Playing Conditions for Cornhill Insurance Test Matches
1 Laws
Except as varied hereunder the Laws of Cricket (1980 Code) Second Edition
- 1992 and subsequent amendments, shall apply.
2 Duration
Cornhill Test Matches shall be of five days' scheduled duration. There
will be no rest day in any of the Test Matches
3 Hours of play, Intervals
3.1 Scheduled Hours of Play
All days - 11.00 am. to 6.00 pm.
Minimum Overs in the Day
(a) Play shall continue on each day until the completion of a minimum
number of overs or until the scheduled cessation time, whichever is the
later. The minimum number of overs to be completed, unless an innings
ends or an interruption occurs, shall be:
(i) on days other than the last day - a minimum of 90 overs. (or a minimum
of 15 overs per hour)
(ii) on the last day - a minimum of 75 overs (or 15 overs per hour) for
playing time other than the last hour when Clause (e) below shall apply.
(iii) Additional Hour: Subject to weather and light, except in the last
hour of the match, in the event of play being suspended for any reason
other than normal intervals, the playing time on that day shall be extended
by the amount of time lost up to a maximum of one hour. In these circumstances,
the minimum number of overs to be bowled shall be in accordance with the
provisions of this clause i.e. a minimum of 15 overs per hour and the
cessation time shall be rescheduled accordingly.
(iv) If play has been suspended for 30 minutes or more prior to the commencement
of the scheduled tea interval, the tea interval shall be delayed for half
an hour.
(v) ICC Experimental Condition 3.1 (a)(v) will not apply
(b) When an innings ends, a minimum number of overs shall be bowled from
the start of the new innings. The number of overs to be bowled shall be
calculated at the rate of one over for each full four minutes to enable
a minimum of 90 overs to be bowled in a day, and the time for close of
play shall be rescheduled accordingly. The last hour of the match shall
be excluded from this calculation when Clause (e) shall apply.
Where a change of innings occurs during a day's play, in the event of
the team bowling second being unable to complete its overs by the scheduled
cessation time, play shall continue until the required number of overs
have been completed.
Where there is a change of innings during a day's play (except at lunch
or tea), 2 overs will be deducted from the minimum number of overs to
be bowled.
(c) Except in the last hour of the match, for which Clause (e) makes
provision, if play is suspended due to adverse weather or light for more
than one hour in aggregate on any day, the minimum number of overs shall
be reduced by one over for each full 4 minutes of the aggregate playing
time lost.
(d) On the last day, if any of the minimum 75 overs, or as recalculated,
have not been bowled when one hour of scheduled playing time remains,
the last hour of the match for the purposes of Clause (e) shall be the
hour immediately following the completion of these overs.
(e) Law
17.6 and 17.7
will apply except that a minimum of 15 (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
4 minutes (refer (i) below). If, however, at any time after 30 minutes
of the last hour have elapsed both Captains (the batsmen at the wicket
may act for their Captain) accept that there is no prospect of a result
to the match, they may agree to cease play at that time.
(f) Notwithstanding any other provision, there shall be no further play
on any day, other than the last day, if a wicket falls or a batsman retires
or if the players have occasion to leave the field during the last minimum
over within 2 minutes of the scheduled or re-scheduled cessation time
or thereafter.
(g) An over completed on resumption of a new day's play shall be disregarded
in calculating minimum overs for that day.
(h) Except on the final day, if in the event of ground, weather or light
conditions causing a suspension and/or if the players are already off
the field at the re-scheduled cessation time or any time thereafter, stumps
shall be drawn.
(i) Fractions are to be ignored in all calculations re the number of
overs except where there is a change of innings in a day's play, when
the over in progress at the conclusion shall be rounded up.
