1 TITLE

The Competition will be known as the Benson and Hedges Cup.

2 PRIZES

Winner of the Competition £42,000

Losing finalist £21,000

Each losing Semi-finalist £10,500

Each losing Quarter-finalist £5,250

Winners of individual group league matches £800

In addition, the following individual 'Gold Awards’ will be made:

In each of 50 group league matches £250

Quarter-finals £375

Semi-finals £425

Final £900

Participants will be reimbursed for Employer’s National Insurance contributions borne on the above prize moneys.

3 ADMINISTRATION

(i) Entrants

Entrants to the Competition will be confined to the eighteen First-Class Counties, a Minor Counties Xl. a British Universities Xl, Scotland and Ireland. The 22 teams will be divided into four groups. Each team will play the others in its group once, on a league basis, with the top two teams in each group qualifying to go into a draw for the Quarter-finals. Thereafter, the Competition will be played on a knock-out basis.

(ii) Groups

The groups will comprise the following teams:

A: Derbyshire, Lancashire, Minor Counties, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Yorkshire.

B: Durham, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Scotland.

C: British Universities, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Kent, Surrey, Sussex.

D: Essex, Glamorgan, Ireland, Middlesex, Somerset.

(iii) The Draw

The Chief Executive of E.C.B. or his nominee will make the draw for the Quarter-finals on the first available day following the completion of the group league matches, and for the Semi-finals on the first available day following the Quarter-finals. For the Quarter-finals the winner of each group will play against one of the four runners-up.

(iv) Venues

(a) GROUP LEAGUE MATCHES

Each participant will play two matches at home’ and two away’, to be determined by the Board, with the exception of teams in

Group A and C, three of whom will play an additional 'home’ match and three, an additional 'away’ match.

(b) KNOCK-OUT MATCHES

In the Quarter-finals the winner of each group will have an automatic home tie and the Semi-finals will be played on the grounds of the teams drawn first. The Final will be played at Lord’s.

(v) Umpires

First-Class Umpires will be appointed for all matches.

(vi) Status of Matches

Matches in this Competition will not be considered First-Class.

(vii) Qualification of Cricketers

The Regulations for Governing the Qualification and Registration of Cricketers for Competitive County Cricket (Regulation B) shall apply, except in the cases of the British Universities XI, Scotland and Ireland.

The British Universities Xl shall be that selected by the Oxford and Cambridge/BUSA Selection Committee and qualification for this team will take precedence in respect of those players who are also qualified for County Clubs.

A Cricketer shall be qualified to play in the Competition for Scotland or Ireland as the case may be (notwithstanding that he may also be qualified to play for another team and without in any way affecting his qualification to play for England pursuant to Regulation 13 of Regulation B) if:

(a) he was born there; or

(b) he is residing there and has been resident there for the preceding two consecutive years, or

(c) either (i) his father or mother was born there; or (ii) he is residing there and has been resident there for the preceding twelve consecutive months; and in either case if Regulation 13(1) of Regulation B were amended so as to refer throughout to "the British Isles” instead of “Great Britain” and he would be qualified to play for England pursuant to the Regulation as so amended.

For these purposes, "Ireland” comprises both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland; “the British Isles” comprises Great Britain as defined in Regulation B, Scotland and Ireland; and “residing” and “resident” have the same meanings as in paragraph 1(c) of Regulation B including the application by reference (mutatis mutandis) of Regulations 2(h) and 13(l)(h), but excluding any rule equivalent to those contained in Regulations 2(i) and l3(l)(i).

A Cricketer qualified to play for more than one team in the (‘ompetition shall be entitled to choose which team he plays for, but he shall not, save with the consent of the Board, play in the Competition for more than one team in the same season.

Ireland and Scotland may each play in any match in this Competition not more than one Cricketer who is not qualified under (a), (b) or (c) above.

(viii) Complimentary Tickets

Each Entrant shall receive for its own use, 60 complimentary tickets giving free admission to the ground for all matches including the Final. Umpires to receive four complimentary tickets for the Final and two complimentary tickets for all other matches.

