CYPRUS CRICKET ASSOCIATION

 

2023 40-OVER LEAGUE – PLAYING CONDITIONS

 

SUMMARY OF RULES 

 

The official name of the competition is the 2023 CCA#BAOFinancial 40 Over Cup.

 

All teams play each other in round robin– top two meet in final.

 

Maximum 8 overs per bowler.

 

Fielding restrictions (max. 2 outside circle) for first 10 overs – batting side chooses powerplay of 5 overs (with max. 3 outside circle). 

 

Outside powerplays max. 5 fielders outside circle, subject to reductions for teams that fail to bowl their overs in time.

 

Any ball down the leg side is a wide ball. 

 

Free hit for all no-balls. 

 

No more than one 'bouncer' (shoulder high) per over allowed. 

 

No more than 5 fielders on the leg side at any time. 

 

Helmets must be worn.

List of players (maximum 25) to be registered with CCA at start of competition, and no others may play during season.

 

RULES IN FULL 

1. DURATION OF MATCHES 

a) Matches will consist of one innings per side and each innings will be limited to 40 overs. 

b) All sides are expected to complete the bowling of their allocated overs within the time allowed of 4 minutes per over, that is 160 minutes per innings (plus allowance for drinks breaks or unavoidable delays). 

 

2. HOURS OF PLAY AND INTERVALS AND CONDITIONS OF PLAY 

All games will be played under the MCC Laws of Cricket - https://www.lords.org/mcc/the-laws-of-cricket - and the Spirit of Cricket guidelines. In case of conflicting rules, these playing conditions will prevail.

 

2.1 Start and Finish Times 

 

a) Scheduled start of play will be the time shown on the CCA Website 

 

b) 10-minute interval between innings 

 

c) The toss will be done 30 minutes before the normal start of play between the two captains or their representatives. In the event of a team not being able to comply, the opposing team is awarded the toss.

 

d) If a match starts late, the batting overs of the team(s) in default will be reduced by one over for each 5 minutes after the scheduled start time. This may apply to one or both teams.

 

 

2.2 Drink Breaks 

 

Drinks breaks are allowed after 15 and 30 overs, or more frequently at the umpires’ discretion in hot conditions. However players may be allowed drinks in natural breaks in the game (for example, when a wicket falls, an injury occurs or the ball is lost), this is at the umpires’ discretion and permission. 

 

Drinks and drink breaks should be taken on the field of play and players require permission to leave the field of play. 

 

2.3 General Playing Conditions 

 

a) All teams must submit their list of up to 25 players to CCA before the commencement of the season, and no other players may play for that team during the season, without special dispensation from CCA in exceptional circumstances.

 

b) - Play shall not commence until at least 7 registered players from each team are present. 

 

c) – The scheduled start time of any game is the time shown on the CCA website. 

 

d) - However if a late attending team is not ready to start play within 30 minutes of the scheduled start time the match will be abandoned and full win points (30) awarded to the attending side. 

 

e) - The offending team is liable for all the umpiring and scorer costs.

 

f) - Each team captain must enter his team players into the CricHeroes App before the match starts. The ECB safety rules and fast bowling directives for young players will be adhered to.

 

g) Batters and wicketkeepers standing up to the stumps must wear helmets.

 

h) - An incoming batter must pass the outgoing batter on the field of play.

 

i) - All matches should be played in traditional cricket clothing. Teams will wear whites or sports clothing of a uniform colour (tops and bottoms). Umpires have discretion not to allow inappropriately dressed persons on the field of play.

 

j) - Before the first ball of the last over of each innings, the umpire(s) shall call ‘last over’ clearly so that both sides understand.

 

k) - In matches that are played on artificial pitches no spikes will be worn by either batters or bowlers and if in the opinion of the umpires the type of footwear is likely to damage or is damaging the surface in any way, they will be asked to change. If the player refuses the player will not be allowed to bat or bowl in that footwear.

 

l) - The law ‘Protected area’ will be enforced by the umpires.

