1 Playing Conditions

The Playing Conditions for First Class Cricket matches as they relate to matches in the PPP Championship, with the following exceptions:

2 Hours of Play

2.1 For 3 day games (4 day games to be played as per the PPP Championship i.e.. no provision for an extra hour and 104 / 96 overs in the day - see PPP Championship Conditions.

The normal hours of play will be

1st and 2nd days - 11.00 a.m.- 6.30 p.m. (10.30 a.m.- 6.00 p.m. in matches scheduled to start in September) or after 110 overs have been bowled whichever is the later

3rd day - 11.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m. (10.30 a.m. - 5.30 p.m. in matches scheduled to start in September)

or as mutually arranged, provided that the number of overs to be bowled in a day are adjusted accordingly at a rate of 17 overs per hour, The total hours of actual scheduled playing time in each match shall be 19 hours.

If a 12.00 noon start is agreed (not applicable to matches starting in September), the suggested normal times will be:

1st Day - 12 noon - 7.00pm (or after 101 overs have been bowled, whichever is the later)

2nd Day - 11.00 am - 7.00pm (or after 119 overs have been bowled, whichever is the later)

3rd Day - 11.00am - 6.00 pm

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 or during the last hour (see below)), two overs will be deducted from the minimum number of overs to be bowled plus any over in progress at the end of the completed innings.

On the last day there will be a minimum of 85 overs (or 17 overs per hour) for playing time other than the last hour. If any of the minimum of 85 overs, or as recalculated, have not been bowled when one hour of scheduled playing time remains, the last hour of the match shall be the hour immediately following the completion of those overs Law 17.6 and 17.7 will apply accept that a minimum of 17 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 3 minutes 30 seconds.

If, however, at or after 5.30pm (5.00pm in matches scheduled to start in September) both Captains (the batsmen at the wicket may act for their Captain) accept there is no prospect of a result to the match or of either side gaining any further first innings bonus points, they may agree to cease play at that time.

In the event of play being suspended on the first and/or second day for any reason other than normal intervals or one or more changes of innings, the umpires will not deduct any overs from the day's minimum requirement until an hour or more has been lost. After that, and for all interruptions on the third day, the number of overs will be reduced by one over for each 3 minutes 30 seconds or part thereof of the aggregate playing time lost.

Championship playing condition 4.6 will apply to the 1st and 2nd days only.

2.2 Luncheon and Tea Intervals

As laid down in the Playing Conditions which apply in PPP Championship matches, except that the regulations for the 4th day will apply to the 3rd day in three-day Second Eleven Championship matches and a maximum of 34 overs as opposed to 32 overs remaining is the proviso for taking tea to reflect the required over rate of 17 as opposed to 16 overs per hour.

In the event of the hours of play being rearranged by mutual agreement, the luncheon and tea intervals shall be timed to allow as equal sessions of play as possible.

If, on the first and/or second day of three day games, play has been suspended for 30 minutes or more prior to the scheduled time for the tea interval, tea will delayed by half an hour and the 34 over proviso will no longer apply.

3 Substitutes

In addition to the above regulation regarding Substitutes in respect of the PPP Championship, and as an exception to it, a replacement player shall be allowed by right immediately in the event of a cricketer currently playing in a Second Eleven Championship match being required, owing to unforeseen circumstances, to join his County First Team for a three/four-day match, Such replacement may be permitted to bat or bowl or act as wicket-keeper in that match, subject to the approval of the Cricket Operations Manager of the ECB or the Chairman of the Second XI Advisory Group, provided that is not intended that the cricketer originally selected will return and participate again in the match, If the cricketer originally selected is batting at the time he is required to leave the match, he shall retire 'not out' and his replacement may be permitted to bat later in that innings subject to the approval of the Cricket Operations Manager of the ECB or the Chairman of the Second XI Advisory Group. If, however, it is intended that the cricketer originally selected will return and participate again in the match, neither a replacement player nor a substitute fieldsman will be permitted to take his place during the period of his absence.

The number of replacement players permitted to take a full part in a match shall be limited to one per team in any match other than in exceptional circumstances approved by Cricket Operations Manager of the ECB or the Chairman of the Second XI Advisory Group.

4 The Ball

Best quality cricket balls shall be used. Counties must use Grade A quality; BSI approved ball may be used.

5 Covering the Pitch and Surrounding Areas

Counties shall make every effort to comply with the covering regulations applying in the PPP Championship

For matches played at headquarter grounds, the minimum covering requirements for First Class cricket shall apply

6 Over Rate Fines

No over rate fines will be imposed in the Second Eleven Championship, However, the ECB intends to monitor the over rate in all matches during the 2000 season by arranging for the Umpires to report any instances where play has to continue after the scheduled or rescheduled time for Close of Play in order that the minimum number of overs for the day can be completed.

7 Scoring of Points

7.1 For a win, 12 points, plus any points scored in the first innings.

7.2 In a tie, each side to score six points, plus any points scored in the first innings.

7.3 In a drawn match, each side to score four points, plus any points scored in the first innings (see also paragraph 7.6 below).

7.4 If the scores are equal in a drawn match, the side batting in the fourth innings to score eight points plus any points scored in the first innings, and the opposing side to score three points plus any points scored in the first innings.

7.5 First Innings Points (awarded only for performances in the first 100 overs of each first innings and retained whatever the result of the match).

7.5.1 A maximum of four batting points to be available as under:-

150 to 199 runs - 1 point

200 to 249 runs - 2 points

250 to 299 runs - 3 points

300 runs or over - 4 points

7.5.2 A maximum of four bowling points to be available as under:-

3 to 4 wickets taken - l point

5 to 6 wickets taken - 2 points

7 to 8 wickets taken - 3 points

9 to 10 wickets taken - 4 points

7.6 If play starts when less than eight hours playing time remains (in which event a one innings match shall be played as provided for in First Class Playing Condition 18.2), no first innings points shall be scored. The side winning on the one innings to score 12 points. In a tie, each side to score six points. in a drawn match, each side to score three points. If the scores are equal in a drawn match, the side batting in the second innings to score six points.

7.7 If a match is abandoned without a ball being bowled, each side to score four points.

7.8 The Championship will be decided on an average number of points per game played basis. Each County has been allocated twelve mandatory fixtures (six 3 day games and six 4 day games) and in addition to these matches, Counties are free to organise additional 3 or 4 day fixtures, including reverse fixtures, which with the approval of the Cricket Operations Manager of the ECB or the Chairman of the Second XI Advisory Group, will count towards the Second Eleven Championship. Should any sides in the Championship table have equal averages the following tie-breakers will apply in the order stated:

where the sides level on average points have all played each other, the teams will be ordered according to the number of points they achieved in this / these contests.

The best average number of wickets taken per match played.

The best average number of runs scored per match played.