(ix) Allocation of Tickets

The allocation of tickets for all matches except the Final shall be a matter for negotiation between the home and away sides, save that in the event of agreement not being reached the away side shall be entitled to purchase a maximum of one-third of the total seating available at the ground on which the match is staged.

4 FINANCIAL CONDITIONS

(i) Central Account

There will be a central Benson and Hedges Cup account, controlled by E.C.B.

(ii) Ground Admission Charges

(a) Ground admission charges for all knock-out rounds, and stand charges for the Final only, shall be approved by E.C.B.

(b) Ground admission charges will be as follows:

Group league matches To be decided by the ‘Home’ County

Quarter-finals -£14.00

Semi-finals - £16.00

Final - £22.00

The minimum and maximum reserved seat prices for the Final will be £29.00 and £50.00 respectively (Restricted view- £ 12.00).

Ground Authorities staging matches in all rounds except the Final may, having first consulted the Board and their opponents, exceed these admission charges. Reduced prices may also be offered for these matches, if agreed by the Board, to encourage advance purchasing.

The above charges are for the whole match and if play continues beyond the first day, arrangements will be made to admit those spectators who have paid on the first day.

Children under 16, and old age pensioners on production of their pension books, will be admitted to all matches except the Final at half the ground admission charge.

Ground Authorities may, at their discretion, reduce ground admission charges after 4.15 p.m. on the first day or at any time on the reserve day(s), depending on the state of the game.

Ground Authorities should offer a credit card facility. A handling charge of £1.00 per application should be applied for telephone applications and for postal applications where a stamped addressed envelope is not enclosed.

(c) For Group League Matches, ‘Home’ Members will be admitted free; Visiting’ Members will pay the ground admission charge. Members of County clubs will pay the ground admission/reserved seat price for all ‘Home’ and ‘Away’ quarter-final and semi-final matches. For the Final, Lord’s will be considered a neutral ground and no County Members will be granted free admission.

(iii) Quarter and Semi-finals

(a) Ground authorities staging Quarter and Semi-final matches will have tickets available for purchase in advance.

(b) Revenue from matches, together with a Statement of Account, shall be forwarded to the Accountant, E.C.B. within 21 days of a match taking place. In the event of these moneys not being received by the Board within 21 days, the Ground Authority responsible will pay to the Board, interest on the moneys outstanding at the rate of 1/2% per week, or part of a week.

(c) All teams will be responsible for their own expenses, except that the following will be allowable charges against the Central Fund:

(i) Whole or part of the cost of erection of temporary stand accommodation, provided authority is given, in advance, by the Chairman of the Finance Advisory Committee and Chief Executive of E.C.B. These seats should normally be of the ‘bucket.’ variety in order to enable the cost to be liquidated by charging a premium for their reservation.

(ii) Both home’ and away’ Counties/participants will be paid 7 1/2% commission on their respective advance ticket sales (excluding V.A.T.).

(iii) Credit Card commission on ticket sales.

(d) Income from matches will include all ground and stand admissions, but not receipts from car parking and scorecards.

(iv) Final

(a) Each County in the Final will receive an allocation of 4,500 reserved seat tickets, for which payment shall be made to M.C.C. within 14 days of the match taking place net of credit card commission incurred. In the event of payment not being received within 14 days, the County concerned will pay to the Board interest on the moneys outstanding at the rate of 1/2% per week, or part of a week.

(b) Payments to be made by the Ground Authority staging the Final on behalf of the Board out of match receipts:

(i) Miscellaneous expenses-as for Texaco Trophy, except in respect of guest lunches and teas which shall not be charged to the Board.

(ii) Special authorised expenditure-as for Texaco Trophy, except in respect of lunches and teas for official guests and advance selling commission, which shall not be charged to the Board.

(iii) The Ground Authority staging the Final shall retain five per cent of the net receipts, after deduction of seating commission.

(iv) Submission of moneys by the Ground Authority staging the Final to E.C.B.-as for Texaco Trophy.

5 PLAYING CONDITIONS

The Playing Conditions for Britannic Assurance Championship matches will apply, with the following exceptions:

(A) Duration

The matches will consist of one innings per side, each innings being limited to 50 overs.

