PLAYING LAWS GOVERNING NWCL CRICKET MATCHES

Revised 5/3/03

a) As required by the Laws of Cricket, the Umpires are required to check the creases, wickets and other implements of the game before the toss for innings. If the umpires find even one of the creases either not marked, or improperly marked, or the wickets improperly pitched, one penalty point will be deducted from the home team for that match. IF requested by the umpires, the Home Team for a match shall provide them with a tape measure or equivalent distance measuring device to aid the umpire in determining whether the creases, etc are properly marked.

b) Two off-side "wide-marker lines", 1 foot in length, will be drawn perpendicular to the Bowling crease, towards the Popping crease, 29.5 inches from the edge of each outer stump. One of these lines is for a right-handed batsman and the other for a left-handed batsman.

c) The boundary must be clearly marked so that it is easily visible to the Umpires standing at the wicket.

d) The Home Team is responsible for providing a suitable wicket on which to play cricket. This may take the form of a mat, a Flix pitch or artificial turf. If a grass wicket is to be used for league games then it must receive an official assessment by the NWCL Management or a person they appoint for this purpose.

e) The ground must be ready and all markings in place and correct 15 minutes before the start of play.

A match shall be played with a minimum of 8 players from each club, except for matches in which WSU CC is a participant. A minimum of 7 players from each club is required for matches in which WSU CC is a participant.

a) If one club has less than 11 players nominated for a match, the captain of this club can request the opposing Captain to take substitute fielders to make 11.

b) The opposing Captain cannot refuse this request, unless the substitute fielders requested are members of his club.

c) If the opposing Captain agrees to provide one or more of his players as substitute fielders for a fielding side, the opposing Captain shall pick the members of his club to field for the other team. The requesting captain cannot object to the fielder being supplied.

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a) Dot ball scoring is the norm for NWCL matches. Dot ball scoring is defined as the recording of every ball received by each batsman, as well as every ball bowled by each bowler.

b) First and Last names of all players shall be recorded in the score sheets with the Captain (*) and wicket-keeper (+) of each side identified.

c) Names of the Umpires and the team that won the toss.

d) Extras scored in each innings, separated by byes, leg byes, wides and no balls

e) Fall of wickets and Over # for each wicket that falls and the batsman the got out.

f) The names of players effecting a dismissal shall be recorded. This includes players taking a catch or affecting a run out dismissal.

g) Bowling Analysis for each bowler, which shall include Overs, Maidens, Runs, Wickets, Wides and no balls.

h) The score sheet for each game must be submitted electronically to the person handling the league statistics by the first Thursday following the game. If a club defaults does not make this deadline it shall incur a fine of $10 payable by the end of the calendar year (for each such incidence). This will apply even to incomplete scoring information that has been sent on time. Each captain is responsible for the scoring information of the innings when his team is batting. However it is preferable that each captain submits scoring information from both innings. Scoring information must be submitted using the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet available from the NWCL Statistician.

a) Four piece balls shall be used.

c) A new ball shall be used at the start of each innings.

d) If a team does not have a new ball of the acceptable makes listed in b) above, they shall purchase one (from the opposing team or anyone else who has one) before taking the field.

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a) A match shall be of one innings of each side.

b) Each innings will be of 40 overs.

a) There can be no more than 5 players fielding on the leg-side at any one time. The MCC rule that no more than 2 players may field behind square leg at any one time is still in effect.

b) Two semi circles shall be drawn on the field of play. The semi circles have as their center the middle stump at either end of the pitch. The radius of each of the semi circles is 30 yards (27.5m). The ends of each semi circle are joined to the other by a straight line drawn on the field on the same side of the pitch. The field restriction area should be marked by continuous painted white lines or 'dots' at five yard (4.5m) intervals, each 'dot' to be covered by a white plastic or rubber (but not metal) disc measuring seven inches (18cm) in diameter.

c) At the instant of delivery, there may not be more than 5 fielders on the leg side.

d) For the first 12 overs only two fieldsman are permitted to be outside the field restriction marking at the instant of delivery.

e) For the remaining overs only five fieldsman are permitted to be outside the field restriction marking at the instant of delivery.

f) In circumstances where the number of overs for the team batting first is reduced, the number of overs in regard to the restrictions above shall be reduced proportionally in a ratio of 12:40 (30%) in accordance with the table below. Fractions are to be ignored in all calculations

