1 TITLE

The Competition will be known as the AXA Life League.

2 PRIZES

Winner of the Competition £42,000

Runner-up £21,000

Third £10,500

Fourth £5,250

Winner of each match £500

For the batsman scoring the highest total number of runs in the season £5000

For the bowler taking the highest total number of wickets in the season £5,000

For the wicketkeeper making the highest total number of dismissals (catches and stumpings) in the season £2,000

Participants will be reimbursed for Employers' National Insurance contributions borne on the above prize moneys.

3 PLAYING CONDITIONS

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

(A) Hours of Play and Timing of Interval

Normal hours of play will be 2.00 p.m.- 7.20 p.m. (1.00 p.m. - 6.20 p.m. in matches televised by the BBC and in all matches in September -see also note below) with a tea interval of 20 minutes at the conclusion of the innings of the team batting first (normally 4.30 p.m. (3.30 p.m. in BBC TV matches and all matches in September) in uninterrupted matches). The duration and time of the tea interval can be varied in the case of an interrupted match or a match in which the start is delayed. A scheduled cessation time for each innings shall be fixed prior to its commencement by applying the provisions of 3(B)(ii)(a). Close of play shall normally be at 7.20 p.m. (6.20 p.m. in BBC TV matches and in all matches in September), but play may continue after that time, subject to conditions of ground, weather and light, until the required number of overs has been bowled or a result achieved see (0) below.

NB. The hours of play in matches televised by BSkyB will be 2.10 p.m. - 7.30 p.m. (1.10 p.m. - 6.30 p.m. in September,) with all other timings adjusted accordingly

(B) Length of Innings

(i) In Uninterrupted Matches:

(a) Each team shall bat for 40 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. The interval shall be of the full 20 minutes’ duration and the innings of the team batting second shall commence thereafter.

The Umpires shall have the discretion to increase the number of overs to he 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 balling 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 than 40 overs, the team batting second shall be entitled to bat full 40 overs except as provided for in (c) above.

(e) If the team bowling second fails to bowl 40 overs, or the rescheduled number of overs as provided for in (b) or (c) above by the scheduled time for the cessation of the second innings, 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 clause (0) below).

(ii) In Delayed Start Matches:

(a) The number of overs shall be arranged so that both teams have the opportunity of batting for the same number of overs (minimum 10 overs each team). The calculation of the number of overs to be bowled shall be based on one over for each full 3 3/4 minutes in the time remaining before close of play at 7.20 p.m. (6.20 p.m. in BBC TV matches and in all matches in September).

(b) A fixed time will be specified for the start of the tea interval as calculated by applying the provision in (a) above. In the event of the innings of the team batting first 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 (see below regarding delays or interruptions to the innings of the team

batting second). If the team fielding first fails to bowl the required number of overs by the scheduled time, play shall continue until the required number of overs has been bowled and Clauses 3(B)(i)(b) and 3(B)(i)(c) shall apply. The interval shall be of the full duration agreed at the commencement of the match and the innings of the team batting second shall commence thereafter.

(iii) In matches where play is suspended after the match has started.

(a) When play is suspended during the first innings, the object shall be to rearrange the number of overs so that both sides have the opportunity of batting for the same number of overs (minimum 10 overs each side). The calculation of overs shall be as in (ii)(a) above. The provisions in (ii)(b) above shall also apply.

(b) If, owing to a suspension between innings, there is insufficient time for the side batting second to face the same number of overs as the side batting first, then the number of overs to be bowled will be those that could be bowled by the most recently scheduled close of play (see 3(A)) assuming a rate of 16 overs per hour. If there is a suspension in play during the second innings, one over should be deducted for each complete 3 3/4 minutes lost (minimum innings length 10 overs), except that when the innings of the team balling first has been completed prior to the scheduled or rescheduled time, no playing time will be lost until the match has been interrupted for the amount of time the first innings was completed ahead of schedule.

(c) In the event of a suspension occurring in the middle of an over, the full number of overs to be bowled will be calculated, and any balls remaining to be bowled in the over during which play was suspended, will be added.

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

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 Duckworth/Lewis 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.

(C) The Result

(i) When there is no interruption in the match and when both sides have had the opportunity, subject to the provisions in B(i)(b) above, of batting for the same agreed number of overs, the side scoring the higher number of runs shall be the winner. If the

scores are equal, the result shall be a ‘Tie’ and no account shall be taken of the number of wickets which have fallen.

(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 overs), 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 balling second has received its allotted number of overs, then the result shall be decided by the Duckworth/ Lewis method (minimum of 10 overs - see Regulation H(iv)).

(iv) If a result cannot be achieved in (i), (ii) or (iii) above, the match shall be declared ‘No Result’.

(D) Number of Overs per Bowler

No bowler may bowl more than eight 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 I and 2 have already exceeded this limit. They count as the two bowlers who were allowed the 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 incomplete 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.

(E) Limitation of the Bowler’s Run-up

There shall be no limitation of the bowler’s run-up.

(F) Restriction on Placement of Fieldsmen

At the instant of delivery there shall not be more than five fieldsmen

on the leg side. In the event of an infringement, the square-leg umpire shall call and signal ‘No Ball’.

At the instant of delivery a minimum of four fieldsmen (plus the bowler and wicket-keeper) must 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). In the event of an infringement, the square leg umpire shall call and signal ‘No Ball’.

If one or more fieldsmen leave the field for any reason other than because they have 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 fieldsmen required inside the fielding circle may be reduced correspondingly.

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.

(G) Law 14- 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) Law 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 for a Wide shall be scored if no runs are made otherwise.

(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) Clothing and Equipment

In all matches, players shall wear coloured clothing and equipment approved by the E.C.B.

(L) The Ball

First Class Playing Condition No. II will apply, except that the colour of the balls used shall be white. One ball shall be used for each innings.

(M) Sight Screens

Sight Screens shall be black.

(N) Scoring of Points

(a) The side winning the match to score four points.

(b) In the event of a ‘Tie’, each side to score two points.

(c) In a ‘No Result’ match, each side to score two points.

(d) The side which has the highest aggregate of points gained at the end of the season shall be the winner of the League. Should any sides in the League table be equal on points, their final positions will be decided by:

(i) The most wins or, if still equal

(ii) The higher net run-rate throughout the season. A team’s net run-rate is its own overall run-rate in all the 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 side 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 provisions in Clause 3(B)(i)(b) above have been applied, if appropriate) and not on the number of overs in which it was dismissed.

(0) Over Rate Fines

Financial penalties will be imposed on the fielding side in all matches, with the exception of innings lasting less than one hour and matches which are abandoned, on the following basis:

For one over short of the required quota - £220

For two overs short of the required quota - £660

For three overs short of the required quota - £1,320 etc.

(The level of the fines will be on the sliding scale and also cumulative - i.e. the fine in respect of the second over short of the required quota will be £220 for the first over not bowled plus £440 for the second over, making a total of £660. Similarly, if a side falls three overs short, the fine will be £220 + £440 + £660 £1,320; if four overs short, £220 + £440 + £660+ £880 = £2,200, and so on.)

The E.C.B. will take account of any mitigating circumstances which prevent a team from bowling its full quota of overs within the specified 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.