The Laws of Cricket is a code which specifies the rules of the game Worldwide and from the village green to International Test Matches.

The earliest known code dates back to 1744 and was published by ‘The London Club’ following a meeting in a Pall Mall Gentleman’s Club. The code established that teams shall consist of 11 players, that disputes shall be settled between 2 umpires, the concept of the ‘Over’ was introduced and the size and weight of ball established. In 1771, the width of a cricket bat was restricted to 4¼ inches, whilst the 1774 Code saw the introduction of the LBW law.

Since 1788, the Laws have been maintained by the custodian of the Laws the Maryleborne Cricket Club (MCC). A new code was established at that time introducing the LBW.

Since that time the Code has gone through several significant amendments in 1835, 1884, 1947, 1979, 2000 and most recently in 2017 when the current Code of Cricket Laws was introduced.

The 2017 Code was a significant amendment with over 200 changes made to the Laws of Cricket. Notably the Laws relating to Unfair Play were heavily amended and Law 42 was totally re-written and now lays down the laws in relation to Player Conduct.

The 2017 Code had a minor amendment undertaken which came into force in April 2019, and it is this, the ‘2017 Code 2^nd Edition 2019 that controls the game of Cricket.