Rules
The laws that shape every decision on the field. 1,207 guides, page 23 of 26.
The ICC Match Referee: Cricket's Off-Field Authority Explained
What an ICC match referee does in international cricket — adjudicating code of conduct breaches, overseeing playing conditions, their disciplinary powers, and how the role developed from informal oversight to a formal ICC panel.
Read explainerThe Mongoose Bat: Brendon McCullum's Experiment and Why It Failed
The story of the Mongoose MMi3 bat — designed for T20 slog hitting, popularised by McCullum, why it didn't take off, and what ICC regulations say about bat dimensions.
Read explainerCricket Umpiring Controversies: Famous Errors, Neutral Umpires and DRS
The worst umpiring decisions before DRS, the Daryl Harper–Pakistan dispute of 2010, how neutral umpires were introduced, and how technology changed officiating forever.
Read explainerMankading: History, Controversy and the 2022 ICC Rule Change
From Vinoo Mankad's original dismissal of Bill Brown in 1947 to Ravichandran Ashwin's controversial IPL dismissal of Jos Buttler, and how the ICC finally legitimised the non-striker run out in 2022.
Read explainerObstructing the Field: Cricket's Rarest Dismissal Explained
How the obstructing the field dismissal works under cricket Law 37, notable instances including Ben Stokes at the 2015 World Cup, and how the separate 'handling the ball' law was merged into it in 2017.
Read explainerThe Toss in Test Cricket: Why It Matters and Calls for Its Abolition
How the coin toss shapes Test match outcomes — particularly on subcontinental pitches — what the statistics show about toss advantage, and why cricket administrators have debated abolishing it.
Read explainerDeclaring in Test Cricket: The Tactical Art of the Declaration
Why Test captains declare innings closed, how they calculate the risk and reward, historic bold declarations, and what the fastest declarations in Test history reveal about aggressive captaincy.
Read explainerNight Watchman Tactics: Why Teams Send Bowlers In to Bat Late
The strategic logic behind the night watchman in Test cricket, how Mark Boucher and Jason Gillespie turned the role into something extraordinary, and when captains choose this unconventional option.
Read explainerHat-Tricks in Cricket: How Rare They Are and the Best in Test History
Why taking three wickets in three balls is rare in Tests but increasingly common in T20 cricket, the first hat-trick in Test history from Hugh Trumble, and the extraordinary case of Jimmy Matthews' two hat-tricks in one match in 1912.
Read explainerRun Out in Cricket: How It Works, Famous Examples and Why It Matters
How a run out dismissal works in cricket — the mechanics of the dismissal, direct hit versus breaking the stumps, running between the wickets, backing up too far, and famous run outs that changed matches.
Read explainerDukes vs Kookaburra vs SG: Which Cricket Ball Each Country Uses and Why It Matters
The three cricket balls used in international cricket — Dukes (England and West Indies), Kookaburra (Australia, New Zealand, South Africa) and SG (India) — how they differ in construction, why they swing differently, and how the ball type shapes conditions in each country.
Read explainerReverse Swing Explained: The Science Behind Cricket's Most Deceptive Bowling Skill
What reverse swing is, the aerodynamics of why an old ball swings in the opposite direction to a new ball, why rough on one side matters, Pakistan's historical expertise with Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram, and how to spot reverse swing in a match.
Read explainerMankading: The Non-Striker Run-Out and Its Controversial History
The history of Mankading — dismissing the non-striker for backing up too far — the Vinoo Mankad original incident, modern ICC rule changes that redefined it, and why it remains divisive in cricket's culture.
Read explainerPowerplay Rules in Limited-Overs Cricket: Fielding Restrictions Explained
How Powerplay fielding restrictions work in ODI and T20 cricket — the mandatory circle rule, different Powerplay phases, how teams use them strategically, and their impact on scoring rates.
Read explainerCricket Officials: Umpires, Third Umpires and Match Referees
Understanding the different roles of on-field umpires, third umpires, match referees, and scorers in cricket matches.
Read explainerODI Powerplay Rules: Fielding Restrictions in 50-Over Cricket
How powerplay overs work in ODI cricket, what fielding restrictions apply in each phase, and the tactical implications for batting and bowling teams.
Read explainerThe Free Hit Rule in Cricket: What It Is, How It Works and Its Impact
The free hit rule — introduced in limited-overs cricket after a no-ball — protects batters from being dismissed on the following delivery. This complete guide explains all the rules and scenarios.
Read explainerSuper Over Rules: How the One-Over Eliminator Works in Cricket
The super over — cricket's sudden-death tiebreaker — is used when matches are tied after regulation overs. This guide explains every rule, scenario and famous super-over moment in history.