All matches will be completed in one day if possible, but two days will be allocated in case of weather interference, except for the Final for which three days will be allocated.

(B) Hours of Play and Intervals

(i) The scheduled hours of play will be 11.00 a.m. to 6.45 p.m.

(ii) If there is a delayed start or one or more interruptions in play, the Umpires may order extra time on the first day (first or second day in the case of the Final) if they consider that a finish can be obtained on that day. If the Umpires are satisfied that a result cannot be obtained on the first day (first or second day in the case of the Final), the timing for Cessation of Play on that day will be 8.00 p.m.

(iii) There will normally be two sessions of play of 3 hours 30 minutes each, separated by an interval of 45 minutes from 2.30 p.m. to 3.15 p.m. If the innings of the team batting first is completed prior to the scheduled time for the interval, the interval shall take place immediately and the innings of the team batting second will commence correspondingly earlier.

(iv) Where the innings of the side batting first is delayed or interrupted, the Umpires will reduce the length of the interval.

In the event of time being lost up to and including 60 minutes in aggregate, the length of the interval shall be reduced from 45 to 30 minutes. In the event of more than 60 minutes being lost in aggregate, the duration of the interval shall be agreed mutually by the Umpires and both Captains subject to no interval being of more than 35 minutes’ duration or less than 10 minutes’ duration. In the event of disagreement, the interval shall be of 25 minutes’ duration.

(v) Two drinks intervals per innings shall be permitted, separated by equal periods of time. Law 16.6 will apply. However, when the number of overs to be faced by either side is reduced as a result of an interruption there will be no further drinks intervals scheduled in the match (drinks intervals shall still be permitted but no time allowance will be provided for them).

(C)Length of Innings

(i) In Uninterrupted Matches (i.e. matches which are neither delayed nor interrupted):

(a) Each team shall bat for 50 overs unless all out earlier.

(b) If the team fielding first fails to bowl the required number of overs by the scheduled time for the cessation of the first innings, play shall continue until the required number of overs has been bowled.

Unless otherwise determined by the Umpires, the team batting second shall only have available to it the number of overs that it bowled by the scheduled time for the cessation of the first innings. The over in progress at the scheduled cessation time shall count as a completed over. Unless otherwise determined by the Umpires as a result of wholly exceptional circumstances, the interval will not be extended and the innings of the team batting second will commence at the scheduled time (normally 3.15 p.m.).

The Umpires shall have the discretion to increase the number of overs to be bowled by the team bowling second if both of them agree that events beyond the control of the team bowling first (including time-wasting by the team batting first) prevented that team from bowling the required number of overs by the scheduled time for the cessation of the first innings.

(c) If the team batting first is all out, and the last wicket falls at or after the scheduled time for the commencement of the interval, the innings of the team batting second shall, subject to the discretion of the Umpires as provided for in (b) above, be limited to the same number of overs bowled to the team batting first at the scheduled time for the interval. The over in which the last wicket falls will count as a completed over.

(d) If the team batting first is dismissed in less that 50 overs, the team batting second shall be entitled to bat for 50 overs except as provided for in (c) above.

(e) If the team fielding second fails to bowl 50 overs, or the rescheduled number of overs as provided for in (b), (c) or (d) above by the scheduled time for the cessation of the second innings (normally 6.45 p.m.), the hours of play shall, subject to conditions of ground, weather and light, be extended until the required number of overs has been bowled or a result has been achieved.

(f) Penalties shall apply for slow over rates (see rule 6).

(ii) In Delayed or Interrupted Matches:

(a) General

(i) Any rearrangement of the number of overs that may be necessary due to a delayed start or one or more interruptions in play as a result of adverse ground, weather or light conditions or any other reason, shall only be made on the final scheduled day of the match. The timing and duration of all suspensions of play (including all intervals) or delays on any day will be taken into account when calculating the length of time available for either innings.

(ii) The object shall always be to rearrange the number of overs so that, if possible, both teams have the opportunity of batting for the same number of overs.

