Playing Conditions
- Laws of Cricket: Except as
provided by these Rules, the game of cricket shall be
played in accordance with the Laws of Cricket approved
by the Marylebone Cricket Club together with such
amendments as are approved by the New South Wales
Districts Cricket Association. (Link to MCC
Laws of Cricket)
- List of Players:
(a) Captains shall exchange before tossing list of the
declared players of their respective teams ("team
lists") and no alteration shall be made thereto
without the written consent of the opposing captain.
(b) In the event that a captain fails, in the opinion
of the Executive Council, to take reasonable steps to
enforce an exchange of team lists in the manner above
stated, no protest against the opposition shall be
considered insofar as it relates to the opposition having
played a person not declared in the original team and not
being a substitute fieldsman.
(c) Subject to subrule (b) above, the lack of an
exchange of team lists does not, of itself, constitute a
ground of defeating a protest.
- Equipment: Each team shall
provide the following equipment for each game.
(a) Ball - A new ball shall be used for each innings.
For A Grade matches on turf, an approved 4-piece ball
shall be used. For other Grades playing on turf, an
approved 2-piece or 4-piece ball shall be used. For all
matches on synthetic pitches, an approved 2-piece ball
shall be used.
(b) Wickets (stumps and bails) - Each team is
responsible for providing two complete set of wickets (6
stumps and 4 bails) and installing one set each prior to the
start of play. The second set for each team is
required as a spare in case of damage.
(c) Scorebook - Each team shall provide and use an
approved scorebook for each match.
(d) Boundary markers - Each team shall provide at least
six (6) suitable boundary markers (witches hats, cones,
flags) to ensure the boundary is adequately marked prior
to the commencement of play. Dangerous items such as
stumps should not be used as boundary markers.
(e) Protective equipment - Each batsman, wicketkeeper
and close-in fieldsman should wear appropriate protective
equipment. (New clause)
- Two Day Games:
(a) The hours of play for A Grade fixtures shall be
from 1 pm to 6 pm on each day. For all other Grades the
fixtures shall be from 1.30 pm to 6 pm on each day. Play
shall continue past 6 pm subject to the 20 over rule on
the second day as outlined in (f) below. All hours of play
shall be 30 minutes earlier when daylight savings time
does not apply.
(b) An afternoon tea interval of 10 minutes shall be
taken at 3:30 p.m. but should an innings be completed
between 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., an interval of 20 minutes
shall be taken immediately. If nine wickets are down at
3:30 p.m. play should continue either until the innings is
completed (when a 20 minute interval is taken) or until 4
p.m. (when a 10 minute interval is taken).
(c) The captains may agree that there shall be
intervals for drinks at the middle of each session. Each
interval shall be kept as short as possible and in any
case shall not exceed 5 minutes.
(d) If the first innings of each team has been
completed and/or a result obtained, stumps may be drawn if
both Captains agree that an outright result cannot be
obtained. However, if either Captain is of the opinion
that an outright result may be obtained then the match
shall continue in accordance with the hours of play.
(e) The team batting first shall not bat longer than 5
hours (A Grade) or 4.5 hours (B, B Reserve and C Grades) -
including the afternoon tea break - but should time be
lost due to bad weather or bad light only, the team
batting first may continue batting on the second day for a
period not exceeding half the time lost on the first day
less 5 minutes. If play starts late on the second day due
to bad weather or bad light or is interrupted for the same
reason before the team batting first completes it innings
the batting time allowed on the second day for the team
batting first shall be reduced by one half of the time
lost on the second day. Any time lost due to a late start
for reasons other than weather or light shall be deemed to
be batting time.
(f) The team which bats first in any match and leads by
75 runs at least on the first innings shall have the
option of requiring the opposing team to follow its first
innings.
(g) A minimum of 20 overs must be bowled in the final
scheduled hour of play on the final day of a Two Day
Match. If there is any time lost in this hour due to bad
weather, bad light, or change of innings, the minimum
number of overs left to be bowled shall be reduced by one
for every three minutes, or part thereof, of playing time
lost.
(h) If no play occurs on the first day of a Two Day
Match, One Day Rules apply on the second day. (Entire
clause rewritten and reorganised, but intent not changed)
- One Day Games:
(a) The hours of play for one day matches shall be 1.00
pm - 6.00 pm (30 minutes earlier when daylight savings
does not apply). An interval of 10 minutes, during which
time tea shall be taken, will occur at the completion of
the innings of the team batting first. The captains may
agree that there shall be intervals for drinks at the
middle of each session. Each interval shall be kept as
short as possible and in any case shall not exceed 5
minutes.
