1 DURATION

Except as specially provided for hereinafter, the 1980 Code of the Laws of Cricket (Second Edition - 1992), together with subsequent amendments, shall apply in all matches.

BRITANNIC ASSURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES- Four days.

OTHER MATCHES - Three days.

2 TIMINGS FOR START AND CESSATION OF PLAY AND MINIMUM OVERS IN THE DAY

BRITANNIC ASSURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES

Minimum Overs in the Day

(i) Play shall continue on each day until the completion of a minimum number of overs or until the 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:

(a) on days other than the last day - a minimum of 104 overs.
(b) on the last day - a minimum of 80 overs (or 16 overs per hour) for playing time other than the last hour when Clause (v) below shall apply.

(ii) Where there is a change of innings during a day's play (except during the lunch or tea interval or during a suspension of play due to ground, weather or light conditions), two overs will be deducted from the min imum number of overs to be bowled.

(iii) If interruptions for weather or light occur, other than in the last hour of the match for which Clause (v) makes provision, the minimum number of overs shall be reduced by one over for each full 3¾ minutes of the aggregate playing time lost.

(iv) On the last day, if any of the minimum of 80 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 (v) shall be the hour immediately following the completion of those overs.

(v) Law 17.6 and 17.7 will apply except that a minimum of 16 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 3¾ minutes. If, however, at 5.30 p.m. (5.00 p.m. in matches scheduled to start in September) both Captains (the bats men at the wicket may act for their Captain) accept that there is no prospect of a result to the match or of either side gaining any further first innings bonus points (if the first innings of both sides have not already been completed), they may agree to cease play at that time. Such agreement may be reached at any time after 5.30 p.m. (5.00 p.m.).

(vi) The Captains may agree or, in the event of disagreement, the Umpires may decide to play 30 minutes (a minimum eight overs) extra time at the end of the first, second and/or third day's play if, in their opinion, it would bring about a definite result on that day. If it is decided to play extra time on any or all 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 of play remaining in the match, and the match shall end earlier on the last day by the actual amount of time by which play was previously extended in aggregate (i.e. the time for the com mencement of the last hour will be adjusted accordingly and the min imum number of overs prior to the last hour will be correspondingly reduced at a rate of one over for each full 3 ¾ minutes).

(vii) 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 mini mum over within two minutes of the scheduled cessation time or thereafter.

(viii) An over completed on resumption of a new day's play shall be disre garded in calculating minimum overs for that day.

(ix) Fractions are to be ignored in all calculations re the number of overs.

(x) 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.

OTHER MATCHES

Normal timings will be:- 1st and 2nd days - 11.30 a.m. - 6.30 p.m. (11.00 a.m. - 6.30 p.m. in the 'Varsity Match' between Oxford and Cambridge Universities)

3rd day - 11.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m.

Notes

(a) Laws 17.6 and 17.7 will apply (i.e. there shall be a scheduled mim mum of 20 overs in the last hour). However, play may cease on the last day up to 30 minutes earlier than the scheduled time for the Cessation of Play, by mutual agreement of the Captains.

(b) The Captains may agree or, in the event of disagreement, the Umpires may decide to play 30 minutes (a minimum ten overs) extra time at the end of the first and/or second day's play if, in their opinion, it would bring about a definite result on that day. If it is decided to play extra time on either or both these days, the whole period shall be played out, even though the possibility of finishing the match may have disap peared 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 in the match, and the match shall end earlier on the last day by the actual amount of time by which play was previously extended (the time for the commencement of the last hour to be adjusted accordingly.)

(c) The above timings may be varied by mutual agreement and subject to notice being given to the media in sufficient time before the start of the match.

3 TIMING FOR LUNCHEON INTERVAL

BRITANNIC ASSURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES

Normal timings will be:- lst, 2nd and 3rd days - 1.15 p.m. - l.55 p.m. (12.45 p.m. - l.25 p.m. in matches scheduled to start in September)

4th day - 1.00 p.m. - 1.40 p.m. (12.30 p.m. - l.l0 p.m. m matches scheduled to start in September)

Notes

(a) These timings may be varied if, owing to the weather or state of the ground, an alteration has been agreed upon by the Captains or ordered by the Umpires.

