The MCC and the Laws of Cricket: How the Rules Were Written and Who Owns Them
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has been the custodian of the Laws of Cricket since 1788, making it one of sport's oldest governing bodies and the ultimate authority on the game's rules.
The Marylebone Cricket Club, universally known as the MCC, has been the guardian of the Laws of Cricket since 1788 — a custodianship spanning more than two centuries that makes it one of the oldest continuous governing relationships in sport. While the ICC (International Cricket Council) governs international cricket and each national board runs domestic cricket in their country, the MCC holds the unique position of owning and maintaining the Laws of Cricket themselves — the foundational rules from which all variations of Playing Conditions derive. The MCC is based at Lord's Cricket Ground in London, often described as the 'Home of Cricket,' and its Laws are revised periodically to reflect developments in the game.
Origins and Early Codification
Cricket's rules were first written down informally in 1744 by the 'Laws of Cricket' as agreed by the 'Cricket Club' at the Artillery Ground in London. The MCC, founded in 1787 at Thomas Lord's first ground in Dorset Square, took over the Laws in 1788 and has maintained them since. The MCC revised the Laws in 1835, 1884, 1947, 1980, 2000 and most recently in 2017 (with subsequent amendments through the 2020s). Each revision has addressed new challenges: the 1947 revision standardised the game's administration; the 2000 edition incorporated two new Laws on player conduct; the 2017 edition comprehensively restructured the Laws into a cleaner, gender-neutral format and added provisions for DRS and helmet regulations.
The MCC Today
The MCC is a private members' club with around 18,000 full members and a waiting list that can extend to 20+ years. Its primary role in the modern game is not as an administrator (that is the ICC's function) but as the custodian of the Laws and a centre for cricket advocacy, education and heritage. The MCC Spirit of Cricket preamble — added to the Laws in 2000 — is the game's moral charter, stating that 'cricket is to be played not only within its Laws but also within the Spirit of the Game.' The MCC Laws are available free of charge to all cricket boards and are the legal foundation of every cricket match played worldwide.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns the Laws of Cricket?
The MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club), based at Lord's Cricket Ground in London, has been the custodian of the Laws of Cricket since 1788. The MCC writes, maintains and publishes the Laws, which form the foundation for all cricket worldwide. National boards and the ICC write their own Playing Conditions on top of the Laws.
How often are the Laws of Cricket changed?
The Laws of Cricket are formally revised every few years. Major revisions occurred in 1835, 1884, 1947, 1980, 2000 and 2017. Between major revisions, the MCC publishes amendments — for example, the 2022 amendment permanently banning saliva on the ball and clarifying the 'obstructing the field' law.
Is the MCC the same as Lord's Cricket Ground?
They are closely linked but separate entities. The MCC owns Lord's Cricket Ground and uses it as its home base. The MCC is the private members' club and Laws custodian. Lord's is a venue — it hosts Test matches, domestic matches, the ICC World Cup and other events. England's national cricket team is administered by the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board), not the MCC.