Cricket Rule bk

On behalf of Ozsports, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and your team to the game of Indoor Cricket. Competitions will run for 13 to 15 rounds with finals scheduled to commence immediately following the last round of fixtures.

1. GAME FEES.
2. LATE STARTS.
3. PREMIERSHIP AND BONUS POINTS.
4. LADDER POSITION.

A game must proceed when scheduled, if a minimum of 6 players for each team are present.

To take part in a match, a player must be able to bat and bowl, except as in Substitutes [Rule 22].

The run deduction for a dismissal shall be 5 runs, and other penalties (ie misconduct, uniform penalties etc) shall be 5 runs or multiples of 5 runs.

Each player must bowl 2 overs except in the case of Player Short [Rule 8] or Substitutes [Rule 22]. Prior to the start of each over the umpire must be advised of the bowler's name.

A bowler must not bowl 2 consecutive overs. The fielding team will be penalised 5 runs for each over offended.

A delivery commences from the moment a bowler (with the ball in their hand) starts their run up and continues until the same time of the next delivery.

The batting team bats in pairs with each pair batting for 4 overs. Upon arrival at the batting crease the batters must inform the umpire of their respective names.

Batters continue batting for the entire 4 overs, whether they are dismissed or not. When a player is dismissed, 5 runs are deducted from their team's score.

Teams must be dressed as follows: Tops:- Players must compete in Identical shirts, Pants:- Males - long or short sports pants. Females - long or short sports pants, or sports skirts. Jeans are not permitted. Footwear:- Rubber soled sports shoes that will no mark the court surface. (Players in socks, barefoot or in leather soled shoes are not permitted).

A penalty of 5 runs will be deducted from a team's batting score for every unacceptable item of apparel. The team batting first will have any uniform penalties deducted at the start of the offending player's partnership. The team batting second may have uniform penalties deducted at the commencement of the second innings. umpire's are not to "square off" the uniform penalties of one team against another.

Captains may not appeal for uniform penalties after the commencement of the second over of the second innings.

The umpire will be the initial judge of the correctness of a uniform. However, in the event of a dispute, particularly with regard to colour, the duty manager or tournament director shall have the final decision.

The umpire or a person delegated by the tournament organiser shall toss a coin or token to determine the order of the innings. The umpire will advise which team is to call.

Teams may negotiate the order of innings prior to the toss with the consent of the umpire, duty manager or tournament organiser.

Bats: Must be made of wood with dimensions no larger than 96.5 cm in length and 10.8 cm in width and have a suitable bat grip. If an umpire is not satisfied with the suitability of a bat or bat grip, they should not allow it to be used. Note: Bat grips must of a non-slip material and in good order.

Batting Gloves: A batting glove (which completely covers the palm from the wrist) must be worn on both hands by each batter. An umpire, on noticing a player does not have 2 suitable batting gloves, must not allow play to continue until 2 gloves are worn.

Keeper's Gloves: The wicket keeper has the option to wear none, 1 or 2 suitable gloves. The gloves may be keeping or batting gloves, or a combination of both. Gloves similar to baseball style etc, are not permitted. They may only be worn by the wicket keeper in the approved area [See Rule 9B - Field Placement].

Fielding Protection: Players may wear suitable protective equipment. Gloves may not be worn by fielders. However, in special circumstances, players with injured hands may wear gloves with the approval of the duty manager or tournament organiser.

Balls: The centre will supply a recognised Indoor Cricket ball for each match. Teams may not supply their own.

Equipment not in immediate use (eg. gloves, elbow pads and protectors) must be placed outside the court until required. Players will be warned to remove unused protective equipment. Refusal to do so will result in a 5 run penalty to the offending team.

The Stumps shall be "Wilkins" style collapsible stumps which may be free-standing or bolted to the floor. The base plate is considered to be part of the stumps.

Before each game, an umpire shall be appointed to adjudicate the rules of the game with absolute impartiality.

The umpire may only be changed at the discretion of the duty manager or tournament organiser.

The umpire's decision during a game is final. No dispute, written or otherwise, will alter the result.

The captain of the fielding side or the batter at wicket may query an umpire's decision. Once the umpire has replies, any further talking to, at or about the umpire, or their decision, may be penalised.

All teams are to be present at the court allocated for their match to do the toss 2 minutes prior to the scheduled commencement of their game.

Any team failing to arrive on time will forfeit the right to a toss. The non-offending team can choose to field first or wait until the offending team has 6 players present and bat first.

If both teams are late, the first team to have 6 players present will have the right to choose their batting innings. [See Rule 7B(i)].

