Laws of Cricket amended from 1st September

Date released: 1 September 2003

The Laws of Cricket have been amended with effect from today (Monday 1st September 2003).

The main change involves a refinement of the Law on penalty runs, to increase the consistency with which they are awarded.

The amendments were agreed earlier in the year at a Special General Meeting of MCC - the guardian of the game's Laws. The changes take account of international feedback on the 2000 Code, which was generally well received and which included, for the first time, a Preamble on the Spirit of Cricket.

The amended Laws - to be known officially as "The Laws of Cricket (2000 Code 2nd Edition - 2003)" - will not affect competitions or cricket seasons which are already underway and which were originally stated as being played under the 2000 Code.

Commenting on the changes, Tony Dodemaide (right), MCC's Head of Cricket, said: "The Laws of Cricket are one of MCC's key responsibilities. The changes, agreed at the Club's Special General Meeting, in May, followed months of hard work by both our Laws Working Party and our Laws, Spirit and Ethos sub-committee. They also take account of the helpful comments that we have received from players, umpires and other officials across the world.

Cricket is indebted to everyone who takes so much time and trouble to ensure that the game's Laws remain relevant and up-to-date."