Gavin Howe
Cricket is one of the few sports in which the rules are referred to as Laws. The origin of cricket is uncertain, but it was first definitely recorded at Guildford in the 16th century. In the early days, the rules would have been agreed upon orally and were subject to local variations. The first written Laws of Cricket were drawn up in 1744. Since 1788, the code has been owned and maintained by the private Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in London.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of drafting | 1744 |
| Owner and maintainer | Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) |
| Number of laws | 42 |
| Number of players | 11 |
| Number of bowlers | 1 |
| Number of balls bowled before changing wickets | 4 |
| Number of times the laws have been recorded | 6 |
| Latest version | Seventh, released in October 2017 |
| Date second edition of the 2017 code came into force | 1 April 2019 |
| Weight of the ball | 5.5 to 5.75 ounces (156 to 163 g) |
| Width of the cricket bat | Standardised in 1809 |
| Length of stumps | 24 inches |
| Length of bails | 7 inches |
| Length of an over | 6 balls |
| Dismissal rules | lbw, caught, bowled, stumped, run out, hitting the ball twice, obstructing the field, hitting the wicket, timed out, retired out |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The first written laws were drafted in 1744
Cricket is one of the few sports in which the governing principles are referred to as "Laws" rather than "rules" or "regulations". The origin of cricket is uncertain, but it was first definitely recorded in Guildford in the 16th century. It is believed to have been a boys' game at that time, but from the early 17th century onwards, it was increasingly played by adults.
In the first half of the 18th century, cricket established itself as a leading sport in London and the south-eastern counties of England. In 1744, the first written Laws of Cricket were drafted. These laws were drawn up by the ""Star and Garter Club", whose members went on to found the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in 1787.
The first written laws of cricket were a formal agreement of rules to resolve problems between patrons during matches. The 1744 code consisted of 16 points, many of which are recognisable in the modern game. For example, "a ball caught, the striker is out" and "when a ball is caught out, the stroke counts nothing".
The MCC has been the custodian of the Laws since 1788 and has made revisions ever since. The club's first Code of Laws was issued on 30 May 1788. While these laws were not initially accepted or applied consistently, their successors govern the game today.
The Man Behind Coulomb's Law
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![The Laws of Cricket for Single and Double Wicket [microform]: as Adopted by the Marylebone Club, London, England](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/714geYtdEPL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The laws have been amended several times
The first written laws of cricket were drawn up in 1744. However, the laws have been amended several times since then.
In 1774, the first set of amendments were made, introducing innovations such as lbw, a third stump (the middle stump), and a maximum bat width. The laws were further revised in 1788 by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which had been formed just a year prior. The MCC's version of the laws was not immediately accepted or applied consistently, but its successor governs the game today.
The next major change came in 1809, with further standardisation of the weight and size of the ball, the width of the cricket bat, and the length of the stumps and bails. The importance of umpires was also enhanced in this revision. In 1829, the first regulations on throwing were introduced, and in 1864, overarm bowling was permitted for the first time. The 1884 laws formalised the number of players (eleven-a-side) and the size of the ball for the first time.
In 1889, the length of an over increased from four to five balls, and in 1900, it was increased to six balls. The law regarding lbw also underwent several changes, with the "must pitch straight" clause being introduced in 1774, changed to "must be delivered straight" in 1821, and then reverted back to "must pitch straight" in 1839. In 1937, the law changed to allow dismissal after the ball pitched outside the off stump, and in 1972, it was modified again to penalise the batsman who had "played no stroke".
More recently, in 1992, a second edition of the 1980 Code was produced, and in 2000, a new Code was approved, including a Preamble defining the Spirit of Cricket. The 2000 Code was rewritten into plain English and was more discursive than previous versions. The 2017 update to the Laws allowed substitutes to act as wicket-keepers for the first time. The most recent code, the seventh, was released in October 2017, with its 3rd edition coming into force on 1 October 2022.
Rollercoasters and the First Law: A Perfect Match
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) owns and maintains the laws
Cricket is one of the few sports in which the rules are referred to as "Laws". The first written Laws of Cricket were drafted in 1744. Since 1788, the code has been owned and maintained by the private Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in Lord's Cricket Ground, London.
The MCC was founded in 1787 and immediately assumed responsibility for the Laws, issuing a new version on 30 May 1788. This was the first time that rules were formally agreed upon, with the purpose of resolving any problems between patrons during their matches. The MCC's version of the Laws was not immediately accepted or applied consistently, but it is the successor to these Laws that governs the game today.