All forfeits will be declared at the discretion of the duty manager or tournament organiser.

Individual player(s) arriving late may take part in the match providing their arrival is before the commencement of the 13th over of the first innings.

A team captain may ask for the consent of the duty manager or tournament organiser to allow a late player to participate after the 13th over of the first innings. This player may not bat or bowl and is regarded as a late player, not a substitute, and may keep wickets if their team is fielding.

Any player known and expected to arrive late must be nominated by the team captain to the opposition captain, umpire and the duty manager or tournament organiser prior to the commencement of the game.

Players who arrive late to field, must wait until the end of the over in progress before entering the court.

When batting: after 12 overs, the captain of the fielding side will nominate 1 player to bat again in the last 4 overs with the remaining batter.

When fielding: after 14 overs, the captain of the batting side must choose 2 players to bowl the 15th and 16th overs. The consecutive over rule still applies.

When batting: after 12 overs, the captain of the fielding side will choose 2 players to bat again in the last 4 overs.

When fielding: after 12 overs, the captain of the batting side must choose 2 players each to bowl 2 of the last 4 overs. The consecutive over rule still applies.

If a selected player is not available to bat again, a 10 run penalty will apply and another player must be selected. This rule does not apply to a player who has to leave the game early for legitimate reasons provided both captains and the umpire had knowledge of the player's departure.

When a team is reduced to less than 6 players (irrespective of the reason) and a substitute is unavailable, the offending team will forfeit the game (See Rule 1c).

No more than 4 fielders may field in either half of the court from the moment the bowler commences their run up until the ball leaves the bowler's hand. On the line is considered in the other half. The dividing line is the non-striker's running crease.

With the exception of the bowler, no fielder (including a wicket keeper), can move on or extend over the pitch from the commencement of the bowler's run up until the ball is played at by the batter of passes the striker's wickets.

If Rules 9A(i) or 9A(ii) above are contravened, the umpire shall call "No Ball".

The non-striker can not impede the line of delivery of a bowler. This will be deemed unfair play and the umpire will warn the non-striker to move. Refusal to heed the warning will result in a 5 run penalty .

An Exclusion Zone shall be in an arc extending at a radius of 3 metres from the batting crease (See section 2.1). No fielder can move on or extend over the Exclusion Zone from the commencement of the bowler's run up until the ball is played at by the striker or passes the striker's wickets. A wicket keeper is permitted to enter the Exclusion Zone after the ball has been bowled provided they are legitimately getting in position to field the ball, and they do not pass forward of the imaginary line through the stumps. If this rule is contravened, the umpire shall call "No Ball".

A fielder is classified as a wicket keeper in they take up position behind the stumps at the striker's end in the area designated for the wicket keeper.

The area designated for the wicket keeper is between the imaginary lines extending along the extremities of the pitch to the back net and the line running at right angles through the stumps at the striker's end. (See diagram on court layout).

The wicket keeper must take up a position with both feet wholly inside the designated area and cannot move out of that area until the ball leaves the bowler's hand. If this rule is contravened, the umpire shall call "No Ball".

No fielder, other than the wicket keeper, can have any part of their body extend over or on the wicket keeper's area from the commencement of the bowler's run up until the ball is played at by the striker or passes the striker's wickets. If this rule is ravened, the umpire shall call "No Ball".

If the wicket keeper attempts to take the ball either in front of or from the side of the wickets, with the exception of when the ball strikes the batter's person or equipment, the umpire will call "No Ball".

The game commences once the players take up their positions and the umpire calls "Play".

The ball remains "live" throughout the over unless the umpire calls "Dead Ball", "Time Out", "Over" or a wicket falls.

Play cannot recommence after the fall of a wicket or a call of "Dead Ball" or before the start of a new over, until the umpire calls "Play".

It is the batter's responsibility to have taken strike when the bowler is ready to bowl provided the batter has been given reasonable time to do so. The umpire shall be the sole judge of what is "reasonable time".

These are "Automatic" Dead Balls. No runs can be scored or wickets lost. The ball must be re-bowled.

Any ball that leaves the court, other than a ball leaving the court as a result of an attempted run out by a fielder.

Any ball, after being struck by the batter, that lodges in the net or corner conduit. The original batter must face the re-bowled delivery.

An illegal mankad is attempted by the bowler. [See Rule 16G(iii) and (iv)]. The batting side will receive 2 runs for the "No Ball".

These are "Discretionary" Dead Balls. The decision to have the ball re-bowled or to allow runs scored or to apply penalties for wickets taken shall be at the discretion of the umpire.

