Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), custodian of the laws of cricket, on Tuesday (February 3) announced its new edition of the Laws of Cricket for 2026, which will come into effect from October 1.

There are 73 material changes in total, but 10 major changes will reshape how the game is played and they are listed below.

CLEARER STANDARDS FOR WOMEN'S AND JUNIOR CRICKET BALLS

Previously, the permitted size and weight tolerances for women's and junior balls were far wider than those for men's cricket. This created overlap, where a women's ball could be smaller and lighter than a junior ball, allowing manufacturers to produce a single ball for both categories.

From 2026, balls will be classified as Size 1, Size 2 and Size 3, with uniform tolerances across all categories. While the men's ball remains unchanged, women's and junior cricket will now use clearly defined equipment, a change driven by player feedback and a growing emphasis on fairness and precision.

LAMINATED BATS ALLOWED

Laminated or Type D bats were previously limited to junior cricket. Under the new laws, they will be permitted in most adult cricket, subject to regulations set by national governing bodies.

The aim is to address rising costs rather than alter performance. Laminated bats, made from up to three pieces of wood, allow more efficient use of willow and reduce wastage. After extensive testing, MCC believes they offer no significant playing advantage, although elite professionals are still expected to favour traditional single-piece bats.

MUST COMPLETE FINAL OVER

One of the most consequential changes affects multi-day cricket. Until now, the fall of a wicket in the final over of the day brought play to an immediate close, allowing the incoming batter to avoid facing the remaining deliveries.

From October 2026, the final over will be completed in full, provided conditions permit. The change removes an outcome that often felt unfair to the fielding side and restores late-day pressure at a time when bowlers traditionally hold the advantage.

SHORT RUNNING CLARIFIED

The law on short running has been clarified to separate deception from genuine decision-making. Batters will be allowed to abandon a run, even after crossing, without penalty, provided there is no deliberate attempt to mislead the umpires.

If short running is deemed deliberate, existing penalties remain, but with an added consequence. The fielding side will now decide which batter takes strike for the next ball, directly countering the tactical manipulation that deliberate short running is often designed to achieve.

BOUNDARY CATCHING

The so-called "bunny hop" catches at the boundary have been reined in. A fielder who jumps from outside the boundary may touch the ball only once while airborne. After that touch, they must be fully grounded inside the field of play for the remainder of the delivery.

If the fielder lands outside or steps outside again after making contact with the ball, a boundary will be awarded. The revision simplifies decision-making and aligns the law more closely with public perception of fairness near the rope.

OVERTHROWS FINALLY DEFINED

For the first time, the laws clearly define what constitutes an overthrow. An overthrow is now specifically an attempt to direct the ball at the stumps to prevent runs or attempt a run out.

Misfields, including failed attempts to stop or return the ball near the boundary, will not be treated as overthrows. This change brings clarity to a previously vague area of the law and aligns it with conventional cricketing understanding.

DEFINITION OF WHEN THE BALL IS DEAD

The definition of when the ball is "finally settled" has been updated. Previously, it was commonly assumed that the ball needed to be in the hands of the bowler or wicket-keeper.

Under the new law, the ball can be considered settled if it is held by any fielder or is stationary on the ground. This gives umpires greater discretion, particularly in close finishes where players may still be moving despite no realistic chance of further play.

WICKET-KEEPER POSITIONING RELAXED

Wicket-keepers will no longer be penalised for having their gloves in front of the stumps during the bowler's run-up. The restriction now applies only after the ball has been released.

The change reflects the realities of modern cricket and officiating, especially in the DRS era, where such marginal movements were technically illegal but offered no competitive advantage.

GREATER CLARITY ON HIT WICKET

Two important clarifications have been introduced to the hit wicket law. First, a batter is still considered to be in the act of receiving the ball until they regain balance after playing a shot. If they fall onto the stumps as a result of that action, they will be out hit wicket even if the ball has long passed.

Second, if a batter is knocked onto the stumps by a fielder while falling away from them, they will be protected. Incidental contact, however, does not offer such protection. Detached equipment that strikes another player before hitting the stumps will also result in not out.

WHAT COUNTS AS CONTROL OF THE BALL

New definitions clarify what it means for a ball to be "held" and under "complete control", particularly for run outs and stumpings. Merely touching the ball while breaking the stumps will no longer suffice.

Control now requires the same standard as taking a catch. The fielder must be able to hold the ball securely and dispose of it at will, a clarification that is especially important in an era of slow-motion replays and forensic scrutiny.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Collectively, the 2026 Laws are about refinement rather than revolution. They seek to remove ambiguity, align the written Law with how cricket is actually played, and make the game fairer and easier to officiate at every level.

Cricket's strength lies in its traditions, but these changes underline a clear message from its lawmakers. The spirit of the game is best preserved through Laws that are precise, inclusive and firmly rooted in the realities of modern cricket.