(j) The scoreboard shall show:
The total number of overs bowled with the ball currently in use; and
The minimum number of overs remaining to be bowled in a day
(k) Penalties shall apply for slow over-rates
3.2Extra Time
The Umpires may decide to play 30 minutes (a minimum of eight overs)
extra time at the end of any day (other than the last day) if requested
by either captain if, in the Umpires opinion, it would bring about a definite
result on that day (this is in addition to the maximum one hour's extra
time provided for in 3.1 (a) (iii) above). If the Umpires do not believe
a result can be achieved no extra time shall be allowed.
If it is decided to play such extra time on one or more of these days,
the whole period shall be played out even though the possibility of finishing
the match may have disappeared before the full period has expired.
Only the actual amount of playing time up to the maximum 30 minutes extra
time by which play is extended on any day shall be deducted from the total
number of hours of play remaining, and the match shall end earlier on
the final day by the amount of time by which play was previously extended
under this clause.
3.3Use of Lights
Experimental Condition re use of lights will not apply
3.4Luncheon Interval
Law
16.2 shall be replaced by the following:
of 40 minutes duration from 1.00pm to 1.40pm Where an inning concludes,
or there is a break in play, within 10 minutes of the scheduled interval,
the interval will commence at that time and be limited to 40 minutes.
3.5Tea Interval
The tea interval shall be of 20 minutes' duration from 3.40 pm to 4.00
pm or at the conclusion of the over in progress at the above time subject
to circumstances provided for in Law
16.3, 16.4
and 16
Note (b). Law
16.5 shall not apply.
3.6Interval for Drinks
The provisions of Law
16.6 shall be strictly observed except that under conditions of extreme
heat the Umpires may permit extra intervals for drinks.
An individual player may be given a drink either on the boundary edge
or at the fall of a wicket, on the field, provided that no playing time
is wasted. No other drinks shall be taken onto the field without the permission
of the Umpires. Any player taking drinks onto the field shall be dressed
in proper cricket attire.
3.7Time Keeping
A clock on the ground shall be used to regulate the hours of play and
intervals. The Umpires must notify the Ground Authority which clock is
to be followed, so that the spectators and representatives of the media
may be informed. If the clock in the ground is out of order, the watches
of the Umpires shall determine the time. The bell will be rung 5 minutes
before the termination of an interval, when the Umpires shall go to the
wickets.
4 Appointment of Umpires
Test Match Umpires will be appointed as per ICC rules
5 Substitutes
Law
2.1 will apply as modified:
In normal circumstances, a Substitute shall be allowed to field only for
a player who satisfies the Umpires that he has become injured or become
ill during the match. However, in very exceptional circumstances, the
Umpires may use their discretion to allow a Substitute for a player who
has to leave the field or does not take the field for other wholly acceptable
reasons, subject to consent being given by the opposing Captain. If a
player wishes to change his shirt, boots etc., he may leave the field
to do so (no changing on the field) but no Substitute will be allowed.
Law
2.6 (Runner's Equipment) will apply as modified:
The player acting as Runner for an injured Batsman shall at all times
wear similar external clothing and protective equipment as the injured
Batsman.
Law
2.8 - Fieldsman Leaving the Field
In place of Law 2.8. the following will apply:
No fieldsman shall leave the field or return during a session of play
without the consent of the Umpire at the bowler's end. The Umpire's consent
is also necessary if a Substitute is required for a fieldsman at the start
of play or when his side returns to the field after an interval. If a
member of the fielding side does not take the field at the start of play,
leaves the field or fails to return after an interval and is absent from
the field longer than 8 minutes
(i) the player shall not be permitted to bowl in that innings after his
return until he has been on the field for at least that length of playing
time for which he was absent. In the event of a follow-on, this restriction
will, if necessary, continue into the second innings.
(ii) the player shall not be permitted to bat unless or until, in the
aggregate, he has returned to the field and/or his side's innings has
been in progress for at least that length of playing time for which he
has been absent or, if earlier, when his side has lost five wickets.
