STAR SPORTS DESK

As many as 73 changes in laws of cricket have been announced by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), with the amendments set to come into effect from October this year. The MCC said the ‘new edition of the Laws of Cricket’, the first since 2022, has been drafted in to ensure laws are ‘up to date and fit for the modern game and that they should be as inclusive as possible’. Major changes are as follows:

Mandatory completion of final over: If a wicket falls during the last over of the day in multi-day cricket, the over must be finished.

Wicketkeeper positioning clarified: Keepers will no longer be penalised for having gloves marginally ahead of the stumps during the bowler’s run-up.

‘Bunny hop catch’ removed: Fielders going beyond the boundary may touch the ball only once while airborne and must then land fully inside the boundary for the remainder of the play.

Laminated bats legalised in open-age cricket: Laminated bats -- made by bonding multiple pieces of wood -- are now permitted beyond junior levels.

Overthrow defined for the first time: An overthrow is now officially described as a throw at the stumps to prevent runs or attempt a run-out.Misfields near the boundary will no longer be treated as overthrows.

Fielding captain’s role in deliberate short runs: The fielding side gains additional authority to decide which batter faces the next ball in cases of deliberate short running, expanding existing provisions.

Ball considered ‘finally settled’ sooner: The ball will be deemed settled when held by any fielder or stationary on the ground.