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Law 40 The wicket-keeper
Law 41 The fielder
LAW 40 THE WICKET-KEEPER
1. Protective
equipment
The wicket-keeper is
the only member of the fielding side permitted to wear gloves
and external leg guards. If he does so, these are to be regarded as part of his person
for the purposes of Law 41.2
(Fielding the ball). If by his actions and positioning it is
apparent to the umpires that he will not be able to discharge his duties as
a wicket-
keeper, he shall forfeit this right and also the right to be recognised as a wicket-keeper
for the purposes of Laws 32.3 (A fair catch), 39 (Stumped), 41.1 (Protective equipment),
41.5
(Limitation of on side fielders) and 41.6 (Fielders not to encroach on the pitch).
2. Gloves
If, as permitted
under 1 above, the wicket-keeper wears gloves, they shall have no
webbing between the fingers except joining index finger and thumb, where
webbing
may be inserted as a means of support. If used, the webbing shall be
(a) a single piece of non-stretch material which, although
it may have facing material
attached, shall have reinforcement or tucks.
(b) such that the top edge of the webbing
(i) does not
protrude beyond the straight line joining the top of the index finger
to the top
of the thumb
(ii) is taut when a hand wearing the glove
has the thumb fully extended.
3. Position of
wicket-keeper
The wicket-keeper
shall remain wholly behind the wicket at the striker’s end from the
moment the ball comes into play until
(a) a ball
delivered by the bowler
either
(i) touches the bat or person of the striker
or (ii) passes the wicket at the striker’s end
or (b) the
striker attempts a run.
In the event of the
wicket-keeper contravening this Law, the umpire at the striker’s end
shall call and signal No ball as soon as possible after the delivery of the
ball.
4. Movement by
wicket-keeper
It is unfair if a
wicket-keeper standing back makes a significant movement towards
the wicket after the ball comes into play and before it reaches the striker. In
the event
of such unfair movement by the wicket-keeper, either umpire shall call and signal
Dead
ball. It will not be considered a significant movement if the wicket-keeper moves a
few paces forward for a slower
delivery.
5. Restriction on
actions of wicket-keeper
If in the opinion of
either umpire the wicket-keeper interferes with the striker’s right to
play the ball and to guard his wicket, Law 23.3(b)(vi) (Umpire calling and
signalling
Dead ball) shall apply.
If, however, the
umpire concerned considers that the interference by the wicket-keeper
was wilful, then Law 42.4 (Deliberate attempt to distract striker) shall
apply.
6. Interference
with wicket-keeper by striker
If, in playing at
the ball or in the legitimate defence of his wicket, the striker interferes
with the wicket-keeper, he shall not be out, except as provided for in Law 37.3
(Obstructing a ball from being caught).
1. Protective
equipment
No member of the
fielding side other than the wicket-keeper shall be permitted to
wear gloves or
external leg guards. In addition, protection for the hand or
fingers may
be worn only with the consent of the umpires.
2. Fielding the
ball
A fielder may field
the ball with any part of his person but if, while the ball is in play he
wilfully fields it otherwise,
(a) the ball shall
become dead and 5 penalty runs shall be awarded to the batting
side. See Law 42.17
(Penalty runs). The ball shall not count as one of the over.
(b) the umpire
shall inform the other umpire, the captain of the fielding side, the
batsmen and, as soon
as practicable, the captain of the batting side of what has
occurred.
(c) the umpires
together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible to the
Executive of the
fielding side and any Governing Body responsible for the match
who shall take such action as
is considered appropriate against the captain and
player concerned.
3. Protective
helmets belonging to the fielding side
Protective helmets,
when not in use by fielders, shall only be placed, if above the
surface, on the ground behind the wicket-keeper and in line with both sets of stumps.
If a helmet belonging to the
fielding side is on the ground within the field of play, and the
ball while in play strikes it, the ball shall become dead. 5 penalty runs shall then be
awarded to the batting side. See Laws 18.11 (Runs scored when ball becomes dead)
and 42.17
(Penalty runs).
4. Penalty runs
not to be awarded
Notwithstanding 2
and 3 above, if from the delivery by the bowler the ball first struck the
person of the
striker and if, in the opinion of the umpire, the striker
neither (i)
attempted to play the ball with his bat,
nor (ii) tried
to avoid being hit by the ball,
then no award of 5
penalty runs shall be made and no other runs or penalties shall be
credited to the batting side except the penalty for a No ball if applicable.
See Law 26.3
(Leg byes not to be awarded).
5. Limitation of
on side fielders
At the instant of
the bowler’s delivery there shall not be more than two fielders, other
than the wicket-keeper, behind the popping crease on the on side. A fielder will
be
considered to be behind the popping crease unless the whole of his person, whether
grounded or in the air, is in front of this line. In the event of infringement of this Law
by
the fielding side, the umpire at the striker’s end shall call and signal No ball.
6. Fielders not to
encroach on the pitch
While the ball is in
play and until the ball has made contact with the bat or person of
the striker, or has
passed the striker’s bat, no fielder, other than the bowler, may have
any part of his person grounded on or extended over the pitch. In the event of
infringe-
ment of this Law by any fielder other than the wicket-keeper, the umpire at the bowler’s
end shall call and signal No ball as soon as possible
after the delivery of the ball. Note,
however, Law 40.3 (Position of wicket-keeper).
7. Movement by
fielders
Any significant movement by any fielder after the ball comes into play and
before the
ball reaches the striker is unfair.
In the event of such unfair movement, either umpire shall call and signal Dead ball.
Note also the provisions of Law 42.4 (Deliberate
attempt to distract striker).
8. Definition of
significant movement
(a) For close
fielders anything other than minor adjustments to stance or position in
relation to the striker is significant.
(b) In the
outfield, fielders are permitted to move in towards the striker or striker’s
wicket, provided that 5 above is not contravened. Anything other
than slight
movement off line or away from the striker is to be considered
significant.
(c) For
restrictions on movement by the wicket-keeper see Law 40.4 (Movement by
wicket-keeper).
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