The restriction in (i) and (ii) above shall not apply if a player has
suffered an external blow (as opposed to an internal injury such as a
pulled muscle) while participating earlier in the match and consequently
been forced to leave the field. Nor shall it apply if the player has been
absent for very exceptional and wholly acceptable reasons (other than
injury or illness) and consent for a Substitute has been granted by the
opposing Captain.
Note - in the event of a fieldsman already being off the field
at the commencement of an interruption in play through ground, weather
or light conditions, he shall be allowed to count such stoppage time as
playing time, provided that he personally informs the Umpires when he
is fit enough to take the field had play been in progress.
6 Law 3.8 - Fitness of Ground, Weather and Light
6.1 Add the following paragraph (a) and delete clause (i):
The Umpires will suspend, or continue to suspend play for bad light when
they consider that there is a risk of serious physical injury to the batsman,
or where conditions are unfit for play. Amongst the facts to be considered
are background, sight screens and the type of bowling. Before deciding
to suspend play, or not to resume play after an interval on account of
bad light (but for no other reason), the Umpire shall establish whether
the Captain of the batting team (the batsmen at the wicket may deputise
for their Captain) wishes to continue in unfit conditions; if so, his
wishes shall be met.
6.2 Add the following to the last sentence of 3.8 (a) (ii):
... or, as a consequence of a change of bowler, if batting conditions
have become more dangerous.
6.3 The Umpires shall disregard any shadow on the pitch from the
stadium or from any permanent object on the ground.
7 Law 5 - The Ball
Grade I BSI approved cricket balls with seams conforming to the specifications
laid down by the ECB, shall be used, and spare used balls for changing
during a match shall also be of the same brand. The fielding Captain,
or his nominee, may select the ball with which he wishes to bowl from
the supply provided by the Ground Authority. The fourth Umpire (or third
Umpire when no fourth Umpire is appointed) shall take a box containing
at least 6 new balls to the dressing room and supervise the selection
of the ball.
The Umpires shall retain possession of the match ball(s) throughout the
duration of the match when play is not actually taking place. During play
Umpires shall periodically and irregularly inspect the condition of the
ball and shall retain possession of it at the fall of a wicket, a drinks
interval, at the end of each over, or any other disruption in play.Law 5.4
- New Ball
The Captain of the fielding side shall have the choice of taking a new
ball any time after 80 overs have been bowled with the previous ball. Law 5.5
- Ball Lost or Becoming Unfit for Play
In the event of a ball during play being lost or, in the opinion of the
Umpires, being unfit for play through normal use, the Umpires shall allow
it to be replaced by one that in their opinion has had a similar amount
of wear. However, if the ball needs to be replaced after 110 overs for
any of the reasons above, it shall be replaced by a new ball. If the ball
is to be replaced, the Umpires shall inform the batsmen.
Law
6.1 will apply as modified:
The bat overall shall not be more than 38 inches / 96.5 cm in length;
the blade of the bat shall be made of wood, shall have a conventional
"flat" face and shall not exceed 4.25 inches / 10.8 cm at the
widest part.
In addition to Law
7.2, the following will apply:
Captains, Umpires, the Referee and Groundsmen should co-operate to ensure
that, prior to the start of any day's play, no-one bounces a ball on the
pitch or strikes it with a bat to assess its condition or for any other
reason, or causes damage to the pitch in any other way.
Prior to the start of play on any day, only the Captain and team Coach
may walk on the pitch to assess its condition. Spiked footwear is not
permitted.
Prior to the commencement of a day's play, one TV commentator and camera
crew of the official licensed TV broadcaster/s (but not news crew) may
be permitted to inspect the pitch and surrounds subject to the following:
a ball must not be bounced on the pitch
A key or knife may only be inserted in the pitch in the area between
the popping and bowling creases
In the event of any dispute the Referee in consultation with the ECB
will rule and his ruling will be final.
Law 10.1 will apply, but add the following sentence to the first paragraph:
In addition the Umpires are empowered to authorise the Groundsman to
roll, sweep and otherwise treat the pitch by such manner and means which
they, bearing in mind the advice of the Groundsman, consider will return
the state of the pitch as near as possible to that pertaining when the
choice of innings was made.
