Rules Of Cricket

The game of cricket has been around for over a century, and the rules of cricket form the heart of the game. Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) revised the updated rules of cricket for the new millennium in 2000. These rules are designed to uphold certain standards and guidelines that would keep the game of cricket more fun, fair, and entertaining. 

1. Players. Each team should have eleven players. One of them should be the captain and a deputy is assigned to represent the captain in the event that he is not available. The deputy must also be one of the players. The captain should nominate to the umpire the players of his team before the toss.
2. Substitutes. A substitute is allowed if the umpire is convinced that a nominated player has been injured. The umpire has the discretion to accept valid reasons for the need for a substitute of a player regardless whether the game is on progress or not. The opposing captain has no right to object a player acting as substitute.
3. The pitch. This is the rectangular ground where to play cricket. The rules of cricket give the umpire sole responsibility to decide whether the pitch is fit for the game. The pitch cannot be changed unless the umpire finds reasonable ground to cancel the area such as safety concerns. The pitch should be 22 yards long and ten feet wide.
4. Follow-on. In five days or more with a two innings match, the team which bats first and is leading of at least 200 runs has the discretion to opt on requiring the other team to follow their innings. Their captain should notify the other team captain and the umpire on their decision. This option is also available in 150 runs within three to four days; 100 runs in two days; and 75 runs in one day match.
5. Practice on the field. No team is allowed to practice on the pitch or in any area parallel to the pitch at any time or day during a match. The rules of cricket specifically prohibit batting and bowling practice on the field between call of play and call of time.
6. Scoring runs. The score is given when the batsman crossed and made their ground from one end to another. The same is also given when scoring boundaries, awarding of penalty runs, and when lost ball is called.
7. Boundaries in the field play. This is decided upon by the umpires and the agreed boundaries are marked with a white line or a rope that is laid down on the ground. Allowance for boundaries must be six runs unless otherwise agreed upon by the umpires and the team captains.
8. Lost ball. The fielder may declare a lost ball when the ball can no longer be found or recovered. The ball will then be declared dead and will be replaced by a new one. The penalty for a lost ball stands together with the other penalties on deliberate short runs and fair/unfair plays that are applicable prior to the call for a lost ball.
9. Run out. The batsman is considered to be out run out when while at the time of play he is out of his ground or his wicket is put down by the other team. The batsman however cannot be declared as run out when he subsequently left his ground in order to avoid injury, he is out stumped, and the ball has not been touched by a fielder after bowler did a stride prior to the dropping of the wicket.
10. Appeals. An appeal must be made before beginning the run up by the bowler or before delivering the next ball in case there is no run up, and before calling of Time. Each umpire answers only on matters within their jurisdiction but they may consult other umpires to help them make a better judgment. An umpire's decision is final.