Some important homework for our new 2016 season. Dec. 2015. by PLOH.

MCC has published important amendments to two Laws.
These are :- Law 40 The Wicket-keeper and Law 41 The Fielder.
They came in to force on 1st. October 2015, which is the date that all Law changes are enacted throughout the cricket playing world. So they will apply in our cricket from the start of the 2016 season.
They concern fielder and wicket-keeper movement.

The intention of the redrafted Laws is to retain all of the thrust of the existing Laws, but to allow fielders to move significantly, before the ball reaches the striker, if it is in response to the stroke the striker is playing or that his actions suggest he is intending to play.
It is felt that such movement is "intelligent fielding" in response to a stroke, and therefore should be allowed.
It is probable that the following incident has been a catalyst for the change :-
Those of you who are avid TV cricket watchers, may remember an ODI in the UAE last year, when Steve Smith of Australia on seeing a Pakistani batsman shape to play a reverse sweep, started to move from 1st. slip towards the leg side.
When the attempted reverse sweep ended in a top edge, an easy catch to Smith in the - now - leg slip position was the outcome.
MCC felt that the old Law, which required the fielders to stay in position until the ball reached the striker was no longer equitable in the modern game.

The Law changes are as undernoted and you should adjust your blue Laws book accordingly:-
New Law 40.4 Movement by wicket-keeper.
"After the ball comes into play and before it reaches the striker, it is unfair if the wicket-keeper significantly alters his position in relation to the striker`s wicket, except for the following :-

(i) movement of a few paces forward for a slower delivery, unless in doing so it brings him within reach of the wicket.
(ii) lateral movement in response to the direction in which the ball has been delivered.
(iii) movement in response to the stroke that the striker is playing or that his actions suggest he intends to play. However, the provisions of Law 40.3 (Position of wicket-keeper) shall apply.

In the event of unfair movement by the wicket-keeper, either umpire shall call and signal Dead ball."

New Law 41.7 Movement by fielders OTHER THAN THE WICKET-KEEPER. "Any movement by any fielder, excluding the wicket-keeper, after the ball comes into play and before the ball reaches the striker, is unfair except for the following :-

(i) minor adjustments to stance or position in relation to the striker`s wicket.
(ii) movement by any fielder, other than a close fielder, towards the striker or the striker`s wicket that does not significantly alter the position of the fielder.
(iii) movement by any fielder in response to the stroke that the striker is playing or that his actions suggest he intends to play.

Notwithstanding (iii) above, in all circumstances Law 41.5 (limitation of on side fielders) shall apply.

In the event of such unfair movement, either umpire shall call and signal Dead ball.

Note also the provisions of Law 42.4 (Deliberate attempt to distract the striker), See also 40.4(Movement by the wicket-keeper).

(Note - the existing Law 41.8 has been deleted)."

Delete the existing Law 41.8.

Please do remember to amend your Law books. If anyone has any questions or wants to discuss this further, let the Hon. Sec. Joe Moore, or Chair Jonathan Kennedy know, and it can be included as an agenda item at a later meeting before next April.