New code now has a pre-amble

MUMBAI, OCTOBER 5: The `Laws of Cricket (2000 Code)' shows significant changes from the previous one set in 1990, which was the second edi...

MUMBAI, OCTOBER 5: The `Laws of Cricket (2000 Code)’ shows significant changes from the previous one set in 1990, which was the second edition of the 1980 Code, with a Preamble to the laws and introduction of run-penalties for contravening Law 42, dealing with `Fair and Unfair play’.

While the earlier Code signified what constituted `a throw’ the latest Code gives the definition of a `Fair Delivery’.

`The Preamble The Spirit of Cricket’ talks about the responsibility of captains, players’ conduct and fair and unfair play besides authorising the umpires

to intervene in cases of time wasting, damaging the pitch, dangerous or unfair bowling, tampering with the ball or any other action that they consider to be unfair.

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It says that it is against the Spirit of the Game to dispute an umpire’s action by word, action or gesture, to direct abusive language towards an opponent or umpire or to indulge in cheating or any sharp practice.

It is against the Spirit of the Game, for instance, to appeal knowing that the batsman is not out, to advance towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing or to seek to distract an opponent either verbally or by harassment with persistent clapping or unnecessary noise under the guise of enthusiasm and motivation of one’s own side.

A five-run penalty will be imposed for tampering with the ball, deliberate distraction or obstruction of a batsman, time wasting (either by the fielding or the batting side), damaging the pitch (either by fielders or batsmen) and will be known as `penalty extras’. There is also the significant change in the Code over controversial topic of `chucking’.

The 1980 Code stated in its `definition of a throw’: A ball shall be deemed to have been thrown if, in the opinion of either umpire, the process of straightening the bowling arm, whether it be partial or complete, takes place during that part of the delivery swing which directly precedes the ball leaving the hand. This definition shall not debar a bowler from using the wrist in the delivery swing.

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The relevant Law 24.2 in the 2000 Code on `Fair delivery the Arm’ states: For a delivery to be fair in respect of the arm the ball must not be thrown.

`Definition of fair delivery the Arm’ further states, “a ball is fairly delivered in respect of the arm if, once the bowler’s arm has reached the level of the shoulder in the delivery swing, the elbow joint is not straightened partially or completely from that point until the ball has left the hand. This definition shall not debar a bowler from flexing or rotation the wrist in the delivery swing.

“Although it is the primary responsibility of the striker’s end umpire to ensure the fairness of a delivery in this respect, there is nothing in this Law to debar the bowler’s end umpire from calling and signalling `No Ball’ if he considers that the ball has been thrown.”

The bowler who is no-balled for contravening Law 24.2 more than two times in an innings will not be able to bowl again in the same innings.