Cricket Laws - gujaratcricket.com

1. Number of players
A match is played between two sides, each of eleven players, one of whom shall be captain. By agreement a match may be played between sides of more or less than eleven players, but not more than eleven players may field at any time.

2. Nomination of players
Each captain shall nominate his players in writing to one of the umpires before the toss. No player may be changed after the nomination without the consent of the opposing captain.

3. Captain :
If at any time the captain is not available, a deputy shall act for him. (a) If a captain is not available during the period in which the toss is to take place, then the deputy must be responsible for the nomination of the players, if this has not already been done, and for the toss. See 2 above and Law 12.4 (The toss).
(b) At any time after the toss, the deputy must be one of the nominated players.

4. Responsibility of captains :
The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the spirit and traditions of the game as well as within the Laws. See The Spirit of Cricket and Law 42.1 (Fair and unfair play – responsibility of captains).

1. Appointment of scorers
Two scorers shall be appointed to record all runs scored, all wickets taken and, where appropriate, number of overs bowled.

2. Correctness of scores
The scorers shall frequently check to ensure that their records agree. They shall agree with the umpires, at least at every interval, other than a drinks interval, and at the conclusion of the match, the runs scored, the wickets that have fallen and, where appropriate, the number of overs bowled. See Law 3.15 (Correctness of scores).

3. Acknowledging signals :
The scorers shall accept all instructions and signals given to them by the umpires. They shall immediately acknowledge each separate signal

1. Weight and size
The ball, when new, shall weigh not less than 5 1/2 ounces/155.9g, nor more than 5 3/4 ounces/163g, and shall measure not less than 8 13/16 in/22.4cm, nor more than 9 in/22.9cm in circumference.

2. Approval and control of balls
(a) All balls to be used in the match, having been approved by the umpires and captains, shall be in the possession of the umpires before the toss and shall remain under their control throughout the match.

(b) The umpire shall take possession of the ball in use at the fall of each wicket, at the start of any interval and at any interruption of play.

3. New ball :
Unless an agreement to the contrary has been made before the match, either captain may demand a new ball at the start of each innings.

4. New ball in match of more than one day's duration :
In a match of more than one day's duration, the captain of the fielding side may demand a new ball after the prescribed number of overs has been bowled with the old one. The Governing Body for cricket in the country concerned shall decide the number of overs applicable in that country, which shall not be less than 75 overs. The umpires shall indicate to the batsmen and the scorers whenever a new ball is taken into play.

5. Ball lost or becoming unfit for play :
If, during play, the ball cannot be found or recovered or the umpires agree that it has become unfit for play through normal use, the umpires shall replace it with a ball which has had wear comparable with that which the previous ball had received before the need for its replacement. When the ball is replaced the umpires shall inform the batsmen and the fielding captain.

6. Specifications :
The specifications as described in 1 above shall apply to men's cricket only. The following specifications will apply to
(i) Women's cricket Weight: from 4 15/16 ounces/140g to 5 5/16 ounces /151g Circumference: from 8 1/4 in/21.0cm to 8 7/8 in/22.5cm
(ii) Junior cricket – under 13 Weight: from 4 11/16 ounces/133g to 5 1/16 ounces/144g Circumference: from 8 1/16 in/20.5cm to 8 11/16 in/22.0cm

1. Width and length
The bat overall shall not be more than 38 inches/96.5cm in length. The blade of the bat shall be made solely of wood and shall not exceed 4 1/4 in/10.8cm at the widest part.

2. Covering the blade
The blade may be covered with material for protection, strengthening or repair. Such material shall not exceed 1/16 in/1.56mm in thickness, and shall not be likely to cause unacceptable damage to the ball.

3. Hand or glove to count as part of bat :
In these Laws,
(a) reference to the bat shall imply that the bat is held by the batsman.

(b) contact between the ball andeither
(i) the striker's bat itself
or (ii) the striker's hand holding the bat
or (iii) any part of a glove worn on the striker's hand holding the bat shall be regarded as the ball striking or touching the bat, or being struck by the bat.

1. Width and pitching
Two sets of wickets shall be pitched opposite and parallel to each other at a distance of 22 yards/20.12m between the centers of the two middle stumps. Each set shall be 9 in/22.86cm wide and shall consist of three wooden stumps with two wooden bails on top.

2. Size of stumps
The tops of the stumps shall be 28 in/71.1cm above the playing surface and shall be dome shaped except for the bail grooves. The portion of a stump above the playing surface shall be cylindrical, apart from the domed top, with circular section of diameter not less than 1 3/8 in/3.49cm nor more than 1 1/2 in/3.81cm.

3. The bails :
(a) The bails, when in position on the top of the stumps,

(i) shall not project more than 1/2 in/1.27cm above them.
(ii) shall fit between the stumps without forcing them out of the vertical.

(b) Each bail shall conform to the following specifications.
Overall length:- 4 5/16 in/10.95cm
Length of barrel:- 2 1/8 in/5.40cm
Longer spigot:- 1 3/8 in/3.49cm
Shorter spigot:- 13/16 in/2.06cm

4. Junior cricket
In junior cricket, the same definitions of the wickets shall apply subject to the following measurements being used. Width:- 8 in/20.32cm
Pitched for under 13:- 21 yards/19.20m
Pitched for under 11:- 20 yards/18.29m
Pitched for under 9:- 18 yards/16.46m Height above playing surface:- 27 in/68.58cm

Each stump
Diameter:- not less than 1 1/4 in/3.18cm
nor more than 1 3/8 in/3.49cm

Each bail
Overall:- 3 13/16 in/9.68cm
Barrel:- 1 13/16 in/4.60cm
Longer Spigot:- 1 1/4 in/3.18cm
Shorter Spigot:- 3/4 in/1.91cm

5. Dispensing with bails
The umpires may agree to dispense with the use of bails, if necessary. If they so agree then no bails shall be used at either end. The use of bails shall be resumed as soon as conditions permit. See Law 28.4 (Dispensing with bails).