 

m) - Mobile phones are not allowed on the field of play and if a player has one and is seen using or it 'ringing' a 5 run penalty will be awarded to the opposing team. It is not acceptable to arrive on the field of play and hand it to the umpire to retain.

 

n) – Discarded clothing/bottles or items that are hit by the ball on the field of play whilst the ball is in play will invoke a 5 run Penalty as in helmet rules to the non-offending team.

 

o) It is the responsibility of both captains to ensure that the match is scored live on the CricHeroes App. If this is not possible for some valid reason then the scores must be input to the App within two days after the match.

 

 3. LENGTH OF INNINGS

 

General regulations for uninterrupted matches

3.1 Each team shall have the opportunity to bat for their full allocated overs. If they are dismissed before the completion of these allocated overs or a result is reached, the remaining overs will not be bowled. If the team batting first are dismissed before the completion of their allocated overs the team batting second are entitled to have the opportunity to bat for their own allocated overs.

3.2 It is the fielding team's Captain’s responsibility to monitor the time taken to bowl the overs but he should seek advice from the umpires about this. However umpires will take into account any circumstances that are outside the control of the fielding side when making this judgement (e.g. delays caused by the batting side, extended time taken to retrieve the ball, delays caused by serious injury).

 

4. FIELDING RESTRICTIONS 

 

4.1 For the entire length of the innings: at the instant of delivery, there may not be more than five fielders on the leg side. 

 

4.2 Inner Circles 

 

a) Two semi-circles shall be drawn on the field of play. The semi-circles have as their centre the middle stump at either end of the pitch. The radius of each of the semi-circles is 27.5m. The ends of each semi-circle are joined to the other by a straight line drawn on the field on the same side of the pitch. 

 

b) For the first 10 overs of each innings at the instant of delivery, no more than 2 fielders are permitted to be outside the fielding restriction area. 

 

c) For a further 5 over period at the choice of the batting team (the “powerplay”), no more than 3 fielders are permitted to be outside the fielding restriction area. If the batting team has not already taken its powerplay, the last five overs of the innings will automatically be the powerplay.

 

d) For the remaining overs - no more than 5 fielders are permitted outside this fielding restriction area. If a team fails to bowl its overs within the time allowed [4 minutes per over, i.e. 40 overs in 160 minutes - see 1(b) above] - the maximum fielders allowed outside the circle will immediately be reduced by one for each 4 minutes over the permitted time.

 

e) In the event of infringement of any of the above fielding restrictions, the striker’s end umpire will call and signal “No Ball”. 

 

 

5. NUMBER OF OVERS PER BOWLER 

 

No bowler may bowl more than 8 overs in an innings.

 

6. WIDES AND NO BALLS 

 

6.1 Law 25.1 Wide Ball - Judging a Wide 

 

No delivery will be called Wide if it 

 

a) comes into contact with the striker’s bat or person or 

b) is called as a No ball 

 

For all other deliveries the following interpretation will apply: 

 

6.2 Off side Wides 

 

The normal laws of cricket apply. If there is an off-side wide mark, this is a guide for the umpire only.

 

6.3 Leg side Wides 

 

Any ball passing down the leg side - behind the batsman and missing the leg stump and not being hit by or hitting the batsman - is deemed a wide ball even if the batsman steps inside the line. 

 

6.4 No Balls - Bouncers/Short Pitched Balls 

 

a) One 'bouncer' ball per over is allowed. A short pitched ball is defined as any ball that passes or would have passed over the shoulder of the batter in his normal standing position. It is immaterial whether he hits it or not. 

 

b) If that short pitch ball is deemed a wide on grounds of height or direction or is a no ball anyway it counts as the one for the over. 

 

c) The Bowlers End Umpire will inform the bowler, the batter and the fielding captain that the one per over has been bowled. 

 

d) Should there be a second 'bouncer' in the same over it will be called No Ball by the umpire. 

 

6.5 Free Hits for No-balls

 

a) In the event of a no ball being called the next ball will be a 'free hit' 

 

b) This means that the batter can only be out in the same manner as on a normal no ball (run out etc.) 

