Leg Side Field Restriction

[jaybee]

I was recently involved in a friendly discussion about when the restriction on fielders behind the popping crease on the on side (Law 41.5) first came into play.

A colleague is adamant that this was in 1970 but I have a clear (I hope) recollection of it applying in club cricket in England before that - and probably as early as 1963.

It may be that the law itself was changed in 1970 but pre-existed as an experiment for several years before that, but I've not found any source to confirm or refute this idea. Unfortunately my run of Wisdens peters out in 1972 and so there's nothing there to help.

Can anybody quote chapter and verse to settle this point - only honour rather than money is at stake.

[gooders]

John, I am unsure whether you will get the answer you require from any current umpires, but I do feel sure that the correct answer should be available from the appropriate department of the MCC, who have been custodians of the laws since they were devised. If you check the Lords website, there is a link to contact them. Alternatively, you could always try Wisden itself, since they will doubtless have copies dating way back.
Hope these suggestions are of some help.

Regards, John G.

[jaybee]

Thanks John

I thought it would be interesting to find out if any of our regulars could shed light on this.

MCC / Lord's was my back-up source - I will wait a week or so before I do that.

[cheltump]

Leg side restriction is covered by Law 44 of the 1947 Code (4th Edition), which I have just looked up on cricinfo. Easy.

[jaybee]

cheltump
Yes we all know (or can find) that - but when did the restriction first apply to club cricket?

Was it when the Law changed in 1970 - or earlier, possibly as an experimental playing rule?

[gully]

I always thought 41.5 was intoduced as a consequence of the 1932 body line series in Australia

[jaybee]

gully
You're probably right about its origins but I think the law has been tinkered about with over the years - and in the 1950s and 1960s there were many experimental laws in operation and differences between the rules followed for 1st class and other cricket in the UK (plus ca change!).
I think that there were further changes made around 1962 or 1963, possibly following Jim Laker's success in the 1950s with off-spin and a packed leg-side field, but have been unable to pin down the details.

[Acumen]

Apologies for delay in responding to this question.

My memory was that is was introduced in 1960's after I had started umpiring.

Rait Kerr / Tom Smith 1963 has no mention of restriction on leg side fielders.

1969 edition contains the Experimental law about two behind but nothing about five in total on leg side. It says an experiment started by NCA "during" 1967.

Unfortunately Brodribb makes no mention.

I have a massive but chaotic archive so may return to this subject later.