Written in March 2006
Last updated: 31st March 2015
Contents
BCEW playing rules
1. Sight Classification
2. Sight Parameters
3. The Team
4. Substitutes And Runners
5. Dress Code
6. The Ball
7. The Stumps
8. The Pitch
9. The Boundaries
10. The Batsman
11. The Bowler And Bowling
12. The Fielder
13. The Catch
14. Leg Before Wicket
15. The Dead Ball
16. The No Ball
17. The Wide Ball
18. The Follow On
19. Unfair Play
20. General League and Twenty20 Cup competitions rules and procedures
21. The BCEW National League
22. The BCEW Twenty20 Cup
23. Bidding to host a friendly tournament during the season
All current MCC laws of cricket should be followed. Where the laws appear to conflict, the BCEW amendments should take precedence.
In this document He, His, Him, Player, Batsman Fielder, Bowler, all refer to both genders.
No individual will be excluded from domestic or international competition due to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or age.
The Spirit Of Cricket
The spirit of cricket is very important to BCEW and all players, clubs and officials are reminded to keep this in mind at all times before, during and after matches. Full details of the standards expected from all involved can be found near the top of core document 3.
(1.1) All players shall be classified as blind or partially sighted (in the UK this normally means that a BD8 / CVI will have been issued to the player concerned).
(1.2) All players should be classified under the Blind Cricket England and Wales sight classification procedures. British Blind Sport, World Blind Cricket Council, IPC and IBSA classification will be recognised.
(1.3) All players must seek classification (as in 1.2 above) with in six weeks from the date they started to play in BCEW competition. Classification must be performed by a properly qualified ophthalmic professional (optometrist or consultant ophthalmologist). All new sight classifications must be conducted, using the BCEW sight classification form.
(1.4) All classified players aged under 15, shall receive two bounces when batting. High Partial players will receive one bounce whilst they are aged 15.
(1.5) It is the responsibility of all players, to ensure that the procedures for sight classification are followed. (See Core Doc 4. BCEW Sight Classification Procedures Document)
1.6 Player eligibility
(1.6.1) The committee may request proof of visual impairment at any time from any player who does not hold a valid sight classification. This includes within the first six weeks of their involvement in blind cricket.
(1.6.2) It is every clubs responsibility to make certain anyone playing for them in competitive cricket is visually impaired enough to be eligible to play blind cricket. This decision should be made by the person captaining on the match day.
(1.6.3) Upon a request from the committee for proof of visual impairment the club involved will have 14 days to produce proof of the player involved’s visual impairment.
(1.6.4) If a club cannot prove that a player is eligible to play blind cricket they risk being docked points, disqualified from matches that player played in or even exclusion from the league if this is a repeated offence.
(1.6.5) All partially sighted players will have to take a sight test a minimum of once every 4 years to remain eligible to play blind cricket. Partially sighted players will be defined as anyone not registered as B1.
BCEW Will classify all players under their own sight categories, Total, Low Partial, Mid Partial & High Partial. These categories are largely based on the BBS sight categories, B1, B2, B3 & B4.
(2.1) BBS Sight Categories
(2.1.1) B1 Players
No light perception in either eye up to light perception, but inability to recognise shape of a hand at any distance or in any direction.
(2.1.2) B2 Players
From ability to recognise the shape of the hand up to a visual acuity of 2/60 or visual field of less than 5 degrees in the better eye after correction.
(2.1.3) B3 Players
From visual acuity above 2/60 up to visual acuity of 6/60 or a visual field of less than 20 degrees in better eye after correction.
(2.1.4) B4 Players
BCEW would define a B4 partially sighted player as for example someone with a substantial and permanent sight impairment and their visual acuity is 6/60 to 6/24 with a full field of vision.
