Section 4: Players & Officials
Players — Law 1 (MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 Code, 6th Edition)
A cricket match is played between two sides, each of eleven players. One player in each side is designated the captain. Under Law 1.3, in the event of a player being injured or becoming ill during the match, a substitute fielder may take the field, but the absent player may not bat, bowl, or act as captain or wicket-keeper while absent unless they have been designated as a Concussion Substitute under ICC Playing Conditions.
- Concussion Substitute (ICC Playing Conditions, effective 2019): If a player is diagnosed with a concussion or shows concussion symptoms during a match, a like-for-like replacement (a Concussion Substitute) may be approved by the on-field umpires and the team's medical officer. The Concussion Substitute may bat, bowl, or keep wicket. A Concussion Substitute cannot be reversed once approved.
- Super Sub (discontinued): The ICC trialled a Super Substitute rule in 2005 but abolished it after one season.
The Captain — Law 1.2
Before the toss, each side shall nominate a captain. The captain is responsible for ensuring their team's play is within the Laws and the Spirit of Cricket. The captain is the sole authority for declarations and forfeitures of innings. If the designated captain is absent, a deputy must be nominated before play begins.
Umpires — Law 2 (MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 Code, 6th Edition)
Two umpires are appointed to officiate in every match. They are the sole judges of fair and unfair play, and their decisions are final:
- On-field umpires: One umpire stands at the bowler's end; the other stands at square leg (or a position to observe the batting end). Their positions may change after each over.
- Signals: Umpires use a standardised set of signals defined in Law 2.12, including: Out (raised index finger); No ball (extending one arm horizontally); Wide (both arms extended horizontally); Boundary 4 (waving hand from side to side); Boundary 6 (both hands raised above the head); Dead ball (crossing and re-crossing wrists below the waist); Leg bye (raising one knee and touching it with one hand); Bye (raising one open hand above the head); Short run (bending one arm upward and touching the near shoulder with the tips of the fingers); Penalty runs — 5 penalty runs to batting side (touching near shoulder with tips of fingers of one hand); Penalty runs — 5 penalty runs to fielding side (touching near shoulder with tips of the fingers of both hands).
- DRS (Decision Review System): For ICC international matches, the Decision Review System is in operation. Each team has a limited number of reviews per innings (2 unsuccessful reviews per innings in Tests; 1 unsuccessful review per innings in ODIs and T20Is, per ICC Playing Conditions). Reviews may call upon ball-tracking (Hawk-Eye), Ultra-Edge (Snickometer), Hot Spot, and the on-field umpire's original decision. The third umpire adjudicates DRS referrals.
Third Umpire (TV Umpire)
For all ICC international matches, a third umpire (also called TV umpire) sits off the field with access to multiple television camera angles and replays. The third umpire is responsible for DRS referrals, soft signal reviews, run-out adjudications referred by on-field umpires, and other specified decisions.
Match Referee — ICC Playing Conditions
All ICC international matches are presided over by a Match Referee appointed by the ICC. The Match Referee does not participate in decisions about play but has jurisdiction over player conduct, imposing fines and/or suspensions for breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct. Offences are categorised from Level 1 (minor, e.g., excessive appealing) to Level 4 (major, e.g., assault of another player).
Scorers — Law 4
Two scorers are appointed to record all runs scored, wickets taken, and overs bowled. Scorers must acknowledge all umpire signals. In the event of a discrepancy between scorecards, the umpires adjudicate the correct score.