AMENDMENTS TO RULE 14, 13, – FROM THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

1. Amend Rule 14:  At the end of the first bullet point add the sentences: “No more than 40 overs can be lost in this way otherwise the provisions of Rule 7 cannot apply.  The latest starting time is therefore 20 x 7 = 140 + 30 (early tea) = 170 minutes after the scheduled start (4.20 p.m. for a 1.30 p.m. start).”

This is not a rule change but an overdue clarification of the existing situation.

2. Amend Rule 14:  Delete existing second and third bullet points and replace with:

• After a match has commenced the limit on the first innings cannot be reduced.
• In the event of stoppages for inclement conditions in either innings the first aggregated 15 minutes of stoppage shall not result in any deduction of overs.  Thereafter, one over shall be deducted from the match for every 3.5 minutes of stoppage.

This change simplifies the procedure when play is lost.  The previous complicated provisions for loss in the second innings, which have resulted in matches being halted prematurely are not required now that the concept of winning and losing draws no longer applies.  We also get away from the idea of turning a match defined by overs into a time game situation.

The flexibility for short interruptions will now apply to the whole match with the 15 minutes provision.  If both innings take 2 hours, 45 minutes and tea 30 minutes the 15 minutes would make the finish 6.25 hours after the scheduled star, as before.

3.  Amend Rule 13:  Delete existing fifth bullet point and replace with:

In an abandoned match – each side shall receive 7 points or bonus points and draw points whichever the greater

(An abandoned match is one in which no play is possible or one in which play is finally suspended before a positive result is achieved and before the completion of the allocated number of overs).

The inclusion of the 2 draw points in this rule eliminate the anomaly that when a match is treated as abandoned sides, in certain circumstances, will get fewer points than if it was drawn.  A further clarification of the bracketed section is that if the overs expire with play in progress it is a draw, if whilst suspended it is abandoned.