Who Really Makes Cricket’s Rules? It’s Not the ICC!
Written by Karan Sharma
Think ICC makes cricket’s rules? Think again! The real rule-maker is an 18th-century English club you’ve probably never heard of. Find out who controls the game behind the scenes.
Cricket may be the world’s most beloved game, but its rules often confuse fans—terms like LBW, No-Ball, or Duckworth-Lewis sound complex.
Surprisingly, the International Cricket Council (ICC) doesn’t actually create the rules of the game.
The real authority is Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), based in England and founded in 1787.
MCC has been the guardian of cricket’s Laws for over two centuries.
All key rules like LBW, boundaries, bowling actions, and even Duckworth-Lewis are defined by the MCC.
ICC only ensures these rules are applied in international matches, overseeing match referees and technical aspects.
The mathematical logic behind rules like D/L method is also devised by MCC or expert analysts, not ICC.
ICC can propose format-specific rules—like Super Overs or Powerplays in T20s—but they don’t alter the core Laws of Cricket.
MCC regularly updates the rules to keep cricket fair, modern, and balanced.
Next time you're confused by a cricket law, remember—it's the MCC pulling the strings, not the ICC!