When can I demand a new ball?

Q: When can I demand a new ball?

Under the Laws of Cricket (2017 Code, 4th Edition 2026): Start of each innings: unless an agreement to the contrary was made before the match, either captain may demand a new ball at the start of each innings (Law 4.3). Matches of more than one day: in a match scheduled to be of more than one day's duration, the fielding captain may demand a new ball when the number of overs bowled with the old one (excluding part overs) is 80 or more (Law 4.4). Lost or unfit ball: if the ball cannot be found or the umpires agree it has become unfit for play through normal use, the umpires replace it with a ball that has had comparable wear, and inform the batters and the fielding captain (Law 4.5). The umpires hold the balls throughout the match, and the umpire signals to the other umpire, the batters and the scorers whenever a new ball is taken into play (Laws 4.2 and 4.4). The size of ball is determined by the Governing Body responsible for the match; if none has been determined, the umpires decide (Law 4.6).

Question

Accepted Answer

Under the Laws of Cricket (2017 Code, 4th Edition 2026):

Start of each innings: unless an agreement to the contrary was made before the match, either captain may demand a new ball at the start of each innings (Law 4.3).
Matches of more than one day: in a match scheduled to be of more than one day's duration, the fielding captain may demand a new ball when the number of overs bowled with the old one (excluding part overs) is 80 or more (Law 4.4).
Lost or unfit ball: if the ball cannot be found or the umpires agree it has become unfit for play through normal use, the umpires replace it with a ball that has had comparable wear, and inform the batters and the fielding captain (Law 4.5).
The umpires hold the balls throughout the match, and the umpire signals to the other umpire, the batters and the scorers whenever a new ball is taken into play (Laws 4.2 and 4.4).

The size of ball is determined by the Governing Body responsible for the match; if none has been determined, the umpires decide (Law 4.6).