A declaration ends an innings already in progress; a forfeiture gives up one before it starts.
Published
Both are decisions for the captain of the side whose innings is affected. They complete that innings for the match, but neither is the same as conceding the whole match. Competition playing conditions can replace MCC Law 15, so the format must be identified before the ruling is applied.
Quick ruling: under MCC Law 15 in the 2017 Code, 3rd edition (2022), which remains the MCC baseline through 30 September 2026, the batting captain may declare only while the ball is dead and during the innings. A captain may forfeit either innings only before it commences. The opposing captain and the umpires must be notified; once they are, the decision cannot be changed. From 1 October 2026, the MCC 4th edition also bars both actions in the final innings of the match.
Scope
The authority and versions used here
This page uses the Marylebone Cricket Club Laws of Cricket 2017 Code, 3rd edition (2022), especially Laws 13, 15 and 16. MCC writes and interprets the Laws; national boards and competition organisers may replace or supplement them with playing conditions.
The page is checked to 26 August 2026. It separately identifies the MCC 4th edition effective 1 October 2026 and current ICC international playing conditions. It does not assume that a domestic league, school match or local cup has adopted either set unchanged.
Core distinction
Has the innings commenced?
That is the dividing line. Under MCC Law 15.1, a declaration closes an innings during that innings. Under Law 15.2, a forfeiture is available only before the commencement of the innings. Once the innings has commenced, it is too late to call the same act a forfeiture; a lawful early closure must instead satisfy the declaration rule.
Law 13.3 treats both a declared innings and a forfeited innings as completed. A forfeiture of an innings is not a match forfeit, refusal to play or concession of defeat. Those are different routes to a result under the applicable Law 16 or competition rules.
Declaration
The ball must be dead when the captain declares
Law 15.1 gives the decision to the captain of the side batting. The captain can declare at any point during the innings, but only when the ball is dead. Between deliveries, at an interval, during a suspension, or after the final ball of an over can therefore be valid moments, provided the ball is dead and the notification requirement is met.
A declaration cannot cut off a live delivery. Runs, a dismissal or penalties arising before the ball becomes dead remain part of the innings. The declaration then closes the innings at the score that stands; the unlost wickets are not converted into dismissals and no bowler receives invented wickets.
Forfeiture
Either allotted innings may be given up before it begins
Under MCC Law 15.2 in the 2022 edition, a captain may forfeit either of that side's innings at any time before the innings commences. No ball needs to be bowled and no score needs to be built first. The forfeited innings immediately counts as completed for the innings sequence and result calculation.
The other captain does not have to agree to the tactic under the MCC baseline. The act is notification, not negotiation. However, the match's playing conditions still control: if they make Law 15 inapplicable, the captain has no Law 15 option to exercise.
Notification
A private intention does not complete the procedure
MCC Law 15.3 requires the captain to notify both the opposing captain and the umpires of a declaration or forfeiture. Telling only a coach, scorer, broadcaster or teammate does not satisfy that wording. Once the required notification has been given, the decision cannot be withdrawn—even if the weather, target calculation or tactical position changes immediately afterwards.
The umpires apply the Laws and the appointed playing conditions. They are not asked to approve whether the captain's tactic is sensible, and the opposing captain has no veto where Law 15 applies.
Match effect
“Completed” changes the innings order and result calculation
MCC Law 13.2 normally alternates the innings in a two-innings match, subject to the follow-on and forfeiture provisions. Once an innings is declared or forfeited, play moves to the next innings required by that order. A declaration preserves every run, wicket and extra already recorded in the closed innings.
Law 16 compares the sides' aggregate runs in a two-innings match. Completing an innings early can therefore create a chase, produce an immediate result, or leave a draw possible because time expires before the final innings is completed. Law 15 itself awards no runs, wickets, points or disciplinary penalty.
ICC Tests
Current international Test conditions retain Law 15
The ICC Men's Test Match Playing Conditions effective June 2025, clause 15, and the ICC Women's Test Match Playing Conditions effective July 2026, clause 15, reproduce the current declaration, forfeiture and notification rules. In those versions, the captain may still declare during an innings when the ball is dead or forfeit either innings before it commences.
Those ICC documents do not yet contain MCC's forthcoming final-innings exception. An ICC match is controlled by the playing conditions appointed for that match, not automatically by a later MCC edition simply because MCC has published it.