(b) The maximum number of overs that the team batting
first is entitled to receive in its first innings is 36
(40 for A Grade) less one over for each eight complete
minutes lost through bad weather or bad light during its
innings, provided that if it is not possible for both
sides to receive 20 overs the match shall be a draw.
(c) The maximum number of overs per bowler is 8 overs
during the first innings of either team. In the event of
the maximum number of overs being less than 36 (40 for A
Grade), the maximum number of overs per bowler in an
innings shall be one-fifth (1/5) of the maximum number of
overs per team (rounded up to the nearest whole number if
necessary) as defined in (b) above. If the maximum number
of overs per innings is reduced due to a stoppage of play
during that innings, the maximum number of overs per
bowler shall be not change from that calculated at the
beginning of the innings. In the event that a bowler
cannot complete an over due to injury or suspension and
the over is completed by another player, each part of the
over completed by either player shall be considered as a
complete over with regards to the maximum number of overs
permitted by any bowler. (Eg play starts 64 minutes late
due to rain, so 8 overs per team is lost, so the match
becomes 28 overs, with maximum number of overs per bowler
being 6. There is more rain after the first innings has
started, reducing the match to 20 overs. The maximum
number of overs per bowler shall remain at 6).
(d) Unless it either is dismissed or declares its
innings closed, the team batting second is entitled to
receive the same maximum number of overs as defined in (b)
above. Play may continue past the scheduled finish time if
necessary to satisfy this requirement. The approval of
both captains is required for the continuation of play
past 6.30 pm under this rule.
(e) If the team batting second has not scored as many
runs as the team batting first, and through bad weather or
bad light is unable to receive its full entitlement of
overs, the result is a draw.
(f) The team batting first may not declare its first
innings closed until it has received at least half of its
maximum number of overs. The team batting second may not
declare its first innings closed until it has received at
least half of its maximum number of overs or has achieved
a first innings victory. (New)
(g) After either of the teams has achieved a first
innings win, or after the two teams have tied, if either
Captain is of the opinion that an outright result may be
obtained then the match shall continue in accordance with
the hours of play. Two day rules will apply to any play
occurring in this case.
(h) If no play occurs on the first day of a Two Day
Match, One Day Rules apply on the second day. (Entire
clause slightly rewritten and reorganised, but intent not
changed, except for the declaration rule)
- Minimum Number of Players: A
team is required to have seven players in attendance
at all times during a match and if it fails to do so,
it shall forfeit the match.
- Late Arrival:
(a) Matches are required to commence at the times set
out in Rules 46 and 47.
Should a team not be ready to start at the appointed time,
the opposing captain shall notify the offending captain
that he intends claiming a forfeit and will be playing the
match under protest. He will subsequently submit his
protest to the Executive Council in terms of Rule 65.
(b) Where a team is not in attendance one hour after
the starting time it shall be deemed to have forfeited the
match.
- Dress: The standard of dress can
reflect the general standard of the conduct of the
game. Correct attire is expected.
Proper attire shall mean - "white or cream shirt,
white or cream trousers, white boots or shoes, and where
headgear is worn it shall be a recognised cricket cap,
white hat or helmet, and where a pullover is worn it must
be white or cream. Players under 16 may wear white
shorts."
Coloured football socks, pullovers or shoes are not
considered to be correct attire and breaches should be
reported promptly.
A player not properly dressed is not permitted to play
except with the consent of the opposing captain and in any
event if he wears dark trousers, shirt or pullover he
shall not be permitted to bowl. (Note: Brand boots and
shoes, predominantly white but with minimal colour stripes
are acceptable.)
Spiked shoes are specifically prohibited on synthetic
wickets. (This sentence new)
- No Ball Rule:
(a) For a delivery to be fair, the ball must not be
thrown. If either umpire be not entirely satisfied of the
absolute fairness of a delivery in this respect, he shall
call and signal "NO BALL" instantly on delivery.
(b) For a delivery to be fair in respect of the feet,
in the delivery stride
(i) the bowler's back foot must land within and not
touching the return crease.
(ii) the bowler's front foot must land with some part
of the foot, whether grounded or raised, behind the
popping crease.
If the umpire at the bowler's end is not satisfied that
both these conditions have been met, he shall call and
signal No ball.