The Umpires shall see that whenever possible and whenever it is considered
necessary, action is taken during all intervals in play to do whatever
is practicable to improve the bowler's foot holes. As soon as possible
after the conclusion of each day's play, bowlers foot holes will be repaired.
12 Law 11- Covering the Pitch - Before and During the Match
In place of Law
11.1 and 11.2,
the following shall apply:
In all matches, the pitch shall be entirely protected against rain up
to the commencement of play and for the duration of the period of the
match. It shall be wholly covered at the termination of each day's play
or providing the weather is fine, within a period of two hours thereafter.
The covers shall be removed no earlier than 5.00am and no later than
8.00am on each morning of the match provided it is not raining at the
time, but they will be replaced if rain falls prior to the commencement
of play.
The following areas will be covered, in addition to the pitch unless
the Umpires decide otherwise:-
The whole square.
Thirty yards either side of the pitch, if the square does not include
this whole area
The bowler's 'run up' to a distance of at least 20 yards, and a width
of 10 yards.
Any other compacted or worn area on the outfield, such as practise
pitches.
13 Drying of Pitch and Ground
(a) Prior to tossing for choice of innings the artificial drying of the
pitch and outfield shall be at the discretion of the Groundsman. Thereafter
and throughout the match the drying of the outfield may be undertaken
at any time by the Groundsman, but the drying of the affected area of
the pitch shall be carried out only on the instructions and under the
supervision of the Umpires. The Umpires shall be empowered to have the
pitch dried without reference to the Captains at any time they are of
the opinion that it is unfit for play.
(b) The Umpires may instruct the Groundsman to use any available equipment,
including any roller for the purpose of drying the pitch and making it
fit for play. Note - an absorbent roller may be used to remove water from the
covers including the cover on the match pitch.
At no time on any day of the match shall there be any bowling or batting
practice on the pitch or the square, except in official netted practice
pitch areas. In addition there shall be no bowling or batting practice
on any part of the square or the area immediately parallel to the match
pitch after the commencement of play on any day. Any fieldsman contravening
this Law may not bowl his next over.
No practice may take place on the field if, in the opinion of the Umpires,
it could result in a waste of time.
15.1 The boundary shall be the fence or a rope inside the fence.
The pitch shall be a minimum 60 yards from one boundary square of the
pitch.When this minimum distance is used, the pitch has to be a minimum
80 yards from the opposite square boundary. The straight boundary at both
ends of the pitch shall be a minimum of 60 yards. Distances shall be measured
from the centre of the pitch to be used.
If an unauthorised person enters the playing arena and handles the ball,
the Umpire at the bowler's end shall be the sole judge of whether the
boundary allowance should be scored or the ball be treated as still in
play or called dead ball if a batsman is liable to be out as a result
of the unauthorised person handling the ball.
15.2 Sight screens shall be provided at both ends of all grounds.
Advertising shall be permitted on the sight screen behind the striker,
providing it is removed for the subsequent over from that end.
Law 21 shall apply with the following:
Any query on the result of the match as defined in Law 21.6
and 21.7
shall be resolved as soon as possible and a final decision made by the
Umpires at close of play.
17 Law
22.7 - Bowler Incapacitated or Suspended During an Over
The following shall apply in place of Law 22.7:
If for any reason, a Bowler is incapacitated while running up to bowl
the first ball of an over, or is incapacitated or suspended during an
over, the Umpire shall call and signal 'dead ball' and another bowler
shall bowl or complete the over from the same end, provided only that
he shall not bowl two overs, or part thereof, consecutively in one innings.
Law 24.1 will apply except that the bowler may not deliver the ball underarm.
If a bowler bowls a ball underarm the Umpire shall call and signal dead
ball, and the ball is to be re-bowled overarm.
