ICC 1997/98 Test Match Playing Conditions

Test Match Playing Conditions Except as modified for One Day Internationals and in the section on Other Tour matches, these playing conditions shall apply to all tour matches. 1 Laws of Cricket Except as varies here under the Laws of Cricket (1980 Code) Second Edition - 1992 and subsequent amendments shall apply. 2 Duration of Matches Test Matches shall be of five days scheduled duration. The two participating countries may: (a) Provide for a rest day during the match, and/or a reserve day after the scheduled days of play. (b) Play on any scheduled rest day, conditions and circumstances permitting, should a full day's play be lost on any day prior to the rest day. (c) Play on any scheduled reserve day, conditions and circumstances permitting, should a full day's play be lost on any day. Play shall not take place on more than 5 days. (d) Make up time lost in excess of five minutes in each day's play due to circumstances outside the game other than acts of God. 3 Hours of Play, Intervals and Minimum Overs in the Day 3.1 Start and Cessation Times: To be determined by the Home Board, subject to there being 6 hours scheduled for play per day (Pakistan a minimum of five and a half hours), and subject to: Minimum Overs in the Day in Test Matches (a) Play shall continue on each day until the completion of a minimum number of overs or until the scheduled or re-scheduled cessation time, whichever is the later. The minimum number of overs to be completed, unless an innings ends or an interruption occurs shall be: (i) on days other than the last day - a minimum of 90 overs. (ii) on the last day - a minimum of 75 overs (or 15 overs per hour) for playing time other than the last hour when Clause (e) below shall apply. 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 amount of time lost up to a maximum of one hour. The minimum number of overs to be bowled shall be in accordance with the provisions of this clause and the cessation time shall be rescheduled accordingly. If play has been suspended for 30 minutes or more prior to the commencement of the scheduled tea interval, the tea interval shall be delayed for half an hour. (b) 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 90 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 (e) 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 of innings during a day's play (except at lunch or tea), 2 overs will be deducted from the minimum number of overs to be bowled. (c) Except in the last hour of the match, for which Clause (e) 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. (d) On the last day, if any of the minimum 75 overs, or as recalculated, have not been bowled when one hour of scheduled playing time remains, the last hour of the match for the purposes of Clause (e) shall be the hour immediately following the completion of these overs. (e) Law 17.6 and 17.7 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. 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. (f) 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 during the last minimum over within 2 minutes of the scheduled or re-scheduled cessation time or thereafter. (g) An over completed on resumption of a new day's play shall be disregarded in calculating minimum overs for that day. (h) Except on the final day, if in the event of ground, weather of light conditions causing a suspension and/or if the players are already off the field at the re-scheduled cessation time or any time thereafter, stumps shall be drawn. (i) Fractions are to be ignored in all calculations re the number of overs. (j) The scoreboard shall show: - The total number of overs bowled with the ball currently in use; and - The minimum number of overs remaining to be bowled in a day. (k) Penalties shall apply for slow over-rates 3.2 Either captain may decide to play 30 minutes (a minimum eight overs) extra time at the end of any day other than the last day, if, in their opinion, 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 3.1(a)(ii) above). If it is decided to play such extra time on one or more of these days, the whole period shall be played out even though the possibility of finishing the match may have disappeared before the full period has expired. The time by which play is extended on any day shall be deducted from the total number of hours play remaining and the match shall end earlier on the final day by the amount of time by which play was previously extended. 