(c) The umpire at square leg shall call and signal
"NO BALL" if at the moment of delivery there are
more than two fieldsmen between square leg and the
wicket-keeper.
(d) Where an artificial grass pitch is used, the umpire
at the bowlers wicket shall call and signal "NO
BALL" if any ball bowled shall bounce off the pitch
on either side of it.
(e) For a "slow" full toss above the
striker's shoulder, a "fast" full toss above the
striker's waist, or any ball bouncing above the striker's
head (for the striker standing upright), either umpire
shall call and signal "No ball".
The appropriate clauses of the MCC Rules of Cricket
relating to No Ball also apply. (Slightly
rewritten)
- Wides:
(a) The umpire at the bowler's end shall call and
signal "Wide" if, in his opinion, the ball
passes wide of the striker where he is standing and would
also have passed wide of him standing in a normal guard
position. The ball will be considered as passing wide of
the striker unless it is sufficiently within his reach for
him to be able to hit it with his bat by means of a normal
cricket stroke.
(b) The umpire shall not adjudge a delivery as being a
Wide if the striker, by moving, causes the ball to pass
wide of him, or brings the ball sufficiently within his
reach to be able to hit it, or if the ball touches the
striker's bat or person.
(c) The same criteria for judging wides shall apply for
both one-day and two-day games. (New
clause)
- Tie: A tie on the first innings
shall result when an equal number of runs shall have
been scored by each team for a completed innings,
provided that no further result has been obtained in
the second innings. An innings declared closed shall
count as a completed innings, and for the purpose of
this rule and the calculation of points under Rule 26
an innings terminated by the conclusion of the match
shall also count as a completed innings.
- Outright Tie: An outright tie
shall result when the total number of runs scored by
the side leading on the first innings in its two
completed innings is equalled at the final cessation
of play by the total number of runs scored by the
opposing team irrespective of the number of wickets
which such opposing team may then have lost. An
innings declared closed shall count as a completed
innings.
- Remuneration: Officiating
Umpires at Competition Matches shall be remunerated at
such rate as may be decided by the Executive Council
from time to time. All such fees shall be paid in
equal amounts by the two teams.
- Umpires and Player-Umpires:
(a) In the event that official umpires appointed by the
association are not available, the captain of the batting
team shall appoint two suitably qualified player-umpires.
If one official umpire appointed by the association is
available, the captain of the batting team shall appoint
one suitably qualified player umpires to officiate as
square-leg umpire. The captain of the batting team is
responsible for ensuring that the player-umpires are
suitably knowledgeable of the Laws of Cricket and the
Rules of the Association.
(b) Player-umpires have the same duties,
responsibilities and authority as official umpires, and
are entitled to the same respect by all players.
(c) To avoid being confused with the fielding side,
player-umpires should wear non-white clothing, and should
not carry a stump or a bat.
(d) The Umpires and captains shall inspect the
scorebooks at the termination of each days play, ascertain
that the scores are correct, that both books agree and
shall endorse the days and the matches final scores
thereon, including the score of any not out batsmen at the
time of cessation of play. In the absence of official
umpires and/or scorers both captains together share the
responsibility of ensuring the correctness of the scores
at all times. (Slightly rewritten -
some bits new)
Note: Regrettably, we must resign ourselves to the fact
that there will be insufficient official umpires for
regular duty. The brunt of this important job will
therefore fall upon player-umpires who are accorded by the
Association exactly the same status as official umpires.
If umpiring standards are to improve, it is necessary for
Clubs and players alike to co-operate and ensure that
those involved have a good understanding of the Laws of
Cricket and of local Rules adopted.
The following general observations may be of assistance
to player-umpires:-
1. It is generally considered by less experienced
players that duties at square leg umpire are boring and
require little concentration. The duties of the square leg
umpire are important and his good performance can assist
the standard of umpiring at the bowlers end.
Apart from adjudicating on stumpings and run-outs at
the striker's end, he should check the ball count for each
over. A brief signal between umpires after the third or
second last ball should confirm the count. It should not
be necessary to shout to scorers to check. The square leg
umpire should also watch for short runs at the striker's
end, should adjudicate on throwing (see under NO BALL) and
should watch for more than the permitted number of players
between square leg and the wicket-keeper.