(b) Law 16.2 will apply, except that, where an innings concludes or there is a break in play within ten minutes of the scheduled lunch interval, the interval will commence at that time and be limited to 40 minutes.

OTHER MATCHES

Normal timings will be:- lst and 2nd days - l.30 p.m. - 2.10 p.m. (1.15 p.m. - l.55 p.m. in the

'Varsity Match')

3rd day -1.00 p.m. - l.40p.m.

Notes

(a) These timings may be varied if, owing to the weather or state of the ground, an alteration has been agreed upon by the Captains or ordered by the Umpires.

(b) Law 16.2 will apply, except that, where an innings concludes or there is a break in play within ten minutes of the scheduled lunch interval, the interval will commence at that time and be limited to 40 minutes.

4 TIMING FOR TEA INTERVAL

BRITANNIC ASSURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES

1st, 2nd and 3rd days - A tea interval of 20 minutes' duration shall normally be taken at 4.10 p.m. (3.40 p.m. in matches scheduled to start in September), pro vided that at that time 32 overs or less remain to be bowled. The over in progress shall be completed unless a batsman is out or retires during that over within two minutes of the interval or if the players have occasion to leave the field.

In the event of more than 32 overs remaining to be bowled at 4.10 p.m. (3.40 p.m. in matches scheduled to start in September), play shall continue and the tea interval shall commence when 32 oven remain to be bowled. The over in progress immediately before any resched uled tea interval shall be completed unless a batsman is out or retires during that over with in two minutes of the interval or if the players have occasion to leave the field.

4th day - As for 1st, 2nd and 3rd days, except that 3.40 p.m. shall be substituted for 4.10 p.m. (3.10 p.m. instead of 3.44) p.m. in matches scheduled to start in september).The provision that the tea interval shall not be taken until 32 oven or less remain to be bowled shall not apply on the 4th day.

Notes

(a) The conditions in Laws 16.3, 16.4 and 16 note B regarding alterna tives to the timing of the tea interval will apply. Law 16.5 shall not apply. If an innings ends or there is a stoppage caused by weather or bad light within 30 minutes of the scheduled time for the interval, the interval shall be taken immediately irrespective of the number of oven to be bowled.

(b) There will be no tea interval if the scheduled timing for Cessation of Play is earlier than 530 p.m. (5.00 p.m. in matches scheduled to start in September).

OTHER MATCHES

Normal timings will be:- lst and 2nd days - 4.lO p.m. - 4.30 p.m

3rd day - 3.40 p.m. - 4.00 p.m.

Note

There will be no tea interval if the scheduled timing for Cessation of Play is earlier than 5.30 p.m.

5 RINGING OF THE BELL

ALL MATCHES

The bell will be rung five minutes before the start of play and before the termination of an interval, when the Umpires shall go to the wickets.

6 UMPIRES

ALL MATCHES

Umpires will be appointed by E.C.B. They shall report themselves to the Ground Authority at 10.00 a.m. on the first day of the match and, by mutu al agreement with each other, one Umpire shall report at 9.30 a.m. and the other at 10.00 a.m. on succeeding days. (These timings shall be advanced by 30 minutes in respect of Britannic Assurance Championship matches scheduled to start in September.)

Before leaving the ground after Cessation of Play, the Umpires shall ensure that the minimum covering of the pitch and surrounding areas as laid down in the Playing Conditions, and any necessary renovation of foot holes, have been carried out to their satisfaction.

7 LAW 2.1- SUBSTITUTES

ALL MATCHES

In addition to Law 2.1 the following will apply:- No Substitute may take the field until the player for whom he is to substi tate has been absent from the field for a period of five consecutive com plete overs, with the exception that if a fieldsman sustains an obvious, seri ous injury or is taken ill, a Substitute shall be allowed immediately. In the event of any disagreement between the two sides as to the seriousness of an injury or illness, the Umpires shall adjudicate. If a player leaves the field during an over, the remainder of that over shall not count in the cal culation of the five complete overs.