The MCC has re-coded the Laws six times, with interim revisions producing more than one edition. The most recent code, the seventh, was released in October 2017, with its 3rd edition coming into force on 1 October 2022. The MCC has made numerous revisions to the Laws over the years, including standardising the weight and size of the ball, the width of the cricket bat, and the number of players.
The MCC was formerly cricket's official governing body, but it has since handed that role to the International Cricket Council (ICC). However, the MCC retains the copyright of the Laws and remains the only body authorised to change them. Any changes to the Laws are typically done in close consultation with the ICC and other interested parties, such as the Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers.
Colonial Laws: How Were They Created?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The number of players was formalised in 1884
The first written laws of cricket were drawn up in 1744, with the earliest known code of the game drafted in the same year. The rules of the game, or the Laws of Cricket, are maintained by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in London. The MCC was founded in 1787 and assumed responsibility for the laws in 1788, issuing a new version called "The LAWS of the NOBLE GAME of CRICKET as revised by the Club at St."
The number of players was formalised in the 1884 laws, with eleven players on each side. This was the first time that the player count was officially specified, and it has remained the standard for cricket teams ever since. The 1884 laws also formalised the size of the ball for the first time. The introduction of the follow-on rule was another significant change in these laws. This rule addressed the issue of a side needing to dismiss their opposition twice to win a game. Prior to this rule, a side that batted first and dominated the match would have to wait until they were dismissed a second time before they could attempt to dismiss the opposition again. However, due to the time limitation in cricket, this could result in a draw rather than a win for the dominant side.
The MCC has played a pivotal role in the development and standardisation of cricket. The club has made revisions and updates to the Laws of Cricket over the years, ensuring the game's consistency and fairness. The MCC's version of the laws, while not immediately accepted or consistently applied, laid the foundation for the laws that govern the game today.
The game of cricket has a rich history, with its origins possibly dating back to Saxon or Norman times. It was first definitely recorded in the 16th century in South East England, and it is believed to have been played by boys during that time. In the 17th century, cricket gained popularity among adults and spread globally with the expansion of the British Empire. The first English county teams were formed in the second half of the 17th century, and the game established itself as a leading sport in London and southeastern England during the first half of the 18th century.
The Hambledon Club, founded in the 1760s, was the focal point of the game until the formation of the MCC and the opening of Lord's Cricket Ground in 1787. The MCC's early contributions to the standardisation of the sport included the introduction of the three-stump wicket and the leg before wicket (lbw) rule in the latter part of the 18th century. The 19th century saw further developments, such as the transition from underarm bowling to first roundarm and then overarm bowling.
EPA's Role: Creating Environmental Laws?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The 1774 version introduced lbw, a third stump, and a maximum bat width
The first written laws of cricket were drawn up in 1744. These laws were subsequently amended in 1774, introducing several significant changes to the game.
The 1774 version of the Laws of Cricket included the introduction of leg before wicket (lbw), a long-standing source of controversy. The main issue surrounding lbw has always been the "must pitch straight" clause, which was changed to "must be delivered straight" in 1821, reverting in 1839. Over the following centuries, the law continued to evolve, with the most recent changes occurring in the 1970s and 1980s.
Another important addition in the 1774 laws was the inclusion of a third stump, the middle stump. This innovation was a direct response to a controversial match between Kent and Hambledon, in which Hambledon's John Small scored runs despite being beaten by Lumpy, as the ball passed through the two-stump wicket without hitting the stumps or the bail. The introduction of the middle stump aimed to address this issue and standardise the wicket configuration.
The 1774 laws also introduced a maximum width for cricket bats, marking the first step towards standardising equipment. This was followed by further standardisations in the 19th century, including the weight of the ball and the width of the cricket bat.
The 1774 version of the Laws of Cricket played a pivotal role in shaping the game, addressing key issues, and laying the foundation for future standardisations and revisions.
The First Universal Law: Law of Attraction
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The first written laws of cricket were drafted in 1744.
The first laws of cricket were written by the "Star and Garter Club", whose members founded the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in 1787.
The laws of cricket have been owned and maintained by the MCC since 1788. The MCC is based at Lord's Cricket Ground in London.
There are currently 42 laws of cricket, which describe all aspects of how the game is played.
