Match Play Rules for T&D Two-Day Matches
PREMIER DIVISION ONLY
(Revised, June, 2003)
1. LAWS. Subject to any variations set out hereunder, the MCC Laws of Cricket, October 2000 shall apply. A match shall be of two day’s scheduled duration. For both teams, the first innings shall be closed at the completion of the 70th over.
2. PLAYING TIMES.
May – August
DAY 1 DAY 2
Session 1 12:00 – 3:00pm Session 1 12:00pm – 2:40pm
Lunch Interval 3:00pm – 3:40pm Lunch Interval 2:40pm – 3:20pm
Session 2 3:40pm – 5:20pm Session 2 3:20pm – 5:20pm
Tea Interval 5:20pm – 5:30pm Tea Interval 5:20pm – 5:30pm
Session 3 5:30pm – 7:30pm Session 3 5:30pm – 7:30pm
September
DAY 1 DAY 2
Session 1 11:00am – 2:00pm Session 1 11:00am – 2:00pm
Lunch Interval 2:00pm – 2:40pm Lunch Interval 2:00pm – 2:40pm
Session 2 2:40pm – 4:20pm Session 2 2:20pm – 4:20pm
Tea Interval 4:20pm – 4:30pm Tea Interval 4:20pm – 4:30pm
Session 3 4:30pm – 6:30pm Session 3 4:30pm – 6:30pm
TEA INTERVAL
The tea interval shall be of 10 minutes duration, and limited to 10 minutes. If an innings ends within less than 30 minutes of playing time remaining to the scheduled tea interval, the tea interval shall be taken immediately. If the an innings ends with more than 30 minutes playing time remaining until the scheduled tea interval, a 10 minute break for the change of innings shall be taken and the tea interval taken at the scheduled time.
Note: If however, on the first day the 70th over of the team batting first is not completed by 5:20pm, (4:20pm in September), when the tea interval should have been taken, play shall continue until the 70th over has been bowled and the interval is then taken. The close of play shall be adjusted as is necessary.
On the 2nd day, the 3rd innings shall commence with the resumption of play after the lunch interval. Umpires are advised to be very rigid in ensuring that the over rate is strictly adhered to. All incidents of slow over rate must be reported to the Toronto & District Cricket Association Board of Control for their attention and action.
Each Captain shall nominate his 12 players on the official match sheet prior to the toss taking place. All 12 players must be registered with the Toronto & district Cricket League as being members of the club.
The toss for innings shall take place no later than 10 minutes before the official starting time. If a team fails to have a minimum of 7 players dressed 20 minutes prior to the scheduled start of play they will forfeit the toss.
A team will have a minimum of 7 players at the start of play (on any day). A 30 minute grace period will be allowed only if a team has fewer than 7 players to start the match. The non-defaulting team alone shall have the right to request that the playing time lost be made up at the end of the day, provided that such a request is lodged with both the umpires and the Captain of the defaulting team before the start of the day’s play. Should at least seven players not have arrived by 30 minutes after the scheduled start of a match, the game may be called off and points awarded by the Toronto & District Cricket Association to the non-defaulting team.
3. MINIMUM OVERS IN THE DAY.
The minimum number of overs to be completed, unless an innings ends or an interruption occurs shall be:
(a.) Day One – a minimum of 100 overs (or a minimum of 15 overs per hour.)
(b.) Day Two – a minimum of 85 overs ( or a minimum of 15 overs per hour) for playing time other than the last hour of the match when a minimum of 15 overs shall be bowled provided that a result is not reached earlier and that there is no interval or interruption in play. The final 15 (fifteen) overs of the match shall commence at 6:30pm (May – August) and at 5:30pm (September.)
(c.) Additional hour: Subject to weather and light, except in the last hour of the match, in the event of play being suspended for any reason other than normal intervals, the playing time on that day shall be extended by the lost time up to a maximum of one hour. In these circumstances, the minimum number of overs to be bowled shall be in accordance with the provisions of this clause i.e. a minimum of 15 overs per hour and the cessation time shall be rescheduled accordingly.
(d.) If play has been suspended for 30 minutes or more prior to the commencement of the scheduled lunch interval, the lunch interval shall be delayed for half an hour.
(e.) When an innings ends, a minimum number of overs shall be bowled from the start of the new innings. The number of overs to be bowled shall be calculated at the rate of one over for each full four minutes to enable a minimum of 100 overs to be bowled in a day, and the time for close of play shall be rescheduled accordingly. The last hour of the match shall be excluded from this calculation when clause (h.) shall apply. Where a change of innings occurs during a day’s play, in the event of the team bowling second being unable to complete its overs by the scheduled cessation time, play shall continue until the required number of overs have been completed. Where there is a change in innings during a day’s play (except at the lunch interval) 2 overs will be deducted from the minimum number of overs to be bowled.
