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.

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.

Tom Smith first wrote his guide for umpires and scorers in 1980. Since then, his indispensable guide has gone through six fully-revised editions. The 'new' Tom Smith is the first to be fully redesigned and updated for the 21st century. Its publication coincides with international recognition that there should be one universal standard for the training of umpires whatever country they operate in. The 'new' Tom Smith incorporates the full 2000 Code of the Laws of Cricket with subsequent amendments as ratified by the MCC and international and national cricket bodies. The freshly drawn diagrams are easy to follow and will be of value not only to umpires and scorers, but to all lovers of the game of cricket. As Richie Benaud, the great Australian cricketer and commentator, has said, he never goes without his copy of 'Tom Smith'. Nor should any spectator who wishes to feel fully qualified in discussing the application of the Laws of Cricket to the game. David Lloyd says, 'Tom Smith is just as valuable a piece of kit as Hawkeye, Snicko and Hotspot in the Sky Sports commentary box, its interpretation of the Laws of the game is the first thing we turn to regarding decisions. it's a "must-have" alongside the Laws of cricket.'

Cricket.

Now, incorporates the amendment made by the MCC on 19.01.2023 Some content is revised as of 24.05.2023, basically, highlighting some aspects. IMPORTANT - Added a table on page A70. ABOUT THE BOOK After the encouraging success of the first book based on the 2017 Code (2nd edn 2019), the author presents this book which incorporates the changes made by the MCC in the 3rd edn 2022. For ease of understanding, these changes are marked in red throughout the book, accompanied by suitable notes & explanations. The original Laws of Cricket are generally seen as presenting quite a challenge for any reader, what with the ‘legalese’ and the long, complex sentences, and the use of several cross-references. ‘The Laws of Cricket – Simplified’, is written for the aspiring young umpire, the schoolgirl/boy, the casual cricketer, the club cricketer, the cricket commentator - even the armchair expert - whose interest in the game might arouse within him/her a desire to pick up a copy of the official Laws of Cricket, and who might be somewhat flummoxed by the intricacies of the Laws. This is an effort to help the lay reader understand the Law, by simplifying the language used and breaking up long sentences. The book is embellished with illustrations, charts & tables in order to break up the more complex Laws for easier understanding. The simplification of the Laws is somewhat limited by my desire to keep its basic structure the same to enable easier look-up in the original Laws in case it is desired. It is hoped that the serious learner might, also, find this book useful, especially the accompanying charts & tables.