How Points are worked out

38.1.1 For a win, 14 points, plus any points scored in the first innings.

38.1.2 In a tie, each side to score seven points, plus any points scored in the first innings.

38.1.3 In a drawn match, each side to score four points, plus any points scored in the first innings (see also paragraph 38.1.6).

38.1.4 If the scores are equal in a drawn match, the side batting in the fourth innings to score seven points plus any points scored in the first innings, and the opposing side to score four points plus any points scored in the first innings.

38.1.5 First Innings Points (awarded only for performances in the first 130 overs of each first innings and retained whatever the result of the match).

(a) A maximum of five batting points to be available as under:
200 to 249 runs 1 point
250 to 299 runs 2 points
300 to 349 runs 3 points
350 to 399 runs 4 points
400 runs or over 5 points

(b) A maximum of three bowling points to be available as under:
3 to 5 wickets taken 1 point
6 to 8 wickets taken 2 points
9 to 10 wickets taken 3 points

If penalty runs are awarded to a team which at that time had faced less than 130 overs in their first innings, or completed their first innings before they had faced 130 overs, those penalty runs will be considered as counting towards the total as far as the award of bonus points is concerned.

If penalty runs are awarded to a team which had already faced 130 overs or more in their first innings, or had previously completed their first innings after they had faced 130 overs, those penalty runs will be not be considered as counting towards the total as far as the award of bonus points is concerned.

38.1.6 If play starts when less than eight hours playing time remains (in which event a one innings match shall be played as provided for in First Class Playing Condition 18), no first innings points shall be scored. The side winning on the one innings to score 14 points. In a tie, each side to score seven points. In a drawn match, each side to score 4 points. If the scores are equal in a drawn match, the side batting in the second innings to score seven points and the opposing side to score four points.

38.1.7 If a match is abandoned without a ball being bowled, each side to score four points.

38.1.8 The side which has the highest aggregate of points gained at the end of the season shall be the Champion County of their respective Division. Should any sides in the Championship table be equal on points, the following tie-breakers will be applied in the order stated: most wins, least losses, team achieving most points in contests between teams level on points, most wickets taken, most runs scored. At the end of the season, the top three teams from the Second Division will be promoted and the bottom three teams from the First Division will be relegated.

Championship Over Rate Penalties

The minimum over-rate to be achieved by Counties will be 16 overs per hour. When calculating the over-rate, two minutes will be allowed for each wicket taken though no allowance will be made for drinks intervals. Any suspension of play for an injury to a player or for any other reason beyond the control of the players shall be a deductible allowance. The Umpire at the bowler's end will inform the fielding Captain, the batsman and his fellow Umpire of any time allowances as and when they arise and the scorers at the earliest opportunity. (This matter will not be subject to retrospective negotiation).

Overs will be calculated at the end of the match and penalties applied on a match by match basis. The relevant calculation to establish the match target is: (Total minutes in the field -2 minutes per wicket - Umpires' allowances)/3.75 (fractions to be ignored)

Overs will be calculated at the end of the match and penalties applied on a match by match basis. The relevant calculation to establish the match target is:

For example, a side that has been in the field for 491 minutes throughout the course of the match and that has taken 18 wickets and been allowed 10 minutes by the Umpires, has a match target of 491-36-10/3.75 = 118.67 overs. Ignoring fractions, the match target is 118 overs.

For each over (fractions to be ignored) that a side has bowled short of the target number, 0.25 points will be deducted from their Championship total as follows:

1 over short of the match target 0.25 points deduction
2 overs short of the match target 0.50 points deduction
3 overs short of the match target 0.75 points deduction
etc.

Only matches in which a team has bowled for 4 hours or more (net of time allowed for wickets taken and Umpires' allowances) in the match will be subject to over-rate penalties.

The scoreboard shall show the number of overs above or below the target overs for the bowling side. This number is calculated by subtracting the number of overs that should have been bowled (calculated as above and ignoring fractions) from the number of overs that have actually been bowled (ignoring fractions in the total number of overs bowled in the match). This will be updated at the very minimum at the start of every session.