The batter did not have enough time to take strike before the bowler delivers the ball.

The bat accidentally leaves the batter's hands as a result of playing a shot at the ball.

The ball after being bowled hits a fielder. A special call of "No Ball, Dead Ball" is made and the batters will receive 2 runs.

The ball leaves the court as a result of an attempted run out by a fielder. The score (net zone and physical runs) made up until when the ball leaves the court will count.

A ball, when bowled. hits the top or side net. The umpire will call "No Ball, Dead Ball" and the batters will receive 2 runs.

"Time Outs" are permitted at the umpire's discretion under the following conditions: Player injury; ruling or score clarification by team captain of fielding side or batters at the wicket; clothing adjustment. Requests may be made verbally or by signal.

If the umpire is required to intervene during a dispute for unfair play, the ball is automatically dead from the time of intervention until "Play" is called. The ball is dead whether the umpire call "Dead Ball" or forgets to. No runs can be scored or wickets taken during the intervention. However, the result prior to the intervention will stand.

When both batters cross between the batting crease and the non-striker's crease and make good their ground. One run is scored (called a "physical" run).

When a batter hits the ball with the bat or the hand(s) holding the bat, into a perimeter netting. This includes balls deflected by fielders and unintentionally deflected from the non-striker's person or equipment. The following bonus runs will apply:

The scoring zone that the ball strikes first shall count with the exception of a ball coming off Zone B or C onto Zone D.

The top net is neutral. A ball hit via the top net onto the Zone D net on the full scores 6 bonus runs for the batting side.

When a fielder causes an overthrow, physical runs will be scored when the batters cross between the batting crease and the non-striker's crease and make good their ground. An "overthrow" results from the deliberate effort of a fielder throwing, flicking, slapping or kicking the ball in an attempt to strike the wicket and cause a run out, or at any other time the ball is live.

The batting team will be credited with a 2 run penalty when a delivery is called "No Ball", "Wide" or “Legside" by the umpire. If the batter plays a "No Ball" into a scoring zone, the zone score and the physical runs made will be added to the 2 run penalty. Any physical runs made off a "wide" or "legside" will be added to the 2 run penalty.

If in the opinion of the umpire, the fielder, whilst attempting to run out the batter, does not have "reasonable control" of the ball and it hits a scoring zone, the relevant bonus runs will apply.

"Reasonable Control" may be defined as the deliberate attempt by a fielder which causes the ball to noticeably change from its original path to the direction of the intended target wickets in an attempt to run the batters out. Flicking, slapping and kicking the ball fall within this definition.

Any net zone struck as a result of a reasonably controlled attempt will not result in bonus runs being scored.

A ball deflected by a fielder into a scoring zone after the ball has been hit by the striker's bat or the hand(s) holding the bat, shall score the relevant zone score. [See Rule 12A(ii)].

Balls deflected into scoring zones off the batter's person (eg. leg) where no contact has been made with the bat shall not score bonus runs. Only physical runs may be scored.

If a batter is given "Out", the batting team shall lose 5 runs . All previous runs scored off that delivery shall not count.

Where a ball strikes a zone scoring tape or corner conduit, the higher zone score shall count.

In case of a scoreboard error, unless the captain of the fielding team or the batters at the wicket appeal about the score before the commencement of a new over, or before the players leave the court in the case of the last over of each innings, the scoreboard shall e assumed to be correct.

The ball is thrown, not bowled. If the umpire is not totally satisfied with the fairness of the delivery, "No Ball" will be called at the moment of delivery. (Note: As a guide, the bowler's arm must not be straightened in the delivery action. If the elbow remains bent throughout the delivery, it may be a fair delivery).

Any part of the bowler's front foot is not grounded inside the return crease and behind the popping crease at the moment of delivery. (Note: Any part of the front foot on the line is a "No Ball").

If any part of the ball, when bowled underarm, pitches on or before the underarm line it shall be a "No Ball".

There are more than 4 fielders in either half of the court at the commencement of the bowler's run up. [See Rule 9A(i)].

A wicket keeper moves outside their designated area before the ball leaves the bowler's hand or takes the ball in front or from the side of the stumps. [See Rule 9B(iv) and Rule 9B(viii)].

A fielder, other than the wicket keeper, has any part of their body in the wicket keeper's area or exclusion zone until the ball is played at by the striker or passes the striker's wickets. [See Rule 9A(v) and Rule 9B(v)].

A bowler changes style of bowling (ie. overarm to underarm, left arm to right arm or vice versa) or changes sides of the wicket (ie. from over to around or vice versa) without first informing the umpire [See Rule 18].

