The Laws of Cricket (1774)
The Game of Cricket, as Settled by the Cricket Club at the Star and Garter in Pall Mall
Law 1, The Game of Cricket
The pitching the first wicket is to be determined by the cast of a piece of money when the first wicket is pitched and the popping crease cut, which must be exactly 3 Foot 10 inches from the wicket. The Other Wicket is to be pitched directly opposite, at 22 yards distance, and the other popping crease cut 3 Foot 10 inches before it. The Bowling Creases must be cut in a direct line from each Stump. The Stumps must be 22 inches long, and the Bail 6 inches. The Ball must weigh between 5 and 6 ounces. When the wickets are both pitched and all the Creases Cut, the party that wins the toss-up may order which side shall go in first at his option.
Law 2, Laws for Bowlers - 4 Balls an Over
The bowler must deliver the Ball with one foot behind the Crease even with the wicket, and when he has bowled one ball or more shall Bowl to the number 4 before he changes wickets, and he Shall Change but once in the same innings. He may order the Player that is at his wicket to Stand on which side of it he Pleases, at a reasonable distance. If he delivers the Ball with his hinder foot over the Bowling crease the Umpire shall call no Ball, though she be struck or the player is Bowled out; which he shall do without being asked, and no Person shall have any right to ask him.
Law 3, Laws for the Strikers, or Those that are In
If the wicket be bowled down its out. If he Strikes or treads down, or falls upon the wicket in striking (but not over running) its out. A Stroke or Nip over or under his Batt or upon his hands (but not arms), if the Ball be held before She touches the Ground, though She be hugged to the Body, its out. If in Striking both his feet are over the popping Crease and his Wicket put down, except his Batt is down within, its out. If a Ball is nipped up and he Strikes her again Wilfully before She comes to the Wicket, its out. If the Players have crossed each other, he that runs for the Wicket that is put down is out. If they are not Crossed, he that returns is out. If in running a Notch the Wicket is struck down by a Throw before his Foot, Hand, or Batt is over the Popping Crease, or a Stump hit by the Ball, though the Bail was down, its out. But if the Bail is down before, he that catches the Ball must strike a Stump out of the Ground, Ball in Hand, then its out. If the Striker touches or takes up the Ball before she is lain quite still, unless asked by the Bowler or Wicket Keeper, its out.
Law 4, Batt, Foot or Hand over the Crease
When the ball has been in Hand by one of the Keeper or Stpers and the Player has been at Home, he may go where he pleases till the next Ball is bowled. If Either of the Strikers is crossed in his running Ground designedly, which design must be determined by the Umpires. NB - The Umpires may order that notch to be scored. When the Ball is hit up either of the strikers may hinder the catch in his running ground, or if She is hit directly across the Wickets the Other Player may place his Body any where within the swing of his Batt so as to hinder the Bowler from catching her, but he must neither Strike at her nor touch her with his hands. If a striker nips up a Ball just before him he may fall before his Wicket, or pop down his Batt before She comes to it, to save it. The Bail hanging on one stump, though the Ball hit the Wicket, is not out.
Law 5, Laws for Wicket Keepers
The Wicket Keeper shall stand at a reasonable distance behind the Wicket, and shall not move till the Ball is out of the Bowler’s Hands, and shall not by any noise incommode the Striker, and if his knees, foot, or head be over or before his wicket, though the Ball strike it, it shall not be out.
Law 6, Laws for the Umpires
To allow 2 minutes for each man to come in when one is out, and 10 minutes between Each Hand to mark the Ball, that it may not be changed. They are sole judges of all outs and ins, of all fair and unfair Play, of frivolous delays, of all hurts, whether real or pretended, and are discretionally to allow whatever time they think Proper before the Game goes on again. In case of a real hurt to a striker, they are to allow another to come in, and the Person hurt to come in again, but are not to allow a fresh Man to Play on either side on any Account. They are sole judges of all hindrances, crossing the Players in running, and Standing unfair to Strike, and in case of hindrance may order a notch to be scored. They are not to order any man out unless appealed to by one of the Players. These Laws are to the Umpires Jointly. Each Umpire is the Sole Judge of all Nips and Catches, Ins and Outs, good or bad runs at his own Wicket, and his determination shall be absolute, and he shall not be changed for another Umpire without the Consent of both Sides. When the 4 Balls are bowled he is to call over. These Laws are seperately. When both Umpires shall call Play 3 Times, tis at the Peril of giving the Game from them that refuses Play.