Law Changes 2017
Working With Players On the Main Changes
Key Law Changes for Players
Society throughout the world is rapidly changing and cricket has been no exception. Changing lifestyles have meant an increase in different formats of the game to meet the differing needs of the players, spectators and officials.
We have asked players who have read the Law changes to give us their views on which of them are most likely to affect the recreational game, which we hope will benefit you in understanding their implementation. Umpire Education Manager, Glyn Pearson, explains a few of these changes below. Some of these might be dealt with when meeting the captains at the toss, others might need to be managed on-field.
Law 5 – The Bat
• There are now restrictions on the thickness of the bat and the overall depth, and a gauge has been produced to test that bats conform. ECB is to grant a moratorium before introducing this Law into recreational cricket in this country. This will enable players to replace bats which do not conform to the requirements of the new Law as and when they need replacing.
Law 21 – No Ball( bouncing more than once)
• It is now a No ball if the ball bounces more than once before reaching the popping crease, or if it pitches, wholly or partly, off the pitch. This brings the Law into line with regulations already being operated in many leagues and competitions, as well as in the First Class game.
Law 24 – Fielder’ s Absence; Substitutes
• A substitute may now act as wicketkeeper, providing the umpires give their permission.
• The revised Law officially introduces the concept of‘ penalty time’.
If a fielder fails to take the field at the start of play or at any other time, or leaves the field during play for any reason other than an injury caused by an external blow, then he / she shall start to incur‘ penalty time’ and will not be allowed to bowl until he / she has been back on the field for a period at least equal to the period of absence. Any unserved‘ penalty time’ will carry over into a subsequent innings or days, meaning that the player will not be able to bat until all his / her penalty time has elapsed.
The one exception to this restriction is that a player will be allowed to bat if his / her team has lost a minimum of five wickets.
12 email us at ecb. aco @ ecb. co. uk contact us on 0121 446 2710