(f.) Except in the last hour of the match, for which clause (h.) makes provision, if play is suspended due to adverse weather or light for more than one hour in aggregate on any day, the minimum number of overs shall be reduced by one over for each full 4 minutes of the aggregate playing time lost.
(g.) On the last day, if any of the minimum 85 overs, or as recalculated, have not been bowled when one hour of scheduled playing time remains, the last hour of the match for purposes of clause (h.) shall be the hour immediately following the completion of these overs.
(h.) Law 16.6, 16.7 and 16.8 will apply except that a minimum of 15 (six ball) overs shall be bowled in the last hour and all calculations with regard to suspensions of play or the start of a new innings shall be based on one over for each full 4 minutes (refer to(l.) below). If, however, at any time after 30 minutes of the last hour have elapsed both Captains (the batsmen at the wicket may act for their Captain) accept that there is no prospect of a result to the match, they may agree to cease play at that time.
(i.) Notwithstanding any other provision, there shall be no further play on any day, other than the last day, if a wicket falls or a batsman retires or if the players have occasion to leave the field within 2 minutes of the scheduled or re-scheduled cessation time.
(j.) An over completed on resumption of a new day’s play shall be disregarded in calculating the minimum overs for that day.
(k.) Except on the final day, if in the event of ground, weather or light conditions causing a suspension and/or if players are already off the field at the rescheduled cessation time, stumps shall be drawn.
(l.) Fractions are to be ignored in all calculations re the number of overs except where there is a change of innings in a day’s play, when the over in progress at the conclusion of the innings shall be rounded up.
(m.) Any time lost and cannot be made up in © above, additional time of up to a maximum of one hour per day shall be added to the scheduled playing hours of the next day prior to the start of the first session.
On any day’s play, except the last day, when the scheduled hours of play has been completed, but the required number of overs have not been bowled and weather or bad light causes play for that day to be abandoned, the remaining overs on that day shall be made up on the next or subsequent day.
4. POINTS.
(1.) COMPLETED MATCH
Outright win 16 points
Loser – First Innings lead obtained 2 points
Loser – First Innings Tie 2 points
Tied match 8 points
Tie – The result of the match shall be a tie when the scores are equal at the end of play, but only if the side batting last has completed its innings. 3 points each
Win on the first innings and then losing the match. 2 points
(2.) INCOMPLETED MATCH
First Innings Lead 8 points
First Innings lost 2 points
Tie on first innings –
I.e. match has ended and scores equal on first innings 5 points each
No result on first innings 1 point each
Abandoned match - i.e. match not started 0 point each
First Innings undecided 0 points each
SCORES EQUAL IN A DRAWN MATCH
The team batting on the 4th innings 10 points
Team fielding on the 4th innings if that team has led on first
Innings 8 points
If scores tied on first innings 5 points
If team has lost on first innings 4 points
If any team withdraws or is expelled, or suspended during the course of the competition, the points shall be scored as if the team did not compete.
(3.) BONUS POINTS
Batting:
Score 150 runs 1 point
Score 200 runs 2 points
Score 250 runs 3 points
Score 300 runs 4 points (maximum batting bonus points.)
Bowling:
4 wickets down 1 point
6 wickets down 2 points
8 wickets down 3 points
10 wickets down 4 points (maximum bowling bonus points.)
5. FINISHING POSITIONS.
If more than one team complete the fixture list with an equal number of points, the winner or loser or other placing shall be decided on the basis of the Sonnberg System as follows:
Each of the teams with the same points will be credited with the total points earned by the teams which they have defeated outright plus half the points earned by teams which they defeated on first innings in incomplete matches.
6. EXTRA TIME.
The umpires may decide to play 30 minutes (a minimum of eight overs) extra time at the end of day one if requested by either captain if, in the opinion of the umpires, it would bring about a definite result on that day (this is in addition to the maximum one hour’s extra time provided for in 3c above. If the umpires do not believe a result can be achieved no extra time shall be allowed.
If it is decided to play such extra time, the whole period shall be played out even though the possibility of finishing the match may have disappeared before the full period has expired.
Only the actual amount of playing time up to the maximum 30 minutes extra time by which play is extended shall be deducted from the total number of hours of play remaining, and the match shall end earlier on the day by the amount of time by which play was previously extended under this clause.
7. LUNCHEON INTERVAL.
Law 15.6 shall be replaced by the following:
The interval shall be of 40 minutes duration from or at the conclusion of the over in progress at the agreed time for the luncheon interval. Where an innings concludes, or there is a break in play within 10 minutes of the scheduled or rescheduled interval, the interval will commence at that time and be limited to 40 minutes.