The ball, when bowled, passes over or would have passed over the striker's front shoulder, either on the full or bounce, when the striker is in a normal stationary batting stance at the batting crease. This is regardless of the ball hitting the striker's bat or person. (Note: A striker must have part of their back foot behind the batting crease when the ball passes or would have passed the batting crease to be entitled to the call of "No Ball" under this rule. The back foot need not necessarily be grounded behind the batting crease).

The ball, when bowled, initially lands off the pitch before reaching the line of the batting crease.

A mankad is illegally attempted. The umpire will call "No Ball, Dead Ball". The ball will not count as part of the over and 2 runs will be added to the batting team's score. [See Rule 16G(iii)].

When a bowler makes more than 2 unsuccessful mankad attempts in any 1 over, the 3rd unsuccessful attempt will be call "No Ball, Dead Ball". The ball will not be counted as part of the over and 2 runs will be credited to the batting team's score. [See Rule 16G(iv)].

The ball, after being bowled, hits the top or side net before reaching the batter. The umpire shall call "No Ball, Dead Ball". The ball will not be rebowled and 2 runs will be credited to the batting team's score.

Any batter dismissed off a "No Ball" will be penalised 5 runs
The 2 runs bonus for the "No Ball" is negated by the dismissal.

A "No Ball" is included as part of an over except in the last over of the innings.

Any "No Ball" bowled in the last over of an innings may be rebowled at the batter's discretion. The umpire must ask the batters immediately if the ball is to be rebowled. The batters must decide before the next ball is bowled. Any penalties, runs or wickets resulting from the "No Ball" delivery shall count regardless of whether the ball is rebowled or not.

A "No Ball" incurs a penalty of 2 runs which is added to the batting pair's score. Runs scored by hitting any net zone and/or physical runs are also added to the score.

A "Wide" will be called when: any part of the ball passes on the striker's off-side, outside the intersection of the batting crease and the edge of the pitch, without being touched by the striker's person or equipment. Any part of the ball passing on the line shall be deemed "wide".

A "Legside" wide shall be called when: any part of the ball passes outside the intersection of the batting crease and the legside line without being touched by the striker's person or equipment. Any part of the ball passing on the line shall be deemed "legside". A ball passing between the batter and the stumps is not a legside wide.

For the purpose of identification, the edge of the pitch will be taken as the offside line, and the point 45cm from the centre stump will be taken as the legside line.

Batters may be dismissed by all forms of dismissal when a "Wide" is bowled, bearing in mind that if a ball is struck by the striker's person or equipment, it is no longer a "wide".

A batter dismissed off a "Wide" will be penalised 5 runs
The 2 runs bonus for the wide is negated by the dismissal.

All "Wides" bowled in the last over of an innings may be rebowled at the batter's discretion. The umpire must immediately ask the batters if the ball is to be rebowled. The batters must decide before the next delivery is bowled. All scores, penalties or wickets from the "Wide" or "Legside" delivery shall count regardless of whether the ball is rebowled or not.

The penalty for a "Wide" is 2 runs which will be added to the batting pair's score plus any additional physical runs scored.

The umpire shall not give a batter out unless appealed to by the opposing team. An appeal must be made prior to the next ball being bowled.

The umpire shall have final jurisdiction on all appeals and retains the right to alter their decision provided it is done promptly.

The striking batter shall retain the strike, after being dismissed, unless the batters have crossed prior to the dismissal. A batter who is dismissed "bowled" or "leg before wicket" will retain the strike irrespective of the batters crossing. A batter can be given "Out" for any of the following dismissals:

Bowled: If the wickets are struck by the ball, including coming from the batter's person or equipment, and at least one of the bails is completely and permanently removed. Note: The base plate of the stumps is considered to be part of the wickets.

Caught: If a ball, coming from the striker's bat or their hand(s) holding the bat, is caught before it touches the ground. The striker will be out "caught" should the ball pass from the bat onto the striker's body, or vice versa, before being caught.

A catch may be taken off all boundary netting except a direct hit on the full to the 6 net (Zone D). A ball passing from a fielder's hand or body directly onto the 6 net, on the full, and then caught, will result in the striker being not out and the bonus runs will count. The striker will be out "caught" if a ball is hit into the side netting (Zones B or C) before passing onto the back net (Zone D) and is caught without touching the ground.

Should a ball hit the non-striker and then be caught before touching the ground, the striker will be out.

A batter shall not be out "caught" if the ball came from the bottom wire supporting the net.

