The Umpire's
Bible
Searchable ICC Law Index & Neural Legal Intelligence.
The Players
Each team consists of 11 players. A nominated captain leads the side.
Substitutes, Runners, Batters Leaving the Field
A substitute may field but cannot bat, bowl or keep wicket.
The Umpires
Two umpires adjudicate on the field. Their decisions are final.
The Ball
Specifications for the cricket ball and when it can be replaced.
The Bat
The bat must not exceed 38 inches in length or 4.25 inches in width.
The Pitch
The pitch is 22 yards long and 10 feet wide between the bowling creases.
The Creases
Defines the popping, bowling and return creases that govern play.
The Wickets
Three stumps and two bails form the wicket at each end of the pitch.
Preparation and Maintenance of the Playing Area
Guidelines for pitch preparation before and during a match.
Roller
The batting side may request the roller before the start of each innings.
Covering the Pitch
Regulations on when and how the pitch may be covered during rain.
Innings
Each team has one or two innings depending on the match format.
The Follow-On
A team that trails by enough runs may be asked to bat again immediately.
Declaration and Forfeiture
A batting captain may declare the innings closed at any time.
Intervals
Rules governing lunch, tea, drinks breaks and time between innings.
Start of Play; Cessation of Play
Governs when play begins, ends, and how time is managed.
Practice on the Field
Restricts practice on the pitch and square during and before play.
Scoring Runs
How runs are scored — by running between wickets or hitting boundaries.
Boundaries
4 runs for grounded boundary, 6 runs for a clean hit over the rope.
Lost Ball
If a ball is lost, the fielding side may call lost ball to end the play.
No Ball
An illegal delivery — front foot overstep, height, action, or field placement.
Wide Ball
A delivery too far from the batter to be played counts as a wide.
Bye and Leg Bye
Extras scored when ball misses bat and keeper, or hits body without bat.
Fielders Absence; Substitutes
A substitute may only field — cannot bat, bowl or keep wicket.
Batters Innings; Runners
How a batter's innings begins, is interrupted, or comes to an end.
Striker Receiving the Ball
The batter may guard their wicket and play any shot they choose.
Appeals
A fielder must appeal for a dismissal — umpires do not act without one.
The Wicket Is Down
The wicket is down when the bails are completely removed from the stumps.
Batter Out of Their Ground
A batter is safe only when bat or body is grounded behind the crease.
Bowled
A batter is out bowled when the ball hits the stumps and removes a bail.
Timed Out
Incoming batter must be ready within 3 minutes of the previous dismissal.
Caught
A batter is out caught when a fielder catches the ball before it touches the ground.
Handled the Ball (now Obstructing the Field)
Merged into Law 37 — deliberately handling the ball is obstruction.
Hit the Ball Twice
A batter cannot deliberately hit the ball twice except to guard their wicket.
Hit Wicket
A batter is out hit wicket if they dislodge the bails with bat or body.
LBW (Leg Before Wicket)
Ball hits body in line with stumps — out if it would have hit the stumps.
Obstructing the Field
A batter is out for deliberately obstructing or distracting a fielder.
Run Out
A batter is run out if they are out of their ground when the wicket is put down.
Stumped
Keeper puts down the wicket when batter is out of ground — not from a run.
The Wicket-Keeper
The keeper must remain behind the stumps until the ball passes the batter.
The Fielder
Regulations on fielder conduct, positions, and ball interference.
Dangerous and Unfair Non-Pitching Deliveries
Beamers — balls above waist height without pitching — are illegal.
Players Conduct
Four-level sanction system for player misconduct on the field.