Laws 2000

The information contained on this page is based on a leaflet developed by the East and West Surrey Association of Umpires and Scorers.

The laws of Cricket have been rewritten and feature over 100 changes from the 1980 code. This page does not list all changes and those listed are not in detail but it should be a useful guideline to some of the major changes and help scorers in particular with the changes surrounding wides and no-balls. I am glad to say that most of the disciplinary issues should never arise in our cricket games. 

Tom Smith's book 'Cricket Umpiring & Scoring' is recommended for those requiring detailed knowledge of the Laws. This can be obtained from Acumen Books. Tel. 01782 720753. 

Captains

Captains are now accountable for the conduct of their players and umpires will expect them to take action when any player is acting in contravention of the Laws.

The Spirit of Cricket specifically states that players have respect for : -

Their opponents.
Their own captain and team mates.
The role of the umpire.
The games traditional values.

It is against the spirit of the game to : -

Dispute an umpire's decision.
Direct abusive language towards an umpire or opponent.
Indulge in cheating or sharp practice.
Appeal knowing that the batsman is not out.
Advance aggressively towards an umpire when appealing.
Seek to distract an opponent.

'THERE IS NO PLACE FOR VIOLENCE OF ANY SORT'

Umpires now have much stronger powers to deal with such matters and this can include the awarding of penalty runs to the opposition at any stage of the match and reporting players to the Governing Boards of competition matches as well as to the officials of the club concerned.

Running onto the Protected Area
The 'protected area' starts 5 feet in front of the popping crease and is 2 feet wide (i.e. 1ft either side of a line joining the two middle stumps). There does not have to be any damage to this area - simply running onto it is sufficient cause for the umpire to take action.
A delivery that bounces three times or more before it reaches the popping crease is a NO BALL.
A delivery which rolls along the ground before it reaches the popping crease is also a NO BALL.
A delivery coming to rest before it reaches the batsman is also a NO BALL. The batsman no longer has the right to hit it. The umpire will call DEAD BALL after NO BALL.
A Bouncer. A delivery which BOUNCES and goes over the head of the batsman standing UPRIGHT at the crease, will be a NO BALL not a wide. If the batsman hits such a delivery it will still be a NO BALL.
A full toss (beamer) will now be defined in two ways : -

If the ball reaches the batsman above WAIST height when he is standing UPRIGHT AT THE CREASE, it is a NO BALL.

For a slow delivery, if the ball reaches the batsman above SHOULDER height when he is standing UPRIGHT AT THE CREASE, it is a NO BALL.

The NO BALL will apply even if the batsman hits such a delivery. Both types of beamer will attract the relevant part of the cautionary procedure which can lead to a bowler being taken off.

Fielders must now inform an umpire if they intend to leave the field during play and the reason why. They must get permission to return. If they return without permission, under certain circumstances, could lead to 5 penalty runs being given to the batting side.

Wicket Keeper - must now remain in a position expected of a person in his position. He cannot, for example, field on the boundary still wearing his equipment. Once the ball is in play and before the ball reaches the batsman the wicket keeper must not make any significant move forward (acceptable for a slow delivery). If he does either umpire can call a DEAD BALL.
From 2002 Wicket-keeping gloves must conform to law : -

NO WEBBING BETWEEN THE FINGERS.

The WEBBING between THUMB and index finger must be a single piece of flat, non-stretch material which must not form a pouch with the fingers extended.

Significant movement by fielders. Once the ball is in play and before it reaches the striker any significant movement by a fielder is unfair. Significant movement is defined as : -

Close Fielders - anything other than a minor adjustment to stance or position. 
Out Fielders - anything other than a slight movement off line or away from the striker.

Normal 'walking in' is acceptable. DEAD BALL will be called for unacceptable movement.

Practice before and during the match. There must not be any practice 'batting or bowling' on the pitch or on an area immediately adjacent to it on match day. Nor should there be any practice on the rest of the square unless it is before or after the game and then not within 30 minutes of the start of play.

The 'Timed Out' law has changed dramatically. After the fall of a wicket the incoming batsman has three minutes before taking guard or before his partner is ready to receive. If the incoming batsman fails to be in position the opposition can appeal and the batsman will be given out.

Protracted delay could lead to the fielding side being awarded the game.

Running on to the protected area could lead to five runs being awarded to the fielding side.

A batsman can now be given out caught off any part of the glove on the hand holding the bat.

WIDE BALL. The ball no longer has to be out of reach to be called wide. If it is no close enough to the striker to hit by a normal cricket stroke it will be called a WIDE.

NO BALLS - 1 run is scored as soon as the NO BALL is called and will always be recorded to the batting side. Any runs scored are scored in addition to this 1 run.

NO BALLS are always recorded as a NO BALL extra (not given to the batsman). Any runs that follow are scored either as runs to the batsman (provided he hit the ball) or NO BALL EXTRAS.

WIDE BALLS - again 1 run is scored as soon as WIDE is called and will always be recorded to the batting side. Any runs that are scored will be in addition to this 1 run and will be recorded as WIDE BALLS.

PENALTY RUNS. Any penalty runs awarded by the umpire will be recorded in the Penalty Run section of the scoring record. Under no circumstances whatsoever will they be given to a batsman.

BOUNDARIES. The boundary has changed in definition so that now a boundary '6' is scored when : -

The ball hits or goes through a boundary fence, wall or advertising board on the full.
The ball lands on a boundary line, rope or imaginary line on the full.
A fielder 'catches' the ball and leans on or touches the fence, wall, rope, line or imaginary line. 

If a fielder touches a fence, wall, advertising board, rope, line or imaginary line and the ball is in contact with his body either in his hand or just touching his body a boundary will be scored.

Sight Screens are always outside the playing area. If they are sited within the playing area the boundary must be redrawn at that point so that the sreen(s) are outside.