Is there anything in the laws of cricket that precludes a bowler bowling consecutive overs?

Question

Something I have often thought about in respect of limited overs cricket in particular. By way of example I pose this hypothetical situation, imagine a 50 overs per side match. The game is a tight one, it's the end of the 47th over, opposition needs 14 runs to win, 3 overs to go. Captain of the fielding side has a Glenn McGrath type bowler who can bowl tightly and economically at the end of an innings. Captain has held back this bowler to bowl the 48th, 49th and 50th overs. Is there anything in the laws to preclude this from happening?
I know that bowlers bowl alternate overs, but I was wondering if this is purely a traditional thing or whether there was anything in the laws that actually forbid a bowler bowling consecutive overs.

Additional Details

I guess i should add that I would really love to hear from an umpire who really knows the laws of the game about this one.

Well Roger Ford if that is what the law says then it appears that clearly the situation I outlined is not allowed. Thanks for the answer, I have followed cricket for a long time but I am ignorant of some of the finer nuances of the laws. The scenario I outlined occured to me some time ago, because it seemed a fairly good tactic if it was permissable. So, unless someone contradicts what you have said I'll assume you're right.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

I believe there is a law in place regarding this. Here's a little extract (read on..):

"Each innings is subdivided into overs. Each over consists of six consecutive deliveries bowled by the same bowler. No bowler is allowed to bowl consecutive overs. After the completion of an over, the bowler takes up a fielding position, while another player takes over the bowling."

Source(s):

http://www.ndca.asn.au/about_cricket.php

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Good answer

Answer 2

Spot on as Roger said. It also means that a bowler cannot bowl the last over in an innings and the first over of the next innings in the same game.

Answer 3

The bowler can bowl consecutive 6 balls from next next overs but not the consecutive overs.

Source(s):

http://www.cricket-true-or-not.blogspot.…

Answer 4

Yes. The laws of cricket preclude it.