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Cricket over the years have changed, and there have been new laws that have been introduced over a period of time. The rule makers, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), have shed light on Law 20.4.2.5, which states that when the batter is not ready when the bowler delivers the ball, it is called a dead ball.
Over the years, there have been rules that have confused the cricketers and the teams as well. After the two incidents from two different games during the Hundred 2026 happened, the clarification came from MCC. They have solved the confusion over the rules made. The two incidents had different outcomes as the umpires in the respective games gave different decisions.
What happened in the Hundred match?
During the match between the London Spirit and MI London, former West Indies National Cricket Team batter Nicholas Pooran withdrew his stance when Liam Livingstone ran in to bowl, as the Southpaw was not ready, and the onfield umpire Mike Burns called Dead ball as it was believed that Pooran was not ready to play the ball.
In another incident during the women’s Hundred match between London Spirit and Birmingham Phoenix, South Africa National Cricket Team player Marizanne Kapp made an attempt to play from a delivery from Linsey Smith despite not being ready. However, the on-field umpire in that very game, Mark Newell, ruled the ball counted as the former tried to play the ball.
MCC clarifies on dead ball rule
As per the Laws, the decisions made by both umpires were right despite being contrasting. After the incidents, MCC chose to clarify the rules and regulations and why the decisions were made by the umpires.
Under Law 20.4.2.5, an umpire must call and signal Dead ball if the bowler bowls while the striker is not ready, provided the batter does not attempt to play the ball and has a valid, justified reason for not being ready. If both conditions are met, the delivery does not count in the over.
The batter must show no intent or movement to strike the ball (withdrawing the bat is acceptable). Any half-hearted or actual swing negates the dead ball call. The batter must have a real cause for being unready, such as a bowler sharply rushing or shortening their normal run-up rhythm.
What does MCC Law 41.10.1 state?
Law 41.10.1 of the MCC Laws of Cricket states that it is unfair for a batter to waste time, and under normal circumstances, the striker must always be ready to take strike when the bowler is ready to start their run-up. The striker must be ready to face the delivery as soon as the bowler is prepared to run up.
The umpires can intervene and assess the context, such as whether a bowler is rushing unnaturally or if a batter has a valid reason to delay; if a batter wastes time, the umpire warns both batters, informing them it is a final warning for that innings. Even after warnings, penalties follow under the broader governing procedures of Law 41 Unfair Play.