BRITANNIC ASSURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES ONLY

In addition to the above regulation (Law 2.1- Substitutes) and as an exception to it, a Substitute shall be allowed by right immediately in the event of a cricketer currently playing in a Britannic Assurance Championship match being required to join the England Team for a Test Match (or One Day International Match). Such Substitute may be permitted to bat or bowl in that match, subject to the approval of the Chief Executive of E.C.B. or his nominee. The cricketer who is substituted shall take no further part in that match even though he may not be required to play for England. If he is batting at the time he is required to leave the match, he shall retire 'not Out' and his Substitute may be permitted to bat later in that innings subject to the approval of the Chief Executive of E.C.B. or his nominee.

8 LAW 2.2 - OBJECTION TO SUBSTITUTES

ALL MATCHES

New Law 2.2 will apply, viz:- The opposing Captain shall have no right of objection to any player acting as Substitute in the field, nor as to where he shall field; however, no Substitute shall act as wicket-keeper.

9 LAW 2.8 - FIELDSMAN LEAVING THE FIELD

ALL MATCHES

In place of Law 2.8, the following will apply:

No fieldsman shall leave the field or return during a session of play with out 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

(ii) the player shall not be permitted to bat unless or until, in the aggre gate, 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 the player has suffered an external blow (as opposed to an internal injury such as a pulled muscle) whilst participating earlier in the match and consequently been forced to leave the field. 'External blow' should be interpreted broadly to include. but not be restricted to, such things as collisions with boundary boards, clashes of heads, heavy falls, etc. 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 commence ment of an interruption in play through ground, weather or light conditions, he shall be allowed to count any such stoppage time as playing time, pro vided that he personally informs the Umpires that he is sufficiently fit to have been able to take the field had play been in progress.

10 LAW 3.8 - FITNESS OF GROUND, WEATHER AND LIGHT

ALL MATCHES

In place of Law 3.8, the following will apply:

(a) All decisions concerning the fitness of the pitch, ground, weather and light for play shall be in the hands of the Umpires. Before reaching a decision regarding the fitness of the pitch or ground for play, the Umpires shall consult with both Captains, or their deputies, who may accompany the Umpires on all inspections of the pitch and ground. The Umpires shall also consult with the Groundsman.

(b) The Umpires will only 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, sightscreens 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 Umpires shall establish whether the Captain of the batting side (the batsmen at the wicket may deputise for their Captain) wishes to continue in unfit conditions; if so, his wishes shall be met.

(c) If, after agreeing to continue play in unfit light conditions, the Captain of the batting side (the batsmen at the wicket may deputise for their Captain) subsequently wishes play to be suspended, he may appeal to the Umpires, who shall upbold the appeal only if, in their opinion, light conditions have deteriorated since the agreement to continue was made or, as a consequence of a change of bowler, if batting conditions have become more dangerous.

(d) Following any suspension of play due tolight conditions, the Umpires shall assess their decision to resume on the basis of conditions being properly fit, even though the batsmen may have agreed previously to continue play in unfit light conditions.

(e) Following any inspection, the Umpires will report their findings immediately to both Captains and to the Ground Authority.

(f) The Umpires shall disregard any shadow on the pitch from the stadi um or from any permanent object on the ground.

11 LAW 5 - THE BALL

ALL MATCHES

Grade I Cricket Council/B.S.I. approved cricket balls of British manufac ture, with seams conforming to the specifications laid down by the E.C.B. and date-stamped '1991', shall be used, and spare used balls for changing during a match shall also be of the same brand. The fielding Captain, or his nominee, may select the ball with which he wishes to bowl from the sup ply provided by the Ground Authority. Such selection must take place in the presence of the Umpires, and the ball shall not be marked in any way.

