The ball and the bat

Law 4 — Ball sizes and control

The 2026 text specifies Size 1, Size 2 and Size 3 balls. The match’s governing body chooses the size; if it has not done so, the umpires decide. The umpires control the balls throughout and take the ball at wickets, intervals and interruptions.

• Size 1: 156–163 g; circumference 22.4–22.9 cm.
• Size 2: 142–149 g; circumference 21.5–22 cm.
• Size 3: 133–140 g; circumference 20.5–21 cm.

Law 4 — When the ball changes

Unless agreed otherwise before the match, either captain may demand a new ball at the start of an innings. In a match scheduled for more than one day, the fielding captain may request a new ball after at least 80 complete overs with the old ball. A lost, unrecoverable or normally worn-out ball is replaced with one of comparable wear, not automatically a fresh ball.

Law 5 — Bat dimensions and contact

The blade is wooden and the handle mainly cane or wood. Maximum overall length is 96.52 cm, blade width 10.8 cm, depth 6.7 cm and edge thickness 4.0 cm. Except for size 6 and smaller bats, the handle may occupy no more than 52% of the overall length. The assembled bat must also pass through the prescribed gauge.

Ball contact with a hand holding the bat, or its glove, counts as contact with the bat. An unheld hand or glove does not acquire that status merely because the other hand holds the bat.

Law 5 and Appendix B — Construction and repairs

Type A bats are allowed at every level. Types B and C are permitted only at levels authorised by the national governing body. Type D bats may have a laminated wooden blade, made from no more than 3 pieces with a single-piece face, and may be coloured; they are restricted to approved lower levels. Bats outside Types A–D are not recognised.

Protective and repair material must not damage the ball more than ordinary exposed wood would. Flexible blade covering is limited to 0.1 cm and toe protection to 0.3 cm. Inserts for repairing deeper damage must be wood with minimal essential adhesive. Appendix B further limits coverings, handle materials, inserts and branding.

The gauge opening is 11.0 cm wide, 6.8 cm deep and 4.1 cm at the edge, with the specified 0.5 cm curve. These are gauge measurements, not replacements for the smaller blade limits. Permitted coverings must still fit through the gauge.