Total overs No. of overs for which fielding restrictions

in innings in 5.3 and 5.5 above will apply

25-26 7

27-29 8

30-33 9

34-36 10

37-39 11

40 12

g) Where the number of overs for the team batting second is reduced, the restrictions above will apply for the same proportion of the second innings as applied in the first innings (fractions to be ignored).

h) In the event of an infringement, the square leg umpire "shall call and signal "No Ball".

a) Unless decided otherwise by the Captains, all matches shall start at 11:00 am. If there are restrictions on the availability of a ground the Home Captain must indicate these to the Visiting Captain 4 days prior to the game.

b) The Captains should make arrangements to be in contact with each other via telephone on the morning of the match, lest the start of the match is affected by weather or travel delays. The

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captain of the home club shall be accessible via phone or otherwise within 60 minutes of the scheduled starting time of the match.

c) If the visiting club cannot make it to the ground 15 minutes before the scheduled start of play, then the home club should be informed of this at least 30 minutes before the start of play. Failure to do this will result in the visiting club being penalized one over in their innings for every 4 minutes (or part thereof) of delay in the start of the match. This requirement does not apply for unforeseen circumstances, such as accidents and major traffic jams, where it is not possible to get to a phone before the required deadline.

d) If the match does not start on time for reasons of ground and/or pitch not being prepared, or the home club members not being present on the ground, then the home club will be penalized one over in their innings for every 4 minutes (or part thereof) of delay in the start of the match.

e) If a match starts after 1:00 pm in the months from May to August and 12:30 pm in the months of September and October, due to reported travel delays for the visiting club or due to weather interference or due to unforeseen circumstances, one over would be deducted from each innings for every delay of 8 minutes or part thereof.

a) There shall be an interval of 20 minutes between each innings. In case the home team serves lunch between the innings, the interval shall be 30 minutes long.

d) Each team must complete its bowling quota of 40 overs in 3 hours max (including the time for drinks breaks). If the side bowling first does not complete its 40 overs in the 3-hour time limit, the Umpires will note the number of overs completed at 3 hours. The bowling side will complete the 40 overs but will only be permitted to bat the number of overs that it bowled within the 3-hour limit. If the team bowling second, bowls at a slower rate for no external reason (like wet conditions etc) it will be subject to a fine of $5.00 for every 4 minutes beyond the 3 hour time limit.

e) The umpires are solely responsible for determining the speed of play and for enforcing this rule. They are also responsible for adjusting the 3 hour limit when interruptions, beyond the bowling sides control (e.g. injury), cause a stoppage in play.

a) If there is an interruption of play, due to weather or otherwise, overs will be deducted from one or more innings based on the following calculations.

i. If the interruption is less than the amount of minutes between the time of start of play and 1 pm for the months from May to August, and 12:30 pm for the months of September and October, then no overs will be deducted for the interruption.

ii. If the interruption does not meet the requirement in (i) and the first innings is in progress, then one over will be deducted from the innings in progress as well as the next innings for every 8 minutes lost or part thereof. If the second innings is in progress then one over will be deducted for every 4 minutes lost or part thereof. The target shall be revised to the product of the overall scoring rate of the first innings and the number of overs in the second innings. This calculation is made on the basis of an end-time of 7pm.

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iii. Rain curtailed games are treated as completed so long as at least 20 overs have been bowled in each innings.

a) Winner gets 20 points.

b) Loser can get a maximum of 10 bonus points as follows.

1 point if 2 wickets have been taken in the opponent's completed innings or before target run total reached

2 points if 4 wickets have been taken in the opponent's completed innings or before target run total reached

3 points if 6 wickets have been taken in the opponent's completed innings or before target run total reached

4 points if 8 wickets have been taken in the opponent's completed innings or before target run total reached

5 points if 10 wickets have been taken in the opponent's completed innings

1 point if team total of completed innings is between 60 and 89 runs

2 points if team total of completed innings is between 90 and 119 runs

3 points if team total of completed innings is between 120 and 149 runs

4 points if team total of completed innings is between 150 and 179 runs

5 points if team total of completed innings is 180 runs or larger

c) In case of a tie, as defined by the scores being level after both teams' innings have been completed, each team gets 10 points plus the bonus points as stated above in b).