Stumped: A batter is stumped when the wicket keeper legally removes the bail(s) before the striker (who has advanced down the pitch) is able to get any part of their bat or body grounded inside their crease. The wicket keeper may use the hand(s), or the forearm of the hand(s) holding the ball or as a result of the ball rebounding directly from the keeper's body onto the stumps.

If the wicket keeper attempts to take the ball either in front of, or from the side of the wickets, with the exception of the ball striking the batter's person or equipment, the umpire will call "No Ball". [See Rule 9B(viii)].

The difference between "run out" and "stumped" in this case is that in the former a batter is attempting to make a run, while in the latter, the batter is stranded out of their batting crease after playing a shot or is attempting to get back inside their batting crease.

A batter is run out when either batter has left their crease, while the ball is "live", and the bails are dislodged by the ball held by or coming directly from a fielder, before any part of the batter's person or equipment is grounded behind the line of the appropriate crease. Once a batter is safely behind the line of the crease they cannot be given out.

A fielder is able to "Run Out" a batter with either their hand or the forearm of their hand holding the ball, provided the ball is retained in the hand when they completely remove the bail(s) from the top of the wickets.

A striker can be given out "Run Out" off a No Ball, by the wicket keeper, if in the opinion of the umpire the striker did not make a deliberate attempt to regain the crease.

If a batter is attempting to regain the crease and the bail(s) are not completely removed until after the batter makes good their crease, the batter is not out.

No batter may be out if the ball breaks the wicket after coming directly from a net. Conversely, a batter shall be out should the ball, having come from a net, be touched by a member of the fielding side before breaking the wicket.

The stumps, when standing, are always live irrespective of the bail(s) having been removed during play. If the wickets, whilst standing, have had the bail(s) removed by the ball is "live", the fielding side need only hit an upright stump again with the ball to constitute an appeal for a run out.

The stumps, when standing, must have some part of their base in the normal position to enable a wicket to be taken.

If the stumps are lying off their base on the ground, the fielding side must restand the stumps upright with some part of the base in its normal position. The fielder need only hit an upright stump with the ball and appeal to enable a wicket to be taken.

The base plate is considered to be part of the stumps. A batter will be adjudged out if the bail(s) are dislodged as a result of the ball hitting the baseplate.

L.B.W.: If the ball hits the striker's body and the striker has made no attempt to hit the ball, the batter will be adjudged LBW if, in the opinion of the umpire, the ball would have struck the stumps.

Hit Wicket: The striker will be out "hit wicket" if their person or equipment breaks the stumps whilst either playing the ball or immediately setting off for the first run after playing at the ball. The baseplate of the stumps is considered to be part of the stumps. A batter is not out should they break the stumps trying to regain their crease or complete a run.

If a bowler whilst attempting a mankad, releases the ball during the delivery action and breaks the stumps at the non-striker's end, the umpire will call "No Ball, Dead Ball". This delivery shall not count as part of the over and incurs the "No Ball" penalty. The umpire must call "Play" to re-commence the game.

When a bowler makes more than 2 unsuccessful mankad attempts in any 1 over, the third unsuccessful attempt (without releasing the ball) will be called "No Ball, Dead Ball". The ball will not be counted as part of the over and 2 runs will be credited to the batting team's score.

If the mankad attempt is successful, the ball does not count as part of the over and does not affect the score off the previous or following delivery.

If either batter deliberately obstructs or interferes with any member of the fielding team, bearing in mind that the fielder has the right of way provided they are legitimately fielding the ball.

If the ball is struck or stopped by the striker more than once except when preventing the bowled ball from hitting the stumps. This may only be done with the bat or body but not with the hands. No runs may be scored as a direct result of such action. Any attempt to do so would be interference.

Note: Should any player deliberately endanger an opponent, irrespective of the right of way provisions, they shall be dealt with under the Misconduct Rule. [See Rule 20].

Batters must not have their running path unfairly impeded. If in the umpire's opinion this constitutes unfair play, the batters are not to be given out and all runs will count. The fielding team will be issued a warning. A 5 run penalty will be issued to the fielding team for a second occurrence. Note: A player may not be guilty of obstruction if they do not move.

If the ball is bowled, then deliberately fielded prior to the batter having the opportunity to hit the all, the fielding team will be penalised 5 runs for unfair play and the ball shall be re-bowled.

A bowler must advise the umpire if they intend to change their bowling style (ie. overarm to underarm, left arm to right arm or vice versa) or sides of the wicket (ie. over the wicket to around the wicket or vice versa).

The umpire must use the correct hand signal to indicate to the bowler that their change of bowling style has been noticed. The onus is on the fielding team to ensure that the umpire is aware of the bowling change.

