Get coaching
This page explains what the Laws of Cricket, governing bodies and standards bodies publish. It is not a substitute for coaching from a qualified coach, and it does not replace medical advice.
Before play: the sides
Law 1.1 sets two sides of eleven, each with a captain. Sides may agree to more or fewer players, but no more than eleven may field at once. Under Law 1.2, each captain gives the umpire a written list of players before the toss, and after that a player can be replaced only with the other captain's consent (Law 1.2.2). Law 1.2.3 treats a replacement as the same player as the one replaced: they may not bat if that player has already completed their innings, and they inherit any unserved penalty time, warnings or suspensions. The 3rd Edition (2022) introduced this inheritance rule under its own numbering, Law 1.3.
Competitions can change these numbers. The ICC's women's ODI playing conditions (effective July 2026), for example, have each captain nominate 11 players and up to 4 substitute fielders in writing to the ICC Match Referee before the toss (clause 1.2.1). Concussion replacements in international cricket have their own rules, covered on the concussion and replacements page.
Substitutes and runners
Law 24.1 lets the umpires allow a substitute fielder for an injury or illness suffered during the match, or for another wholly acceptable reason. A substitute may not bowl or act as captain, and may keep wicket only with the umpires' consent. Under Law 25.1, only a nominated player may bat or act as a runner.
The officials
Two umpires are appointed, one for each end, to control the match with absolute impartiality, and they must be at the ground at least 45 minutes before the scheduled start of each day (Law 2.1). Two scorers record runs, wickets and, where relevant, overs (Law 3.1), and agree the totals with the umpires at least at every interval other than drinks and at the end of the match (Law 3.2). The ICC's women's ODI playing conditions (effective July 2026) add an ICC Match Referee and, where the cameras meet the ICC's minimum specification, a third umpire; see umpires and DRS.
The pitch, creases and wickets
| Feature | Law (2026) | Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Pitch | 6.1 | 22 yards (20.12 m) long, 10 ft (3.05 m) wide |
| Artificial pitch | 6.5 | At least 58 ft (17.68 m) long and 6 ft (1.83 m) wide |
| Bowling crease | 7.2 | 8 ft 8 in (2.64 m) long, marking the end of the pitch |
| Popping crease | 7.3 | 4 ft (1.22 m) in front of the bowling crease, marked at least 6 ft (1.83 m) either side of the middle-stump line |
| Return creases | 7.4 | 4 ft 4 in (1.32 m) either side of the middle-stump line, marked at least 8 ft (2.44 m) behind the popping crease |
| Wicket | 8.1 | 9 in (22.86 cm) wide: three wooden stumps and two wooden bails |
| Stumps | 8.2 | 28 in (71.12 cm) above the ground; 1.38 to 1.5 in (3.50 to 3.81 cm) in diameter |
| Bails | 8.3 | No more than 0.5 in (1.27 cm) above the stumps |
The Ground Authority chooses and prepares the pitch before the match, the umpires control its use during it, and the umpires alone judge whether it is fit for play (Laws 6.2 and 6.3). The pitch may be changed mid-match only if the umpires judge it dangerous or unreasonable and both captains agree (Law 6.4). For junior cricket, the national governing body sets the pitch length (Law 6.6). New in 2026, Law 9.2 allows mechanical blowers and other suitable equipment, not only sweeping, to clear debris from the pitch.
The ball in play
The umpires hold all the match balls before the toss and keep control of them throughout (Law 4.2). Unless agreed otherwise, either captain may ask for a new ball at the start of each innings (Law 4.3). In a match scheduled for more than one day, the fielding captain may take a new ball once 80 or more overs have been bowled with the old one (Law 4.4); the MCC added the word "scheduled" in 2026 so a new ball can still be taken if a multi-day match is shortened. Which size of ball is used is decided by the governing body for the match (Law 4.6).
The toss and the innings
The captains toss a coin on the field, with at least one umpire present, between 30 and 15 minutes before the scheduled start (Law 13.4). The winner chooses to bat or field and cannot change that choice once it has been notified (Law 13.5). An innings ends when the side is all out, when no further batter is available, when the captain declares or forfeits, or when the agreed overs or time run out (Law 13.3).
Overs
The ball is bowled from each end in turn in overs of 6 valid balls (Law 17.1). No balls, Wides and balls called dead before the striker could play them are not among the six (Law 17.3). If the umpire miscounts, the over as counted stands (Law 17.5). A bowler may change ends as often as they like but may not bowl two consecutive overs, or parts of two, in the same innings (Law 17.6). Underarm bowling needs a special agreement before the match (Law 21.1.2).
Intervals and the end of the day
Two 2026 changes affect the flow of a day. Under Law 12.5.2, the final over of a day is completed even if a wicket falls in it, as long as conditions stay fit. Under Law 12.3, umpires no longer need to remove the bails at a drinks interval. Law 24.2.1, also new, requires fielders to be inside the field of play when the ball is released.
Runs and boundaries
A ball struck by the bat that lands beyond the boundary without first touching the ground inside it scores 6, even if a fielder touched it on the way (Law 19.7.1). A ball that reaches the boundary after landing inside it, or that was not struck by the bat, scores 4 (Law 19.7.2). If a boundary is hit before the batters have run enough to win, the full boundary allowance counts (Law 16.6.3).
Conduct: Law 42
Law 42 sets four levels of offence, from Level 1 to Level 4, with stronger umpire action at each level (Law 42.1). Level 1 includes dissent at a decision, obscene or offensive language or gestures, excessive appealing, advancing aggressively on an umpire when appealing, and mistreating the ground or equipment (Law 42.2). Intimidating an umpire, or threatening to assault anyone other than an umpire, is Level 3, and the umpires direct the captain to take the player off the field for a period (Law 42.4). Threatening to assault an umpire, deliberate inappropriate physical contact with an umpire, assaulting anyone, or any other act of violence is Level 4, and the player is removed from the field (Law 42.5).
How batters are given out is on the dismissals page, and extras and results on extras, the follow-on and results.
Sources