12 LAW 5.4 - NEW BALL IN MATCH OF THREE OR MORE DAYS' DURATION

ALL MATCHES

The Captain of the fielding side shall have the choice of taking the new ball after 100 overs have been bowled with the old one. The number of overs bowled will be put up singly from the beginning of an innings.

13 LAW 5.5 - BALL LOST OR BECOMING UNFIT FOR PLAY

ALL MATCHES

Law 5.5 will apply, subject to the addition of 'through normal use' after the words 'becoming unfit for play' in line two.The Umpires, alone, will select replacement balls.

14 LAW 6 - THE BAT

ALL MATCHES

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 4¼ inches/l0.8 cm at the widest part.

15 LAW 7 - THE PITCH

ALL MATCHES

In addition to Law 7.2, the following will apply:- Captains, Umpires 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 dam age to the pitch in any other way.

Prior to the commencement of a day's play, one TV commentator and cam era 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) a ball must not be bounced on the pitch;

(b) 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, one or both Umpires in consultation with the Ground Authority will rule and his/their ruling will be final.

16 LAW 10.1 AND LAW 10 NOTE (c) - ROLLNG THE PITCH AND CHOICE OF ROLLER

ALL MATCHES

Law 10.1 will apply, together with Law 10 Note (c), but at the end of the first paragraph add the following:

However, if, in the opinion of the umpires, the delay has had no significant effect on the state of the pitch, they shall refuse any request for the rolling of the pitch.

17 LAW 10.6 - MAINTENANCE OF FOOT HOLES

ALL MATCHES

Law 10.6 will apply, but in addition the Umpires shall see that, wherever possible and whenever it is considered necessary, action is taken during all intervals in play to do whatever is practicable to improve the bowlers' foot holes.

18 LAW 11- COVERING THE PITCH AND SURROUNDING AREAS

ALL MATCHES

(a) Pitch

The whole pitch shall be covered:-

(i) The night before the match and, if necessary, until the first ball is bowled; and whenever necessary and possible at any time prior to that during the preparation of the pitch.

(ii) On each night of the match and, if necessary, throughout any rest days.

(iii) In the event of play being suspended on account of bad light or rain during the specified hours of play.

Note

The covers shall be removed before 8.00 a.m. on each morning of the match (including rest days) provided it is not raining at the time, but they will be replaced if rain falls prior to the commencement of play.

(b) Other Areas

The following areas will be covered, in addition to the pitch as in (a) above, unless the Umpires decide otherwise:-

(i) The bowler's 'run up' to a distance of at least 10 yards, with a width of four yards.

(ii) At least 10 feet either side of the length of the pitch.

(iii) In addition to (i) and (ii) above, further areas and in particular worn patches should, if possible and practicable, also be covered.

(c) Covering During Play

(i) In order to make play possible, the Umpires may decide, follow ing consultation with the Captains, to have particularly wet or muddy areas covered by mats or blankets whilst play is in progress.

(ii) A pitch being prepared for a future match may be protected by a porous mat in order to avoid unnecessary damage. A second porous mat may be put down if an additional pitch which is intended to be used for a future Cornhill Test match, Texaco Trophy Limited-over International or E.C.B. Cup Final requires protection.

(iii) During an AXA Life League Match being played on a ground on which a four-day or other competitive match is being played over that weekend, the pitch for the other match shall be covered with a porous mat in order to prevent unnecessary damage.

19 DRYING OF PITCH AND GROUND

ALL MATCHES

(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 undertak en at any time by the Groundsman, but the drying 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 (other than an absorbent roller), for the purpose of drying the pitch and maldng it fit for play.

(c) Following the artificial drying of the pitch, the Captain of the batting side shall not have the right to select the roller prior to the resumption of play, but the Umpires may decide on the use of a roller if they think fit.

20 LAW 14 - DECLARATIONS

ALL MATCHES

Law 14 will apply, but, in addition, a Captain may also forfeit his first innings, subject to the provisions set out in Law 14.2.