In addition, the Umpire at the bowler's end shall call and signal no
ball if a ball which the Umpire considers to have been delivered:
bounces more than twice or
rolls along the ground or
comes to rest
before it reaches the striker or, if not otherwise played by the striker,
before it reaches the popping crease. If the ball comes to rest in such
circumstances, the Umpire will call No Ball and Law
25.3 shall apply.
A penalty of one run shall be scored for a no ball, plus any runs scored
from the delivery. The above penalty shall also apply to clause 27.1 (fast
short pitched balls) and clause 27 (fast, high, full pitched balls).
No balls and wide balls not scored from shall be included in the bowling
analysis of the bowler responsible.
22 Law 25.1 Judging a Wide
Law 25.1
will apply but in addition:
(i) For bowlers whom Umpires consider to be bowling down the leg side
as a negative tactic, the One Day International Wide interpretation shall
be applied
(ii) In place of Laws 25.2,
25.6
and 25.8
the following will apply:
A penalty of one run for a wide shall be scored. This penalty shall stand
in addition to any other runs which are scored or awarded. All runs which
are run or result from a Wide Ball which is not a No Ball shall be scored
Wide Balls.
The following shall apply in place of Law
30.1 (b):
He plays the ball, or if it touches his person, then hits or kicks it
into and breaks his wicket and in the Umpire's judgement an attempt to
protect the wicket has been made, the striker will be given out on appeal
- bowled. Completion of the stroke will not be considered if an attempt
is made to protect the wicket. See Law
34.1 (Out - Hit the Ball Twice).
The striker is out under this Law if the ball is deflected from his
bat onto his own protective helmet and he is subsequently caught. Runs
may be scored off deflections from the batsman's or fielder's helmet.
A batsman may call for a helmet to be brought out to him at any time.
He must then wear or carry it personally all the time while play is in
progress, or can have it taken off the field at the fall of a wicket,
or at the end of an over, or at any drinks interval.
In all cases, no actions involving helmets are to waste playing time.
Umpires are not to hold helmets.
The exchanging of protective equipment between members of the fielding
side on the field shall be permitted provided that the Umpires do not
consider that it constitutes a waste of playing time. A batsman may only
change other items of protective equipment (e.g. batting gloves, etc.)
provided that there is no waste of playing time.
It is normal fielding practice for fielders in recognised close to the
wicket catching positions to be stationary, and for outfielders to walk
in towards the striker when the bowler commences his run up. Any significant
movement, off line or in depth, by a fielder once the bowler commences
his run up is considered unfair and either Umpire shall take action under
Law
42.3 (Unfair Play). As a guide, the movement of a wicket keeper standing
back who moves up to the stumps would be regarded as significant, whereas
the movement forward by a wicket keeper of a couple of paces for a slower
delivery or in taking his normal stance would not be regarded as significant,
The same provision will apply to a slip fielder who takes only a couple
of steps forward. The Umpire has to make a judgement taking all the circumstances
into account..
26 Law
42.4 - (Lifting the Seam) and 42.5
- (Changing the Condition of the Ball)
Laws
42.4 and 42.5
will apply, but add the following:
In the event that a ball has been interfered with and requires replacement
the batsman at the wicket shall choose the replacement ball from a selection
of six other balls of similar degrees of usage (including a new ball)
and of the same brand as the ball in use prior to the contravention.
27 Law
42.8 - The Bowling of Fast, Short-Pitched Balls
27.1
A bowler shall be limited to two fast short pitched deliveries per
over.
A fast, short pitched ball is defined as a ball which passes or would
have passed above the shoulder height of the batsman standing upright
at the crease.
In the event of a bowler bowling more than two fast short pitched
deliveries in an over, either Umpire shall call and signal no ball on
each occasion.
The penalty for a fast short pitched no ball shall be one run plus
any runs scored from the delivery.
A differential signal shall be used to signify a fast short pitched
delivery. The Umpire shall call and signal "no-ball" and then
raise the other arm across the chest.