When a bowler changes direction or style, the change is to both batters unless a difference is advised.

The umpire must advise both batters of the change and only one advice need be given unless there is a further change.

If the batters believe the umpire has overlooked a change they may appeal for a "No Ball", however the umpire's decision is final.

Any ball, when bowled, that leaves the playing area or lodges in the net or corner conduit as a result of being hit by the striker, will be called "Dead Ball" by the umpire and will be rebowled. This includes ball coming off the striker's bat onto the non-striker or fielders prior to leaving the playing area. No runs will count and the original striker must face the ball again.

Any ball, when bowled, that leaves the playing area without being touched by the batter or the fielding side will be called "Dead Ball" by the umpire and rebowled.

Any ball that leaves the playing area as a result of an attempted run out by a fielder, will be called "Dead Ball" by the umpire. All runs made off the ball, prior to it leaving the court will count. Batters must have crossed to be eligible to score a physical run. Under these circumstances the ball will not be rebowled.

Any misconduct may incur a run penalty at the discretion of the umpire. No warning need precede the application of this penalty. Any act of misconduct may result in the player(s) being ordered off the court by the umpire. [See Rule 21]. Note: Any of the following may constitute misconduct:

6. Sledging (eg. any baiting, harassment, gestures, words or actions which may interrupt the concentration of an opponent).

Note: The captain of the fielding side or the batter at the wicket may query an umpire's decision. Once the umpire has replied, any further talking to, at or about the umpire, or their decision, may be penalised.

Any game may be stopped and awarded to the opposition, or cancelled, should infringements of the above nature escalate to the point where the captains have lost control of their players. No game may be called off without consultation with the duty manager or tournament organiser.

Umpires must use their discretion when determining if run penalties are warranted for misconduct. Players may be warned prior to being penalised, but this is not a pre-requisite.

Any player incurring 2 misconduct penalties for any reason must be ordered off for the rest of the game by the umpire.

Any player who has been the cause of 2 separate penalties for misconduct being awarded against their team.

A player ordered off will not be replaced. Teams are to revert to the Player Short Rule [Rule 8] for the batting and bowling.

A substitute player is one who joins the game, after it has officially commenced, to replace an existing player who is incapable of completing the game due to injury or illness suffered during the game. This may only occur on the approval of the umpire and/or duty manager or tournament organiser.

In the event of a player becoming injured in a game and no substitute is available the team reverts to the Player Short Rule [Rule 8] and Injured Players Rule [Rule 23D(i) and (ii)].

Injuries to players are classified into two categories. These two categories are: players who suffer blood related injuries and players who suffer non blood related injuries.

A player suffering a blood related injury must leave the court for further treatment unless the bleeding can be contained within a maximum of 2 minutes. The injured player should ensure that no blood contaminates the court, or its fittings or fixtures.

The injured player must remove and replace any blood contaminated clothing and wash off any blood on their body before rejoining the game.

A player, leaving the court for a blood related injury, is entitled to have a "Blood Replacement Player" take the court, on their behalf, until the injury has been attended to.

If the injured player is unable to return to the game, the Blood Replacement Player will continue the game as a Substitute Player.

Any player that leaves the court to attend to a blood related injury must wait until the end of the over in progress before returning to the game.

The injured player must receive a clearance from the umpire before rejoining the game.

When batting: The captain of the fielding side will nominate 1 player, from the nominated team, to bat with the remaining batter. This must be done at the time of the injury.

When fielding: If the player is injured whilst bowling, the captain of the batting side will nominate 1 player, from the injured player's team, to complete the over. The non-consecutive over rule still applies.

Players who suffer non blood related injuries will be entitled to a maximum of 2 minutes to attend to their injuries.

After this time, if the player is not ready to recommence play, the umpire will ask the player to leave the court to recover from their injuries.

Provided they have not been substituted, a player may return to the game after they have recovered from their injuries.

Any player that leaves the court to attend to an injury must wait until the end of the over in progress before returning to the game.

An injured player will be guided by a medical official (if in attendance at the game), to leave the court for further treatment.

A side who loses a player through illness or injury shall be subject to the Player Short Rule [Rule 8]. The nomination of a player to bat or bowl the incapacitated player's current over may be done at the time of injury. The nominated player may or may not have batted or bowled.

If a bowler is injured during their 1st over, 1 player is to be nominated to complete the over. The incapacitated player's 2nd over shall be bowled after the 12th over and another player may be chosen my the opposing captain. The non-consecutive over rule still applies.

