Special rules 2023-24

For the 2023-24 season, the following rules are mandatory in all grades:

Rule 1: The first innings is to be played to completion, with the length of the second innings to be the lesser of the maximum number of overs for the first innings, or the number of overs that have been bowled in the first innings at the end of the over in play at 3.20pm.

Rule 2: For every 15 minutes of play lost in the first innings (excluding the drinks break) the maximum number of overs in the first innings is reduced by 3 overs.

Rule 3: If there is a break for weather after 6pm the match ends immediately.

Background

Members unanimously resolved at the AGM held 1 September 2023 to trial the special rules in all grades, with the intent that matches finish by (or soon after) the official close at 6pm.

Rule 1

Rule 1 is to strongly encourage the team bowling first to get through the overs in good time – by 3.20pm – by creating a penalty that if they do not they will lose overs to chase the score.

Rule 2

So the team bowling first is not penalised for matches starting late or for weather interruptions, Rule 2 reduces the maximum number of overs in the first innings when there are unscheduled breaks in play.

We don’t use Duckworth-Lewis so the second innings is to be played to completion, but teams should use common sense about when to continue after any weather breaks during the second innings.

Rule 3

As an aid to common sense, Rule 3 means that if teams have to go off after 6pm that is the end of the match.

Tips to speed up matches

If both teams are ready before 12.30pm and the ground is clear consider starting earlier
Keep the drinks break after 20 overs to no more than 10 minutes
Ensure next batters in are padded up
Move quickly to fielding positions after each over
Use spring-back stumps so you don’t lose time hammering stumps back in
By agreement of captains, you can bowl 20 overs from one end and the next 20 overs from the other end