(2.2) The Cricket specific classification of Low Partial
(2.2.1) Low Partial
Players may be classified as low partial. This category is designed for those players who fall in the lower half of the B2 category, and who would struggle to bat or field when playing as a partially sighted player due to insufficient sight. A player shall be classified as low partial, by discretion based on how they manage while playing, not purely on acuity measurements. This shall be the responsibility of the challenge and disciplinary panel (C&DP), (see core doc 3. BCEW Code of Conduct, Challenge And Disciplinary Procedures Document) who may delegate it if they see fit. Any new players who fit this category shall be given a grace period, at the panels discretion, unless the panel has a strong reason to believe that he has too much sight for this to be reasonable. The classification shall then be reviewed.
(2.2.2) An application for classification as a low partial, be it from a club or directly from the player concerned, should be addressed directly to the general secretary of BCEW. The decision on the classification will be made by the C&DP.
(2.2.3) The C&DP may revoke a player’s classification as, low partial, at any point. This will be done by writing to both the player and their club.
(2.2.4) During a competitive game, any team who claims one of their players is in the, low partial category, when the BCEW committee’s records show otherwise, will lose the game by default.
(2.2.5) Any player with a B1 sight classification who does not wish to wear shades will automatically be entitled to play as a low partial.
(2.3) BCEW Sight Categories
(2.3.1) Total
Anyone with a B1 certificate or who has been given low partial status may play in a match as a total, but they will have to wear shades to do so.
(2.3.2) Low Partial
Anyone with a B1 certificate or who has been given low partial status & does not wish to wear shades may play as a low partial.
(2.3.3) Mid Partial
Anyone with a B2 or B3 certificate, who has not been given low partial status, is a mid partial.
(2.3.4) High Partial
All B4 players are high partials.
(2.4) Rules Governing Players Playing Under Shades
(2.4.1) At all times while on the field of play, all totals must have their eyes fully covered by blackout shades, to the satisfaction of the umpires.
(2.4.2) The shades will be worn at all times whilst on the field of play, whether batting, bowling or fielding, however a player may adjust the shades if they wish between overs as long as they are back in place for the start of the next over. If a player needs to adjust their shades mid over they must ask the umpires permission & must wait until the ball is dead.
(2.4.3) BCEW will provide the shades to be worn by all players in the “total” category. It is possible that more than one type of shades will be approved & if this is the case the shades may be marked to indicate that they are approved for wear in blind cricket. Only approved shades will be acceptable.
(2.4.4) A B1 or registered low partial may select on the day of any game which category to play in, this must be stated on their side’s teamsheet & they cannot change category once the toss has been done.
(2.5) Accidental removal of shades
If a player’s shades accidentally come off whilst the ball is live the umpires will act as follows:
(2.5.1) Batsman
A. If the batsman gains an advantage from this the ball will be called dead & will be rebowled.
B. If the batsman gains no advantage then the ball will count.
(2.5.2) Fielder
A. If the fielding side gains an advantage from this the ball will be called dead & will be rebowled.
B. If the fielding side gains no advantage then the ball will count.
(2.5.3) Bowler
A. If this happens before release of the ball & the delivery is not a wide or no ball then it will be called dead & will be rebowled.
B. If it happens after the ball has been released & the bowler does not eventually field the ball then the ball will count.
(2.6) Deliberate Removal of Shades
If any player deliberately removes their shades or adjusts them so that they can see around them then the umpires will act as follows:
A. The first time this happens the player in question will receive a warning.
B. If a player does this for a second time they will receive a second warning & their side will receive a 5 run penalty, added on to the opposition’s score.
C. If the same player does this for a third time they will be sent from the field of play & will be able to take no further part in the match.
D. As well as the penalties indicated here any delivery will be handled in the same way as in (2.) above.
(2.7) The Follow Up
If any player is warned for any of the actions described in (2.6) above, the umpires will include this in their match reports. BCEW will then have the option of dealing with this like any other disciplinary issue.
(2.8) Exemption from Shades
Players with a B1 certificate but no real eyes will be exempt from wearing shades but will still be able to play in the total category. No real eyes will be defined as glass eyes, empty sockets or a combination of the two. Any player looking to take advantage of this concession must register with BCEW before playing in any match as a total without shades & BCEW may request any evidence they require to make the decision.
