26. Conduct of Matches
Matches shall be conducted in accordance with the M.C.C. Laws of Cricket, except for matters specially provided for in these rules.
27. Weather Conditions
The two captains shall decide whether conditions are suitable for the match to commence, and if they cannot agree, the umpires shall decide. After play has commenced, the umpires shall be the sole judges as to the continuation or resumption of the match but each side shall be allowed an appeal against the light in each innings.
If a prepared pitch is unfit for play, the captains may decide to have another pitch prepared.
28. Choice of Innings
The captains shall toss for the choice of innings at least 15 minutes before the match is due to commence.
29. Preparation of the Pitch
The preparation of the pitch shall be the responsibility of the home club.
Rolling must take place for at least 10 minutes before the match is due to commence, and the last 10 minutes of such rolling shall be under the supervision of the umpires and take place before the toss for innings. After this rolling, should the start be delayed, no further rolling shall take place before the first innings. Rolling between the innings may take place for not more than 7 minutes, to be supervised and timed by the umpires, and for which the visiting captain shall have the choice of roller only if taking second innings. Umpires shall report defaulting clubs to the League Secretary.
Pitches must not be watered within 36 hours of the start of a match.
30.Covering of pitch.
All clubs MUST have suitable covers available for use both before and during a match. Such covers MUST be used during interruptioins for weather during a match.
31. Nomination of Teams.
Names of selected players must be stated on the Official Team cards signed by the Captain(s) & handed to the Umpire(s) for retention, before tossing for innings.
No practice may take place within the precincts of a ground after a game has commenced.
Players may however, be allowed to loosen up between innings, during the tea interval ON THE OUTFIELD ONLY.
If the first ball of a match has been bowled, then no second team player may leave the match for the purpose of assisting his club's First Eleven (irrespective of whether or not his side is batting or fielding) but any such request occurring prior to the first ball of the game must be granted, and the side concerned may be permitted a replacement by a duly registered player, subject to Rule 22.
32. Rules for Match Play
A match shall consist of a maximum of 100 overs and each side shall bat a maximum of 50 (6 ball) overs, except as provided for in rule 35 and rule 39.
If the side batting first is dismissed, or declares its innings closed, before the end of its allotted number of overs, the side batting second shall have the remaining overs in addition to its allotted number. In this case, an over which has been commenced at the time of dismissal or declaration shall be deemed to be completed
33. Overs & Over Rate.
No bowler may bowl more than 15 overs in an innings. If the start of a match is delayed and overs are reduced (rule 35, 4th para.) the maximum number of overs permitted per bowler will be as follows :-
Innings length |
Bowler Maximum |
Innings length |
Bowler Maximum |
25 or 26 overs |
8 |
37-40 overs |
12 |
27-30 overs |
9 |
41-43 overs |
13 |
31-33 overs |
10 |
44-46 overs |
14 |
34-36 overs |
11 |
47-48 overs |
15 |
50 overs MUST be bowled in 3hours 10 minutes (includes breaks)
NB. - Penalty points will only be deducted if a side fails to bowl 50 overs in 3 hrs 10 mins (playing time)
Where a side are entitled to bowl more than 50 overs in an innings the ‘target time’ will be adjusted upwards on a pro rata basis of 3 mins 48 secs per over.
When the start of a match is delayed by weather rule 35, 4th paragraph – overs divided equally.) the ‘target times’ will be reduced as required. Once the game has commenced & further stoppages occur the ‘target times’ will not be affected.
Similarly any game which does start on time and is then interrupted by weather the ‘target time’ of 3hrs 10 mins. Remains unaffected.
Failure to achieve the target time will result in 1 point being deducted from the fielding side for the 1st occasion; 2 points for the 2nd occasion; 3 points for the 3rd occasion and so on and so forth……. |