Post date: Feb 18, 2013 4:01:54 PM
There are new rules for the Devon Cricket League D Division this year, a PDF of the changes can be downloaded from the foot of the page.
All Clubs will be scheduled to play each other on a home and away basis determined by
the DCL Fixtures Secretary. All matches shall be of a limited over, one innings duration
per team. Each side shall supply one non-playing scorer and one non-playing umpire.
b. Conduct of Matches:
Matches shall be conducted in accordance with the official MCC Laws of Cricket except for
matters specially provided within the playing regulations that follow.
i. Wide Ball – Umpires are instructed to apply a very strict and consistent interpretation
concerning this Law in order to prevent negative bowling wide of the wicket.
ii. As a guide, any offside or leg side delivery, which, in the opinion of the umpire, does not
give the batsman a reasonable opportunity to score, shall be called ‘wide’.
iii. As a guide, any ball passing on the off side sufficiently wide of the batsman to prevent
contact with the normal striking portion of the bat shall be called ‘wide’.
In addition, any ball passing down the leg side outside the batsman shall be called ‘wide’.
c. Fitness of Ground, Weather & Light:
If at any time the umpires together agree that the conditions of ground, weather or light or
any other circumstances are dangerous or unreasonable, they shall immediately suspend
play or not allow play to start or to recommence (MCC Law 3 paragraph 9)
d. Normal Hours of Play:
Scheduled start time 2.00pm (Scheduled close of play about 7.55pm). For the last four
matches of the season, scheduled start time will be 1.30pm (Scheduled close of play about
7.25pm).
If either side is not ready to take the “toss” 15 minutes before the scheduled start time of
the match, the non-offending side can claim the “toss”. Furthermore, a side not ready to
start at the scheduled start time shall lose one over of its innings for every 3½ minutes that
they are late.
e. Normal duration of the match:
Normal match duration will be 90 overs, with each team batting for a maximum of 45 overs.
Both sides will have an innings of the same duration if the first innings is delayed or
interrupted.
i. The umpires and captains together will judge the match duration.
ii. No match will be less than 40 overs duration. The side batting second shall have, and
complete, a minimum of 20 overs to constitute a match. Unless all out earlier, if the side
batting first is dismissed in less that 20 overs, the side batting second shall be entitled to
bat for 20 overs.f. The Result: The side scoring the most runs will win the match. In interrupted matches,
‘Run Rate” will be used to provide a run target for the side batting second.
g. Points:
i. For the side scoring the most runs 10 points
ii. Batting Points (Runs Scored): 100-1 point, 125-2 points, 150-3 points, 175-4 points,
200-5 points
iii. Bowling Points: 2 wkts-1 point, 4wkts-2 points, 6 wkts-3 points, 8 wkts-4 points, 10 wkts-
5 points
iv. Side batting second and winning, for each two wickets in hand + 1 point. However
should the side batting second successfully chase a target of less than 100 runs + 1 point,
provided the total of batting points awarded does not exceed 5.
v. Side batting first and winning having declared on or before the completion of 90% of
their allocated overs (fractions of overs to be rounded up [i.e. 38.5 overs = 39 overs]
+ 2 points.
vi. Cancelled Match (no play at all) – each team will receive 6 points
vii. Abandoned Match (play commenced) – each team will receive 6 points plus any bonus
points accrued during the match
viii. No Result Match (when no result can be achieved by run rate) - each team will receive
6 points plus any bonus points accrued in the match.
h. Delays or Interruptions to Play:
i. First Innings – If during the first innings circumstances delay or interrupt play to the
extent of 7 minutes or more, two overs shall be deducted from the match total for every
complete seven minutes delay. (For example: Umpires decide 28 minutes delay due to
weather, (7 x 4 = 28), thus 8 overs are deducted from the match total (90 – 8 = 82) and this
will impact on bowling limitations.
ii. The First innings will define the number of overs the side batting second will have at the
start of their innings.
iii. Second innings – If during the second innings circumstances delay or interrupt play to
the extent of 3½ minutes or more, one over shall be deducted from the second innings
total for every 3½ minutes delay. However, a minimum of 20 overs must be completed in
order for a match to be constituted. (For example: 2nd innings starts with a planned
duration of 40 overs but is interrupted for 28 minutes (3½ x 8 = 28) thus 8 overs are
deducted from the innings total (40 – 8 = 32) and this reduction will impact on bowling
limitations).
iv. No match shall commence after 4.00pm (3.30pm for the last four matches of the
season) or second innings start after 6.00pm (5.30pm for the last four matches of the
season)
i. Intervals:
i. Tea interval – duration 30 minutes, normally taken between innings (about 4.45pm to
5.15pm)(about 4.15pm to 4.45pm for the last four matches of the season).
