The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) is making changes to the Laws of Cricket to include a broader selection of bats, aiming to ease financial pressures on amateur players facing rising costs of traditional English willow bats. The amendment to Law 5.8, titled Categories of bat, will come into effect on October 1, 2026, allowing the use of laminated bats, known as Type D bats, in open-age recreational cricket.
Type D bats, made from multiple wood pieces, were previously limited to junior cricket but will now be permitted more widely to address the increasing global bat expenses. While elite-level cricket is expected to stick with traditional one-piece willow bats (Types A, B, and C), the new rule also allows manufacturers to incorporate non-willow materials behind the bat’s face.
MCC Laws manager Fraser Stewart emphasized that the changes are part of the Club’s commitment to the game’s evolution, ensuring the Laws are relevant for all levels of cricket worldwide. The decision follows discussions at Lord’s regarding the future of bat production, driven by concerns over the scarcity of English willow and soaring bat prices, particularly due to demand from South Asia.
The MCC’s revisions also include eliminating gendered language, providing clearer wording for non-native English speakers, and introducing new regulations for multi-day matches and ball standards. These updates aim to maintain the game’s balance, sustainability, affordability, and clarity in the modern cricket landscape.