BRITANNIC ASSURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES ONLY

If, due to weather conditions the match has not started when less than eight hours' playing time remains, the first innings of each side shall automati cally be forfeited and a one innings match played.

21 LAW 15.2 - PRACTICE PRIOR TO AND DURING A MATCH

ALL MATCHES

New Experimental Law 15.2 will apply as follows:

At no time on any day of the match shall there be any bowling or batting practice on the pitch. In addition there shall be no bowling or batting prac tice 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 contra vening this Law may not bowl the next over.

No practice may take place on the field if, in the opimon of the Umpires, it could result in a waste of time.

22 LAW 16.6 - INTERVALS FOR DRINKS

ALL MATCHES

The provisions of Law 16.6 shall be strictly observed Drinks intervals shall be restricted to one per session, although an individual fieldsman may be given a drink on the boundary edge provided that no playing time is wasted. However, no drink shall be given to any player on the field of play itself outside an officially agreed drinks interval, other than in exceptional circumstances and then only with the approval of the Umpires. Any player taking drinks on to the field shall be dressed in proper cricket attire.

23 LAW 19 - BOUNDARIES

ALL MATCHES

The Ground Authority shall aim to provide the largest playing area, subject to no boundary exceeding a distance of 90 yards from the centre of the pitch. No boundary shall be less than 50 yards.

In the event of the Umpires, during their pre-match inspection, considering that the maximum area has not been utilised for the marking of boundanes within this regulation, they shall be empowered to have them moved to achieve this objective, subject to consultation with the Ground Authority.

On grounds where the boundary is not clearly defined by a perimeter fence or edge of grass area, it must be marked by a rope.

If an unauthorised person enters the playing area and handles the ball, the Umpire at the bowler's end shall be the sole judge of whether the bound ary 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 unautho rised person handling the ball.

24 LAW 19 Note (a) - SIGHT SCREENS

ALL MATCHES

If practicable, sight screens shall be provided at both ends of all grounds. Advertising shall be permitted on the sight screen behind the striker, pro vided that is removed for the subsequent over from that end.

25 LAW 22.7 - BOWLER INCAPACITATED OR SUSPENDED DURING AN OVER

ALL MATCHES

Law 22.7 will apply subject to the deletion of 'be allowed to' from line four.

26 LAW 24.1 - NO BALL MODE OF DELIVERY

ALL MATCHES

Law 24.1 will apply, except that the bowler may not deliver the ball under arm. If a bowler bowls a ball underarm the umpire shall call and signal 'dead ball'.

In addition, the Umpire 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 striker has a right with out interference from the fielding side to make one attempt to hit the ball.

If the fielding side interferes, the Umpire shall replace the ball where it came to rest and shall order the fieldamen to resume the places they occu pied in the field before the ball was delivered.

The Umpire shall call and signal 'Dead Ball' as soon as it is clear that the striker does not intend to hit the ball or after the striker has made an unsuc cessful attempt to hit the ball.

As a result of the above, Law 25.3 - Wide Ball coming to rest in front of striker, is deleted.

27 LAW 24.2 - FAIR DELIVERY - THE ARM

ALL MATCHES

In place of Law 24.2 the following will apply:-

For a delivery to be fair, the ball must be bowled, not thrown. If, in the opinion of either Umpire, a delivery is unfair in this respect, he shall call and signal 'No Ball' instantly upon delivery. The Umpire shall also adopt the procedure of caution, final warning, action against the bowler and reporting as set out in Law 42.8. At the conclusion of every match, both Umpires will submit reports to the Chief Executive of E.C.B., on the fair ness or otherwise of the actions of all bowlers in the match. In the event of an Umpire expressing doubts as to the absolute fairness of a bowler's action, the Chief Executive of E.C.B. shall inform the Secretary of the County Club concerned. Should a bowler be 'called' or reported', the Cricket Advisory Committee shall adjudicate as soon as possible in accor dance with the Throwing Sub-Committee's Report of 1966.