(3.1) Each side shall contain no more than a total of 7 players from the categories mid partial & high partial.
(3.2) The balance of the side shall be made up by Totals except when 1 or more low partials are playing in which case only 3 Totals need to play with the balance made up by 1 low partial. Thus a team may comprise of 3 Totals and 8 other players as long as at least one of the other players is a low partial.
(3.3) Where available at least 1 Total should bat in the first 3 of the batting order, at least 1 Total and 1 low partial, or 2 Totals in the first 6 and at least 2 Totals and 1 low partial, or 3 Totals in the first 9 of the batting order.
(3.4) High Partial Players
(3.4.1) No team may field more than two players from the High Partial sight category in any match.
(3.4.2) Only one player from the High Partial category may bat in the top 4 of a teams batting order in any match.
(3.5) No player under the age of 11 may play in any competitive BCEW match.
(3.6) Sight Category wrist bands
(3.6.1) Players in each sight category to wear a coloured wrist band to indicate their category. These will be provided by BCEW & players must wear the bands provided at all times whilst on the field of play.
(3.6.2) If a player puts on an extra top over their shirt they must ensure that the wrist band is still visible.
(3.6.3) The colours will be:
Total: Purple
Low Partial: Yellow
Mid Partial: Green
High Partial: Red
(4.1) A total batsman may not run for himself and must have a partially sighted runner.
(4.2) A total batsman may not himself be run out or stumped as batsman, although his runner may be.
(4.3) There will be no limit on the number of batsmen a runner may run for in an innings.
(4.4) A low partial batsman has the option of a partially sighted runner.
(4.5) A mid partial batsman may apply to the BCEW committee to be granted a runner on the grounds of low sight if they feel it necessary & hold a valid B2 sight classification. Applications for a runner in these circumstances should be sent to the BCEW General Secretary.
(4.6) There will be no limit on when a runner may run during an innings. This means there are no restrictions on when a runner may run for someone with regards to when the runner himself is going to bat or has batted.
(4.7) A player who has an additional medical condition, which would affect his Ability to run, may have a runner. Permission for this may be granted by the C&DP. Applications must be sent in writing together with medical documentation to the general secretary of BCEW.
(4.8) Any player who with his club’s approval wishes to play in a match whilst still recovering from a serious injury must firstly sign the BCEW legal waver and a copy of this waver must be lodged with the BCEW committee before the player is able to play. If this player has difficulty running they can have a runner if needed but only by agreement with the opposition captain.
(5.1) All teams must play in coloured playing kit.
(5.2) No white clothing shall be worn.
(5.3) All players on the same team shall be dressed alike.
(5.4) Players shall wear designated club shirts, tops and trousers at all times.
(5.5) On an appeal from an opposing captain, the umpire will ask the offending player, to leave the field of play until correctly attired.
(5.6) All players regardless of sight category will wear their sight category wrist bands at all times whilst on the field of play, as detailed in (3.6) above.
(6.1) The ball shall be a size 3 Mitre ball, or equivalent, as supplied by BCEW. It shall be white and contain a noise-making device.
(6.2) A clean ball shall be used at the start of each innings.
(6.3) Either captain may request a clean ball after every 10 overs.
(7.1) The stumps shall be 10 inches wide.
(7.2) The tops of the stumps shall be 35 inches above the ground.
(7.3) Bails shall not be used.
(7.4) The standard BCEW stumps or equivalent, where the stumps are fixed and mounted on a base) may be used in preference to 3 individual stumps driven into the ground.
(7.5) The stumps shall normally be white but, in the event that both captains agree, orange wickets may be used.
(8.1) All games must be played on a prepared cricket strip (grass or artificial).
(8.2) Both umpires and the visiting captain may submit their opinions on the ground to the General Secretary.
(8.3) Any ground which receives adverse comments from two separate competitive games in any competition during one season, must be assessed for suitability before hosting further competitive cricket. This assessment is the responsibility of the BCEW committee.
