Cricket Rules Overhaul: 73 Changes from October, Final Over Mandatory, New Catching & Keeper Laws

• The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) announced 73 changes to the Laws of Cricket, effective October, aiming for a more contemporary and inclusive game.
• In multi-day matches, the final over of the day must now be completed even if a wicket falls, to maintain game excitement and fairness.
• Wicketkeepers can now stand level with or in front of the stumps before the ball is bowled without it being a no-ball, provided they are behind the stumps when the ball is released.
• The 'bunny hop catch' rule near the boundary is removed; fielders outside the boundary can only touch the ball once in the air and must be inside the boundary for a valid catch.
• New definitions for 'overthrow' clarify that only throws attempting to save runs or effect a run-out are overthrows, and the fielding team can decide the next striker after a deliberately short run.

Why It Matters: Major cricket rule changes by MCC from October aim to modernize the game, ensuring fairness and excitement.