Read explainerDuckworth-Lewis-Stern Method: How Rain Rules Work in Cricket
The Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method calculates revised targets in rain-affected limited-overs cricket. This guide explains the system, its history and some of its most controversial applications.
Read explainerT20 Powerplay Rules Explained: Fielding Restrictions and Their Strategic Impact
T20 cricket's powerplay fielding restrictions are fundamental to scoring patterns in the first six overs. This guide explains what the restrictions are, why they exist and how teams use them tactically.
Read explainerPink Ball Test Cricket: Rules, Differences and the Day-Night Test Experience
Day-night Tests use a pink ball that behaves differently from the red ball. This guide explains the pink ball's characteristics, the rules governing its use and the tactical adjustments required.
Read explainerICC Code of Conduct: Player Behaviour Rules and Sanctions in International Cricket
The ICC Code of Conduct sets standards for player behaviour in international cricket. This guide explains what the regulations cover, the levels of offence and how sanctions are applied.
Read explainerThe Match Referee: Cricket's Independent Authority at International Matches
The match referee is cricket's independent enforcer at international level, handling player discipline, Code of Conduct violations and match integrity. This is a complete guide to the role.
Read explainerHow the Umpire Review Process Works in DRS Cricket
When a player challenges an umpire's decision in cricket, a specific review process unfolds involving on-field umpires, the third umpire and technology. Here is exactly how it works.
Read explainerDead Ball in Cricket: When Play Is Suspended and Why It Matters
The dead ball is a fundamental cricket rule that defines when play is active and when no further action can be taken. Understanding dead ball situations prevents confusion and costly mistakes.
Read explainerThe Mankad Dismissal: Backing Up Too Far and the Most Controversial Cricket Rule
The Mankad run-out — bowling out a non-striker who has backed up too far before delivery — is cricket's most debated dismissal method. The rule, the controversy and its evolving ethics explained.
Read explainerOverthrows in Cricket: Runs Scored, Boundaries and the Rules
Overthrows — when a fielder's throw goes past the stumps or wicketkeeper and allows extra runs — have specific rules governing how many runs are scored. The 2019 World Cup final changed everything.
Read explainerTimed Out in Cricket: The Dismissal That Almost Never Happens
Timed out is cricket's rarest dismissal — given when a new batter takes too long to be ready to face their first ball. The rules, the history and why it almost never happens.
Read explainerDeclaration in Cricket: When and Why Captains Declare Their Innings Closed
A declaration is a captain's decision to end their team's innings voluntarily before all wickets have fallen, used to set up match-winning opportunities in Test cricket.
Read explainerTied Match in Cricket: When Both Teams Finish on the Same Score
A tie in cricket is an extremely rare result where both teams complete their innings on exactly the same total, distinct from a draw where no result is possible.
Read explainerDuckworth-Lewis-Stern Method Explained: Rain Rules in Cricket
The Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method is the statistical system used to set revised targets in rain-interrupted limited-overs cricket matches.
Read explainerHandled the Ball in Cricket: A Dismissed Method Now Part of Obstruction
Handled the ball was a cricket dismissal where a batter wilfully touched the ball with a hand not holding the bat — now merged into the obstructing the field law since 2017.
Read explainerRetired Hurt in Cricket: When Batters Leave the Crease Due to Injury
Retired hurt allows a batter to leave the crease due to injury or illness without being dismissed, with the right to return later in the innings.
Read explainerPowerplay Rules in Cricket: Fielding Restrictions Explained
Powerplay fielding restrictions are one of the most strategically important rules in limited-overs cricket. This guide explains how powerplays work in T20Is, ODIs and the IPL, and why they create such attacking opportunities for batters.
Read explainerCricket Ground Dimensions: Boundary Length, Pitch Size and Field Rules
Cricket grounds vary enormously in size and shape. This guide explains the official rules on ground dimensions, why boundaries differ between grounds, how pitch dimensions are standardised, and what effect ground size has on match tactics.
Read explainerPink Ball Cricket: Why and How the Pink Ball Changed Test Cricket
The pink ball was introduced to enable day-night Test cricket under floodlights. This guide explains how the pink ball differs from the red and white balls, why it behaves differently, and the history of day-night Tests.
Read explainerKookaburra, Dukes and SG: The Three International Cricket Balls
Three different cricket balls are used in international cricket — Kookaburra, Dukes and SG — and each behaves differently. This guide explains the differences in construction, swing behaviour and the conditions each ball suits.
Read explainerDead Ball and Five-Run Penalty in Cricket: When Unusual Rules Apply
Some of cricket's most unusual rules govern what happens when the ball is dead or when fielding teams incur penalties. This guide explains dead ball situations, five-run penalties, and other unusual rule scenarios.