3.3 Use of Lights: Experimental Condition (1 year from 1st September 1997) - subject to both Boards agreement prior to the Tour. If in the opinion of the umpires, natural light is deteriorating to an unfit level, they shall authorise the ground authorities to use the available artificial lighting so that the match can continue in acceptable conditions. The lights are only to be used to enable a full day's to be completed as provided in Clause 3 - Hours of play, Intervals and Minimum Overs in the Day. In the event of power failure or lights malfunction, the existing provisions of Clause 3 'Hours of Play, Intervals and Minimum Overs in the Day shall apply. Once the lights have been turned on, they must remain on for the remainder of the days play. 3.4 Luncheon Interval: Law 16.2 shall be replaced by the following: of 40 minutes duration from ... to ... Where an innings concludes, or there is a break in play, within 10 minutes of the scheduled interval, the interval will commence at that time and be limited to 40 minutes. 3.5 Tea Interval: of 20 minutes duration from ... or at the conclusion of the over in progress at the above time subject to circumstances provided for in Law 16.3, 16.4 and 16 Note (b). Law 16.5 shall not apply. 3.6 Intervals for Drinks: The provisions of Law 16.6 shall be strictly observed except that under conditions of extreme heat the Umpires may permit extra intervals for drinks An individual player may be given a drink either 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. 3.7 Time Keeping:A clock on the ground shall be used to regulate the hours of play and intervals. The Umpires must notify the Ground Authority which clock is to be followed, so that the spectators and representatives of the media may be informed. If the clock in the ground is out of order, the watches of the Umpires shall determine the time. The host country may provide for the ringing of a bell and shall inform the visiting country at the start of the tour. The bell will be rung 5 minutes before the termination of an interval, when the Umpires shall go to the wickets. 4 Appointment of Umpires For as long as ICC maintains an International Panel of Umpires, the following rules for the selection and appointment of Test Match Umpires shall be followed as far as is practicable to do so: (a) ICC will establish each year a Panel of up to 20 Umpires nominated by the Test countries and will appoint one Umpire from that Panel to stand in each Test match. (b) The Home Board shall appoint a Committee for the purpose of nominating the other Umpire to officiate in each Test Match in its country. (c) Test Match Umpires shall be nominated by this Committee from those Umpires officiating in first class matches during the current season. (d) As long as possible before each Test Match, ICC will advise the Home Board of the name of its appointee and the Home Board will advise the Manager of the touring team of both Umpires names. (e) The Home Board shall also appoint a third Umpire (using the procedures in (b) and (c)) who shall act as the emergency Umpire and officiate in regard to TV replays. (f) The third Umpire will officiate in regard to TV replays only when the Umpires on the field have referred a decision to him in regard to hit wicket, run out or stumping appeals. Either the on field or third umpire shall be entitled to call for a TV replay to assist him in making a decision about whether the fieldsman had any part of his person in contact with the ball when he touched or crossed the boundary line or whether a four or six had been scored. (refer to Regulation of ICC Full Members, Clause 2). (g) Neither team will have a right of objection to an Umpire's appointment. 5 Substitutes 5.1 Law 2.1 will apply as modified: In normal circumstances, a Substitute shall be allowed to field only for a player who satisfies the Umpires that he has become injured or become ill during the match. However, in very exceptional circumstances, the Umpires may use their discretion to allow a Substitute for a player who has to leave the field or does not take the field for other wholly acceptable reasons, subject to consent being given by the opposing Captain. If a player wishes to change his shirt, boots etc., he may leave the field to do so (no changing on the field) but no Substitute will be allowed. 5.2 Law 2.6 (Runner's Equipment) will apply as modified: The player acting as Runner for an injured Batsman shall at all times wear similar external clothing and protective equipment as the injured Batsman. 5.3 Law 2.8 - Fieldsman Leaving the Field In place of Law 2.8, the following will apply: No fieldsman shall leave the field or return during a session of play without the consent of the Umpire at the bowler's end. The Umpire's consent is also necessary if a Substitute is required for a fieldsman at the start of play or when his side returns to the field after an interval. If a member of the fielding side does not take the field at the start of play, leaves the field or fails to return after an interval and is absent from the field longer than 15 minutes: (i) 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. (ii) 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 restriction in (i) and (ii) 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. Note - in the event of a fieldsman already being off the field at the commencement of an interruption in play through ground, weather or light conditions, he shall be allowed to count such stoppage time as playing time, provided that he personally informs the Umpires when he is fit enough to take the field had play been in progress. 