SUMMARY OF RULES 

 

Two groups in which all teams play each other – top two from each group meet in semi-finals, then winners 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.

 

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. 

 

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 General MCC Laws and the Spirit of Cricket guidelines. 

 

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 (7 or more players present) not being able to comply, the opposing team is awarded the toss. 

 

2.2 Drink Breaks 

 

Drinks breaks are allowed after 20 overs, or more frequently by agreement 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) - Play shall not commence until at least 7 registered players from each team are present. 

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

c) - However if the 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. 

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

e) - Penalty points will be deducted for late starts by either or both teams. (Start of play is when the umpire calls play). 

f) - A completed CCA Team Sheet must be handed to the umpires before the start of the game, this sheet must show the ages of any players under the age of 19 years on the day of the match. The ECB safety rules and fast bowling directives for young players will be adhered to. 

g) - An incoming batsman must pass the outgoing batsman on the field of play (See Section 11 Penalty Points) 

h) - 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. 

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

j) - In matches that are played on artificial pitches no spikes will be worn by either batsmen 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. 

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

l) - 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. 

m) – 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. 

n) It is the responsibility of both captains to ensure that a properly completed scoresheet is submitted to the CCA league secretary without delay after each match.

 

3. LENGTH OF INNINGS 

 

General regulations for uninterrupted matches 

 

a) 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. 

b) If the team fielding second fails to bowl the allocated overs by the scheduled cessation time the hours of play shall be extended until the required number of overs have been bowled or a result reached. 

c) In the event of overs not being bowled within the scheduled time limit, teams will be penalised (See Section 11 Penalty Points). In addition 5 penalty runs shall be awarded to the batting team for each complete over not bowled by the scheduled time.

d) It is the fielding team's Captain’s responsibility to monitor the time taken to bowl the overs but 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 (such as: 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. 

 

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 batsman 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 batsman 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 batsman 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 batsman. 

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 batsman 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 batsman 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 a new ball for each innings. 

b) A new ball will be used at the start of each innings. 

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 30 points. 

8.2 The losing side is awarded bonus points for batting and bowling to a maximum of 20 points. 

 

Batting Points 

8.3 Batting Bonus Points are 1 point for 50 runs, 2 points for 75 runs, 3 points for 100 runs, 4 points for 125 runs, 5 points for 150 runs, 8 points for 175 runs and 10 points for 200 runs. 

 

8.4 If the losing side bats out its full scheduled overs allocation even in reduced overs allocation (either 1st or 2nd innings) they are awarded an extra 5 batting bonus points. 

 

Bowling Points 

8.5  1 point for 2 wickets, 2 points for 4 wickets, 3 points for 6 wickets, 4 points for 8 wickets and 5 points for 10 wickets. 

8.6 When a side does not have its full complement of 11 players it is deemed to be all out when their last wicket falls and consequently 5 bonus bowling points are awarded to the fielding side. 

8.7 Full bonus bowling points (5) are also awarded to the fielding side if a side declares its innings closed. 

8.8 It shall be the duty of the captains of the teams and the umpires to ascertain between innings the total runs scored by the side batting first and to agree the batting target accordingly. 

 

8.9 In the case of a “no result” each side is awarded 15 points and no bonus points to either side. 

 

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 total overs in the match are reduced by one per 4 minutes lost, and if the first innings is still in progress the number of overs per team is recalculated accordingly, so that both teams have the same number of overs.

 

9.3 If this is not possible because there is insufficient time left for the second team to bat as many overs as the first team, then they will receive the number of overs remaining and the result will be determined by run rate over the entire innings of each team, provided that both teams have received at least 15 overs.

 

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

 

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

 

[See examples on last page.]

 

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. 

 

10.2 Umpires

 

CCA will appoint umpires for matches. Teams are expected to supply umpires 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. 

 

11.1 Late starts 

 

a) 1 point deducted from points attained at the rate of 1 point for every 2 minutes late starting, for example 10.02am start = 1 Penalty Point – 10.04am start = 2 Penalty Points, and so on. 

b) Start of Play is when the umpire calls 'Play' 

 

11.2 Slow over rate 

 

a) I point deducted for every 4 minutes over the scheduled time, for example 164 minutes = 1 Penalty Point, 168 minutes = 2 Penalty Points, and so on – This is irrespective of which over is being bowled and when it started. 

b) For games of reduced overs it is still 1 penalty point every 4 minutes over the agreed scheduled time. 

c) An innings ends when either the batting team is all out or the full allocation of overs has been bowled.

 

11.3 Batsman to cross on field of Play 

 

Batsmen must cross on the field of Play and 1 Penalty Point to be deducted for not doing so.

 

11.4 Scorers 

 

Failure to have a dedicated scorer for a match: 2 Penalty Points deducted 

  

11.5 Failure to leave ground tidy

 

Teams that leave the ground untidy or fail to clear away their rubbish will be liable to a 10-penalty point deduction.

 

 11.6 The amount of penalty points accrued by a team and deducted will not be more than the points achieved (either win or bonus) by the same team. 

 

 11.7 Failure to provide umpires; umpires late

 

Teams that fail to supply umpires when required are liable to a 5-penalty point deduction; if the umpires arrive late or fail to complete the match – 2 penalty points.

 

12. THE RESULT 

 

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

b) In the event of a tie, the following will apply: The team losing the lesser number of wickets shall be the winner, if the result cannot be decided in this way, the winner shall be the team with the higher score (irrespective of wickets lost) after 15 overs, or if still equal, after 14 overs, etc. 

 

13. WINNERS OF THE LEAGUE 

 

13.1 The positions in the group stages of the league will be based on the number of points won. 

 

13.2 However in the event of equal points, the result of the match between the teams which are level will determine their positions.

 

13.3 The top team in each group will play the second-placed team in the other group in the semi-finals.

 

13.4 The winners of the semi-finals will play each other in the final.

 

13.5 The winners of the final will be the league champions. 

 

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Examples of application of rules for interrupted games [rule 9]

 

Example 1:

 

Team A bats 20 overs then it rains for 60 minutes.

Reduction is 30 mins divided by 4 mins per over = 8 overs

So match becomes 36 overs per side

 

Example 2:

 

Team A bats 25 overs then it rains for 2 hours 14 mins

Reduction is 104 mins divided by 4 = 26 overs

So match becomes 27 overs per side

 

Example 3:

 

Team A bats 40 overs then it rains for 50 mins

Reduction is 20 mins divided by 4 = 5 overs

So Team B has 35 overs

Target is set based on Team A’s run rate

If Team A scored 200, run rate is 5 per over

So team B needs 176 to win (5 x 35 overs, plus 1)

 

Example 4:

 

Team A bats 30 overs then it rains for 2 hours

Reduction is 90 mins divided by 4 = 22 overs

50 overs were left in the match, less 22 =28 now left

So team A stops batting and Team B can only bat for 28 overs

Target will be based on run rate of Team A

If Team A scored 180, run rate is 6 per over

So Team B needs 169 to win (6 x 28 overs, plus 1)

 

Example 5:

 

Team A bats 40 overs

Team B bats 10 overs then it rains for 1 hour 10 mins

Reduction is 40 mins divided by 4 = 10 overs

So Team B can only bat 30 overs in total

Target will be reassessed according to run rate of Team A

 

Example 6:

 

Team A bats 40 overs and scores 200

Team B scores 105 in 20 overs then it rains and no further play is possible

Team B is the winner – higher run rate per over, and more than 15 overs have been completed