(9.1) The boundary shall be a maximum of 50 yards and a minimum of 40 yards from centre stump at each end of the pitch.
(9.2) The boundary shall be marked by a rope, marked line or plastic markers.
(10.1) All runs scored by a total batsman shall count as double.
(10.2) A total batsman is never considered to be out of his ground regardless of where he is on the field.
(10.3) A total batsman can only be run out if his runner is out of their ground.
(10.4) A total batsman cannot be stumped.
(10.5) Retiring a total Batsman
Totals who are retired must be replaced by another total in key positions. In other words if your one total in the top 3 of the batting order is retired they must be replaced with another total. The same will follow for the 2nd total/1st low partial in the top 6 & the 3rd total/1st low partial in the top 9, although if a low partial hasn’t batted yet they can replace a total or vice versa as long as it fits with the existing batting rules on where totals must bat.
(11.1) A total bowler shall bowl a ratio of at least 3 overs in every 10. This will be calculated after every ten overs.
(11.2) Bowling will be over arm, (as the MCC laws of cricket), apart from (11.3 below).
(11.3) A total bowler may use any one-armed action, except underarm.
(11.4) When bowling to a total or low partial batsman, the ball must bounce twice before the popping crease.
(11.5) When bowling to a mid partial batsman, the ball must bounce at least once before the popping crease.
(11.6) When bowling to a high partial batsman, full pitched deliveries will be allowed.
(11.7) As used in certain forms of first class cricket the “one bouncer per over” rule is to be applied. The umpire will notify the bowler that one bouncer has been bowled for that over.
(11.8) The bowling of fast high full pitches is not permitted. A fast high full pitched ball shall be defined as a ball that passes or would have passed, on the full above waist height of a batsman standing upright at the crease.
(11.9) It is a no ball if the ball bounces more than three times or is rolling before reaching the batsman’s popping crease. This shall normally be the responsibility of the umpire standing at square leg.
(12.1) The Fielder shall not deliberately kick the ball when returning it to the wicket. Should the ball strike either wicket following such an act the umpire will call and signal ‘dead ball’ and neither batsman shall be given out.
(12.2) All fielders must be on their feet from the time the bowler asks if the batsman is ready until the time the ball has been hit, has hit the batsman or has passed the stumps.
(13.1) The normal rules of cricket apply for any catch except when a total fielder, catches the ball following one bounce on the ground, provided that it has not touched the ground again.
(13.2) A catch shall be considered to have been fairly made if a total fielder catches the ball after it has touched an umpire, another fielder or the other batsman and subsequently bounced on the ground once, provided that it has not touched the ground again.
(13.3) A catch shall be considered to have been fairly made if a total fielder catches the ball after it has bounced once and subsequently touched an umpire, another total fielder or the other batsman, provided that it has not touched the ground again or a partially sighted fielder.
(14.1) The first time a total batsman is adjudged to be out LBW he is given “half out” and allowed to continue with his innings.
(14.2) If a batsman who has been given “half out” is subsequently adjudged to be out LBW he is given out and his innings is over.
(14.3) The bowler who bowls the ball which gets the subsequent LBW decision gets credit for the wicket.
(14.4) When interpreting the LBW law the position that the ball pitches shall refer to the first bounce only. i.e. The batsman cannot be out LBW if the first bounce is outside the line of the leg stump even if a second bounce is in line with the stumps.
(15.1) Should the ball burst the umpire shall call and signal ‘dead ball’ immediately.
(15.2) No runs or wickets taken after the ball bursts are valid.
(16.1) It is a no ball if the bowler fails to call ‘play’ at the moment of delivery.
(16.2) It is a no ball if the bowler holds the ball in two hands at the moment of delivery.
(16.3) It is a no ball if the ball bounces more than three times or is rolling before reaching the batsman’s popping crease. This shall normally be the responsibility of the umpire standing at square leg.
(16.4) If a ball comes to rest in front of the batsman’s popping crease it is a no ball.
(16.5) It is a no ball if the ball does not pitch at least once before reaching the popping crease of a mid partial batsman.