6 Law 3.8 - Fitness of Ground, Weather and Light 6.1 Add the following to paragraph (1) and delete clause (i): The Umpires will suspend, or continue to suspend play for bad light when they consider that there is a risk of serious physical injury to the batsman. Amongst the facts to be considered are background, sight screens and the type of bowling. Before deciding to suspend play, or not to resume play after an interval on account of bad light (but for no other reason), the Umpire shall establish whether the Captain of the batting team (the batsmen at the wicket may deputise for their Captain) wishes to continue in unfit conditions; if so, his wishes shall be met. 6.2 Add the following to the last sentence of 3.8 (a) (ii): ... or, as a consequence of a change of bowler, if batting conditions have become more dangerous. 6.3 The Umpires shall disregard any shadow on the pitch from the stadium or from any permanent object on the ground. 7 Law 5 - The Ball The Home Board shall provide cricket balls of an approved standard for Test cricket and spare used balls for changing during a match which shall also be of the same brand. Wherever possible the Home Board will make available more than one make of approved ball and the Captains may agree as to the make to be used. In the event of a disagreement between the Captains, the Home Board shall decide by the toss of a coin. The fielding Captain or his nominee may select the ball with which he wishes to bowl from the supply provided by the Home Board. Such a selection must take place in the presence of the Referee. The Umpires shall retain possession of the match ball(s) throughout the duration of the match when play is not actually taking place. During play Umpires shall periodically and irregularly inspect the condition of the ball and shall retain possession of it at the fall of a wicket, a drinks interval, at the end of each over, or any other disruption in play. Law 5.4 - New Ball The Captain of the fielding side shall have the choice of taking a new ball any time after 80 overs have been bowled with the previous ball. Law 5.5 - Ball Lost or Becoming Unfit for Play In the event of a ball during play being lost or, in the opinion of the Umpires, being unfit for play through normal use, the Umpires shall allow it to be replaced by one that in their opinion has had a similar amount of wear. If the ball is to be replaced, the Umpires shall inform the Batsmen. 8 Law 6 - The Bat Law 6.1 will apply as modified: The bat overall shall not be more than 38 inches / 96.5 cm in length; the blade of the bat shall be made of wood, shall have a conventional "flat" face and shall not exceed 4.25 inches / 10.8 cm at the widest part. 9 Law 7 - The Pitch In addition to the Law 7.2, the following will apply: Captains, Umpires, the Referee and Groundsmen 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. Prior to the start of play on any day, only the Captain ad team Coach may walk on the pitch to assess its condition. Spiked footwear is not permitted. Prior to the commencement of a day's play, one TV commentator and camera crew of the official licensed TV broadcaster/s (but not news crew) may be permitted to inspect the pitch and surrounds subject to the following: - a ball must not be bounced on the pitch - A key or knife may only be inserted in the pitch in the area between the popping and bowling creases In the event of any dispute, the Referee in consultation with the Home Board will rule and his ruling will be final. 10 Law 9.2 - The Popping Crease Law 9.2 shall apply, except that the reference to "a minimum of 6ft" shall be replaced by " a minimum of 15 yards". 11 Law 10 - The Pitch Law 10.1 - Rolling of the Pitch Law 10.1 will apply, but add the following sentence to the first paragraph: However, if in the opinion of the Umpires, the delay has had no significant effect upon the state of the pitch, they shall refuse any request for the rolling of the pitch. In addition the Umpires are empowered to authorise the Groundsman to roll, sweep and otherwise treat the pitch by such manner and means which they, bearing in mind the advice of the Groundsman, consider will return the state of the pitch as near as possible to that pertaining when the choice of innings as made. Law 10.3 (d) - Mowing of the Outfield The outfield shall be mown daily before play begins. 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, bowlers foot holes will be repaired. 