ii. Should the first innings conclude before 4.05pm (3.35pm for the last four matches of the
season), there shall be an interval of ten minutes between innings and tea shall then be
taken at 5.05pm (4.35pm for the last four matches of the season) or after 15 overs of play,
whichever is the later.
iii. Drinks interval – will normally be after 23 overs have been bowled or as agreed
between the captains and umpires before the commencement of the match and/or innings.j. Allowable Time:
i. In circumstances which cause loss of playing time and which are beyond the control of
the fielding side, any one event which delays play by more than two minutes shall be noted
by the umpires and the total time lost through that event shall be excluded from the actual
playing time.
ii. Umpires are responsible for noting the start time and end time of each innings, allowable
time in each innings and the number of completed overs played in each innings and these
facts are to be entered on the match result sheet.
iii. In addition, an innings of 45 overs is expected to be completed within a period of 163
minutes - this time period includes one five minute drinks interval (MCC Law 15 Paragraph
9a) but does not include any loss of playing time beyond the control of the fielding side.
k. Over Rates:
i. Fielding sides should aim to achieve an over rate of 17 overs per hour or better.
ii. As a guideline, an innings of 45 overs should be bowled in 163 minutes.
l. Run Rate:
‘Run Rate’ will be used to provide the target to be achieved by the side batting second. On
completion of the first innings the run rate achieved is to be calculated and the rate
achieved conveyed to both captains.
At the start of the second innings, the batting side will know the run rate and therefore the
target to be achieved (Run Rate x overs to be bowled (answer rounded up or + 1) = target
score).
(First example, side batting first scores 189 in 45 overs. Run Rate is thus 189/45 = 4.2
runs per over.
Therefore, the side batting second need to score either 190 or if overs are reduced to say
40, they will need 40 x 4.2 = 168 +1 = 169 to win. If the side batting second only has 20
overs, then they must score 20 x 4.2 = 84 +1 = 85 to win)
(Second example, side batting first score 207 in 39 overs and 3 balls, when they declare.
Run Rate is thus 207/45 = 4.6 runs per over. Therefore the side batting second need to
score either 208 or if overs are reduced to say 40, they will need 40 x 4.6 = 184 +1 = 185
to win. If the side batting second only has 20 overs, then they must score 20 x 4.6 = 92 +
1 = 93 to win)
(Third example, side batting first scores 252 in 45 overs. Run Rate is thus 252/45 = 5.6
runs per over. The side batting second suffer 3 interruptions during their planned 45 over
innings as follows: Play stops after 10 overs (score 40 for 0 wicket with 35 overs still to
play). Play recommences after a break equivalent to 3 overs, reducing the number of
overs still to play to 32: At this stage the side batting second know that their target is 236 to
win (42 overs x 5.6 = 235.2 rounded up = 236 or 235 + 1 = 236 to win).
Play is again interrupted after a further 6 overs (80 for 1) and a further 14 overs are lost.
When play recommences, the side batting second know that they have batted for 16 overs
and have 12 to come, thus they need a total of 28 x 5.6 = 156.8 rounded up = 157 or 156 +
1 = 157 to win.
Finally, their innings is interrupted a third and final time, after a further 8 overs, and
eventually the game is called off with their score at 136 for 6 wickets after having 24 overs
and 3 balls bowled to them. The side batting second therefore need to have scored in
their 24 overs and 3 balls (= 147 balls) 147 x 5.6/6 (to convert first innings run rate per over
to per ball) = 137.2 round up = 138 or 137 + 2 = 138. They have not and lose the match
on run rate.)m. Bowlers and Fielders:
i. No bowler may bowl more than 9 overs in a 45 over innings. Where circumstances
reduce the overall number of overs of the match, any bowler may not bowl more than 20%
of the revised allocated overs. In a reduced match any bowler may not bowl more than
20% of the allocated overs.
ii. In the event of a bowler breaking down mid-over then that over may be completed by
another player but the parts thereof of the over will count as whole overs against the
original bowler and his replacement.
iii. There are no specific fielding restrictions. The normal MCC Laws of Cricket are to be
followed with respect to fielders.
n. Match Balls:
i. Each side shall provide one new match ball, both balls to be lodged with the umpires
before the commencement of the match.
ii. The ball used first in the match shall be deemed to be that supplied by the home team.
iii. The side fielding second MUST use the second new ball.
iv. The ball used must be “Dukes Special Crown Match”. Any new ball must bear the DCL
symbol.
v. Spare balls (Dukes Special Crown Match) in suitable condition shall be provided by the
home team for inspection and approval of the umpires before the start of play. The
selection of a spare ball from this stock, when the ball previously in use is lost or unfit for
further use, shall be as directed by the umpires.