The MCC have announced several changes to the laws of cricket, with the controversial Mankad dismissal no longer being classed as "unfair play".
In an update to the laws, which will come into effect on October 1, Mankading has been moved from the "unfair play" section to the "run out" section.
Fraser Stewart, the MCC Laws Manager, explained the decision, saying: "It is a run-out but it has always been in the unfair play law and we questioned 'why is it unfair?'
"The bowler is always painted as the villain but it is a legitimate way to dismiss someone and it is the non-striker who is stealing the ground.
"It is legitimate, it is a run-out and therefore it should live in the run-out section of the laws.
"Before this change, this was the only way you could be out that wasn’t in the dismissals section of the laws so this just moves to correct that."
Another major change to the laws will see the use of saliva on the ball become permanently banned, a change that was first implemented temporarily due to the coronavirus pandemic.
As a result, using saliva to shine the ball will now be classed as ball-tampering, with Stewart adding: "It’s a matter of basic hygiene.
"The banning of saliva was part of playing regulations during Covid and we assessed it and there was very little impact in terms of how much the ball swings.
"It is a pretty unhygienic thing to do really, and we don’t think it will make any material difference and will shut the loopholes on use of sugary sweets."
The MCC have also announced several other rule changes, including one first trialled in the inaugural edition of The Hundred which means that when a player is out caught, the new batter will always be on strike for the next delivery.
Bowlers will also be afforded more leeway on wides and unfair movement by a fielder is now punishable by five penalty runs.
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