d) Games abandoned or conceded are void in the acquisition of points.

e) A team conceding a match will be deducted 15 points. The team to which a match is conceded does not garner any additional points.

f) If, due to weather interruptions, the two innings are of un-equal overs, then the result of the match will be decided by the scoring rate per over, with the side having the larger scoring rate being declared the winning side. (In such a scenario, the bonus points shall be prorated to 40 overs, that is, if both innings are of equal length in terms of overs, the bonus points shall be calculated by scaling the bonus points actually obtained by the ratio of {40/actual overs per innings} … and rounding off (up or down) to the nearest whole number. If the innings are of different number of overs … then bonus points for batting and for bowling are considered separately … each is scaled up to a 40 overs scenario (without rounding off) … then the sum is rounded off (up or down) to the nearest whole number.)

a) Leg Side Wide Ball: If a ball pitches outside the leg stump and passes down the leg side of the striker without touching any part of the person or equipment of the striker, the umpire shall call and signal ‘wide ball’ (even if the striker makes an attempt to play the ball).

b) Off Side Wide Ball: If a ball, not being a no ball, passes outside the "wide marker line" or crosses this line during its flight after having pitched outside the off-stump, the umpire shall call and signal wide ball. Whether the batsman attempts to play the ball or brings it within reach is immaterial

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a) All protective equipment usually worn under clothing (thigh pad, box, chest guard etc) must be worn under clothing and not visible to the umpires. If a batsman wears such equipment in view, the umpires must instruct him to either wear it under his clothing or remove it altogether. Failure to concede to this request shall be treated, as a mark of indiscipline and the umpire must report the player to the league.

a) When Spring-back Stumps are used, it is not possible to strike the stumps out of the ground as is required by Law when both bails are off. In such a case, the decision as to when a stump is struck out of the ground is one for the umpires to decide on the facts before them.

b) When Spring-back Stumps are used, the bails are often dislodged when the ball hits the cast iron support base of the stumps. If this is so, the bails will not be considered dislodged and the wicket is not down for the purposes of this Law.

a) For matches between teams in the same Metropolitan area, the Captains (or their representatives) from the two teams shall inspect the ground the day before the match. If, based on present field conditions and weather forecasts, a decision is reached at that time to abandon the match, then the Secretary shall be informed of it. If the Captains do not agree on a decision at that time to abandon the match, then the decision will be postponed to the morning of the match, one hour before its scheduled start. If a decision is reached at that time to abandon the match, then that decision is final, and the Secretary should be informed of it promptly. If, at that time the Captains’ still do not agree and there are no neutral umpires present, then the Home Captain’s decision is final. If neutral umpires are present, then they shall make a decision and inform the Captains.

b) For matches between teams from different Metropolitan areas (i.e., matches entailing travel of 50 miles or more), the Home Captain (or his representative) shall inspect the field on the day prior to the day of the match, make a decision based on present field conditions and weather forecasts and inform the Opposing Captain of his decision by 6 pm on that day. If the decision is to abandon the match, the Secretary should be informed promptly. If the match is not abandoned at that time, the Home Captain (or his representative) shall inspect the field in the morning of the match and if he decides to abandon the match, he shall inform the Opposing Captain immediately. The Secretary shall also be informed promptly.

c) With regard to matches for which WSU is a participating side, the Home Captain shall make a decision 24 hours before the start of the match based on present field conditions and weather forecasts, and inform the Opposing Captain of this decision. This decision is Final and shall be communicated promptly to the Secretary by the Home captain.

d) Per the Laws, after the toss of innings, the umpires are the sole judges of the weather and other conditions, and the decision to abandon a match rests with the umpires. If neutral or dedicated umpires are not present, then the Captains shall be the sole judges of the conditions. If they cannot agree then the status quo will continue.

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These are a collection of some clarifications in regard to various situations that may not be clear in the Laws. It will be beneficial to move these to formal sections above eventually.

d) A ball shall be considered a "No Ball" if, after pitching, it would have passed over the batsman’s head if he was standing straight in the crease.

e) A ball shall be considered a "No Ball" if the ball would have passed, on the full, above waist height of the striker standing upright at the crease.

f) A ball that would have passed above the shoulder, but below the head, of the batsman standing upright in the crease is NOT a "No Ball".

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