28 LAW 24.8 - NO BALL - PENALTY

ALL MATCHES

In place of Law 24.8 the following will apply:-

A penalty of two runs for a 'No Ball' shall be awarded, and shall in all cases be scored as 'No Balls'. This penalty shall stand in addition to any other runs which are scored or awarded.

29 LAW 24.11 - NO BALL - BATSMAN GIVEN OUT OFF A 'NO BALL'

ALL MATCHES

In place of Law 24.11 the following will apply:-

Should a batsman be given out off a 'No Ball', the penalty for bowling it shall stand in addition to any runs otherwise scored.

30 LAW 25 - WIDE

ALL MATCHES

Law 25.1 will apply, but in addition:-

(i) For bowlers attempting to utilise the rough outside a batsman's leg stump the strict Limited Over Wide interpretation will be applied.

(ii) For bowlers whom Umpires consider to be bowling down the leg side as a negative tactic, the Strict Limited Over Wide interpretation will be applied.

(iii) In place of Law 25.2, 25.6 and 25.8 the following will apply:- A penalty of two runs for a Wide shall be scored. This penalty shall stand in addition to any other runs which are scored or awarded. All runs which are run or result from a Wide Ball which is not a No Ball shall be scored Wide Balls.

Note: (i), (ii) and (iii) above do not apply to One-Day Cricket where the penalty for a wide remains at one.

31 LAW 30- BOWLED

ALL MATCHES

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 (Ont-Hit the Ball Twice).

32 LAW 42.4 - LIFTING THE SEAM

ALL MATCHES

Delete Law 42.4 and see Playing Condition No. 33 (Law 42.5 - Changing the Condition of the Ball).

33 LAW 42.5 - CHANGING THE CONDITION OF THE BALL

ALL MATCHES

Delete Law 42.5 and Note (a) and insert the following:- Any member of the fielding side may polish the ball provided that such

polishing wastes no time and that no artificial substance is used. No-one shall rub the ball on the ground or lift the seam or take any other action whatever, other than polishing the ball, to alter its condition. See new Note (a).

This regulation does not prevent a member of the fielding side, with the Umpires' permission, from drying a wet ball or removing mud from the ball. See Note (b).

In the event of a contravention of this regulation, the Umpires after con sultation, shall take possession of the ball forthwith.

The batsmen at the wicket shall then choose the replacement ball from a selection of six other balls of various degrees of usage (including a new one) and of the same brand as the ball in use prior to the contravention. In such an event, the Umpires shall warn the Captain of the fielding side that any repetition will result in a bowler being barred from bowling again m that innings. The batsmen at the wicket will be advised that such a warn ing has been issued.

Should one or more further contraventions of this regulation occur during the same innings, the Umpires shall:-

(i) take possession of the ball and replace it in accordance with the pro cedure set out above;

(ii) direct the Captain of the fielding side forthwith to take off the bowler who bowled the last ball prior to the second or subsequent contraven tion, and to complete the over, if unfinished, with another bowler, provided always that no bowler bowls two overs, or part thereof, con secutively.

(iii) not allow the bowler, thus taken off, to bowl again in the same innings; (iv) report the occurrence to the Captain of the batting side as soon as the players leave the field for the next interval.

(v) report the occurrence immediately after the day's play to the manage ment of the fielding side and to the Chief Executive of E.C.B., who shall take any further action which is considered to be appropriate against the bowler and/or the team concerned.

Notes

(a) The Condition of the Ball

At the end of every over, when the ball is dead, the ball will be hand ed to the Umpire who was standing at the striker's end, and he will inspect the condition of the ball before the commencement of the next over. In addition, the Umpires shall make further frequent and irregu lar inspections of the condition of the ball including, but not limited to, at the fall of awicket and at each drinks interval.

(b) Drying of a Wet Ball

A wet ball may be dried on a towel or with sawdust.

34 LAW 42.8 - THE BOWLING OF FAST, SHORT-PITCHED BALLS

ALL MATCHES

New Experimental Law 42.8 will apply as follows:- 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 considera tion.

