling when the latter is outside the crease.
• The Laws of Cricket was amended several times after this incident, but it was decided to retain this form of run out to disallow batsmen from stealing runs.
• Though this is a legally permissible dismissal, it has been considered against the spirit of the game.
• The new Law has moved ‘running out the non-striker’ from Law 41 (Unfair play) to Law 38 (Run out).
• Simply put, this is now just another mode of run-out.
• No Saliva:
• The new Laws will not permit the use of saliva on the ball, which also removes any grey areas of fielders eating sugary sweets to alter their saliva to apply to the ball.
• Using saliva will be treated the same way as any other unfair methods of changing the condition of the ball.
• Hybrid Pitches:
• The hybrid pitches are made of natural grass (predominantly) and artificial fibre.
• At present it is used only in women’s matches.
• The hybrid pitches could now be used for ODIs and T20Is, for men and women if both the rival teams agree.
• Poor Over-rate:
• If a team fails to bowl its overs in the given time, an additional fielder will have to be placed inside the 30-yard circle, for the remaining overs.
• That could make saving runs tougher for the fielding side.