2. The umpires should check the wicket before
commencement of play to ensure that it is adequately
marked and that the wicket is properly made. The wicket
should be 9" / 22.86 cm wide and the stumps 28"
/ 71.1 cm above the level of the playing surface. The
popping crease should be 4' / 1.22 m and the return crease
4' 4" / 2.64 m from the centre of the stumps.
3. The umpire at the bowlers wicket should ensure that
he places himself to one side when runs are attempted to
ensure that he is well placed to adjudicate run outs and
short runs.
4. To avoid being confused with the fielding side,
umpires should wear some non-white clothing. For safety's
sake, the umpire should not carry a stump.
- Scorers and Scoring:
(a) Each team shall provide an official scorer. In the
event that official scorers are not available, the captain
of the batting team shall appoint two suitably qualified
player-scorers. The captain of the batting team is
responsible for ensuring that the scorers are suitably
knowledgeable of the Laws of Cricket and the Rules of the
Association.
(b) Player-scorers have the same duties,
responsibilities and authority as official scorers, and
are entitled to the same respect by all players.
(c) The Umpires and captains shall inspect the
scorebooks at the termination of each days play, ascertain
that the scores are correct, that both books agree and
shall endorse the days and the matches final scores
thereon, including the score of any not out batsmen at the
time of cessation of play.
(d) In the absence of official umpires and/or scorers
both captains together share the responsibility of
ensuring the correctness of the scores at all times.(new
clause)
- Appeals for Bad Light or Bad
Weather: Appeals against bad light or bad weather
shall first be made by the captain of the batting
side, (or the batsman at the wickets may deputise for
their captain) to the captain of the opposing side. In
the event of disagreement, the umpires (official or
player) are required to decide.
- Bad Weather:
(a) In the event of bad weather before commencement of
play, the President, Honorary Secretary, Honorary
Treasurer and Honorary Assistant Secretary may, after
consultation, abandon play.
(b) In the absence of such decision teams should
proceed to the grounds where the decision will be in the
hands of both captains unless both agree prior to the
commencing time that no play is possible.
(c) Council groundsmen and officials have overriding
discretion on fitness of grounds for play.
- Covers for Turf Wickets: Clubs
wishing to provide covers for turf wickets may apply
in writing to the Executive Council who will seek
approval from the appropriate Municipal Council. If
such approval is given all costs shall be borne by the
clubs concerned and covers shall be stored at the
ground specified in the application.
- Interpretation of Rules: No
interpretation of these Rules shall be given by any
individual officer of the Association without the
consent of the Executive Council. Should any dispute
regarding interpretation arise during play, the
captain of the disputing side shall inform the other
captain of his intention to protest to the Executive
Council in terms of Rule 65 and
play shall proceed in the normal manner.
- Rules for Particular Grounds: No
runs shall be scored for balls hit on the full into
private properties at Bales Park and West Pymble
School, nor for balls clearing the fence on the full
between the light poles on the northern side of Barra
Brui Oval.
In cases where a council requires a written report on
the state of a ground, failure to make such report within
the prescribed time may incur a fine not exceeding ten
dollars.
- Dangerous and Unfair Bowling:
In the event of dangerous and/or unfair bowling, as
defined in Law 42.6 of the MCC Laws of Cricket (2000
Code) the umpire at the bowlers end shall call and
signal No ball. The provisions of Law 42.7 (Dangerous
and unfair bowling - action by umpire) of the MCC Laws
of Cricket shall be invoked only if the umpire
considers such bowling to be deliberate.
Note: The following summary of Law 42.6 is intended as
a reminder of the full Law, not as a replacement. A ball
is dangerous and/or unfair if:
In the case of fast short pitched balls (bouncers), the
umpire considers that because of its repetition and taking
into account the length, height and direction of the ball
and skill of the striker, it is likely to inflict injury,
or if it bounces above head height.
In the case of high full pitched balls (full tosses) it
passes above waist height and is not judged to be a slow
ball, or if it passes above shoulder height.
Height is measured against the batsman standing upright
at the crease.
- Five Run Penalty to Apply in
Limited Situations: The five run penalty for various
offences as mentioned in the MCC Laws of Cricket (2000
Code) shall only apply in the cases of MCC Law 41.2
(player wilfully fielding the ball with anything other
than any part of his person (eg hat)) and MCC Law 41.3
(ball in play strikes the protective helmet when not
in use. A five run penalty to the batting team shall
also apply if the ball in play strikes a drink bottle
belonging to the fielding team. (New
clause)
