Anaya Nolan
The first written laws of cricket were drawn up in 1744, though the game's origins are uncertain. It was first recorded in Guildford in the 16th century and was believed to have been a boys' game at the time. In the 17th century, it became increasingly popular with adults and attracted high-stakes betting. The earliest laws were drafted in this context to regulate a game on which large sums of money were being wagered. The first written laws were amended in 1774 to include innovations such as lbw, a third stump, and a maximum bat width. Since 1788, the laws have been owned and maintained by the private Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in Lord's Cricket Ground, London.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of the first written laws of cricket | 1744 |
| Organisation that wrote the first laws | "Noblemen and Gentlemen" who used the Artillery Ground in London, later known as the "Star and Garter Club" |
| Year the laws were revised and printed | 1755 |
| Year the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) assumed responsibility for the laws | 1787 |
| Year the MCC issued a new version of the laws | 30 May 1788 |
| Number of stumps specified in the 1788 code | 3 |
| Number of laws outlining how the game is played | 42 |
| Latest version of the laws | "Laws of Cricket 2017 Code" |
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What You'll Learn
The first written laws were established in 1744
The first written laws of cricket were established in 1744. These laws were drawn up by certain "Noblemen and Gentlemen" who played the game at the Artillery Ground in London. This code of laws, consisting of 42 laws, has been owned and maintained by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) since 1788. The MCC is a private club based in London that was the cricket governing body before the formation of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The earliest known written laws of cricket were not printed until 1755. They were possibly a revision of an earlier code, with the intention of establishing a universal codification. The laws were amended in 1774, with innovations such as the introduction of the lbw rule, a third stump, and a maximum bat width.
The MCC issued a new version of the laws on 30 May 1788, which was called "The LAWS of the NOBLE GAME of CRICKET as revised by the Club at St. Mary-le-bone". The 1788 code is much more detailed and descriptive than the 1774 code, but the fundamental rules remained largely the same. The main difference was in the wording of the lbw law, with the 1788 version omitting the "with design" clause and introducing a new clause that the ball must have pitched straight.
The MCC is no longer the official governing body of cricket, but it still retains the copyright to the laws of the game and has the sole power 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. The most recent update to the laws was released in October 2017, with a second edition of the 2017 code coming into force on 1 April 2019.
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The rules were formed to resolve disputes
Cricket is one of the few sports for which the governing principles are referred to as 'Laws' rather than 'Rules' or 'Regulations'. The first written "Laws of Cricket" were drawn up in 1744 by a group of "Noblemen and Gentlemen" who played the game on the Artillery Ground in London. These laws were formed to resolve disputes that arose during cricket matches. The original handwritten articles, preserved among papers acquired by the West Sussex Record Office, contain a list of 16 points, many of which are recognisable in modern cricket. For example, "a Ball caught, the Striker is out" and "when a Ball is caught out, the Stroke counts nothing".
The 1744 code was not printed until 1755, and it is believed that it was an update of an earlier, unknown code. In 1774, the laws were revised by a committee of "Noblemen and Gentlemen" from several counties, introducing innovations such as leg before wicket (lbw), a third stump, and maximum bat width. A printed form of the laws was published in 1775, but these laws were not universally followed, with different games played under different rules.
In 1787, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) was founded and immediately assumed responsibility for the Laws, issuing a new version on 30 May 1788. This code was much more detailed than the 1774 code, but the fundamental rules remained largely the same. The MCC is a private club based in London, England, and was formerly the cricket governing body. Today, the MCC retains the copyright to the laws of the game and is the only body with the power to change them, although this is usually done in consultation with the game's global governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC).
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The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)
The MCC has since re-coded the Laws six times, with each revision producing more than one edition. The most recent code, the seventh, was released in October 2017, and its 3rd edition came into force on 1 October 2022. While the MCC is no longer the governing body of cricket, it retains the copyright of the Laws and remains the only body authorised to change them. However, any changes are typically made in close consultation with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and other interested parties, such as the Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers.
