1. AMENDMENTS TO RULES FOR LEAGUE KNOCK-OUT COMPETITIONS.
RULE 7. Delete existing rule and replace with:
"For all rounds the League Umpires Association shall where possible appoint umpires to matches. Participating team must pay these umpires prior to the match at the current rate for match expenses. In the later rounds the League may repay these expenses at the discretion of the Execitive Committee. In all matches each team must appoint a scorer for the match. Failure to do so will incur whatever penalty the League Management Committee have agreed for the season.”
RULES 13-18. Delete the existing rules and replace with: 13. All matches in the competition to be 20 overs each side, unless bowled out earlier. Bowlers may bowl a maximum of four overs. In the event of a bowler breaking down and being unable to complete an over, the remaining balls shall be bowled by another bowler. Such parts of an over shall count as a full over only in as far as the bowlers’ limits are concerned. In a reduced overs match, or an innings that has been reduced, the number of overs to be bowled by each bowler shall be reduced accordingly. In the event of an innings being reduced after the start, the bowling limits shall remain the same as when the innings commenced. A chart shall be produced to aid umpires and captains.
14. Matches to start at 6.30 p.m. or at agreed earlier time. If, in the umpires opinion either team is not ready to start at the agreed time the opposing captain shall have the choice of batting or bowling. In the event of a late start, the number of overs remaining shall be calculated as specified in Rule 17. The interval between innings shall be no more than 10 minutes. The umpires shall be the sole judges of the fitness of light for play.
15. If the team bowling first do not complete their 20 overs within the stipulated time of 75 minutes, the innings shall be completed but they will forfeit from their reply the number of overs not completed at the cut-off time. Any over in progress when the limit time is reached shall count as completed for calculation purposes. This rule applies in matches with reduced overs. A chart outlining the cut-off times will be produced to aid umpires and captains.
16. If the team bowling second do not complete their 20 overs within the same stipulated time of 75 minutes, 10 runs shall be added to the total of the team batting second for every over not completed at the cut-off time. Any over in progress when the limit time is reached shall count as completed for calculation purposes.
17. In matches where the start of play is delayed, a match of shorter duration may be played but not less than 12 overs per side. The match must be reduced by one over per side for every 7 minutes of delay and the cut-off times determined with reference to Chart 2.
18. in matches where play is suspended the following rules shall apply: • Where the innings of the side batting first is suspended they shall be entitled to bat for the full number of overs available at the start of the innings. • If, owing to suspension(s)of play it is not possible for the side batting second to have the opportunity to bat for the same number of overs as the side batting first, they will bat for as many overs as are deemed possible by the umpires provided the minimum of 12 overs are bowled in the innings. For the purposes of this calculation umpires will deduct one over for every 3.5 minutes of delay and adjust the time allowed with reference to Chart 2. • In matches curtailed by this rule and providing a natural result has not been achieved the winners shall be the team with the higher overall scoring rate throughout their innings.
19. The winners of a match not curtailed by suspensions in play shall be the team scoring the higher number of runs or, if the scores are level, the team th has taken most wickets. If the sides still cannot be separated the winners shall be the team striking the most boundaries (4s and 6s) or if still equal the side hitting most 6s or if still equal the side conceding fewest extras (excluding leg byes) shall be the winners.
20. NO BALL: In the event of a foot-fault no ball a free hit shall be awarded for the next delivery. If any type of no ball is bowled or wide called during the delivery of the free hit, one run shall be added to the total for the no ball or wide and another free hit shall be bowled next delivery. A batsman may only be out of a free hit in the same ways as off a no ball even if the free hit is called a wide.
21. WIDE BALL: Umpires are required to a very strict and consistent interpretation of a wide ball in order to prevent negative bowling wide of the wicket.
22. FIELDING CIRCLES: Normal fielding circles at a radius of 30 yards centred on the two middle stumps must be clearly marked out prior to the match. At the instant of delivery, a minimum of four fielders plus the bowler and wicket keeper must be within the fielding circle. In the event of an infringement the striker’s end umpire shall call and signal no ball.
23. Incoming and outgoing batsmen must cross on the field of play.
Existing Rule 19 to be renumbered 24.
CHART I TO AID UMPIRES AND CAPTAINS MAXIMUM OVERS PER BOWLER (see Rule 13) 20 overs: 4-4-4-4-4 19 overs: 4-4-4-4-3 18 overs: 4-4-4-3-3 17 overs: 4-4-3-3-3 16 overs: 4-3-3-3-3 15 overs: 3-3-3-3-3 14 overs: 3-3-3-3-2 13 overs: 3-3-3-2-2 12 overs: 3-3-2-2-2
CHART 2 TO AID UMPIRES AND CAPTAINS MAXIMUM TIME PERMITTED TO BOWL OVERS 20 overs: 75 mins 19 overs: 71 mins 18 overs: 68mins 17 overs: 64 mins 16 overs: 60 mins 15 overs: 56mins 14 overs: 53 mins 13 overs: 49 mins 12 overs: 45 mins
The above proposed changes to the knock-out rules are designed to make the competition more in line with the Twenty2O format now becoming popular worldwide. The main changes are the introduction of a fielding circle to prevent over negative tactics, a free hit following a foot—fault no ball and a time limit to encourage a lively tempo to play throughout matches. Features not included from the pro—game include the power play which requires more complicated markings for field positions and two words which would rob the proposals of many potential votes — Duckworth-Lewis!
2.
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.