(16.6) It is a no ball if the ball does not pitch at least twice before reaching the popping crease of a total or a low partial batsman.
(16.7) If the batsman plays the ball before it has bounced the required number of times before the popping crease the umpire must call and signal ‘no ball’ unless the umpire is convinced that the ball would have bounced the required number of times had the batsman not played it.
(16.8) As used in certain forms of first class cricket the “one bouncer per over” rule is to be applied. The umpire will notify the bowler that one bouncer has been bowled for that over. If another bouncer is bowled the umpire will call it a no ball.
(16.9) The bowling of fast high full pitches is unfair. A fast high full pitched ball shall be defined as a ball that passes or would have passed, on the full above waist height of a batsman standing upright at the crease. Should a bowler bowl a fast high full pitched ball, either umpire shall call and signal ‘No Ball’ and adopt the procedure of caution, final warning, action against the bowler.
(16.10) A penalty of 1 run for a no ball shall be scored in addition to any other runs scored off it. For example, a single shall count as 2 runs (1 scored as a no ball and 1 to the batsman).
(17.1) The umpire shall call and signal ‘wide ball’ if the ball passes outside the line of the return crease.
(17.2) The umpire shall call and signal ‘wide ball’ immediately if, in his opinion, an attempt by the batsman to hit the ball is in danger of injuring a fielder.
(17.3) The umpire shall call and signal ‘wide ball’ if the ball strikes a fielder prior to reaching the line of the batsman’s wicket.
(17.4) The batsman may not hit the ball after ‘wide ball’ has been called. If he does so, the umpire shall call and signal ‘dead ball’ immediately. In this case the call of ‘wide ball’ shall not be revoked.
(17.5) The umpire will call wide ball if, they deem it unplayable by means of a normal cricket stroke. As in current MCC rules the height of the ball can result in a wide being called.
(17.6) A batsmen can run on a wide provided that the ball has not hit any fielder before passing the stumps or the batsmen or his bat at any point. There will be one run awarded plus whatever runs are scored by running all of these will go to extras. Either batsman can be run out attempting to run on a wide.
(18.1) In a two innings game the side which bats first and leads by 75 runs and/or twice the score of the other side in a one-day game, shall have the option of requiring the other side to follow their innings.
(19.1) All clubs will agree to playing the game:
(19.1.1) By Core Doc 2. BCEW Playing Rules, League & Cup Rules And Procedures.
(19.1.2) By Core Doc 3. BCEW Code Of Conduct Challenge And Disciplinary Procedures.
This section applies to both league and cup competitions.
NOTE
It is the responsibility of all clubs to have a copy of the BCEW Playing Rules, League & Cup Rules And Procedures (core doc 2.) and the BCEW Code Of Conduct, Challenge and Disciplinary Procedures (core doc 3.), at all games for reference.
20.1 Player Registration
(20.1.1) Players may only be registered, as a player, for one club in any one season, except where mentioned in (20.1.5) below.
(20.1.2) Players may only represent one club per season in all BCEW competitions, except where mentioned in (20.1.5) below.
(20.1.3) Clubs must submit a list of all players, along with their sight classification who will represent their clubs that season to the General Secretary by, 1st March for the coming season.
(20.1.4) Clubs may have as many players as they wish on this list and add to it throughout the season with new players, provided they have not played in any BCEW competition for any other club. The General Secretary must be notified of any additions
(20.1.5) When a team has entered the BCEW Twenty20 cup but not the BCEW National League its players will be eligible to play for one other team, in the BCEW League.
20.2 COMPETITION REGISTRATION
(20.2.1) All clubs wishing to take part in the BCEW national League and Twenty20 cup competition for the following season, shall contact the general secretary by the last day of October, prior to the AGM, to register.
(20.2.2) Number of teams in the Twenty20 Cup
The maximum number of teams allowed to enter the T20 cup will be the higher of these two numbers:
A. The number of teams in the BCEW National League
B. Eight
* If there are fewer than 8 teams in the BCEW National League then the BCEW committee will invite other clubs of their choice to make up the numbers.
