History

Cricket started out as a game played by children,but expanded to become a betting game and where rich aristocrats were involved,the wagers could be large.The earliest laws were drawn up in that context,to help regulate a game on which large sums of money were being staked.

The earliest exiting code of cricket was drawn up by certain ''noblemen and gentlemen''who used the Artillery Ground in London in 1744.In 1755 there is further reference to the laws being revised by several cricket clubs, particularly the star and garter in pall mall followed by a revision of the laws by a committee of noblemen and gentlemen in 1774.

A printed form of the laws was published in 1775 and a further revision to the laws was undertaken by a similar body in 1786.

However,these laws were not universally followed,with different games played under different guidance on 30 may 1788,the MCC which had been formed by the leading noblemen and gentlemen playing the game just 1 year before,produced its first code of laws.

The next major change was in 1809 and saw the further standardisation of the weight of the ball from between 5 and 6 ounces to between 5.5 to 5.75 ounces.

The width of the cricket bat was standardised for first time.

The length of stumps was increased from 22 to 24 inches and bails from 6 to 7 inches.In 1829 the length of stumps increased from 24 to 27 inches and length of the bails was increased from 7 to 8 inches.

A new laws was approved by the MCC committee on 19 may 1835 and another on 21 April 1884.

In 1947 a new code was approved by the MCC on May 7Th.In 1979 after a number of minor revisions of the code 1947,a new code was approved at an MCC special general meeting on 21 November.In 1992 a second edition of the 1980 code was produced.In 2000 a new code which for the first time included a preamble defining the spirit of cricket was approved on May 3rd.In 2003 a second version of the code 2000.

Throwing was first regulated in laws produced in 1829.

In 1864 overarm bowling was permitted for the first time.

In 1889,the length of an over increased from 4 balls to 5 balls.

In 1900 the length of an over was increased to 6 balls.

In 1922 variation was allowed in the length of the over.

In 1947 the length of an over was to be 6 or 8 balls.