What are the new cricket laws in effect for the Ashes?
- Michael Oliver
- @MichaelOIiver
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With the first ball of the 70th Ashes series set to take place in just a few hours time, we’ll run you through all of the rule changes in place for this winter’s cricket.
Bat size alterations
To maintain the balance between bat and ball, the playing conditions now restrict the size of the edges of the bats as well as their thickness. The restriction on the length and width of bats remain unchanged but the thickness of the edges can’t be more than 40mm and the overall depth can be 67 mm at the most. Umpires will be issued with a new bat gauge, which they can use to check a bat’s legality.
DRS
Many fans and players have shared their outrage towards the Umpire’s Call system and a change has been made.
No team will lose a review if the on-field decision remains unchanged solely as the result of the Umpire’s Call.
In addition, reviews are not reset after 80 overs. Teams will be in possession of just two reviews each innings.
Bouncing bat run-outs
Every now and then, you’d see a batsman running at full speed, diving to make his crease to avoid a run-out and just because of the way bats are shaped, they would often bounce up and lose contact with the ground, and in some rare cases this has caused them to be ruled out.
Changes have been made so that if a bat has been grounded in the crease, and it then subsequently bounces up and loses contact when the bails are dislodged, this will no longer be ruled a run-out.
Boundary catches
Airborne fielders making their first contact with the ball will need to have taken off from within the boundary, otherwise a boundary will be scored.
Helmet catches
A batsman can now be out caught, stumped or run out even if the ball bounces off the helmet worn by a fielder or wicket-keeper.
Misbehaviour
Players can now be sent off on the field for the rest of the match for any serious conduct, applying to Level 4 offences according to the ICC Code of Conduct.
Threatening to assault an umpire, making inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with an umpire, physically assaulting a player or any other person and committing any other act of violence all constitute Level 4 offences.