Rules of Cricket

1.1 )         Cricket pitch and crease:

The size of the field on which the game is played varies from ground to ground but the pitch is always a rectangular area of 22 yards (20.12m) in length and 10ft (3.05m) in width. The popping (batting) crease is marked 1.22m in front of the stumps at either end, with the stumps set along the bowling crease. The return creases are marked at right angles to the popping and bowling creases and are measured 1.32m either side of the middle stumps.

1.2 )        Wickets:

The two sets of wickets at opposite ends of the pitch stand 71.1cm high and three stumps measure 22.86 cm wide in total. Made out of willow the stumps have two bails on top and the wicket is only broken if at least one bail is removed. If the ball hits the wicket but without knocking a bail off, then the batsman is not out.

1.3 )         Bowling/Over:

The bowler has to play either right handed or left handed throughout the game. He cannot change his bowling arm during his game. Number of overs to be played will be decided by the committee and the captains depending on the format of the tournament. Each bowler is allowed maximum number of overs depending on the game format. If we are playing 10 overs per side, then each bowler is allowed 2 overs maximum. No “throwing” or “chucking” is allowed. If the bowler’s action is suspicious, the captain of the batting side or the batsman or his captain can report it to the bowling side captain and umpire. Umpire will make a final call on whether the bowler is allowed to continue with the same action or not.

1.4)         Batting/ Runner:

The batsman has to play either right handed or left handed throughout the game. He cannot change his style of play during his innings. The runner must remain in the crease until the release of the ball by the bowler. If the batsman was found to be outside the crease before the release of the ball, the bowler can warn him. If the runner continue to do the same then the bowler can “run-out” the batsman before completing his bowling action.

1.5)         One-Short rule:

To score a run, each batsman must run from the popping crease at one end to the popping crease at the other end. A run is “short” if one of the running batsmen fails to make good his ground on turning for a further run (that is, the batsman fails to complete the run by putting some part of his body or his bat on the ground behind the popping crease) – in this event, the number of runs achieved is decreased by the number of “short” runs. Although a short run also shortens the next run, since the second run starts somewhat closer to the destination than it should, the second run is not regarded as “short” if it is completed. For example- if 3 runs scored it will be considered as 2.

1.6)         Fielding restrictions:

No more than 5 players are allowed on the outfield (outside 30 yards) during non powerplay overs.

Fielding side must maintain silence once the bowler has started his run up. If this is violated first time will be a warning, next time the batting team will be awarded a run for a no ball. In addition, the bowler has to re-bowl the ball.

1.7)         Power plays

There will be mandatory overs for power play depending on the number of overs played. If we are playing 10 overs, first 2 overs should be power play. There are 2 more overs of power plays (batting and bowling power plays- one over each). The captain of the bowling side and batting side can opt to choose their powerplay, any over between 3rd and 10th over. This should be decided before the commencement of the over. Once chosen the decision cannot be reversed. The fielding restrictions during power play – fielding side is allowed only 3 players on the outfield. Other players should be within the 30 yard circle (or the inner circle depending on the size of the ground).

1.8)        Extras

Additional runs can be gained by the batting team as extras due to errors made by the fielding side. This is achieved in three ways:

1. No ball: a penalty of one extra that is conceded by the bowler if he breaks the rules of bowling either by 

               (a) using an inappropriate arm action; 

               (b) overstepping the popping crease; 

               (c) having a foot outside the return crease. In addition, the bowler has to re-bowl the ball. No ball is called if the bowling team’s field setting fails to                            comply with the power play restrictions. The ball following a front foot no-ball will be a free-hit for the batsman, whereby he is safe from losing his                       wicket except for being run-out.

2.Wide: a penalty of one extra that is conceded by the bowler if he bowls so that the ball is out of the batsman’s reach; as with a no ball, a wide must be re-bowled.

3.Bye: extra(s) awarded if the batsman misses the ball and it goes past the wicketkeeper to give the batsmen time to run and score.

4.Leg bye is not allowed as we do not have LBW as a dismissal in our playing format.

1.9)         Overthrows:

Over throws are allowed. The runs scored will be added to the batsman’s score.

If the ball was redirected by the batsman intentionally, they will not be allowed to take runs for overthrows. Again umpire has to make this call.

1.10)      Dismissals

Only 6 out of 10 ways of dismissals are included, run-out, bowled, catch, stumped, Handling the ball and hit wicket. A batsman is out hit wicket if he dislodges one or both bails with his bat, person, clothing or equipment in the act of receiving a ball, or in setting off for a run having just received a ball.

1.11)       Bye-runner

Bye runner is not allowed as this might give an undue advantage to one team.