(UK) Limited
of Basildon, Essex.

Law Changes

LAW REVISIONS – 2000

What the Players need to know.
Ideally every player (more especially every Captain) should have a thorough knowledge of all the Laws of Cricket.
Realistically we have to accept that the majority of players will not make this effort. There follows, therefore a summary of the principal changes, and we recommend that every player should make themselves familiar with these at the very least. 

The Spirit of the Game – compulsory reading – see front of Law Book (or website www.essexcricket.com). 

New Umpires’ Signals –
Revoke last signal:- touch both shoulders, each with opposite hand;            Commencement of last hour (in time matches):- pointing to raised wrist with other hand;
Five penalty runs to batting side:- repeated tapping of one shoulder with opposite hand;
Five penalty runs to fielding side:- by placing one hand on opposite shoulder.

Ball to be given to Umpire at the fall of each wicket, at the start of an interval and any interruption. 

The Bat – any part of the glove holding the bat is now considered part of the bat (no mention of ‘wrist’) 

Danger area (now known as the ‘Protected Area’) starts 5 feet in front of popping crease.

Boundaries – all Sightscreens must be wholly outside the boundary.            Boundary preferably marked by white line or a rope – inside edge of these is the boundary;
When a boundary is marked by a fence, hedge or similar object, the base shall be the boundary.
If a fielder touches the boundary fence at the same time as the ball, then 4 or 6 runs awarded;
It is no longer possible to take a catch leaning on a fence.

Winning hit or extras – as soon as match is won, the match is at an end:
eg. One run needed to win – no ball or wide bowled – nothing else can happen;
or one run needed to win – striker hits ball to boundary, but he completes one run before ball reaches boundary – only one run would count;
one exception – if the ball is hit in air and caught, then any runs made would not count.

No Ball – Read the definition of a fair delivery (Law 24.2 and 24.3)
A ball which bounces more than twice or rolls before reaching the popping crease is a no ball.
A ball which stops before reaching the striker is a no ball (and a dead ball) – striker does not get a free hit;
A ball which bounces over the striker’s head standing upright at the popping crease is a no ball;

High full-toss – above shoulder height (of striker standing upright at the popping crease) for slow bowler,
above waist height for all other bowlers is a no ball.

Runs scored from a No ball or a Wide ball:
Any runs scored from a no ball or a wide ball are in addition to the penalty –             eg. No ball hit for four is 1 no ball extra, 4 runs to the striker – total 5
or wide ball going to the boundary is 5 wide extras.

The Wicket is Down: if all the stumps are out of the ground, one stump at least must be replaced in its original place in order to effect a dismissal.

Timed Out: the incoming batman (or his partner) must be ready to receive the next ball within three minutes of a wicket falling.

Obstructing the Field: the word ‘distracts’ has been added – if batsman “wilfully obstructs or distracts the opposing side by word of action……”

Run Out off a No Ball: either batsman can be run out off a no ball, even if they are not running, but the wicket-keeper cannot run out the striker without intervention of another fielder, unless the batsman is running..

Dead Ball: ball to be considered dead when it is clear to umpire at bowler’s end that the fielding side and both batsmen have ceased to regard it as in play. i.e. It is no longer necessary for the ball to be finally settled in the hands of the wicket-keeper or the bowler.

Wicket-keeper’s equipment: the wicket-keeper must wear gloves which conform to the law (see illustration in Appendix C of the Laws). Note: This will not now come into affect until April 2002.

Practice on the Field: not allowed on the pitch or on the area parallel and immediately adjacent to the pitch at any time during the match – any offender will not be allowed to bowl until at least five completed overs have been bowled after the contravention.

            Significant movement by fielder after ball comes into play (eg. Deep square leg coming up to save a single while bowler is running up, or wicket-keeper standing up to stumps without notifying batsman) is unfair.

             Umpire should signal dead ball.

             (This does not, of course, prevent the usual walking in of fielders as the bowler runs up, nor wicket-keeper and slips coming forward a few paces for a prearranged slower ball).

Penalty Extras: 5 penalty extras will be awarded to the batting side in the following circumstances:

             for illegal fielding (as before) ; eg. Fielding ball with cap, or ball hitting helmet;

             deliberate attempt to distract striker while he is preparing to receive or while he is receiving a delivery (after one warning, which will apply to the whole team);

             deliberate attempt to distract of obstruct either batsman after striker has received ball (no warnings);

             changing the condition of the ball unfairly (no warnings);

             time wasting by fielding side (after one warning, which will apply to the whole team).

             fielder damaging the pitch (after one warning, which will apply to the whole team;

             fielder returning to field after an absence (and touching the ball) without the consent of the umpire.

             5 penalty extras will be awarded to the fielding side in the following circumstances:

             time-wasting by batsman (after one warning, which will apply to the whole team);

             batsman causing avoidable damage to the pitch (first offence, warning will apply to whole team;

             second offence – no runs for that delivery other than for a no ball or a wide;

             third offence – no runs and five run penalty);

             batsman attempting to steal a run during the bowler’s run-up (no warning);

             deliberate short runs (no runs for that delivery other than for a no ball or a wide, warning to apply to the batsman or batsmen concerned – second offence – five run penalty).

Penalty runs awarded to the fielding side may be added to the total of a completed innings or, if the fielding side have not batted, credited to the start of the next innings.

All Players are particularly advised to make themselves familiar with the Laws concerning

             Dangerous and Unfair Bowling (42.6, 42.7, 42.8) and Players’ Conduct (42.18).

Captains: Players are to be nominated in writing to one of the umpires before the toss.

The toss is not to be made earlier than 30 minutes, nor later than 15 minutes, before the start of play.