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Cricket · Laws of Cricket

Law 15: Declaration and Forfeiture

2 parts · 10 tests · 100 facts · updated 12 October 2026 · markdown

Law 15 lets the captain of the side batting declare an innings closed at any time when the ball is dead, lets a captain forfeit either of the side's innings at any time before it commences (both count as completed innings), and requires the opposing captain and the umpires to be notified, a decision that cannot then be changed.

15.151Declaration and Forfeiture: Declaring, Forfeiting and Notifying

Who declares and when, the ball being dead, forfeiting an innings before it commences, both counting as completed innings, notification to the opposing captain and the umpires, and how Law 15 sits with Laws 13 and 14.

Test 1Declaring an innings closedTake a test

  1. Law 15.1 gives the declaration to the captain of the side batting.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · recall

  2. A declaration is made when the ball is dead.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · recall

  3. Law 15.1 says at any time during the innings, when the ball is dead.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · recall

  4. Law 15.1 counts a declaration as finishing the innings, so for the result and the change of innings it stands as a completed innings.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · recall

  5. Law 15.1 is headed Time of declaration.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · recall

  6. Only the captain of the side batting declares.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · applied

  7. A declaration is made when the ball is dead.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · applied

  8. The ball is dead at the end of an over.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · applied

  9. Law 15.1 sets no earliest moment.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · applied

  10. The Law contains no lead requirement for a declaration.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · applied

Test 2Forfeiting an inningsTake a test

  1. A captain may forfeit either of his or her side's innings.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.2 · recall

  2. Any time before the commencement of that innings.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.2 · recall

  3. Forfeiture is only before the commencement of the innings.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.2 · applied

  4. A forfeited innings shall be considered to be a completed innings.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.2 · recall

  5. Law 15.2 is headed Forfeiture of an innings.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.2 · recall

  6. Either of his or her side's innings.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.2 · recall

  7. The Law sets only the end point, the commencement of that innings.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.2 · applied

  8. Either of the side's innings may be forfeited.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.2 · applied

  9. Law 15.2 gives the decision to the captain; Law 15.3 requires notification.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.2 · applied

  10. Laws 15.1 and 15.2 give the two timings.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Laws 15.1 and 15.2 · applied

Test 3Notifying a declaration or forfeitureTake a test

  1. Law 15.3 names the opposing captain and the umpires.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.3 · recall

  2. A captain shall notify.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.3 · recall

  3. Law 15.3 covers both a declaration and a forfeiture.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.3 · recall

  4. Once notified, the decision cannot be changed.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.3 · applied

  5. The rule applies to a forfeiture as much as to a declaration.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.3 · applied

  6. Law 15.3 is headed Notification.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.3 · recall

  7. Both the opposing captain and the umpires must be notified.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.3 · applied

  8. Law 15.3.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.3 · applied

  9. Law 14.2 is the follow-on; Law 15.3 is declaring and forfeiting.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Laws 14.2 and 15.3 · recall

  10. The decision cannot be changed once notified.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.3 · applied

Test 4Declared and forfeited innings in casesTake a test

  1. A declared innings is considered completed.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · applied

  2. A declaration needs a dead ball, and the ball is dead at an interval.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · applied

  3. Laws 15.1 and 15.2.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Laws 15.1 and 15.2 · recall

  4. Innings alternate under Law 13.2.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · applied

  5. A forfeited innings shall be considered to be a completed innings.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.2 · applied

  6. Forfeiture is any time before the innings commences.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.2 · applied

  7. The declaration comes during the innings, ball dead.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · applied

  8. Law 15.1 requires the ball to be dead.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · recall

  9. Law 15.1.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · applied

  10. The captain of the side batting declares.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · recall

Test 5Law 15 alongside Laws 13 and 14Take a test

  1. Time of declaration, Forfeiture of an innings and Notification.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15 · recall

  2. Law 15 is headed Declaration and forfeiture.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15 · recall

  3. Law 13.3.3 is the captain declaring the innings closed.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 13.3.3 · applied

  4. Law 13.3.4 is the captain forfeiting the innings.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 13.3.4 · applied

