# Law 1: The Players (MCC Laws of Cricket)

Cricket · Law 1: The Players · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/cricket/laws/law-1-the-players/)

Law 1 covers the size of a side (eleven, or more or fewer by agreement, with never more than eleven fielding), the nomination of players in writing before the toss, replacing a nominated player, the captain and his or her deputy, and the captains' responsibility for playing within the Laws and the Spirit of Cricket.

## 1.11 The Players, Nomination and the Captain

Side size and the fielding limit; nominating and replacing players; the captain, the deputy and the toss; the captains' responsibility for the Spirit of Cricket; and how nominated players differ from substitutes.

### Test 1: Team size and the fielding limit

- A match is played between two sides of eleven, and one of the eleven is the captain. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 1.1)
- Law 1.1 lets the two sides agree to play with fewer than eleven. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 1.1)
- By agreement a match may be played between sides of fewer than or more than eleven. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 1.1)
- Whatever the size of the side, not more than eleven players may field at any time. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 1.1)
- If a side falls below its nominated number, the match continues as long as that is possible. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 1.1)
- The Laws refer to any agreements made before the toss. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 1.1)
- An innings is completed when balls remain but no further batter is available. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Laws 1.1 and 13.3.2)
- With no further batter available after eleven wickets, the side is all out. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Laws 1.1 and 13.3)
- Each side of eleven has one captain among its players. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 1.1)
- Only nominated players may bat, and in a twelve-a-side match all twelve are nominated. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Laws 1.1 and 25.1)

### Test 2: Nominating and replacing players

- Each captain nominates the players in writing. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 1.2.1)
- The nomination is made in writing to one of the umpires. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 1.2.1)
- Nomination comes before the toss, not before the first ball. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 1.2.1)
- No player may be replaced after nomination without the consent of the opposing captain. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 1.2.2)
- Replacement after nomination needs the opposing captain's consent, whoever wants it. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 1.2.2)
- Without consent a nominated player cannot be replaced. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 1.2.2)
- A replacement is considered the same player as the nominated player for the Laws. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 1.2.3)
- A replacement shall not bat in an innings in which the replaced player has completed his. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 1.2.3.1)
- The bar applies only where the replaced player had completed his innings. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 1.2.3.1)
- Unserved penalty time, warnings or suspensions pass to the replacement. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 1.2.3.2)

### Test 3: The captain and his or her deputy

- If the captain is not available, a deputy acts for him or her. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 1.3.1)
- Any person associated with the team may deputise to make the nomination. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 1.3.2)
- Law 1.3.2 lets a person connected with the side act for the captain in nominating. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 1.3.2)
- After nomination, only a nominated player can act as the captain's deputy. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 1.3.3)
- The toss is included in the duties only a nominated deputy may discharge. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Laws 1.3.3 and 13.4)
- A substitute shall not bowl or act as captain. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Laws 1.3.3 and 24.1.2)
- The deputy acts with the duties and responsibilities of the captain under the Laws. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 1.3.3)
- The deputy discharges the captain's duties, including the toss decision. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Laws 1.3.3 and 13.5)
- Once the decision is notified, it cannot be changed. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 13.5)
- The umpires meet the captains to determine the balls, hours of play, intervals and similar matters. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 2.3.1)

### Test 4: Responsibility for fair play

- Captains answer for both the Laws and the Spirit of Cricket. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 1.4)
- Law 41.1 (Fair and unfair play) restates the captains' responsibility. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Laws 1.4 and 41.1)
- The major responsibility is the captains', but it extends to all players, match officials and, in junior cricket, teachers, coaches and parents. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Preamble)
- The Preamble names respect as the idea at the heart of the Spirit of Cricket, and the rest of the Preamble spells out whom that respect is owed to. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Preamble)
- Respect covers the captain, teammates, opponents and the authority of the umpires. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Preamble)
- 'Accept the umpire's decision' is one of the listed Spirit of Cricket points. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Preamble)
- Players should congratulate the opposition on their successes and enjoy those of their own team. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Preamble)
- The Preamble says to thank the officials and the opposition at the end, whatever the result. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Preamble)
- Players are asked to show self-discipline, even when things go against them. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Preamble)
- The Laws apply equally to players, umpires and scorers of any gender. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Preamble)

### Test 5: Nominated players, substitutes and the toss

- Law 24.1.2 bars a substitute from bowling and from captaining the side; keeping wicket is possible, but only with the umpires' consent. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 24.1.2)
- A substitute may keep wicket only with the umpires' consent. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 24.1.2)
- Only a nominated player may bat or act as a runner. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 25.1)
- Only nominated players may bat, so a substitute may not. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 25.1)
- A nominated player may bowl or field though a substitute acted for him, subject to Laws 24.2 and 24.3. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 24.1.3)
- A substitute is allowed if a fielder is injured or ill, and this occurred during the match, or for another wholly acceptable reason. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 24.1.1)
- The toss takes place on the field in the presence of one or both umpires. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 13.4)
- The toss is held no earlier than 30 and no later than 15 minutes before the start. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 13.4)
- The window runs from the scheduled or any rescheduled time for the start of play. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 13.4)
- The captain who wins the toss notifies the opposing captain and the umpires. (Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 13.5)

Sources: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd edition, 2022), Law 1 with the Preamble and Laws 2.3, 13, 24 and 25 as cross-references (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Laws, not reproduced)

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