*preface continued
COURTESY: THE SECRETARY & CHIEF EXECUTIVE, MARLYEBONE CRICKET CLUB
Significant dates in the history of the Laws are as follow:
1700 Cricket was recognized as early as this date.
1744 The earliest known Code was drawn up by certain “Noblemen
and Gentlemen” who used the Artillery Ground in London.
1755 The Laws were revised by “Several Cricket Clubs, particularly
the Star and Garter in Pall Mall”
1774 A further revision was produced by ” a Committee of
Noblemen and Gentlemen of Kent, Hampshire, Surrey,
Sussex, Middlesex and London at the Star and Garter.
1786 A further revision was undertaken by a similar body of
Noblemen and Gentlemen of Kent, Hampshire, Surrey,
Sussex, Middlesex and London.
1788 The first MCC Code of Laws was adopted on 30th May.
1835 A new Code of Laws was approved by the MCC Committee
on 19th May.
1884 After consultation with cricket clubs worldwide, important
alterations were incorporated in a new version approved
at an MCC Special General Meeting on 21st April.
1947 A new Code of Laws was approved at an MCC Special
General Meeting on 7th May. The main changes were
aimed at achieving clarification and better arrangement of
the Laws and their interpretations.This did not, however,
exclude certain definite alterations which were designed to
provide greater latitude in the conduct of the game as
required by the widely differing conditions in which Cricket
was played.
1979 After five editions of the 1947 Code, a further revision was
begun in 1974 with the aim being to remove certain
anomalies, consolidate various Amendments and Notes,
and to achieve greater clarity and simplicity. The new Code
of Laws was approved at an MCC Special General Meeting
on 21st November.
1992 A second edition of the 1980 Code was produced,
incorporating all the amendments which were approved
during the intervening twelve years.2000 A new Code of
Laws, including a Preamble defining the Spirit of Cricket
was approved on 3rd May,2000.
Many queries on the Laws,which apply equally to women’s cricket as to men’s,are sent to MCC for decision every year. MCC, as the accepted Guardian of the Laws, has always been prepared to answer the queries and to give interpretations on certain conditions,which will be readily understood.
(a) In the case of league or competition cricket,the enquiry must come from the committee responsible for organising the league or competition.In other cases,enquiries should be initiated by a representative officer of a club, or of an umpires’ association on behalf of his or her committee, or by a master or mistress in charge of school cricket
(b) CC reserves the right not to answer queries which it considers to be frivolous
(c) The enquiry must not be connected in any way with a bet or wager.
Lord’s Cricket Ground K Bradshaw
London NW8 8QN Secretary & Chief Executive MCC
5 May 2010
[Meaning for some important terms in TAMIL:NOBLEMEN-பிரபுக்கள் , ANOMALIES-முரண்பாடுகள்]