Where a bowler delivers a third fast short pitched ball in one over which
is also a no-ball under Law
24 (e.g. a front foot no-ball), the penalty will be 1 run plus any
runs scored from that delivery, -i.e. the greater penalty will apply.
If a bowler delivers a third fast short pitched ball in an over, not
only must the Umpire call no ball, but he must invoke the procedures of
Law
42.8 (a) in regard to cautioning the bowler.
If a bowler is no balled a second time in the innings for the same offence,
the Umpire shall advise the bowler this is his final warning as provided
for in Law
42.8 (b).
A third such offence in the same innings shall cause the Umpire to invoke
Law
42.8 (d) i.e. the bowler shall be removed forthwith and cannot bowl
again in that innings.
The above is not a substitute for Law
42.8 (as amended below), which Umpires are able to apply at any time.
The bowling of fast short pitched balls is unfair if the Umpire at the
Bowler's end considers that by their repetition and taking into account
their length, height and direction, they are likely to inflict physical
injury on the Striker, irrespective of the protective clothing and equipment
he may be wearing. The relative skill of the Striker shall also be taken
into consideration.
In the event of such unfair bowling, the Umpire at the Bowler's end shall
adopt the following procedure
In the first instance the Umpire shall call and signal no ball, caution
the Bowler and inform the other Umpires, the Captain of the fielding
side and the Batsmen of what has occurred.
If this caution is ineffective, he shall repeat the above procedure
and indicate to the Bowler that this is a final warning.
Both the above caution and final warning shall continue to apply even
though the Bowler may later change ends.
Should the above warnings prove ineffective the Umpire at the Bowler's
end shall:
At the first repetition call and signal no ball and when the ball
is dead direct the Captain to take the Bowler off forthwith and
to complete the over with another Bowler, provided that the Bowler
does not bowl two overs or part thereof consecutively. See Law
22.7. (Bowler incapacitated or Suspended during an Over).
Not allow the Bowler, thus taken off, to bowl again in the same
innings.
Report the occurrence to the Captain of the batting side as soon
as the Players leave the field for an interval.
Report the occurrence to the Executive of the fielding side and
to any governing body responsible for the match who shall take any
further action which is considered to be appropriate against the
Bowler concerned.
28 Law
42.9 - The Bowling of Fast, High, Full Pitched Balls
Law 42.9 and Law 42 Note (e) shall be replaced by the following:
The bowling of fast high full-pitched balls is unfair. Any fast high
full pitched ball which passes or would have passed above waist height
of a batsman standing upright at the crease shall be called and signalled
"No Ball" by the Umpire at the bowler's end.
In the event of a bowler bowling a fast high pitched ball (i.e. a beamer)
the Umpire at the Bowler's end shall adopt the following procedure:
(a) In the first instance the Umpire shall call and signal no ball,
caution the Bowler and issue a first and final warning and inform the
other Umpire, captain of the fielding side and the Batsmen of what has
occurred.
(b) At the first repetition call and signal no ball and when the ball
is dead direct the captain of the fielding side to take the Bowler off
forthwith and to complete the over with another Bowler, provided that
the Bowler does not bowl two overs or partthereof consecutively.
(c) Not allow the Bowler, thus taken off, to bowl again in the same innings..
In the event of the batsmen damaging the pitch, the Umpire at the bowler's
end shall follow the procedures of caution and final warning set out in
Law 42.10 (c). Should the above warnings prove ineffective the Umpire
shall intervene without appeal by calling and signalling "Dead Ball"
as soon as he considers there is no immediate chance of a dismissal, disallow
any runs, and return the batsmen to their original ends.
Law 42 Note C shall apply except that the reference to 4 ft shall be
replaced by 5ft.
31 'Hitting Up'
Teams are required to observe ground authority regulations and to exercise
the utmost care and caution when engaging in practice and pre-match warm-up
and "hitting-up" activities so as to avoid the risk of injury
to members of the public, damage to the centre wicket region and to perimeter
fencing..