Runners are not permitted. Should a player become injured during the course of the game the Player Short Rule (Rule 8) shall apply.

The maximum penalty for any single rule violation is 5 runs . In the case of misconduct related violations, the penalties can range in multiples of 5 to a maximum of 20, depending on the severity of the violation.

The ball is fielded and held over the stumps at either end whilst at least 1 batter is in their crease and the umpire calls "Over".

All players on the court regard the ball as being "Dead" (ie. no further play is possible).

A wicket falls, excluding a mankad (subject to it being a legal delivery) and the umpire calls "Over".

The umpire will end the match by calling "Game" after all of the prescribed overs have been bowled.

All rules apply to Mixed Games except where they conflict with the following By-Rules. These rules should be read in conjunction with the previous Rule descriptions.

There shall be no more than 4 males or 4 females in any one team. A team must have a minimum of 2 males and 2 females, and have at least 6 players in the team, to start a game.

Bowling sequence: the captain must bowl male and female players alternately. The fielding captain will determine whether a male of female bowler commences the 1st over.

If a team is player(s) short, they can only be replaced by other player(s) of the same sex.

When a team plays short, the male/female batting pairs and bowling sequence must be maintained.

If a team is 1 player short, a player of the missing sex must be selected by the opposition captain after the 12th over to bat for the remaining 4 overs, or bowl 2 of the remaining 4 overs.

If a team is both a male and a female player short, the opposition captain must select a male and a female player after the 12th over to bat the last 4 overs, or bowl 2 overs each of the last 4 overs.

Excessively close-in fielding and rushing tactics that in the umpire's opinion harass the striker, will be penalised by the call of "No Ball". No warning is required.

Batters crossing - A striker will only be awarded bonus runs from hitting the ball into a net scoring zone if the batters cross. This rule applies to both male and female batters.

"6" Net - Batter will be given "out" for a direct hit (on the full) to the "6" net (Zone D).

Males are not permitted to bowl in a manner that intimidates the female striker. This includes fast bowling, short pitch bowling and any delivery that spins excessively and which, in the umpire's opinion, is beyond the capabilities of the female striker.

When a team utilises the Substitute Rule of Player Short Rule during a mixed game, the replacement must be a player of the same sex.

Hard-hitting and dangerous play will not be tolerated and will be judged solely by the Umpire.

The pitch is the area between both sets of stumps, the bowling return creases and the offside lines at the striker's end.

The stumps shall be of equal and sufficient size to prevent the ball from passing through them.

C.A wicket line shall be marked in line with the stumps at each end, and shall be 1.83 metres in width at the batting end and 2.47 metres at the bowling end, withe the stumps in the centre, and the middle stumps shall be 20 metres apart.

The popping crease shall be in front of, and parallel with, the wicket lines at both ends. It shall have its back edge 1.22 metres from the centre of the stumps. At the striker's end, it shall extend from one side of the court to the other and shall be called the batting crease. At the bowler's end, it will be the line extending between the return creases and shall be called the bowler's crease of the front foot line.

The return creases at the bowler's end shall be lines at right angles to the bowling crease to the line of the wickets. The return creases shall be marked 1.22 metres from the middle stump on the line of the wicket. The return creases may be considered to extend back from the line of the stumps indefinitely for the purpose of adjudication.

The running crease (or non-striking batter's crease), which is the edge of the crease marking nearest the bowling end, shall be parallel to the popping crease and extend from one side of the court to the other. The distance between the running crease and the batting crease shall be 11 metres.

The court must be no less than 28 metres and no more than 30 metres in length, and no less than 10.5 metres and no more than 12 metres in width, with the height being no less than 4 metres and no more than 4.5 metres.

The legside lines are to be positioned with the inside edge 45cms from the middle stump. The offside or wide lines are to be positioned with the inside edge 90cms from the centre stump.

A fielding Exclusion Zone shall be marked in an arc extending from the centre of the batting crease at a radius of 3 metres. [See Diagram below].

The underarm line is marked across the pitch 7 metres from the striker's stumps.

Two sets of stumps, each 22.86cms wide, and consisting of 3 stumps with 2 bails upon the top, shall be pitched opposite and parallel to each other at a distance of 20 metres. Wickets shall be "Wilkins" style either free standing or with their basses bolted to the court.

The bails shall be 11.1cms in length, and when in position shall not extend more than 1.3cms above the stumps. Bails may be wood or plastic and may be tied to the stumps.