  5. Law 13.2 names Law 14 and Law 15.2.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 13.2 · recall

  6. Both use the words: once notified, the decision cannot be changed.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Laws 14.2 and 15.3 · recall

  7. Law 14 covers the follow-on; Law 15 covers declaring and forfeiting.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Laws 14 and 15 · applied

  8. The choice not to enforce is Law 14; declaring is Law 15.1.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Laws 14 and 15.1 · applied

  9. A forfeited innings is decided before the innings commences.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.2 · applied

  10. Laws 15.1 to 15.3.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15 · recall

15.152Declaration and Forfeiture: Reading the Law - Statements, Figures, Clauses and Errors

True statements about each clause, counting and ordering, finding the clause, spotting errors in notes, and cases from the ground.

Test 1Which statement is trueTake a test

  1. Law 15.1.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · recall

  2. Law 15.2.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.2 · recall

  3. Law 15.3.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.3 · recall

  4. Law 15.1.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · recall

  5. Law 15.2.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.2 · recall

  6. Law 15.1.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · recall

  7. Law 15.2.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.2 · recall

  8. Law 15.3.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.3 · recall

  9. Law 15.1.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · recall

  10. Its three clauses are 15.1, 15.2 and 15.3.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15 · recall

Test 2Counting and orderingTake a test

  1. The forfeit is before the commencement of that innings.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.3 · recall

  2. Either of the side's innings.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.2 · recall

  3. Any innings of either side can be declared or forfeited.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Laws 15.1 and 15.2 · applied

  4. A forfeiture must come before the commencement of the innings.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.2 · applied

  5. Forfeiture is before commencement; declaration is during.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Laws 15.1 and 15.2 · applied

  6. Declaring (13.3.3) and forfeiting (13.3.4) come from Law 15.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Laws 13.3 and 15 · applied

  7. A declaration is allowed while the ball is dead.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.3 · recall

  8. A forfeit must come before the commencement of that innings.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.3 · applied

  9. 15.1 for a declaration and 15.2 for a forfeiture.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15 · recall

  10. The declared innings is batted until it is closed; the forfeited one is not batted.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.3 · recall

Test 3Finding the clauseTake a test

  1. Law 15.1 lets the batting captain declare at any time during the innings, but only when the ball is dead; 15.2 covers forfeiture and 15.3 the notification.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · recall

  2. Law 15.2.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.2 · recall

  3. Law 15.3.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.3 · recall

  4. Law 15.1.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · recall

  5. Law 15.2.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.2 · recall

  6. Law 15.3.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.3 · recall

  7. Law 15.1.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · recall

  8. Law 15.2.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.2 · recall

  9. Law 15.3.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.3 · recall

  10. Law 15.1.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · recall

Test 4Spot the error in the noteTake a test

  1. Law 15.1.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · applied

  2. Law 15.1.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · applied

  3. Law 15.2.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.2 · applied

  4. Law 15.2.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.2 · applied

  5. Law 15.3.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.3 · applied

  6. Law 15.3.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.3 · applied

  7. Law 15.1.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · applied

  8. Law 15.1.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · applied

  9. Law 15.2.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.2 · applied

  10. Law 15.1.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · applied

Test 5Cases from the groundTake a test

  1. Law 15.3.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.3 · applied

  2. Law 15.3.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.3 · applied

  3. Law 15.2.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.2 · applied

  4. Law 15.1.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · applied

  5. Law 13.2.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · applied

  6. Law 15.2.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.2 · applied

  7. Law 15.1.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · applied

  8. Law 15.1.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · applied

  9. Law 15.3.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.3 · applied

  10. Law 15.1.

    Source: MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.1 · applied

Sources

MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd edition, 2022), Law 15 with Laws 13.2, 13.3, 14.2 and 11.3 as cross-references (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Laws, not reproduced)

  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.135
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.225
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 15.323
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 155
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Laws 15.1 and 15.24
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Laws 14.2 and 15.32
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 13.3.31
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 13.3.41
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Law 13.21
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Laws 14 and 151
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Laws 14 and 15.11
  • MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 code (3rd ed. 2022), Laws 13.3 and 151