(iii) Except as provided for in Clause 5 (C) (ii) (c) below, the calculation of the number of overs to be bowled shall be based on a rate of 15 overs per hour in the total time available for play up to 6.45 p.m. on the last scheduled day of the match. A minimum of 10 overs must be bowled to the team batting second (subject to it not being all out earlier) in order to constitute a match, except if the provisions of Clause 5 (C) (ii) (b) (ii) apply (i.e. if the innings of the team batting second is reduced to less than 10 overs as a result of that team having earlier failed to bowl the required number of overs (minimum 10 overs) by the scheduled time for the completion of the first innings).

(iv) If the team fielding second fails to bowl the required number of overs by the scheduled cessation time, the hours of play shall, subject to conditions of ground, weather and light, be extended until the overs have been bowled or a result has been achieved.

(v) The team batting second shall not bat for a greater number of overs than the team batting first, unless the latter has been all out in less than the agreed number of overs.

(vi) Fractions are to be ignored in all calculations re the number of overs.

(b) Delay or Interruption to the Innings of the Team Batting First

(i) If the number of overs of the team batting first is reduced, a fixed time will be specified for the completion of its innings, as calculated by applying the provisions of Clauses 5(C) (ii) (a) (i). (ii) and (iii). In the event of its innings being completed prior to the scheduled time, the interval shall take place immediately and the innings of the team batting second will commence correspondingly earlier.

(ii) If the team fielding first fails to bowl the required number of overs by the rescheduled time for the cessation of the first innings, play shall continue until the required number of overs has been bowled and Clauses 5(C) (i) (b) and 5(C) (i) (c) shall apply.

(iii) If the team batting first is all out, and the last wicket falls at or after the rescheduled time for the cessation of the first innings, Clause 5(C) (i) (c) shall apply.

(c) Delay or Interruption to the Innings otthe Team Batting Second

If it is not possible for the team batting second to have the opportunity of batting for the same number of overs as the team batting first, the overs to be bowled shall be reduced at a rate of 15 overs per hour for playing time lost bearing in mind the provisions of Clauses S (C) (ii) (a) (i) and (iii).

Note: The Home Authority will provide a Match Manager. After any hold up in play, the Umpires will notify the Scorers of the number of overs lost and the Scorers will perform the DuckworthlLewis calculations required (see Regulation H(iv)). The Umpires will both satisfy themselves as to the correctness of all such calculations before allowing play to take place. The Match Manager will notify the Captains, Scorers and all others concerned of such decisions. The Match Manager should understand the Duckworth/Lewis method and be able to assist the Umpires in checking calculations.

(D) The Result

(i) When there is no interruption during the course of the match and when both sides have had the opportunity, subject to the provisions of Clause 5(C) (i) (b) above, ot batting for the same agreed number of overs, the team scoring the higher number of runs shall be the winner. In the event of a tie, the following shall apply:

(a) The team losing the lesser number of wickets shall be the winner.

(b) If both teams are all out, the team with the higher overall scoring rate, based on the respective number of balls that each team has received, shall be the winner.

(c) If the result cannot be decided by (a) or (b), the winner shall be the team with the higher score after 25 overs, or if still equal after 20 overs, or if still equal after 15 overs etc.

(ii) If, due to suspension of play after the start of the match, the number of overs in the innings of either team has to be revised to a lesser number than that originally allotted (minimum 10 uvers), then a revised target score should be set for the number of overs which the team batting second will have the opportunity of facing, this revised target being calculated by the Duckworth/Lewis method as described in Regulation H(iv). Only if the second innings score is equal to the target score can the result be a Tie.

(iii) If a match is abandoned before it has been played to a conclusion and before the team batting second has received its allotted number of overs (providing that it has received not less than 10 overs), the result shall be decided by the Duckworth/Lewis method (see Regulation H(iv)).

(iv) In the event of a Tie when the Duckworth/Lewis method has been used, the match will be decided as outlined in (D)(vi) for a knockout match, and ‘No Result’ shall be declared in a group league match.

(v) If it is impossible to achieve a result in a group league match, it shall be declared ‘No Result’.

