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Cricket is about to look a little different. The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the official "guardian" of cricket’s laws, has just announced a massive update to the rulebook. With 73 material changes set to take effect from October 1, 2026, the goal is simple: keep the game exciting, fair, and in tune with the modern era.
One of the biggest talking points is a major change to the final over of the day in multi-day matches like Test cricket. Currently, if a wicket falls during the last over of the day, the umpires often call for "stumps," and play ends right there. Under the new rule, the over must be completed. The incoming batter will have to walk out and face the remaining balls, ensuring the bowling side doesn't lose the momentum of a fresh breakthrough and fans don't lose out on the late-day drama.
Beyond the "final over" rule, the MCC is also addressing the rising costs of the sport. For the first time, laminated bats (made from multiple pieces of wood) will be allowed in open-age recreational cricket. Previously reserved for juniors, these bats are cheaper than traditional single-piece willow, making the game more accessible for amateur players without giving anyone an unfair performance edge.
Other notable tweaks include:
Wicketkeeper Positioning: Keepers will no longer be penalized for moving their gloves in front of the stumps during the bowler’s run-up, as long as they are behind the stumps at the moment of release.
Standardized Balls: New ball sizes (Size 1, 2, and 3) have been introduced to create more consistency across men’s, women’s, and junior cricket.
Defining "Overthrows": For the first time, a formal definition of an overthrow has been added to clear up confusion between intentional throws and accidental misfields.
These updates aren't just about technicalities; they’re about making sure the game we love stays fast-paced and inclusive for everyone, from local clubs to the international stage.
Read More: Big Shake-up in Cricket MCC Rolls Out 73 New Rules to Modernize the Game
