Index
LAW 21 CHANGES
This Law defines a fair delivery and specifies sanctions for an unfair delivery
Although the previous Law disallowed underarm bowling, there was no penalty for it, so the new Law 21.3 introduces a penalty which is equivalent to that for a thrown delivery
In the modern game, where suspect bowling actions tend to be reported after the game rather than called immediately, the second and final warning has been withdrawn. Any delivery called on the field of play is likely to be a clear ‘throw’, which will incur a first and final warning, before suspension if repeated
Section 7 of this Law, covering a ball bouncing more than twice or rolling along the ground, has been amended. The change means that it will be a No ball if the ball bounces more than once before reaching the popping crease. This brings the Law in line with the professional game, and what is commonly agreed in competent recreational cricket, after bowlers deliberately started to bowl balls which bounced twice, which was not a good spectacle for the game. Furthermore, when a ball lands off the pitch or hits the join between an adjacent artificial pitch and turf, then No ball will be called and signalled immediately
Law 21.9 is a new section, which states that No ball and Dead ball are to be called immediately if a fielder intercepts a delivery before it reaches the striker. This situation was not previously covered in the Law, and M.C.C had received several queries about what to do when this had actually occurred
A new Law 21.10 is introduced, titled ‘Ball bouncing over head height of striker’, which clarifies that such balls are to be called as No balls. This is not a change of policy – rather it is better placed in this Law than its original position in Law 42.6 of the previous Code
The list in Law 21.11 includes a new offence, covered in detail in Law 41.8, when the umpire considers the bowler has bowled a deliberate front foot No ball
The previous Law 24.10 specified that an umpire should revoke a No ball call if the ball does not leave the bowler’s hand for any reason. Law 21.12 now specifies all of the situations when an umpire should revoke a call of No ball
Law 21.16 clarifies that Byes and Leg byes off a No ball will be credited as such, rather than as No ball extras. So, for example, if a No ball goes for 4 Leg byes, it will be recorded as one No ball extra and 4 Leg byes, with appropriate signals. Previously, this would have been recorded as 5 No ball extras
Law 21.18 (Out from a No ball) has changed now that Handled the ball has been absorbed into Obstructing the field. Therefore, Handled the ball needed to be removed from the ways of being out from a No ball
This Law defines a fair delivery and specifies sanctions for an unfair delivery
Although the previous Law disallowed underarm bowling, there was no penalty for it, so the new Law 21.3 introduces a penalty which is equivalent to that for a thrown delivery
In the modern game, where suspect bowling actions tend to be reported after the game rather than called immediately, the second and final warning has been withdrawn. Any delivery called on the field of play is likely to be a clear ‘throw’, which will incur a first and final warning, before suspension if repeated
Section 7 of this Law, covering a ball bouncing more than twice or rolling along the ground, has been amended. The change means that it will be a No ball if the ball bounces more than once before reaching the popping crease. This brings the Law in line with the professional game, and what is commonly agreed in competent recreational cricket, after bowlers deliberately started to bowl balls which bounced twice, which was not a good spectacle for the game. Furthermore, when a ball lands off the pitch or hits the join between an adjacent artificial pitch and turf, then No ball will be called and signalled immediately
Law 21.9 is a new section, which states that No ball and Dead ball are to be called immediately if a fielder intercepts a delivery before it reaches the striker. This situation was not previously covered in the Law, and M.C.C had received several queries about what to do when this had actually occurred
A new Law 21.10 is introduced, titled ‘Ball bouncing over head height of striker’, which clarifies that such balls are to be called as No balls. This is not a change of policy – rather it is better placed in this Law than its original position in Law 42.6 of the previous Code
The list in Law 21.11 includes a new offence, covered in detail in Law 41.8, when the umpire considers the bowler has bowled a deliberate front foot No ball
The previous Law 24.10 specified that an umpire should revoke a No ball call if the ball does not leave the bowler’s hand for any reason. Law 21.12 now specifies all of the situations when an umpire should revoke a call of No ball
Law 21.16 clarifies that Byes and Leg byes off a No ball will be credited as such, rather than as No ball extras. So, for example, if a No ball goes for 4 Leg byes, it will be recorded as one No ball extra and 4 Leg byes, with appropriate signals. Previously, this would have been recorded as 5 No ball extras
Law 21.18 (Out from a No ball) has changed now that Handled the ball has been absorbed into Obstructing the field. Therefore, Handled the ball needed to be removed from the ways of being out from a No ball