Why Cricket Has 'Laws' Not 'Rules'
The history and significance of cricket's Laws, who writes them, how they are updated, and why cricket insists on calling them Laws rather than rules.
Cricket is unique among major sports in that it has 'Laws' rather than 'rules' — a distinction that reflects the game's historical self-perception as something more than a sport. Understanding who maintains the Laws, how they are updated, and what the key Laws cover gives insight into cricket's deep relationship with tradition and governance.
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)
The Laws of Cricket are owned and maintained by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) — a private members' club based at Lord's Cricket Ground in London, England. The MCC has held this responsibility since 1788, making it the longest continuously operating sports governance body of any kind. The ICC (International Cricket Council) governs international cricket but does not write the Laws — it writes 'Playing Conditions' that modify or supplement the Laws for international matches. The Laws themselves remain with the MCC.
Structure of the Laws
There are 42 Laws of Cricket, covering everything from the pitch dimensions (Law 7) to the bat (Law 5), dismissals (Laws 30-40), the ball (Law 4), and conduct (Law 42 — fair and unfair play). The Laws use the word 'shall' to create obligations and 'may' to create permissions. They are deliberately technology-neutral — the Laws describe what must happen, and separate ICC regulations determine what technology can be used to adjudicate.
Recent Notable Law Changes
- 2017: 'Handled the Ball' absorbed into 'Obstructing the Field' (Laws simplified)
- 2022: Mankad run-out reclassified from 'unfair play' to a standard run-out under Law 38 (no warning required)
- 2022: Saliva ban on ball polishing made permanent following COVID-era temporary ban
- 2022: New ball/old ball regulations updated to clarify what fielders can do to the ball
- 2023: Timed out dismissal clarified after first international use (Angelo Mathews vs Sri Lanka)
Frequently asked questions
Can ICC change the Laws of Cricket?
No — only the MCC can change the Laws. The ICC can issue Playing Conditions that modify how Laws operate in international matches (e.g. DRS protocols, powerplay rules, fielding restrictions in T20s), but the underlying Laws are the MCC's to maintain. In practice, the ICC and MCC work closely, and the MCC often formalises changes that the ICC has trialled in Playing Conditions.