ICC limited overs
No declaration or forfeiture in current ODIs and T20Is
Clause 15 of the ICC men's ODI and T20I conditions effective July 2025 says “Shall not apply.” The ICC women's ODI and T20I conditions effective July 2026 do the same. In those internationals, a captain cannot use Law 15 to stop an innings early or skip it before it starts.
The innings instead ends under the format's clause 13 completion rules—for example, when the side is all out, reaches its allocated limit, or the chase produces a result. Domestic limited-overs competitions should be checked separately rather than assumed to follow the ICC wording.
Change on 1 October 2026
The final innings will become an exception under MCC Law
MCC announced that the 2017 Code, 4th edition (2026) comes into force on 1 October 2026. Its revised Laws 15.1 and 15.2 begin with an exception for the final innings of the match. Under that edition, a captain may neither declare nor forfeit the final innings.
This is a real change, not a clarification of the August 2026 rule. Before applying it, check the match date and the governing body's implementation notice. A competition may incorporate the new MCC wording on a different timetable or retain its own playing condition.
Decision path
How to rule on the captain's request
Name the competition and date. Find the appointed playing conditions and the MCC edition they incorporate.
Check whether Law 15 applies. Current ICC ODIs and T20Is exclude it; current ICC Tests retain it.
Identify the innings. From 1 October 2026 under the MCC 4th edition, stop if it is the final innings of the match.
Ask whether the innings has commenced. If yes, only a declaration is possible; if no, a forfeiture may be possible.
For a declaration, confirm the ball is dead. Do not erase anything that happened while it was live.
Confirm the captain and notification. The opposing captain and umpires must all be told.
Treat the innings as completed. Preserve its recorded score, move to the next innings, and apply the relevant result and interval provisions.
Worked case 1
The message arrives while a delivery is live
Situation: in a match using the MCC 2022 edition, the batting captain sends a declaration message as the bowler begins a delivery. The striker then hits a boundary before the ball becomes dead.
Ruling: the declaration cannot close the innings during the live ball. The boundary remains in the score. Once the ball is dead, the captain may make and notify the declaration under Laws 15.1 and 15.3.
Worked case 2
A declaration sets a fourth-innings target
Situation: under the ICC Men's Test conditions effective June 2025, Blue scores 300, Red replies with 200, and Blue declares its second innings at 150 for 5.
Ruling: Blue's aggregate is 450 and Red's is 200, so Red needs 251 to win. The declaration completes Blue's innings at 150 for 5; the other five wickets are not dismissals. The decisive rules are ICC clauses 15.1 and 16.1.
Worked case 3
A forfeiture moves the match straight to the chase
Situation: under the MCC 2022 edition, Blue makes 250 and Red makes 200 in their first innings. Before Blue's second innings commences, Blue's captain forfeits it and gives the required notification.
Ruling: Blue's second innings is completed without being played. Red begins the final innings needing 51 to exceed Blue's aggregate. Red did not have to consent to the forfeiture; notification under Law 15.3 made the decision final.
Worked case 4
An ODI captain wants to stop at 320 for 6
Situation: a team reaches 320 for 6 after 47 overs in an ICC Women's ODI governed by the July 2026 conditions. Its captain wants to declare to start bowling immediately.
Ruling: no declaration is available. Clause 15 does not apply in that competition. The innings continues until an ICC ODI completion condition or the allocated innings limit is reached.
Common mistakes
Claims the Laws do not support
“A forfeiture is an early declaration.” No. A declaration is during an innings; a forfeiture is before it commences.
“The other captain must agree.” Not under MCC Law 15.3. The requirement is notification, although competition rules may differ.
“The umpires may reject a tactically unfair declaration.” Law 15 gives the choice to the captain. Umpires enforce timing, notification and the playing conditions.
“Every format permits declarations.” Current ICC ODI and T20I conditions expressly disapply Law 15.
“The published 2026 MCC book already governs August matches.” It does not take effect until 1 October 2026.
“A forfeited innings concedes the match.” It completes one innings only; the result is then determined under Law 16 or the competition rules.
Checked on 26 August 2026 against the MCC rule in force on that date, MCC's published 1 October 2026 change, and the listed ICC playing conditions. Domestic, age-grade and tournament regulations may use a different adoption date or disapply Law 15; the appointed match rules remain controlling.
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