The MCC has a long and rich history in cricket. The club has traditionally produced a coaching manual, the MCC Cricket Coaching Book, and runs training programmes for young cricketers at its Lord's Indoor Centre. MCC continues to tour England, playing matches against various state and private schools, a tradition followed since the 19th century. The club has also actively promoted the Spirit of Cricket, ensuring that all players participate in accordance with the ethos and spirit of the game. In addition to cricket, the MCC has other sporting interests, including real tennis and squash courts on-site at Lord's, as well as golf, chess, bridge, and backgammon societies.
The MCC's distinctive colours of red and yellow, commonly known as "egg and bacon", have been a part of the club's identity. From the beginning of the 20th century, the England cricket team organised their overseas tours, and the team wore the MCC's colours for the last time on their tour to New Zealand in 1996/97. The club has also played a role in the evolution of cricket, such as in the legalisation of overarm bowling following a dispute over Kent bowler Edgar Willsher's bowling action in 1862.
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The rules have been amended multiple times
The rules of cricket have been amended multiple times since the first written laws of cricket were drawn up in 1744. In 1755, there is a reference to the laws being revised by "Several Cricket Clubs, particularly the Star and Garter in Pall Mall". The laws were further revised in 1774 by a committee of noblemen and gentlemen of various counties. A printed form of the laws was published in 1775, followed by another revision in 1786.
In 1787, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) was founded and assumed responsibility for the laws, issuing a new version on 30 May 1788. The 1788 code is much more detailed than the 1774 code, with the main difference being in the wording of the lbw Law. The protection of the pitch was also included in the Laws for the first time in 1788.
The next major change came in 1809, with the standardisation of the weight of the ball and the width of the cricket bat. The length of the stumps was also increased from 22 to 24 inches, and the importance of umpires was enhanced. A new method of dismissing a batsman, the "leg before wicket" rule, was also introduced.
The MCC has continued to maintain and revise the Laws of Cricket, with the latest code being released in October 2017. Eight amendments were made to the laws on 30 September 2010, dealing with bad light, the toss, the spirit of cricket, practice sessions, fielding athleticism, and rare dismissals. These amendments came into force on 1 October 2010.
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Cricket's global development
Cricket has come a long way since its origins in 16th-century southeast England, where it began as a children's game. Today, it is a leading global sport with a rich history of competitions showcasing the talents of players worldwide. The first written "Laws of Cricket" were drawn up in 1744 by certain ""Noblemen and Gentlemen" who used the Artillery Ground in London. The code was further revised in 1755 and 1774, with a printed form published in 1775.
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), founded in 1787, assumed responsibility for the Laws and issued a new version in 1788. The MCC has since re-coded the Laws six times, with the seventh and most recent code released in October 2017. The MCC is a private club based in London that formerly served as the official governing body for cricket. While it no longer holds this role, it retains the copyright to the Laws and remains the only body authorised to change them, typically done in consultation with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and other interested parties.
The ICC, established in 1909, is the current international governing body for cricket, overseeing international matches and implementing the rules of the game. It provides funding and support to 92 Associate Member countries to assist with cricket development globally. The ICC Cricket World Cup, held every four years since 1975, is one of the most prestigious tournaments in cricket, featuring teams from around the world.
Cricket's global expansion has been remarkable, with the sport now ranking as the third most-watched internationally, generating over $6 billion annually. This growth is driven by multiple factors, including infrastructure investments, broadcast rights deals, sponsorship growth, and tourism revenue. Social media and streaming platforms have also played a significant role in democratising cricket content and making the sport more accessible to audiences worldwide.
Regional cricket networks have been strengthened by cross-border tournaments and collaborations. The Americas represent cricket's most dramatic expansion, with Major League Cricket (MLC) in the United States attracting 12.3 million viewers in its inaugural season. Europe has also seen a transformation in its cricket landscape, with the Netherlands and Germany leading the way in participation rates and infrastructure development. Cricket's organisation is anchored by governing bodies like the ICC that help regulate and promote the sport worldwide, along with national boards managing their teams.
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Frequently asked questions
The first written laws of cricket were drawn up in 1744.
The first laws of cricket were written by a group of "Noblemen and Gentlemen" who used the Artillery Ground in London. These men would later become the founding members of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in 1787.
The MCC released their first code of laws on 30 May 1788.
The laws of cricket have been amended and recoded six times. The seventh and latest version was released in October 2017.