8. INTERVALS FOR DRINKS.
There shall be two (2) drinks intervals in the first session of play and 1 (1) drink session in the other sessions of play. Providing that continuous play has been in progress for 45 (forty-five) minutes without interruption and no water break shall be taken after the commencement of the final 15 (fifteen) overs of the match on the final day.
An individual player may be given a drink on the boundary edge or at the fall of a wicket, on the field, provided that no playing time is wasted. No other drinks shall be taken onto the field without the permission of the umpires. Any player taking drinks onto the field shall be dressed in proper cricket attire.
9. APPOINTMENT OF UMPIRES.
Law 3.1 shall apply and in addition:
(a.) The managers, Captains and players of both teams shall not make any statement to the press, nor in public, regarding the appointment and performance of the Umpires.
(b.) Neither team will have the right of objection to any Umpire’s appointment.
(c.) Both umpires shall report to the ground not less than 45 minutes before the start of play on each day.
(d.) For the play-offs, the Toronto & District Board may appoint match referees.
10. SUBSTITUTES
Law 2.1 will apply as modified:
The umpires shall have discretion, for wholly acceptable reasons, to allow a substitute for a fielder or a runner for a batsman, at the start of the match or at any subsequent time subject to consent being given by the opposing captain.
Law 2.5 Fielder absent or leaving the field shall apply as modified:
If a fielder fails to take the field with his side at the start of the match or at any later time, or leaves the field during a session of play, the umpires shall be informed of the reason for his absence, and he shall not thereafter come on the field during a session of play without the consent of an umpire. (See Law 2.6 as modified.) The umpires shall give consent as soon as practicable. If the player is absent from the field for longer than 8 minutes: the player shall not be permitted to bowl in that innings after his return until he has been on the field for at least that length of playing time for which he was absent. In the event of a follow-on, this restriction will, if necessary, continue into the second innings.
The player shall not be permitted to bat unless or until, in the aggregate, he has returned to the field and/or his side’s innings has been in progress for at least that length of playing time for which he has been absent or, if earlier, when his side has lost five wickets.
The restrictions above shall not apply if a player has suffered an external blow (as opposed to an internal injury such as a pulled muscle) while participating earlier in the match and consequently been forced to leave the field. Nor shall it apply if the player has been absent for very exceptional and wholly acceptable reasons (other than injury or illness) and consent for a substitute has been granted by the opposing Captain.
Law 2.6 shall apply.
11. Law 3.8 and 3.9 – FITNESS OF GROUND, WEATHER AND LIGHT.
Add the following to law 3.8:
If conditions during a rain stoppage improve and the rain is reduced to a drizzle, the umpires must consider if they would have suspended play in the first place under similar conditions. If both on-field umpires agree that the current drizzle would not have caused them to suspend play, the provisions of Law 3.9 (b) (i) and 3.9 (c) (i) shall not apply.
If a shadow from a fielder falls across the striker’s half of the pitch, the fielder must remain stationary from the time the bowler commences his run yup until the striker has received the ball. In the event of a fielder moving before the striker receives the ball, the umpire shall call and signal ‘Dead Ball’ if he considers the striker has been disadvantaged by the action.
12. THE BALL.
Law 5.4 – New Ball in match of more than one day’s duration.
The following shall apply in addition to Law 5.5:
However, if the ball needs to be replaced after 100 overs for any of the reasons in Law 5.5, it shall be replaced by a new ball. If the ball is to be replaced, the umpires shall inform the batsmen.
Each team is to provide two new balls and in addition, they are expected to have two used balls with the known number of overs to which each of the used balls has been exposed. Ideally, one used ball would have been used for 25 overs, and the other had been used for 50 overs.
Law 5.6 Specifications shall not apply.
13. THE PITCH.
Captains, Umpires and players should co-operate to ensure that, prior to the start of any day’s play, no-one bounces a ball on the pitch or strikes it with a bat to assess its condition or for any other reason, or causes damage to the pitch in any other way.
Law 7.4 Changing the pitch.
The following shall apply in place of Law 7.4:
(a.) In the event of a pitch being considered too dangerous for play to continue in the estimation of the match umpires, they shall stop play.
(b.) The match umpires shall consult with both captains.
(c.) If the captains agree instead to continue, play shall resume.
(d.) If the decision is not to resume play, the match umpires shall consider one of the following options:
(i.) whether the existing pitch can be repaired. Repair work will only be considered if there has been malicious damage to a non-crucial part of the pitch
(ii.) whether an alternative pitch can be used.
(iii.) Whether the match has to be abandoned.
(e.) In the event of a decision being taken in favour of (d.) (i) or (d.) (ii) above, the supervision of the remedial or new preparatory work shall be the responsibility of the match umpires and the representative of the ground authority.
(f.) The rescheduled starting time and the rescheduled cessation time, together with any make-up procedures in the existing regulations, shall be the responsibility of the match umpires.
