Monday, 5 October 2015

Focus on Law 6: The Bat

1. Width and length

The bat overall shall not be more than 96.5cm in length. The blade of the bat shall be made solely of wood and shall not exceed 10.8cm at the widest part.

2. Covering the blade

The blade may be covered with material for protection, strengthening or repair. Such material shall not exceed 1.56mm in thickness, and shall not be likely to cause unacceptable damage to the ball.

3. Hand or glove to count as part of bat

In these Laws,

(a) reference to the bat shall imply that the bat is held by the batsman.

(b) contact between the ball and

either (i) the striker's bat itself

or (ii) the striker's hand holding the bat

or (iii) any part of a glove worn on the striker's hand holding the bat shall be regarded as the ball striking or touching the bat, or being struck by the bat.

Saturday, 3 October 2015

Focus on Law 5: The Ball

1. Weight and size

The ball, when new, shall weigh not less than155.9g, nor more than163g, and shall measure not less than 22.4cm, nor more than 22.9cm in circumference.

2. Approval and control of balls

(a) All balls to be used in the match, having been approved by the umpires and captains, shall be in the possession of the umpires before the toss and shall remain under their control throughout the match.

(b) The umpire shall take possession of the ball in use at the fall of each wicket, at the start of any interval and at any interruption of play.

3. New ball

Unless an agreement to the contrary has been made before the match, either captain may demand a new ball at the start of each innings.

4. New ball in match of more than one day's duration

In a match of more than one day's duration, the captain of the fielding side may demand a new ball after the prescribed number of overs has been bowled with the old one. The Governing Bodyfor cricket in the country concerned shall decide the number of overs applicable in that country, which shall not be less than 75 overs.

The umpires shall indicate to the batsmen and the scorers whenever a new ball is taken into play.

5. Ball lost or becoming unfit for play


If, during play, the ball cannot be found or recovered or the umpires agree that it has become unfit for play through normal use, the umpires shall replace it with a ball which has had wear comparable with that which the previous ball had received before the need for its replacement. When the ball is replaced the umpires shall inform the batsmen and the fielding captain.

6. Specifications

The specifications as described in 1 above shall apply to men's cricket only. The following specifications will apply to

(i) Women's cricket

Weight: from 140g to 151g

Circumference: from 21.0cm to 22.5cm

(ii) Junior cricket – under 13

Weight: from 133g to 144g

Circumference: from 20.5cm to 22.0cm

Thursday, 1 October 2015

Focus on Law 4: The Scorers

1. Appointment of scorers

Two scorers shall be appointed to record all runs scored, all wickets taken and, where appropriate, number of overs bowled.

2. Correctness of scores

The scorers shall frequently check to ensure that their records agree. They shall agree with the umpires, at least at every interval, other than a drinks interval, and at the conclusion of the match, the runs scored, the wickets that have fallen and, where appropriate, the number of overs bowled. See Law 3.15 (Correctness of scores).

3. Acknowledging signals

The scorers shall accept all instructions and signals given to them by the umpires. They shall immediately acknowledge each separate signal.