Quick Answer: The Laws of Cricket were first formally codified in 1744 by the “Star and Garter Club” and have been updated many times since, with major revisions in 1774, 1788, 1835, and 2000. The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has been the official custodian since 1788, and the current code is the 2017 version updated in 2022.
Why Cricket Needed Laws in the First Place
Cricket began as a village game with no formal rules. As it evolved into a serious gambling sport in the early 18th century, disputes over local customs became expensive and constant. By the 1720s, with large sums riding on matches, an agreed written set of rules became urgent.
An early step toward codification came in 1727, when the Duke of Richmond and Alan Brodrick drafted “Articles of Agreement” for private matches—useful, but not universal. A universal code came later.
1744: The First Laws of Cricket
In 1744, the “Articles of the Game at Cricket” were drawn up by members of the Star and Garter Club at Pall Mall. These early Laws established the foundation of the sport. (MCC Laws hub: The Laws of Cricket.)
- The pitch: 22 yards between wickets
- The wicket: two stumps, 22 inches high, with a bail 6 inches long
- The bat: no maximum width specified yet
- Dismissals: caught, bowled, run out, handled the ball
- Umpires: two umpires would decide disputes
A key legal shift happened here: arguments moved from players to umpire authority—an essential upgrade for the sport’s stability. The Laws also included early “clean catch” thinking (for example, clauses about the ball lodging in clothing).
1774: The Critical Updates
Three changes reshaped cricket’s rules permanently:
- LBW introduced: created to prevent batsmen using pads/legs to block straight balls that would hit the stumps.
- The middle stump: wickets changed from two stumps to three, fixing the flaw where a ball could pass between.
- Maximum bat width: set to 4.25 inches after “Shock” White used an absurdly wide bat.
(General reference summaries: Wikipedia – History of the Laws.)
1788: The MCC Takes Over
The MCC was founded in 1787 and assumed custody of the Laws in 1788—a custodianship that continues today (About the Laws of Cricket).
This split still matters: MCC maintains the Laws, while the ICC issues match-specific “playing conditions” for international cricket (ICC Playing Conditions).
1835: The First Major Overhaul
The 1835 revision was the first full rewrite rather than a patch update. Over-arm bowling—used “illegally” for years—was legalized, and definitions of fair delivery were clarified.
Key Changes Through the 20th Century
- 1907: clarifications as wrist-spin and delivery styles developed.
- 1932–33: Bodyline crisis accelerated restrictions on leg-side fields in response to dangerous tactics.
- 1963: limited-overs cricket created situations not covered by classic interpretations.
- 1980: major modernization and cleanup of the document.
- 2000: “Spirit of Cricket” introduced as a formal preamble.
The Spirit of Cricket
The 2000 Code introduced the “Spirit of Cricket” preamble, stating the game should be played not only within the Laws but also within a shared spirit of fairness and respect. Read it on MCC: MCC – Spirit of Cricket.
The 2017 Code: Current Laws of Cricket
The 2017 Code—updated in 2022—is the current version of the Laws (MCC – The Laws of Cricket). Key changes include:
- Mankading: clarified/reclassified and explicitly treated as a fair dismissal.
- Concussion substitutes: like-for-like replacements for head injuries.
- Ball-tampering: tightened provisions after high-profile incidents.
- Helmet fielding laws: updated due to increased helmet use on the field.
- Gender-neutral language: 2022 updates confirmed “they/them” wording across the Laws.
The 42 Laws: What They Cover
The current Laws consist of 42 Laws, broadly grouped like this:
| Law Range | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| 1–2 | Players and umpires |
| 3–7 | Equipment and the pitch |
| 8–11 | Toss, preparation, delays, start/cessation of play |
| 12–17 | Runs, overs, the innings |
| 18–29 | Ball in play — scoring, boundaries, wides, no-balls |
| 30–39 | Wicket and dismissals |
| 40–42 | Penalties, conduct, fair play |
FAQ: Laws of Cricket
When were the Laws of Cricket first written?
1744, by the Star and Garter Club in London.
Who “owns” the Laws of Cricket?
MCC is the custodian of the Laws (MCC – About the Laws), while the ICC manages international playing conditions (ICC Playing Conditions).
How many Laws are there today?
42 Laws in the current code.
When was LBW introduced?
1774.
What is the Spirit of Cricket?
A formal preamble on ethics and conduct: MCC – Spirit of Cricket.
What is Mankading and is it legal?
A run out of the non-striker leaving early; the modern Laws treat it as a legitimate dismissal. (See the current Laws hub: MCC – The Laws of Cricket.)
