MCC proposes major law changes to cricket, to be applicable from October 2026

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the custodian of the Laws of Cricket since 1787, has announced a new set of amendments that will come into force from 1 October 2026. As part of the fourth edition of the 2017 Code of Laws, the proposed changes look to ensure that cricket’s laws remain relevant to the game while becoming more inclusive, affordable, and easier to interpret across all levels.

While the 2019 update largely focused on clarifications and the 2022 edition introduced notable revisions, the 2026 Laws states one of the most comprehensive modifications in recent times. In total, 73 material changes have been approved, alongside extensive linguistic updates. MCC has released the new edition well in advance to allow players, umpires, and governing bodies sufficient time to familiarise themselves with the changes, some of which have already been adopted as playing conditions by the ICC and other authorities. The drafting process involved MCC’s Laws sub-committee, followed by ratification from the Cricket Committee and Main Committee.

“It is important that we announce these changes now as part of the Club’s global commitment to the game, giving officials from all over the world the chance to learn under the new Laws ahead of them coming into force in October. Cricket is a fast-evolving sport and this edition is drafted with the modern game in mind, as we are constantly looking to ensure that the Laws, which the Club has administered since being founded in 1787, are fit for all levels of cricket across the globe. The Laws sub-committee meets several times each year to shape the Laws and debate what changes are required to every area of the edition. The changes announced today represent the way the game continues to evolve,” MCC Laws Manager, Fraser Stewart said in a statement.

One of the headline changes is the legalisation of laminated bats in open-age recreational cricket. Previously restricted to junior cricket, these Type D bats, made using up to three wooden pieces, have been approved in an effort to counter the rising cost of bats caused by the scarcity of English willow. MCC’s research believes that any performance advantage from laminated bats is “marginal at best,” making the decision both economical and sustainable, particularly for amateur cricketers.

Bat regulations also updated with new maximum dimensions

Meanwhile, bat regulations have also been updated with new maximum dimensions set at 108mm in width, 67mm in depth, and 40mm edges. Additionally, manufacturers will now be permitted to use non-willow materials behind the bat’s face, though elite-level cricket is expected to continue using traditional single-piece willow bats.

Significant changes also impact match play. In multi-day cricket, the final over of the day will now be completed even if a wicket falls after the scheduled close of play. MCC felt it was unfair for the batting team to avoid facing a new batter until the next morning.

The overthrows law has been substantially rewritten to provide clearer definitions of overthrows and misfields, reducing confusion for players and officials. Meanwhile, the players’ conduct law grants umpires greater privilege, ranging from awarding five penalty runs to temporarily or permanently ejecting a player. In extreme cases, a captain’s refusal to enforce sanctions could even result in the match being awarded to the opposition or abandoned.

Other notable changes include allowing substitutes to keep wicket, permitting tethered bails to reduce injury risk, standardising junior and women’s cricket balls into three size categories, clarifying short-run rules, dead-ball situations, and removing gendered language to make the Laws more inclusive globally.