Cricket Laws and Rules
Information about the Laws of Cricket for novice and experienced players alike. Access laws and rules for variations of the sport of cricket including indoor cricket and blind cricket.
Laws of Cricket First implemented in 1774, the Laws of Cricket are designed to maintain the spirit of the game. Join with me, as we learn all about the laws which govern the playing of the sport. Please note this link requires you to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your PC. By providing the Laws in portable data format (pdf), the MCC allows you to download them to your desktop or browser for printing, viewing or storage at your leisure. If you don’t have Acrobat Reader you can get it now from the following link. You should be aware that the MCC retains the copyright of the Laws of Cricket and requires permission be obtained before any reproduction of them. We have been advised that permission is not given for the current laws to be reproduced on any website other than the official MCC site.
Below is a summary of the Laws index available from the above link. To navigate the pdf file easily, make sure you click the tab on the left of the page that loads and then click Bookmark or Pages depending on your version of Adobe Reader.
Preface
The Preamble, The Spirit of Cricket
Definitions and explanations of words or phrases not defined in the text (Appendix D)
Law 1 : The Players
Law 2 : Subs/runners, leaving field, retiring, commencing innings
Law 3 : The Umpires
Law 4 : The Scorers
Law 5 : The Ball
Law 6 : The Bat
Law 7 : The Pitch
Law 8 : The Wickets
Law 9 : The Bowling, Popping and Return Creases
Law 10: Rolling,Sweeping,Mowing,Watering the Pitch and Remarking of Creases
Law 11: Covering the Pitch
Law 12: Innings
Law 13: The Follow-On
Law 14: Declaration and Forfeiture
Law 15: Intervals
Law 16: Start of Play, Cessation of Play
Law 17: Practice on the Field
Law 18: Scoring Runs
Law 19: Boundaries
Law 20: Lost Ball
Law 21: The Result
Law 22: The Over
Law 23: Dead Ball
Law 24: No Ball
Law 25: Wide Ball
Law 26: Bye and Leg Bye
Law 27: Appeals
Law 28: The Wicket is Down
Law 29: Batsman out of his Ground
Law 30: Bowled
Law 31: Timed Out
Law 32: Caught
Law 33: Handled the Ball
Law 34: Hit the Ball Twice
Law 35: Hit Wicket
Law 36: Leg Before Wicket
Law 37: Obstructing the Field
Law 38: Run Out
Law 39: Stumped
Law 40: The Wicket-Keeper
Law 41: The Fielder
Law 42: Fair and Unfair Play
Appendix A (Law 8) Wickets
Appendix B (Laws 7+9) Pitch
Appendix C (Law 40.2) Gloves
Appendix D

First Laws of Cricket - 1774View the very first Official Laws of Cricket exactly how they were written in 1774 at the Star and Garter in Pall Mall.

Blind Cricket LawsThe game of blind cricket, like all forms of the sport, is controlled by official laws and rules. This site, provided by the Australian Blind Cricket Association and CricInfo, provides a detailed and in depth look at the laws of the game.
Indoor Cricket RulesAlthough mostly similar to the outdoor game, indoor cricket has a number of rules unique to the sport. Learn all about these rules by visiting this site, which provides a comprehensive explanation of them.
Kwik CricketWith a minimum of basic rules, this game designed for children can be played by as few as 2 players or as many as 32. Join with me and view basic information about the game.