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', cau tion the bowler and inform the other Umpire, the Captain of the field ing 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 fmal 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.

ADDITIONAL REGULATION (ALL MATCHES)

In addition to new Experimental Law 42.8, the following regulation will apply:-

(i) A bowler shall be limited to one fast, short-pitched ball per over per batsman.

(ii) A fast, short-pitched ball is defined as a ball which passes or would have passed above the shoulder of the batsman standing upright at the crease.

(iii) If this limit is exceeded, the Umpire at the bowler's end shall call and signal 'No Ball' on each occasion.

(iv) The penalty for a fast, short-pitched 'No Ball' shall be two runs in addition to any other runs which are scored or awarded (as provided for in Condition No. 28).

(v) A differential signal shall be used to signify a fast, short-pitched 'No Ball'. The Umpire shall call and signal 'No Ball', then raise the other arm across the chest.

(vi) If a bowler exceeds his limit of short-pitched deliveries in an over, not only must the Umpire call 'No Ball', but he must invoke the proce dures 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 that this is his final warn ing 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 canot bowl again in that innings.

Note

The above Regulation is a supplement to, and not a substitute for Law 42.8 (as amended), which the Umpires are able to apply at any time.

35 LAW 42.9 - THE BOWLING OF HIGH FULL PITCHED BALLS

ALL MATCHES

Delete Law 42.9 and Law 42 Note (e) and insert the following:- Any high full pitched ball (regardless of its pace) which passes or would have passed above waist height of the batsman standing upright at the crease shall be called and signalled 'No Ball' by the Umpire at the bowler's end.

In the event of a bowler bowling afast high full pitched ball (ie a 'beamer'), 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 First-Class Playing Condition No.34 above. (The warning procedures in respect of the bowling of fast high full pitched balls and the unfair bowling of fast, short- pitched balls shall be combined together.) However, if the Umpire at the bowler's end considers that such a fast high full pitch has been bowled deliberately at the batsman, he shall direct the Captain of the fielding side to take the bowler off forthwith in accordance with the provisions of Experimental Law 42.8 (d) without adopting the procedure of caution and final warning laid down in Experimental Law 42.8 (a), (b) and (c).

36 LAW 42 NOTE C - DANGER AREA

ALL MATCHES

Law 42 Note C shall apply except that the reference to 4ft shall be replaced by 5ft.

37 PROTECTIVE HELMETS AND EQUIPMENT

ALL MATCHES

(a) In addition to new Law 41.4 the following will apply:- In order to eliminate any waste of playing time caused by the removal from the field of fieldsmen's protective equipment other than helmets (e.g. shin pads, etc.) such equipment, once taken on to the field, must be worn until the fall of a wicket or until the next interval.

The exchanging of equipment between members of the fielding side on the field shall be permitted, provided that the Umpires do not con sider that it constitutes a waste of playing time.

(b) Umpires are not to hold helmets.

(c) A batsman who chooses to use a helmet must wear (or carry) it per sonally all the time while play is in progress. While he may call for a helmet to be brought Out to him during any break in play, he may only have the helmet taken off the field at the fall of a wicket or at the next interval.

(d) A batsman may only change an item of protective equipment other than a helmet (e.g. batting gloves. etc.) at the fall of a wicket or at the next interval, unless the equipment is clearly damaged or unservice able and then only with the approval of the Umpires.

38 'HITTING UP'

ALL MATCHES

Teams are required to observe Ground Authority regulations and to exer cise 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 mem bers of the public, damage to the centre wicket region and to perimeter fencing.

39 REPORTS

Umpires are required to report immediately after or, if necessary, during a match any breach of these Playing Conditions or as required under the terms of Law 42. Umpires will report any case of obvious dissent or mis conduct, even though the player's Captain may have taken effective action (Law 42.13 refers). All reports shall be submitted in writing as soon as pos sible to the Secretary or Manager of the Club or team concerned, and to the Chief Executive of E.C.B.