Law 13

Innings

An innings is one side's turn to bat. It ends when the side is all out, the agreed overs are used up, or the captain declares or forfeits.

What you need to know

Before the match, the sides agree whether it is one innings each or two innings each, and whether innings are limited to a number of overs.
A side is all out when no further batter is available to come in — normally after 10 wickets in an eleven-a-side match.
In a limited-overs match the innings also ends when the agreed number of overs has been bowled.
A captain can declare the innings closed, or forfeit it entirely.
In a two-innings match the sides bat alternately, except when the follow-on is enforced.

In a 20-over match, a side is 142 for 7 when the 20th over ends.

Their innings is complete on 142 — they are not all out, but their overs are used up.

In an eleven-a-side match, the tenth wicket falls.

The innings is over: there is nobody left to bat with the last batter.

MCC Laws of Cricket · 2017 Code, 4th Edition (2026)

Law 13 — Innings

Clauses 13.1, 13.2, 13.3

The Laws of Cricket, 2017 Code 4th Edition (2026). Summary in Inswing's own words — follow the link for the official text.