(vi) In the event of no result being obtained within this rule in a knockout match, the Captains should, if circumstances (outdoors or indoors) permit, agree (in case of disagreement the Umpires shall decide) to the following form of bowl-out’ contest to achieve a result: five players from each side will bowl overarm two deliveries each at a wicket (conforming to Law 8) from a single stump pitched at a distance of 22 yards with, if practicable, bowling, popping and return creases (conforming to Law 9). The side which bowls down the wicket (as defined in Law 28.1 (a)) most times shall be the winner. If the scores are equal, the same players will bowl one ball each alternately to achieve a result on a ‘sudden death’ basis. If circumstances make the contest impossible, the match shall be decided by the toss of a coin.

The following shall also apply in respect of ‘bowl-outs’:

(a) The same suitably acceptable ball (not a new one) will be used by both teams.

(b) If a bowler bowls a ‘no ball’ it will count as one of his two deliveries but will not count towards the score of the team.

(c) If the original match has started, the five cricketers to take part in the ‘bowl-out’ must be selected from the original II cricketers and the 12th man. If there has been no play in the original match (the toss has not taken place), the five cricketers may be selected from any of a County’s registered cricketers.

(d) No player shall be permitted to stand in front of or behind the wicket or tend the stumps in any way in order to act as a ‘target’ for the bowlers.

(E) Restrictions on the Placement or Fieldsmen:

(i) At the instant of delivery there shall not be more than five fieldsmen on the leg side.

(ii) For the first 15 overs only of each innings, a minimum of seven fieldsmen (plus the bowler and wicket-keeper) must, at the instant of delivery, be within an area bounded by two semi-circles centred on each middle stump (each with a radius of 30 yards) and joined by a parallel line on each side of the pitch (the fielding circle). The fielding circle should be marked by painted white ‘dots’ at five-yard intervals, each ‘dot’ to be covered by a white plastic or rubber (but not metal) disc measuring seven inches in diameter.

(iii) For the remaining overs of each innings, a minimum of four fieldsmen (plus the bowler and wicket-keeper) must be within the fielding circle at the instant of delivery.

(iv) Two inner circles shall be drawn on the field of play. The circles

have as their centres the centrepoint of the popping crease at either end of the pitch. The radius each of the circles is 15 yards (13.72 metres). The field restriction area should be marked by ‘dots’. The segment of the circles reserved for the slip positions shall not be demarcated. (See diagram at back of this Regulation.) For the first 15 ov ers only of each innings there must be a minimum of two stationary fieldsmen (excluding the wicket-keeper) within 15 yards of the striker at the instant of delivery. The two stationary fieldsmen may be permitted to stand deeper than IS yards (in the un-demarcated area) provided only thai they are standing in orthodox slip positions.

(v) In circumstances where the number of overs for the team batting first is reduced, the number of overs in regard to the restrictions in (ii) and (iv) above shall be reduced proportionately in a ratio of 15:50 (30%) in accordance with the table below. Fractions are to be ignored in all calculations re the number of overs.

Total overs in No. of overs for which fielding restrictions innings in (ii) and (iv) above will apply

10-13 3

14-16 4

17-19 5

20-23 6

24-26 7

27-29 8

30-33 9

34-36 10

37-39 II

40-43 12

44-46 13

47-49 14

50 15

Where the number of overs for the team batting second is reduced (including under the provisions of clause 5(C)(i)(b) above), the aim will be to maintain the restrictions in (ii) and (iv) for the same proportion of the second innings that they were maintained for the first innings (fractions to be ignored).

(vi) If one or more fieldsmen leaves the field for any reason other than because he has sustained an obvious, serious injury, and the five-over regulation regarding a substitute consequently applies (as provided for in First Class Playing Condition No. 7 - All Matches), the minimum number of fieldsmcn required inside the fielding circle may be reduced correspondingly, provided always that for the first 15 overs or the number of overs as reduced in accordance with (v) above, there shall be no more than two fieldsmen outside the fielding circle at the instant of delivery.

(vii) In the event of an infringement of any of the above fielding restrictions, the square leg Umpire shall call and signal ‘No Ball’.