(g.) In the event the existing pitch can be made playable after suitable remedial work ((d.) (i) above) the match will continue from the point stopped.
(h.) If a new pitch is prepared ((d.) (ii) above) the match will be restarted from the first ball.
(i.) If the decision is to abandon the match ((d.) (iii) above) the relevant officials from the Board of Control shall agree on whether the match can be replayed within the existing schedule.
14. Law 10 – PREPARATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE PLAYING AREA.
Law 10.6 Maintenance of Foot Holes – Law 10.6 will apply but add:
The umpires shall see that whenever possible and whenever it is considered necessary, action is taken during all intervals in play to do whatever is practicable to improve the bowler’s foot holes. As soon as possible after the conclusion of each day’s play, bowler’s foot holes will be repaired.
15. Law 11 – COVERING THE PITCH – BEFORE AND DURING A MATCH.
In place of Law 11.2, 11.3 and 11.4 the following shall apply:
In all matches, the pitch shall be entirely protected against rain up to the commencement of play and for the match. It shall be wholly covered at the termination of each day’s play or providing the weather is fine, within a period of two hours thereafter.
Covers shall be removed no earlier than 8:00am and no later than 10:am ( May – August) and 7:00am – 9:00am (September) on each morning of the match provided it is not raining at the time, but will be replaced if rain falls prior to the commencement of play.
NOTE: Covers must totally protect the pitch and also the area surrounding on either side of the pitch and the bowler’s run ups to a distance of 10 (ten) meters on either side.
16. DRYING OF PITCH AND GROUND.
Prior to tossing for choice of innings the artificial drying of the pitch and outfield shall be at the discretion of the Groundsman. Thereafter, and throughout the match the drying of the outfield may be undertaken at any time by the Groundsman, but the drying of the affected area of the pitch shall be carried out only on the instructions and under the supervision of the umpires. The umpires shall be empowered to have the pitch dried without reference to the Captains at any time they are of the opinion that it is unfit for play.
The umpires may instruct the Groundsman to use any available equipment, including any roller for the purpose of drying the pitch and making it fit for play.
17. Law 12 – INNINGS
Law 12.1 (a.) shall be modified as follows:
A match shall be two innings per side subject to the provisions of Law 13.1.
Law 12.1 (b.) and 12.3 (e.) shall not apply.
18. Law 19 – BOUNDARIES.
Add the following to Law 19.1:
If an unauthorized person enters the playing arena and handles the ball, the umpire at the bowler’s end shall be the sole judge of whether the bopundary allowances should be scored or the ball treated as still in play or called dead if a batsman is liable to be out as a result of the unauthorized person handling the ball. See Law 19.1 (c.)
19. THE RESULT.
Any query on the result of the match as defined in Law 21.1,21.3,21.4,21.5, 21.8 and 21.10 shall be resolved as soon as possible and a decision made by the umpires at the close of play.
20. Law 24.2 – FAIR DELIVERY – THE ARM.
Law 24.1 (b.) shall be replaced by the following:
The bowler may not deliver the ball underarm. If a bowler bowls a ball underarm the umpire at the bowler’s end shall call and signal ‘No-Ball’, and the ball is to be re-bowled overarm.
21. Law 25.1 – JUDGING A WIDE.
Law 25.1 will apply, but in addition:
For bowlers attempting to utilize the rough outside the batsmen’s leg stump, not necessarily as a negative tactic, the strict Limited Over Match wide interpretation shall be applied.
For bowlers whom umpires consider to be bowling down the leg side as a negative tactic, the strict Limited Over Match wide interpretation shall be applied.
22. HELMETS.
A batsman may call for a helmet to be brought out to him at any time. He must then wear or carry it personally all the time while play is in progress, or can have it taken off the field at the fall of a wicket, or at the end of an over, or at any drinks interval.
In all cases, no actions involving helmets are to waste playing time. Umpires are not to hold helmets.
23. HITTING UP.
Teams are required to observe Ground Authority regulations and to exercise the utmost care and caution when engaging in practice and pre-match warm-up and ‘hitting up” activities so as to avoid the risk of injury to members of the public, or damage to the center wicket region.
24. PENALTIES FOR SLOW OVER-RATE.
Teams shall incur the following penalty points in each match for slow-over rates:
For an over-rate of less than 15 overs per hour, 2 points will be deducted from the total match points earned.
25. THE WICKETKEEPER.
Law 40 (2.) Gloves - will not apply.
26. PENALTY RUNS
Law 42 will be modified as follows:
In assessing penalty runs, both Umpires must record all of the details concerning the awarding of penalty runs and as soon as possible, file a report with the Toronto & District Cricket Association Board of Control.
The number of penalty runs awarded will be reduced to 3 rather than 5 as set out in Law 42. However, all of the conditions and procedures for the awarding of penalty runs, as set out in Law 42, will prevail.