(20.2.3) In the event that enough teams enter the Twenty20 cup to require a preliminary round any teams who are either new to the competition or who failed to fulfil any of their matches in the competition the year before will be automaticly entered in the preliminary round.
20.3 THE START OF PLAY
(20.3.1) Play should start promptly at 1pm. unless otherwise arranged by the two captains.
(20.3.2) If one of the sides is short of the required number of players by the pre-arranged start time the opposing captain may insist that the game begins.
(20.3.3) Players subsequently arriving must announce their arrival to the umpire in the usual way before joining the play.
20.4 CANCELLED GAMES
(20.4.1) The BCEW General Secretary shall be informed as soon as possible following the decision to postpone a game.
(20.4.2) Clubs will be responsible for re-arranging games, but must liaise with the BCEW General Secretary at all times.
(20.4.3) If any club is responsible for cancelling more than a third of its league games in one season the results from all of its league fixtures in that season shall be disregarded.
20.5 SCORECARDS
(20.5.1) Completed scorecards shall be forwarded to the BCEW General Secretary by an official of the home side within 7 days of the game.
(20.5.2) In the event of a dispute that is not resolved on the day of the game, reports shall be submitted to the BCEW General Secretary and exchanged by both captains and umpires within four days of the game. The BCEW committee shall then decide on the action to be taken, including the possibility of replaying the game.
20.6 THE UMPIRES
(20.6.1) Unless otherwise agreed before the game, it is the responsibility of each club to provide one non-playing umpire.
(20.6.2) In the event that only one umpire is present, he may be joined by an assistant to be agreed upon by both captains.
(20.6.3) In the event that no umpire or assistant is available, the captains may improvise, using partially sighted players to act as umpires.
(20.6.4) No player in the low partial sight category may act as umpire even if partially sighted players are being used to fill in for a lack of umpires.
(20.6.5) All other parts of 20.6 will be ignored during any season BCEW has an umpires panel. In this case the umpires panel will appoint both umpires for all league and twenty20 cup matches. Both umpires will be neutral with no connection to either club.
20.7 THE SCORERS
(20.7.1) It is the dual responsibility of the clubs to provide at least one scorer, who shall not also be acting as an umpire.
(20.7.2) In any season BCEW has a scorers panel the panel will appoint a scorer so the first part of 20.7 will be ignored.
20.8 Communicating with match officials
(20.8.1) All comments to or by any umpire or scorer or any conversation with any umpire or scorer during a match must take place in English.
(20.8.2) Any failure to abide by this rule could lead to the player or match official involved being suspended from BCEW competitions for a length of time decided by the BCEW committee if they feel this rule has been deliberately or repeatedly broken.
20.9 HOSPITALITY
(20.9.1) The home side is responsible for offering hospitality to the visiting side and officials.
(20.9.2) It is the home side’s responsibility to provide drinks breaks after 15 overs of each innings unless otherwise agreed by the two teams involved.
20.10 FIRST AID
(20.10.1) The home side shall provide a First Aid Kit for the game and ensure that the emergency services are able to be contacted.
The BCEW playing rules will apply in all league competition unless stated in this section.
21.1 THE LEAGUE STRUCTURE
(21.1.1) The league shall consist (at present) of one division.
(21.1.2) Each team shall play one league game against all other teams, (either at home or away) during the season (April – September).
21.2 THE LEAGUE GAME
(21.2.1) All league games consist of 1 innings per team.
(21.2.2) A game shall last for no more than 60 overs in total.
(21.2.3) The team batting first shall be forced to declare after 40 overs.
(21.2.4) After the team batting first has completed its innings the team batting second shall have the remainder of the 60 overs in which to complete its innings.
(21.2.5) In the event of a delay in play, the total number of overs to be bowled in the game shall be reduced by 1 over for every 4 minutes (or part of) lost.
(21.2.6) When delays occur in the first innings, the batting side shall be forced to declare when they have batted for two thirds of the total number of overs available.
