Rules of Cricket

Avid cricket fans will tell you that the game actually has "laws" instead of "rules." This is derived from the game's Victorian-era roots, and is one indicator of the gentlemanly nature of the game. Cricket's "laws" also are meant to keep scoring on the up-and-up because in Victorian times people would bet heavily on the game, making it vital that opportunities for cheating be minimized. The interpreter of these "laws" during the game is the umpire, and his rulings are the ultimate authority in a game.

Umpire's Authority

The umpire is the judge of whether players are following the spirit of the game, meaning behaving in a gentlemanly fashion as well as adhering to cricket's "laws." In fact, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has a strict code of conduct that players are responsible for following in official games. This includes not abusing equipment, clothing or fixtures, for example, or arguing with an umpire. Obscene language and gestures also are disallowed. If the umpire believes a player is not following the spirit of the game or the code of conduct, he can signal a dead ball and stop play, according to "Cricket and the Law: The Man in White is Always Right," by David Fraser.

Illegal Play

Players can be banned from the sport for periods of time if they engage in illegal play, such as an illegal bowling action. In theory, the bowler is not supposed to straighten his arm when throwing the ball. Under official ICC rules, a bowler is not allowed to extend his elbow beyond 15 degrees of flex when delivering the ball. This is the point at which straightening actually becomes visible. It's called "chucking" when the elbow is allowed to go beyond this flex point. An illegal bowl can only be called by the umpire or the match referee. Under ICC play, the bowler then must undergo a review by the ICC's Human Movement Specialist panel. If this body rules that the bowler's action was illegal, he is suspended from play.

Absence

If a fielder does not start play with his team, the umpire is given the reason. The fielder cannot re-enter the field until the umpire gives his approval. If the player is absent for eight minutes or longer, the player is not allowed to bowl or bat until he's been on the field for a time that equals or exceeds the time he was absent. The exception to this rule is absence due to injury, illness or any other reason that the umpire agrees is acceptable.

Captain

A cricket match is played between two teams that each have 11 players. One of those players is designated as a captain. The captain is responsible for ensuring that the players follow the games rules as well as adhering to the spirit of the game. The captain can also nominate four substitute fielders before the game starts.