This version of the Laws of Cricket - Simplified is based on the 2nd edn 2019 of the 2017 Code of the MCC Laws of Cricket.

A new version.written by this author, based on the 3rd edn 2022 is, also, available on Google Playbook.

Though the MCC has issued a 3rd edn 2022 which is to come into effect worldwide on 1st Oct 2022, the BCCI, the controlling body for Cricket in India, has decided to continue using the 2017 Code 2nd edn 2019 during the cricket season 2022-23.

You will find this book useful if your home Board has not yet migrated to the new version (3rd edn 2022) of the MCC Laws.

I am making available this version as an eBook since umpires & cricketers will continue to find this book helpful for understanding the Laws during the coming season, till your home board adopts the new laws.

ABOUT THIS BOOK

Ever since the 2000 code of the Laws of Cricket was released, and I taught the same at the MCA entrance level, I have felt that the Laws of Cricket have been drafted in a manner that acommon lay person will be able to comprehend without the guidance of a tutor.

The Laws of Cricket, in its present form, is inundated with many cross-references that might, in my view, make the lay reader, the schoolboy; the club cricketer; the budding umpire, shy away from the study of the Laws of Cricket, should he happen to pick up a Law book. I shudder to think how those, whose first or second language is not English, cope with this.

With a view to making the Laws of Cricket easily understandable for just these persons, who are at the grassroots of the game, I set about writing this book. This book is based on the 2017 Code, 2nd edition 2019 of the Laws of Cricket.

To help in understanding some of the more complex of the Laws, which, at places, have a statement of law & exceptions to it, and exceptions to exceptions, and with cross-references to cross-references, I have included a few charts / tables to help break down some of the more complex Laws into smaller and more easily digestible morsels.

Since I have always found it useful to do so, I have highlighted, by underlining, and making bold, certain key phrases and keywords in the Laws, which help the learner to understand it better. Also, certain alerts are provided in the margins, to draw the attention of the reader to critical rules.

My efforts are to make the Laws of Cricket more user-friendly.

This book does not seek to replace the official Laws of Cricket, the copyright for which is owned by the governing body for the Laws of Cricket, the Marylebone Cricket Club, but to help spread it wider and to penetrate to the grassroots. For any dispute or further study, a reference should be made to the original Laws of Cricket.

Though this has made the rephrasing or paraphrasing of the Laws infinitely more difficult, I have retained the original numbering of clauses & sub-clauses, so that the reader can go to the relevant clause in the original Laws of Cricket as and when needed. I recommend that the student-reader have a copy of the ‘Blue-book’ ready when reading my book.

I hope the students of the game will find this book useful as also will anyone preparing for an umpiring test at any level.

It will be my pleasure to answer any query on the Laws of Cricket sent to mrsCricketLawsQuery@gmail.com

M. R. Singh