(21.2.7) If for any reason the team batting second, is unable to complete their innings due to weather, the game will be declared a draw and the teams will be awarded 6 points each as well as any bonus points already earn’t in the match.
21.3 THE BOWLING IN A LEAGUE GAME
(21.3.1) No bowler may bowl more than 3 overs in the first 15 overs of an innings. Thereafter there are no restrictions on the number of overs one bowler may bowl. Rule 11.1 in the BCEW playing rules regarding overs to be bowled by totals will still apply though.
21.4 THE LEAGUE GAME RESULT
(21.4.1) Points shall be awarded as follows:
* 14 points to the winning side, plus any bonus points gained.
* 6 points to each side in the event of a draw, plus any bonus points gained.
* 0 points for a defeat plus any bonus points gained.
* 8 points to each side in the event of a mutual cancellation that cannot be rearranged.
* minus 5 points to a side cancelling a game that is not rearranged.
(21.4.2) Batting bonus points shall be awarded as follows: 1 point for every 50 runs scored, to a maximum of 4 points.
(21.4.3) Bowling bonus points may be secured throughout the innings and shall be awarded as follows: 1 point at the fall of the third wicket and subsequent points will be gained on the fall of the fifth, seventh and ninth (or last) wicket.
(21.4.4) On winning a game, the side batting second may be awarded additional batting bonus points when the total number of runs scored, divided by the number of wickets lost, is as follows:
* 1 point if it is equal to or greater than 5 but less than 10
* 2 points if it is equal to or greater than 10 but less than 15
* 3 points if it is equal to or greater than 15 but less than 20
* 4 points if it is equal to or greater than 20
This is regardless of the number of overs taken to score the runs, in the event of winning the game. Batting points will be awarded as per the first innings in case of a draw or a defeat.
(21.4.5) In the event of a fixture, having once been set, subsequently being cancelled in advance and not rearranged:
The team initiating the cancellation shall be deducted 5 points and the cancelled upon team shall receive the full 22 points. If the cancellation is by mutual consent the game shall be declared a draw, and teams will receive eight points each.
(21.4.6) Teams can also be docked points in the following circumstances:
Late umpires report penalties
(I.) Clubs to submit their umpires reports within one week of the day of the game.
(II.) Clubs failing to do this will receive a warning in the first instance.
(III.) Failure to submit this report within the following 7 days will incur a 3 point penalty on the BCEW League table.
(IV.) A further 3 points will be deducted for every further week a report is late and this will continue until they either get this report in or the season ends. The end of the season to be defined as the last day of September that year.
(V.) If a club is late with a second report in the same season they will automaticly receive the penalty described in points III and IV without any warning and this will start from one week after the game with no extra week before the penalty comes in.
(21.4.7) When an official England event clashes with a league fixture, which results in at least one of the clubs being unable to fulfil their fixture due to having players on England duty, the fixture shall be postponed. Neither side shall be considered to have cancelled the game and will not therefore forfeit points to the opposition. Any club finding itself in this position must inform their opponents immediately and the BCEW General Secretary. Both clubs must agree a suitable date for the game to be rearranged.
(21.5) Splitting a tie in the league table
If 2 teams finish level in the league table the finishing order will be decided in the following ways, as soon as one of these splits the teams the reasons lower down the list are irrelevant.
(21.5.1) Results between the teams: This simply means results and does not include how many points the sides may have got against each other during the season, just the number of wins and draws during the league season.
(21.5.2) Number of league wins: higher number wins
(21.5.3) Number of league defeats: lower number wins
(21.5.4) Number of batting points: higher number wins
(21.5.5) Number of bowling points: higher number wins
(21.5.6) If all previous factors are tied then the position shall be shared.
The BCEW playing rules will apply in all Twenty20 competition unless stated in this section.
(22.1) Player Eligibility.
(22.1.1) A player may only play for one club in BCEW competitions in any one season. Exemptions may be granted in exceptional circumstances upon application to the BCEW committee.