(F) Number of Overs per Bowler

No bowler may bowl more than ten overs, however in a delayed start or interrupted match, where the overs are reduced for both sides or for the side bowling second, no bowler may bowl more than one-fifth of the total overs allowed (unless such a number has been exceeded before the interruption), except that where the total overs are not divisible by five, an additional over shall be allowed to the minimum number of bowlers necessary to make up the balance - e.g. after 16 overs, rain interrupts play and the innings is reduced to 32 overs. Both opening bowlers have bowled 8 overs. Two bowlers can bowl 7 overs and three bowlers can bowl 6. Bowlers 1 and 2 have already exceeded this limit. They count as the two bowlers who were allowed thc extra over (7 as opposed to 6) and so any other bowlers are limited to 6 overs.

When an interruption occurs mid-over and on resumption the bowler has exceeded the new maximum allocation, he will be allowed to finish the incompleted over.

In the event of a bowler breaking down and being unable to complete an over, the remaining balls will be bowled by another bowler. Such part of an over will count as a full over only in so far as each bowler’s limit is concerned.

The number of overs bowled by each individual bowler shall be indicated on the scoreboard from the commencement of an innings.

The allocation of overs per bowler will not be reduced as a result of the deduction of penalty overs.

(G) Declarations

Law 14 will not apply in this competition. The Captain of the batting side may not declare his innings closed at any time during the course of a match.

(H) Laws 24.8 and 24.11 - No Ball - Penalty and Batsman Given Out Off a No Ball

The amendments to Laws 24.8 and 24.11 set out in First-Class

Playing Condition Nos. 28 and 29 will apply.

(I) Law 25.1 - Wide Ball - Judging a Wide and Law 25.2 Penalty

Umpires are instructed to apply a very strict and consistent interpretation in regard to this Law in order to prevent negative bowling wide of the wicket.

As a guide, if the ball passes either side of the wicket sufficiently wide to make it virtually impossible for the striker to play a ‘normal cricket stroke’ both from where he is standing and from where he should normally be standing at the crease, the Umpire should call and signal ‘Wide’.

A penalty of one run shall be scored if no runs are made othwerwise.

(J) Law 42,8 - The Bowling of Fast, Short-pitched Balls

In addition to Experimental Law 42.8, the following will apply:

If the ball passes, or would have passed, above the shoulder height of the striker standing upright at the crease, the Umpire at the bowler’s end shall call and signal ‘No Ball’.

(K)Points Scoring System for Group League Matches

(a)The team winning the match to score two points.

(b)In a ‘No result’ match, each team to score one point.

(c)In the event of two or more teams in any group having an equal number of points, their positions in the table shall be based on the higher net run-rate achieved in all group league matches in which the side batting second is scheduled at the start of its innings, to bat for 25 overs or more (subject to the provisions of Clause 5(C)(i)(b) above).

A team’s net run-rate is its own overall run-rate in all the group league matches which it has played (i.e. total runs scored x 100 divided by balls received) minus the combined cumulative run-rate of its opponents in those same matches (calculated on the same basis).

In the event of a team being all out in less than its full quota of overs, the calculation of its run rate shall be based on the full quota of overs to which it would have been entitled (after the provistons of Clause 5(C)(i)(b) above have been applied, if appropriate), and not on the number of overs in which it was dismissed.

NOTE: If any team has not received 25 overs or more in all its group matches, 20 overs (then 15 overs, 10 overs, etc.) will constitute a match for calculation purposes only.

6 OVER RATE FINES

All sides are expected to complete the bowling of their 50 overs within 3 hrs. 30 mins. playing time. In the event of their failing to do so, the full quota of overs will be completed, but the fielding side will be fined for every over which it has failed to bowl in the allotted time at the rates listed below.

If the innings is limited in advance to less than 3 hrs. 30 mins. (less than 50 overs), the calculations will be revised accordingly (the required over rate being 15 overs per hour for all playing time).

All fines levied will be divided equally between the County Club and the players, with the contribution to be made by each individual player to any fine being decided by the County concerned.

Fine potable per

Round over not bowled

Group league matches £220

Quarter-Finals £330

Semi-Finals £660

Final £1,320