12 Covering the Pitch - Before and During a Match In place of Law 11.1 and 11.2, the following shall apply: In all matches, the pitch shall be entirely protected against rain up to the commencement of play and for the duration of the period of 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. The covers shall be removed no earlier than 5.00am and no later than 7.00am on each morning of the match (including the rest day) provided it is not raining at the time, but they will be replaced if rain falls prior to the commencement of play. Note: the covers must totally protect the pitch and also the pitch surroundings, a minimum of 5 metres either side f the pitch and any worn or soft areas in the outfield, as well as the bowlers run-ups to a distance of at least 10 x 10 metres. Attention is drawn to Law 3 Note (c) and Law 11.3. 13 Drying of Pitch and Ground (a) 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. (b) 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. Note - an absorbent roller may be used to remove water from the covers including the cover on the match pitch. 14 Law 15.2 - Practice on the Field At not time on any day of the match shall there be any bowling or batting practice on the pitch or the square, except in official netted practice pitch areas. In addition there shall be no bowling or batting practice on any part of the square or the area immediately parallel to the match pitch after the commencement of play on any day. Any fieldsman contravening this Law may not bowl his next over. No practice may take place on the field if, in the opinion of the Umpires, it could result in a waster of time. 15 Law 19 - Boundaries 15.1 The boundary shall be the fence of a rope inside the fence. The pitch shall be a minimum 60 yards from one boundary square of the pitch. When this minimum distance is used, the pitch has to be a minimum 80 yards from the opposite square boundary. The straight boundary at both ends of the pitch shall be a minimum of 60 yards. Distances shall be measured from the centre of the pitch to be used. Note: any ground on which a Test of One day International has been played prior to 1st July 1995 which does not conform with these minimum dimensions shall be exempted from this playing condition. Any new ground must conform to these minimum dimensions. If an unauthorised person enters the playing arena and handles the ball, the Umpire at the bowler's end shall be the sole judge of whether the boundary allowance should be scored or the ball be treated as still in play or called dead ball if a batsman is liable to be out as a result of the unauthorised person handling the ball. 15.2 Note (a) Sight screens shall be provided at both ends of all grounds. Advertising shall be permitted on the sight screen behind the striker, providing it is removed for the subsequent over from that end. 16 Law 22.7 - Bowler Incapacitated or Suspended During an Over The following shall apply in place of Law 22.7: If for any reason, a Bowler is incapacitated while running up to bowl the first ball of an over, or is incapacitated or suspended during an over, the Umpire shall call and signal 'dead ball' and another bowler shall bowl or complete the over from the same end, provided only that he shall not bowl tow overs, or part thereof, consecutively in one innings. 17 Law 24.1 The Ball - Mode of Delivery Law 24.1 will apply except that the bowler may not deliver the ball underarm. If a bowler bowls a ball underarm the umpire shall call and signal dead ball. In addition, the Umpires at the bowler's end shall call and signal no ball if a ball which the Umpire considers to have been delivered: (i) bounces more than twice or (ii) rolls along the ground or (iii) comes to rest before it reaches the striker or, if not otherwise played by the striker, before it reaches the popping crease. If the ball comes to rest in such circumstances, the Umpire will call No Ball and Law 25.3 shall apply. 18 Law 24.2 Fair Delivery - The Arm Law 24.2 shall apply with the following: The umpire shall also adopt the procedures of caution, final warning, action against the Bowler and reporting as set out in Law 42.8. 19 Law 24.8 - Penalty Except as provided for the Clause 24 (the bowling of fast short pitched balls), Law 24.8 shall apply. 20 Law 24.8 and 25.6 In addition, the following shall apply: No balls and wide balls not scored from shall be included in the bowling analysis of the bowler responsible. 21 Law 30 - Bowled The following shall apply in place of Law 30.1 (b): He plays the ball, or if it touches his person, then hits or kicks it into and breaks his wicket and in the Umpire's judgement an attempt to protect the wicket has been made, the striker will be given out on appeal - bowled. Completion of the stroke will not be considered if an attempt is made to protect the wicket. See Law 34.1 (Out - Hit the Ball Twice). 22 Helmets (and Protective Equipment) In addition to Laws 23.1 (e), 32.2 (e), 38 Note (c) and 41.4 the following shall apply: The striker is out under this Law if the ball is deflected from his bat onto his own protective helmet and he is subsequently caught. Runs may be scored off deflections from the batsman's or fielder's helmet. 