Section 5: Rules of Play
The Toss — Law 12 (MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 Code, 6th Edition)
Before the match, the captains toss a coin. The captain who wins the toss decides whether to bat or field first. The toss must take place at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start of play (ICC Playing Conditions). After the toss, no alteration may be made to the nominated playing XI unless a player becomes unfit after the toss, subject to the opposing captain's consent or the match referee's approval.
Innings — Law 13
A match consists of one or two innings per side, depending on the format. In Tests, each side has two innings. In ODIs and T20Is, each side has one innings. An innings is complete when ten wickets have fallen (all eleven batsmen have been dismissed) or the allotted overs have been bowled (in limited-overs cricket), or when the batting captain declares or forfeits the innings.
The Over — Law 22 (MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 Code, 6th Edition)
An over consists of 6 balls bowled from one end of the pitch by the same bowler. No-balls and wides do not count toward the 6 legitimate deliveries of an over and must be re-bowled. A bowler may not bowl two consecutive overs (Law 22.8). At the end of each over, the umpires change ends and a different bowler delivers from the opposite end. In limited-overs formats, each bowler is limited to a maximum number of overs per innings (ODI: 10 overs; T20I: 4 overs; ICC Playing Conditions).
Dead Ball — Law 20
The ball becomes dead when it is finally settled in the hands of the wicket-keeper or bowler; when a boundary is scored; when a batsman is out; when the ball lodges in the clothing or equipment of a batsman or umpire; or when a penalty is awarded. While the ball is dead, no runs may be scored and no wicket may fall except as a result of a previously completed action.
No Ball — Law 21 (MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 Code, 6th Edition)
A no-ball is called by the umpire and results in one penalty run to the batting side plus the delivery must be re-bowled. A no-ball is called when:
- Front foot no-ball (Law 21.4): Any part of the bowler's front foot lands on or in front of the popping crease at the point of delivery (the foot need not be grounded).
- Back foot no-ball (Law 21.5): No part of the back foot lands within and not touching the return crease.
- Dangerous or unfair bowling (Law 41.6): Short-pitched deliveries that pass or would pass above shoulder height of the batsman standing upright at the crease. In ODIs and T20Is, a maximum of one short-pitched delivery above waist height per over is permitted per batsman (ICC Playing Conditions); the second such delivery in an over is a no-ball.
- Throwing (Law 21.3): If the bowler throws the ball (i.e., if the elbow is straightened by more than 15 degrees during the delivery action, as defined in the ICC illegal bowling regulations).
- Fielding restrictions (Law 28.5 / ICC Playing Conditions): If the fielding side has more players than permitted in restricted fielding zones during a Powerplay in limited-overs cricket, the umpire shall call and signal no-ball.
Under ICC Playing Conditions for ODIs and T20Is, a free hit is awarded to the batting side on the delivery immediately following a front-foot or back-foot no-ball. On a free hit delivery, the batsman cannot be dismissed except by run-out, handling the ball, hitting the ball twice, or obstructing the field.
Wide — Law 22
A wide is called when the ball passes so wide of the wicket or so high over the batsman's head that in the umpire's opinion the batsman is not able to play it with a normal cricket stroke. A wide results in one penalty run to the batting side, and the delivery must be re-bowled. In T20I cricket, ICC Playing Conditions specify stricter wide lines: any delivery passing outside the off-stump or leg-stump lines (marked on the pitch) is called wide.
Dismissals — Laws 30–39
There are ten ways a batsman can be dismissed (out):
- Bowled (Law 30): The ball, delivered by the bowler, breaks the wicket (dislodges a bail or knocks a stump out of the ground).
- Timed Out (Law 31): A new incoming batsman must be ready to face the next ball within 3 minutes of the previous wicket falling; otherwise they are timed out.
- Caught (Law 33): The ball, after touching the bat or glove (while the glove is in contact with the bat handle), is caught by a fielder before it touches the ground.
- Handled the Ball (incorporated into Obstructing the Field, Law 37, in 2017 Code): A batsman who intentionally uses a hand not in contact with the bat handle to field the ball may be out obstructing the field.
- Hit the Ball Twice (Law 34): After playing a stroke, a batsman deliberately strikes the ball a second time for any purpose other than guarding their wicket.
- Hit Wicket (Law 35): After the bowler has entered the delivery stride, a batsman breaks their own wicket with their bat, body, or clothing in the act of making a stroke or in setting off for a run.
- Leg Before Wicket (LBW — Law 36): The ball strikes part of the batsman's body (other than the hand holding the bat) that is in line with the stumps (or would have been) and would have hit the wicket, subject to a series of detailed conditions including where the ball pitched, where it struck the batsman, and whether the batsman attempted to play the ball. If the impact is outside the off stump, the batsman can still be dismissed if they did not attempt a genuine shot. If the ball pitches outside the leg stump, the batsman cannot be given out LBW.
- Obstructing the Field (Law 37): A batsman wilfully obstructs or distracts the fielding side by word or action.
- Run Out (Law 38): While the ball is in play, a batsman is out of their ground, and the fielding side puts down the wicket at the batsman's end before the batsman (or their bat grounded behind the popping crease) has made their ground.
- Stumped (Law 39): The wicket-keeper, with the ball in hand, breaks the wicket while the batsman is out of their ground, not attempting a run, and the ball was not a no-ball.
Powerplays — ICC Limited-Overs Playing Conditions
In ODIs, fielding restrictions (Powerplays) are in force for the first 10 overs (Mandatory Powerplay), during which only 2 fielders may be placed outside the 30-yard fielding circle. In the remaining 40 overs, a maximum of 5 fielders may be placed outside the circle. In T20Is, only 2 fielders may be outside the 30-yard circle during the mandatory first 6 overs; in the remaining overs, up to 5 fielders may field outside the circle.