The Marylebone Cricket Club (M.C.C.), as Guardian of the Laws of Cricket, has a duty to maintain the traditional balance between

the bat and the ball. In recent years, it has been evident that the bat is starting to dominate. Furthermore, with the developments in

technology and materials, a few cricket bats have appeared on the market with potential performance enhancing properties. M.C.C.

believes that, if the cricket bat becomes too powerful, it will be detrimental to the sport.

Consequently, in May 2008, the M.C.C. membership approved the introduction of a new version of Law 6, together with a newly

created Appendix E. The Law, which lays down details about the bat, was written following extended discussions with many bat

manufacturers, willow growers and the I.C.C.

The new Law is far more prescriptive than the previous version. The details can be obtained from the Lord’s website http://www.lords.

org/laws-and-spirit/ or from the Laws department at M.C.C. . In outline, salient features are:

and the grip and so is not visible.

No limits have been set on:

The umpires’ duty under Law 3 to ensure that the implements of the game conform to the requirements of, among other Laws, Law 6

cannot extend beyond visible features of the bat. Moreover umpires could not reasonably make the measurements and/or calculations

required for checking even some visible items. Consequently, the onus has been placed on manufacturers to ensure that their bats

conform to the new Law and are correctly graded. There will be random sampling of bats to check on these aspects of manufacture.

Umpires will not be expected to check the following items although they are prescribed in the new Law:

Umpires will be responsible for seeing that:

added strength in that area. It should not be confused with a toe guard, an external strip of protective material fastened onto the

underside of the toe, as protection against damage if the toe strikes the ground and to prevent moisture ingression. These added strips

are allowed in all grades of bat.

Umpires should accept that a bat is of the grade marked on it, unless it is clear from a visual inspection that is does not conform to

that grade. It is likely, however, that in the immediate future many bats will not show a grade.

The table below shows the characteristics of the three grades. The last column indicates whether this is something that the umpires

would be able to check if required.

National Governing Bodies decide what grades of bat are permitted at each level.

Requirements are laid down for Grades A, B and C. Bats which do not conform to any of these three grades are regarded as below

Grade C. They may be used only by special regulation or in special forms of cricket played outside the Laws.

In professional cricket, only Grade A bats may be used from 1st October 2008. In most amateur cricket all three grades may be used,

although it is possible that Grade C bats may not be allowed at the highest levels. The rules of Competitions should specify which

grades can be used.

From 1st October 2008, every new bat sent to the retailers by manufacturers should be marked with its grade. Only bats already in

use or currently in shops may not show the grade. In due course all bats must have the grade marked on them. It may take several

years before only these bats are in use.

If there is an obvious feature showing that a bat is incorrectly graded, umpires should not take issue with the player unless there are

restrictions on the grades to be used in that game. For example, a bat with a cloth covering may be marked as Grade A. The player

should be forbidden to use the bat only if Grade C bats are not permitted at that level of cricket.

However, M.C.C. needs to know of such mis-graded bats. Umpires are requested to note the make and model of the bat and send all

details to Laws@mcc.org.uk. M.C.C. will then investigate further with the manufacturer.

In professional cricket, only Grade A bats may be used from 1st October 2008. Bats must be marked as such, even if they pre-date the

introduction of the new Law. Manufacturers have been told to ensure that their contracted players use appropriately marked bats. If

a player tries to use an ungraded bat or a bat of Grade B or C, he should be told that he is not allowed to use it. A report should be

sent to the appropriate Governing Body for the game.

If a bat breaks during a game, the umpires or match referees are asked to try to inspect it to check for illegal materials. Items

particularly to look for are carbon fibre handles or any non-wooden objects inside the blade. If the presence of such materials is

suspected, M.C.C. requests that the bat is sent to them for further testing.

In amateur cricket there needs to be much more flexibility. Any bat purchased by an amateur player may be used until the end of its

natural life. This applies to ungraded bats and to bats, such as those with carbon fibre handles, which were legal but have become

illegal under the new Law. It does not apply to bats which were already illegal under the previous version of the Law.

Consequently, there will be a phasing out period during which players will be using bats that are ungraded or possibly illegal under

the new version of the Law. M.C.C. decided that setting a time limit to this phasing out period would be unfair to players who had

bought bats in good faith. A time limit has been set, however, beyond which they cannot be sold. Moreover, it is likely that eventually

Leagues and Competitions will themselves set a time limit on the use of such bats. Umpires will then have to act accordingly.

The new Law applies to bats of all sizes. An exception for bats of size 6 or less refers only to the length of the handle. Junior bats will

be graded but it is envisaged that there will be no restriction on grades allowed in Junior cricket.

All questions can be directed to the Laws department at M.C.C. Please e-mail laws@mcc.org.uk or telephone +44 20 7616 8751.