 

c) The fielders must remain in the same position and not be moved for the free hit ball apart from the change of stance between a left/right hand batter. 

 

d) Should the free hit ball be a no ball or a wide the free hit is transferred to the next legal delivery. 

 

6.6 Bowling of high full pitch balls 

 

a) Any delivery (irrespective of its speed or direction) which passes or would have passed on the full above waist height of the batter standing upright at the crease is to be deemed dangerous and unfair, whether or not it is likely to inflict physical injury on the striker. 

 

b) The umpires will ensure that no such deliveries go unpunished. 

 

c) It is immaterial whether the batter hits the ball or not. 

 

d) Any such delivery will be called 'No Ball' by the bowler’s end umpire.

 

6.7 Bowler breaking the Non-Striker’s Wicket during Delivery 

 

Where a bowler breaks the non-striker’s wicket during his delivery any umpire shall call ‘No Ball’. 

 

7. THE BALL 

 

a) Cyprus Cricket Association will provide two new balls for each innings.

 

b) Two new balls will be used at the start of each innings, one from each end. 

 

c) A white ball will be used for this competition. 

 

d) The umpires will decide if and when a ball becomes unfit for use and obtain a replacement. 

 

e) The used ball remains the property of CCA and must be handed to the umpire at the end of the innings. 

 

8. POINTS AWARDED 

 

8.1 The winning side is awarded 10 points. 

8.2 The losing side is awarded 0 points. 

 

8.3 For an abandoned or cancelled match each side receives 5 points.

 

 

 

9. INTERRUPTED GAMES 

 

9.1 Delays of up to 30 minutes – game continues as normal.

 

9.2 After 30 minutes play has been lost, the DLS method will be used to recalculate the remaining overs and runs required, on the basis of one over “lost” per 4 minutes of delay. If scoring is being done on the CricHeroes App, the DLS function on the App will be used. Otherwise the umpires and captains may utilise any available mobile technology to source a DLS calculation.

 

9.3 If both teams can not receive at least 15 overs the match is a “no result”.

 

9.4 Bowlers’ limits and powerplay overs will be re-calculated by the umpires pro rata.

 

 

10. TEAM SCORERS AND UMPIRES 

 

10.1 Scorers

 

Each team must supply their own scorer. This person should not be a person playing in the game and should be fully dedicated to scoring in both innings and must be competent at scoring. Live scoring on the CricHeroes App is the preferred method; otherwise the scores must be input to the App within two days after the game.

 

10.2 Umpires

 

CCA may appoint umpires and match managers for matches. Teams are expected to supply competent persons to officiate at games as required by CCA. Umpires should be neutral and not participating in the game as players.

 

 

11. PENALTY POINTS FOR BREACH OF RULES. 

 

Teams that commit the following offences will be liable to a penalty of deduction of league points:-

 

11.1 Leaving the ground untidy or failing to clear away rubbish – 1 penalty point

 

11.2 Failure to provide officials for the whole game when required – 1 penalty point

 

11.3 Late payment of league fees – 1 penalty point per week

 

11.4 Failure to enter the result on the CricHeroes App (if the match has not been live scored on the app) within 2 days after a match – 1 penalty point

 

11.5 Failure to register player list before start of season – 1 penalty point per week

 

11.6 Playing an unregistered or banned or suspended player – 1 penalty point plus loss of any points gained in the match

 

 

 

12. THE RESULT 

 

a) The team scoring the higher number of runs will be deemed the winner. 

b) In the event of a tie, a “Super Over” will be played – one over per side, bowled by one bowler; three batsmen allowed – if 2 wickets fall the innings is ended. If the super over is also tied, another will be played, until there is a result. The team batting second in the main match will bat first in the super over.

 

13. WINNERS OF THE LEAGUE 

 

13.1 The positions in the round robin stage of the league will be based on the number of points won. 

 

13.2 However in the event of equal points, the positions will be determined by net run rate.

 

13.3 The top two teams in the league will play each other in the final.

 

13.4 The winners of the final will be the champions.