MCC remains responsible for the Laws of Cricket. However, it has long believed that the game should be played in accordance with its traditional 'spirit', as well as within its Laws.

In the late 1990s, two distinguished MCC members and ex-England captains, Ted Dexter and Lord Cowdrey, sought to enshrine the 'Spirit of Cricket' in the game's Laws - thereby reminding players of their responsibility for ensuring that cricket is always played in a truly sportsmanlike manner.

The Dexter/Cowdrey initiative proved successful, and when the current Code of Laws was introduced, in 2000, it included, for the first time, a Preamble on the Spirit of Cricket:

"Cricket is a game that owes much of its unique appeal to the fact that it should be played not only within its Laws but also within the Spirit of the Game. Any action which is seen to abuse this Spirit causes injury to the game itself."

The Preamble also explains the roles and responsibilities of captains, players and umpires in respecting and upholding the Spirit of Cricket.

If you would like more information on the Spirit of Cricket, please visit the detailed section on the MCC's website.