OZSPORTS MEMBERSHIP
Ozsports membership is charged per player and is valid until 30th June. Every player in your team must be a member by their third game. This entitles you to play at any Ozsports Centre, in any sport, in any number of teams. Each non-member playing their fourth will incur a 10 Run penalty against your team, after that they will not be eligible to take the court.

GAME FEES
All game fees must be paid ten minutes before the start of your game. The game fee is a team fee and must be paid in full regardless of how many players take the court. Any team who does not arrive on time will be penalised one goal every minute or part thereof. After 10 minutes, the match will be awarded to your opposition.

BOND
The bond is a game fee in advance and is payable with your nomination form. Providing you play all scheduled games with no short payments, your bond will be refunded at the end of the season (or you may wish to use it as your last game fee). If your team renominates for the following season your bond will be automatically rolled over when you hand in your nomination form. However, should you forfeit a game through the season, you will lose your bond and another bond fee will be payable before your next game. This includes all finals.

RESCHEDULES
Should your team be unable to play, you may with the consent of the Opposing Captain, reschedule the game. You must give at least 48 hours notice and reschedules must be played within the designated time of the original game.

ELIGIBILITY FOR FINALS
To qualify for semi-finals ,you must play in 1/3 of your teams matches (ie. 5 games in a fifteen week season) with at least one of those games played on or before Round 9. CAPTAINS … it is your responsibility to tick off players each week on the registration card.

The signals shown should be used at all times and accompanied by the appropriate call. ll signals should be bold and demonstrative. All calls should be loud and clear.

SIX HIT: Both arms raised above the head, fingers pointing up. Call: "SIX RUNS".

FOUR HIT: Arm bent at the elbow moved to and fro across the chest. Call "FOUR RUNS".

NO BALL: Arm raised bent at right angles at the elbow with fist clenched. Call "NO BALL" and reason.

CHANGE OF BOWLING STYLE: Arm straight out, finger pointing down. Call "OVER THE WICKET", "UNDERARM" etc..

All wides and no-balls in the final over of each batting pair will be re-bowled at the batter’s discretion, even if a dismissal occurs.

A penalty of 5 runs will be deducted from a team’s batting score for every unacceptable item of apparel.

Bonus runs as defined in Rule 12 A(ii), A(v), B(i), B(iv) and E will only be scored if the batters cross between the batting crease and the non-strikers crease as described in Rule 12 A(i).

Scoring Zones remain as described in Rule 12 A(ii). In any circumstance, the batters must physically cross and make good their ground at their respective creases for any net bonus runs to be credited to their score.

The batting side must attempt to keep the score moving. Should the score not change (in either direction) for three consecutive deliveries, the batting side shall be penalised 5 runs.

Should the score remain unchanged after two consecutive deliveries, the umpire shall immediately call “third ball” to the batters. On that delivery, the score must change or a dismissal shall be recorded if the wicketkeeper takes the ball cleanly, whether the players run or not. If the final 2 balls of an over are scoreless, the “third ball” will be called on the first ball of the following over. (NB: The “third ball” shall not carry from one partnership to the next).

In the event that an umpire omits to call “third ball” it shall fall upon the captain of the fielding side to clarify the situation prior to the bowler delivering the ball.

Should a physical run be scored, or a wide, legside or no-ball be bowled, or a dismissal occur, the “third ball” count will restart from the next delivery.

The system will be based on a format whereby Competition Points are scored by comparing both the total team scores and by comparing respective batting partnerships.

Should partnership scores be equal, the point/s will carryover to the next partnership. If the remaining partnerships are tied, the point/s shall revert to the previous winning partnership. If all partnerships are tied, the 4 “skins” points will be shared.

A.	Partnership 1	Partnership 2	Partnership 3	Partnership 4	Team Total
Team A	30	25	28	16	99
Team B	28	24	37	30	119

Team B scores 1pt for each winning partnership (3&4) + 4pts for winning the game = 6pts

B.	Partnership 1	Partnership 2	Partnership 3	Partnership 4	Team Total
Team A	30	25	28	16	99
Team B	30	24	37	7	98

Team A scores 2pts for winning P’ship 2 after P’ship 1 was tied + 1pt for P’ship 4 + 4pts for winning the game = 7pts

C.	Partnership 1	Partnership 2	Partnership 3	Partnership 4	Team Total
Team A	30	25	28	16	99
Team B	20	24	28	16	88

Team A scores 3pts for winning P’ship 2 following countback after P’ships 3 & 4 tied + 4pts for winning the game = 7pts

D.	Partnership 1	Partnership 2	Partnership 3	Partnership 4	Team Total
Team A	30	25	28	16	99
Team B	28	14	20	41	103