NEW DELHI: The custodian of cricket laws, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), has announced the new edition of the Laws of Cricket for 2026, which will come into effect from October 1, including a major change in Test cricket that favours the bowling side.

The MCC has amended Law 12.5.2, stating that the final over of a day’s play will no longer end if a wicket falls. Under the current rule, if a wicket falls in the last over of the day, play comes to a close, giving the batting side a significant reprieve from losing another wicket.

"It was felt unfair that, if a fielding side takes a wicket in the final over of the day, the batting side does not have to send out a new batter. This doesn't save time (which is the case at lunch and tea) as the remaining balls need to be made up the next day, and it takes the drama out of the game, while letting the incoming batter off the hook - at a time when the conditions are often more favourable to bowling. The new change means that the final over of the day will be bowled fully, even if a wicket falls during it (assuming conditions remain fit)," MCC said.

Another major change in the fourth edition of the 2017 Code of Laws is an amendment to Law 5.8, titled 'Categories of Bat,' one of 73 changes that now allows the use of laminated bats in open-age cricket.

"The most substantial changes include the legalisation of laminated bats in open age cricket, rather than only in junior cricket, as part of an attempt to slow the rising costs of bats around the world. This is part of extensive research that MCC has carried out on this topic."

"As well as bats, there are also amendments to balls, as the Club has worked with manufacturers of cricket balls to set new limits, and names, for balls in various forms of cricket. This has been led by an initiative first tabled by current and former women's cricketers at World Cricket Connects," MCC stated.