Of all the rules governing sport, the laws of cricket are among the oldest. The first written rules of 1744 survive uniquely on the border of a piece of linen at the MCC Museum of Cricket. They were drawn up by certain 'Noblemen and Gentlemen' at a time when gambling on cricket matches was rife. The 'laws' were codified to ensure a fair outcome when so much was riding on the game. The story of the evolution of these laws and how they affected the game is a fascinating and seldom told chapter in the history of cricket.Following on from the success of The Rules of Association Football 1863 and The Original Rules of Rugby, this book reproduces the complete text of the original laws and is illustrated with images from the unique manuscript held at the MCC as well as images of the game from the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It also includes what is thought to be the first known image of cricket dating from a fourteenth-century manuscript now in the Bodleian Library.

In a readable, informed and absorbing discussion of cricket's defining controversies - bodyline, chucking, ball-tampering, sledging, walking and the use of technology, among many others - Fraser explores the ambiguities of law and social order in cricket.

If someone were to say 'it's not tennis', or 'not football' of shabby behaviour in any walk of life, he or she would not be understood. If they said 'it's not cricket', they probably would be (though less reliably than a century ago). Is there some special spirit of cricket? The laws of cricket, like the laws of the land, aim at a sort of justice or balancing between different factions. The purpose behind cricket's laws, and behind changes in them, is often to calibrate the balance in the game between batsmen and bowlers, between attack and defence, between safety and risk. Cricketing lawmakers are interested in the overall appeal of the game to players and spectators alike. In Spirit of Cricket, Mike Brearley alternates between issues and examples within the game - from 'Mankading' and the 'Sandpaper' affair to sledging, mental disintegration and racism - as well as broader issues such as the spirit and letter of the law. Brearley examines the issue of how far what purports to be justice (in law or in spirit) may or may not be the expression of the powerful within the activity or within society. He also contrasts cheating and corruption, and reflects on the nature of penalties in regard to each. He discusses the significance of the notion of the spirit of the game for umpires, groundsmen, administrators, media and spectators - and, of course, for players. Intelligent and insightful, Spirit of Cricket points to qualities in cricket that enhance our development as people - including a sense of fair play, the embracing of striving both for our team and for ourselves and the important values of playfulness in life and professional sport.

Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players each on a cricket field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 20-metre (22-yard) pitch with a target at each end called the wicket (a set of three wooden stumps upon which two bails sit). Each phase of play is called an innings, during which one team bats, attempting to score as many runs as possible, whilst their opponents bowl and field, attempting to minimise the number of runs scored. When each innings ends, the teams usually swap roles for the next innings (i.e. the team that previously batted will bowl/field, and vice versa). The teams each bat for one or two innings, depending on the type of match. The winning team is the one that scores the most runs, including any extras gained (except when the result is not a win/loss result). The game on the field is regulated by the two umpires, one of whom stands behind the wicket at the bowler's end, the other in a position called "square leg" which is about 15-20 metres away from the batsman on strike and in line with the popping crease on which he is taking guard. "Cricket is a game that owes much of its unique appeal to the fact that it should be played not only within its Laws but also within the Spirit of the Game". This book contains the fundamental and basic information of the subject and useful for teachers, students and researchers.

This QUESTION BANK is based on the Laws of Cricket 2017 Code (3rd edition 2022). As the name, QUESTION BANK, suggests, this book is a compilation of questions – 1001+ practical game-situations in Cricket, which are designed to test the knowledge of the serious student of the game. The QUESTION BANK is divided into convenient sections. The questions are all multiple-answer questions, and are aimed at highlighting some of the little-known nuances of the Laws. Answers for the questions, along with explanations wherever necessary, are provided at the end, in a separate section. In addition, I have added four Appendices as follows because I thought these might help the practical Umpire: Appendix Z1 – Examples of Calculation of Minimum Overs (Law 12) Appendix Z2 – Examples of working of Penalty Time (Law 24) Appendix Z3 – Graphics that explain what is a ‘Batter’s Ground’ (Law 30) Appendix Z4 – Graphics that explain the various possible situations of a Batter with a Runner’ (Law 25) The QUESTION BANK is, primarily, aimed at the aspiring Umpire who might be preparing for some umpiring qualification test at some level. Besides, I believe that the knowledge of an Umpire is best tested by evaluating how he applies his learning to the many varied situations the game can throw up. That is why I have chosen to put before the student, game situations to which he can apply the knowledge he might, already, have acquired. I think, however, this book can be of immense use to just about anyone associated with the game. If you are a player, coach, match referee, sports journalist, commentator, and, even, a spectator, you will find this book to be of use when faced with a peculiar game-situation. Even as I pen this, the 3rd Test match of the England-India series is on, and questions have arisen about the guard position of Indian player, Rishab Pant. I found that senior and experienced commentators did not know if the Umpire was at all empowered by the Laws to check the erring Striker. In the same game, a question arose about Rishab Pant, again, taping the last two fingers of his wicket-keeping gloves. The Umpires had ruled that it was illegal and had asked him to remove the tape. Many such situations arise in the game, the answers to which are not always clear. It has been my experience that players, their Captains, match referees and commentators do not really know some of the more intricate laws. In fact, I have seen some who don’t know even some of the simplest of the Laws! This book will answer all the questions they can possibly think of, and did not know whom to ask. I have no doubt that a better understanding of the Laws can make one a better player and a better coach. In my view, every batch of cricket trainees should undergo a session or two on the Laws of Cricket where the focus can be on the laws most concerning them. They need not be put through the whole lot. Besides, every player will hang up his boots one day. The knowledge acquired through this book might kindle some interest and might lay the foundations of an umpiring career ahead. I hope this book is found to be of use. mrsingh 28.08.2021 Preface to the REVISED edition After the publication of the first Question Bank in 2022, I soon realised that there were quite a few small but embarrassing errors. In a book of this kind, on which a lot of newbie umpires relied, this was most unacceptable and, also, damaging to my reputation and credibility. Most of the errors were minor in nature, like pointing to a wrong answer option or merely typos. But, to my everlasting regret, a few were not. I owe my buyers an apology on this account. In this edition, I have, hopefully, managed to eliminate all these errors and make this a book that readers can rely upon. I have, also, added a few more questions based on recent events. And I wish my student umpires good luck in their endeavors in mastering the Laws of Cricket. M.R. Singh 1. 11. 2023