(22.2) Match Duration.
(22.2.1)The duration of each match will be 20 overs per side.
(22.2.2)Where a match is affected by rain interruptions, the duration will be reduced by 1 over for each 5 minutes lost.
(22.2.3)For a match to be valid it has to be a minimum of 5 overs per side.
(22.3)Match Result.
(22.3.1) Following the completion of both innings, the team with the highest run score is deemed to have won.
(22.3.2) In the event of the run scores being tied, the team that has lost the least number of wickets will be declared the winners.
(22.3.3) In the event of the game still being tied, a bowl out will take place to determine the result.
(22.4) Bowling Requirements.
(22.4.1) Each bowler may only bowl a maximum of 4 overs per innings.
(22.4.2) In a reduced overs innings each bowlers maximum overs is as follows:
* 5 overs innings, 1 over per bowler.
* 6-10 overs innings, 2 overs per bowler.
* 11-15 overs innings, 3 overs per bowler.
* 16-19 overs innings, 4 overs per bowler.
(22.4.3) There must be a minimum of 6 overs bowled by total players per innings.
(22.4.4) In a reduced overs innings the minimum overs to be bowled by totals are as follows:
* 5 or 6 overs innings, 1 total over.
* 7-9 overs innings, 2 total overs.
* 10-13 overs innings, 3 total overs.
* 14- 16 overs innings, 4 total overs.
* 17-19 overs innings, 5 total overs.
(22.5) Extras.
(22.5.1) A ‘wide ball’ shall add 1 run to the score total, plus an extra legitimate delivery.
(22.5.2) All ‘no balls’ shall add 1 run to the score total, plus an extra legitimate delivery which will be deemed to be a batsmans ‘free hit’.
(22.6) The Free Hit.
(22.6.1) A ‘free hit’ is the next legitimate delivery following any ‘no ball’.
(22.6.2) Runs scored from a ‘free hit’ count as normal.
(22.6.3) On a ‘free hit’ the only way a batsman can be dismissed is to be ‘run out’.
(22.7) Rain Affected Matches.
(22.7.1) Where rain affects a match before the start of play, or during the first innings, the overs will be reduced to a number where both sides bowl an equal number of overs.
(22.7.2) Where rain affects a match during the second innings and overs are reduced, the result will be determined by comparing the run scores at equal number of overs bowled in each innings. (eg. 20 overs bowled in the first innings, 16 overs in the second. The result would be determined by comparing the scores for both innings at 16 overs.)
(22.7.3) Where a match is totally rained off, provided both sides agree, and are able to, the match may be rearranged for a later date.
(22.7.4) Where a rearrangement is not possible for a rained off game, a bowl out will take place to determine the result.
(22.7.5) When a match has started, but is invalid due to being unable to complete the required minimum 5 overs per innings, the match shall not be rearranged. The result will be determined by a bowl out.
(22.7.6) Where a bowl out is not possible due to the conditions, the result will be determined by the toss of a coin.
(22.8) The Bowl Out.
(22.8.1) Each team will select 5 players, one of whom must be a total, to bowl one delivery each.
(22.8.2) A coin will be tossed to determine who will bowl first.
(22.8.3) Each team will bowl alternative deliveries until the 10 are completed. The team that hits the stumps most times will be declared the winners.
(22.8.4) If the score at the end of the bowl out is tied, then a sudden death bowl out will apply.
(22.8.5) The same 5 bowlers in the same order will be used.
(22.8.6) The first bowler from each team will bowl 1 delivery each. If just one bowler hits the stumps, then his team are declared the winners. If both, or neither, hit the stumps, then the next pair continue. If the score remains tied, the third pair continue, etc, until a result is reached.
(23.1) Any team or individual wishing to hold a tournament during the season must approach the BCEW committee with a proposal to hold their tournament by a deadline publicised by that committee. At that stage the committee will then decide whether or not to leave a gap in the calendar for that event. The rule will apply to any tournament except an England series or the BBS Primary Club Heindrich Swanepoel Memorial Cup.