Read explainerCricket Umpiring: Challenges, DRS and the Modern Umpire's Role
Cricket umpires make split-second decisions that can change matches. This guide explains how modern umpiring works, the DRS review system, the pressures on international umpires, and how technology has changed the role.
Read explainerFree Hit in Cricket: Rules, Strategy and When It Applies
The free hit — a delivery from which the batter cannot be dismissed most ways — was introduced to punish front-foot no balls in T20 cricket. This guide explains when free hits apply, what dismissals are still possible, and how they affect bowling strategy.
Read explainerAll Cricket Fielding Positions Explained: A Complete Visual Guide
From slip to deep square leg, every cricket fielding position has a purpose. This guide explains where each position is placed and why.
Read explainerHow Umpires Make LBW Decisions: The Step-by-Step Process
LBW decisions are cricket's most complex rulings. Here is exactly how on-field umpires and DRS ball-tracking technology evaluate each appeal.
Read explainerMankad Dismissal in Cricket: The Rule, the Controversy, and the Law Change
The Mankad dismissal — running out a non-striker who backs up too far — was once considered unsporting. Since 2022 it is a legitimate run-out under the Laws of Cricket.
Read explainerHawk-Eye in Cricket: How Ball-Tracking Transformed DRS
Hawk-Eye is the ball-tracking system used in cricket's Decision Review System to predict whether a delivery would have hit the stumps for LBW decisions.
Read explainerHot Spot in Cricket: How Infrared Imaging Detects Edges
Hot Spot is an infrared imaging system used in cricket's DRS to detect whether the ball has made contact with the bat edge, confirming or overturning caught-behind decisions.
Read explainerSnickometer in Cricket: What It Is and How It Works
The Snickometer and its successor UltraEdge detect bat-ball contact using microphone audio, providing a visible sound waveform that helps umpires and broadcasters confirm edges.
Read explainerBall Tracking in Cricket: How DRS Predicts the Ball's Path
Ball tracking systems like Hawk-Eye use multiple cameras and physics models to reconstruct and predict the ball's trajectory, powering the LBW prediction in the Decision Review System.
Read explainerFielding Restrictions in Cricket: Powerplays, Circles, and Limits
Fielding restrictions — Powerplays, the 30-yard circle, and fielder limits — shape the scoring patterns of every limited-overs match.
Read explainerRules — Cricket Guides
The Laws of Cricket are maintained by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and have governed the game since 1744. Understanding them separates a casual viewer from someone who truly follows what is happening on the field.
The most debated law in cricket is Law 36 — Leg Before Wicket (LBW). A batter is out LBW when the ball hits their body (not the bat) and the umpire judges it would have gone on to hit the stumps, provided the ball pitched in line or outside off stump, and the batter was not playing a shot outside their leg stump. The introduction of the Decision Review System (DRS) has made LBW decisions far more accurate: ball-tracking technology predicts the ball's path with sub-centimetre precision, and 'Umpire's Call' retains the on-field decision when the ball is clipping the stumps rather than hitting them full.
Fielding restrictions shape the scoring patterns of every limited-overs match. In an ODI, Powerplay 1 (overs 1–10) restricts the fielding team to two fielders outside the 30-yard circle, creating an open outfield that rewards early aggression. Batting Powerplay (the optional five overs, typically taken in the middle) can be used strategically to attack a weakened bowling spell. In T20Is the first six overs are mandatory Powerplay with only two fielders outside the circle. These restrictions evolved to encourage higher scoring and make limited-overs cricket more watchable — and the data shows run rates in the first six overs of a T20I now average above 9 per over at the highest level.
The free hit rule, introduced to penalise no-balls, awards the batter a delivery from which they cannot be dismissed by any fielded method — only a run-out or handling the ball applies. In T20Is, a front-foot no-ball typically costs 2–3 additional runs (the extras plus the free-hit delivery) when a batter capitalises. The wide rule differs by format: in Tests, a ball must be genuinely out of reach to be called wide; in T20Is the umpire stands closer to the stumps when calling wides, meaning straighter deliveries are penalised even if the batter could theoretically reach them. These rules, and dozens more, are covered in depth across this collection of 1,200+ guides.
Rare dismissals — handled ball, hit the ball twice, timed out, obstructing the field — appear occasionally at all levels and cause confusion even among experienced fans. The DRS protocol, the no-ball review process (now referred to the third umpire), ball-change procedures, the follow-on threshold (200 runs in Tests, 150 in five-day matches), and the Mankad (non-striker run-out pre-delivery) all feature in detail across the guides in this section. Whether you want to settle a pub argument about whether a batter can be given out obstructing the field for accidentally deflecting a return throw, or understand exactly when a match referee can intervene, you will find the answer here.
← Back to all cricket guides · Cricket Glossary (1,900+ terms) · Test your knowledge →