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. I all cases, no actions involving helmets are to waste playing time. Umpires are not to hold helmets. The exchanging of protective equipment between members of the fielding side on the field shall be permitted provided that the Umpires do not consider that it constitutes a waster of playing time. A batsman may only change other items of protective equipment (e.g. batting gloves, etc.) provided that there is no waste of playing time. 23 Law 42.4 - (Lifting the Seam) and 42.5 - (Changing the Condition of the Ball) In the event that a ball has been interfered with and requires replacement the batsman at the wicket shall choose the replacement ball from a selection of six other balls of similar degrees of usage (including a new ball) and of the same brand as the ball in use prior to the contravention. 24 Law 42.8 - The Bowling of Fast, Short-Pitched Balls 24.1 (a) A bowler shall be limited to two fast short pitched deliveries per over. (b) A fast, short pitched ball is defined as a ball which passes or would have passed above the shoulder height of the batsman standing upright at the crease (c) In the event of a bowler bowling more than two fast short pitched deliveries in an over, either Umpire shall call and signal no ball on each occasion. (d) The penalty for a fast short pitched no ball shall be two runs, plus any runs scored from the delivery. (e) A differential signal shall be used to signify a fast short pitched delivery. The Umpire shall call and signal "no-ball" and then raise the other arm across the chest. Where a bowler delivers a third fast short pitched ball in one over which is also a no-ball under Law 24 e.g. a front foot no-ball, the penalty will be 2 runs plus any runs scored from that delivery, i.e. the greater penalty will apply. If a bowler delivers a third fast short pitches ball in an over, not only must the Umpire call no ball, but he must invoke the procedures of Law 42.8 (a) in regard to cautioning the bowler. If a bowler is no balled a second time in the innings for the same offence, the Umpire shall advise the bowler this is his final warning as provided for in Law 42.8 (b). A third such offence in the same innings shall cause the Umpire to invoke Law 42.8 (d) i.e. the bowler shall be removed forthwith and cannot bowl again in that innings. The above is not a substitute for Law 42.8 (as amended below), which Umpires are able to apply at any time. 24.2 Law 42.8 (as amended Experimentally) The bowling of fast short pitched balls is unfair if the Umpire at the Bowler's end considers that by their repetition and taking into account their length, height and direction, they are likely to inflict physical injury on the Striker, irrespective of the protective clothing and equipment he may be wearing. The relative skill of the Striker shall also be taken into consideration. In the event of such unfair bowling, the umpire at the Bowler's end shall adopt the following procedure: (a) In the first instance the Umpire shall call and signal no ball, caution the Bowler and inform the other Umpires, the Captain of the fielding side and the Batsmen of what has occurred. (b) If this caution is ineffective, he shall repeat the above procedure and indicate to the Bowler that this is a final warning. (c) Both the above caution and final warning shall continue to apply even though the Bowler may later change ends. (d) Should the above warnings prove ineffective the Umpire at the Bowler's end shall: (i) At the first repetition call and signal no ball and when the ball is dead direct the Captain to take the Bowler off forthwith and to complete the over with another Bowler, provided that the Bowler does not bowl two overs or part thereof consecutively. See Law 22.7. (Bowler incapacitated or Suspended during an Over). (ii) Not allow the Bowler, thus taken off, to bowl again in the same innings. (iii) Report the occurrence to the Captain of the batting side as soon as the Players leave the field for an interval. (iv) Report the occurrence to the Executive of the fielding side and to any governing body responsible for the match who shall take any further action which is considered to be appropriate against the Bowler concerned. 25 Law 42.9 - The Bowling of Fast, High, Full Pitched Balls Law 42.9 shall be replaced by the following: The bowling of fast high full-pitched balls is unfair. A fast high full pitched ball shall be defined as a ball that passes, or would have passed, on the full above waist height of a Batsman standing upright at the crease. Should a Bowler bowl a fast high pitches ball, either Umpire shall call and signal no ball. In the event of such unfair bowling the Umpire at the Bowler's end shall adopt the procedures of caution, final warning, action against the Bowler and reporting as set out in Law 42.8. 26 Law 42 Note (c) Law 42 Note (c) shall apply except that the reference to "4ft" shall be replaced by "5ft". 27 "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, damage to the centre wicket region and to perimeter fencing.