- PLAYERS: No team can use more than four players who regularly
play in an established outdoor cricket team (that is at least 1 in 3 matches for that team),
without prior arrangement with the opposition.
If more than four are to be used the excess cannot bowl and must bat at the bottom of the order.
Any team breaking this rule will face a possible decision of disqualification.
- WICKETS: Whilst on a personal score of 0 a batsman can be out twice before he leaves the
field. Each wicket will score for the bowler but this must be shown clearly on the score sheet.
Difficulty in reading or understanding the score sheet may result in points not being awarded.
- OVERS: Each team will have 15 eight ball overs.
- BOWLERS: No player shall bowl more than 3 overs, the third of which must be bowled
in the second half of the innings i.e. 8th over onwards.
- RUN UP: Bowlers have roughly 4 paces (exact distance to be judged by the umpires) in which
to make their run-up. Failure to do so should result in a no-ball being called.
- DANGEROUS BOWLING: A bowler who is considered by the umpire to be bowling
dangerously should receive a warning.
If a further dangerous ball is bowled the bowler will be prevented from bowling again in the match.
If necessary the fielding captain should select another player to complete the over.
A dangerous ball is a fast ball that passes close to the batsman and:
- pitches and rises above mid-chest height,
- doesn't pitch, and would pass the batsman above pad height.
A dangerous ball shall be called a NO BALL
(See Additional Guidelines for Umpires).
Please note it is down to the umpires discretion to call a
dangerous ball and subsequently warn the bowler. (Obvious
accidental dangerous deliveries should not be counted).
Bowlers should be aware that bowling off a short run up can be
dangerous and should adjust their pace accordingly.
- RETIREMENT: When a batsman has scored 20 runs he must retire gracefully,
but can return when all 11 batsmen have been in, and bat until he scores a further 15
runs.
Retired batsmen must go back to bat in the same order as
presented on the scoresheet.
- LBW: LBW decisions are not to be given out, or appealed for, unless
absolutely plumb.
This means that the batsman didn't attempt to play a stroke, and the ball hit his/her
legs and had it not hit the batsman it would have hit the stumps.
A batsman can be given out LBW, if they have deliberately kicked the ball
away from their wicket so as not to be out.
Umpires are also asked to ensure that the batsman is at no time in the game
taking a guard that completely obscures his wicket, thus
making it impossible for the bowler to strike the stumps.
Competant umpires should be officiating at all stages of the
match. Please ensure these rules are not abused so that the game is played fairly.
- WEATHER: If weather conditions deteriorate during play, the two
captains should consult to decide whether the game should continue.
A democratic and sensible decision should be taken, taking into account
the potential hazards that bad weather may cause.
Captains should not base the decision on how their team are fareing at the time!
If the match is stopped after 7.5 overs of the second innings have been bowled,
and play is not resumed, the match will be decided on run rate.
In this case the bonus points of the first innings are used for both sides.
If less than 7.5 overs of the second innings have been bowled, and play is not resumed,
the match will be called void and will not count to either team's average.
- STAND-INS: Captains are under no obligation to provide stand-in
fielders for their opponents if they are unable to field an eleven.
- ELIGIBILITY: Players are expected to play in one team throughout the
season and NO player may play for more than one team for the duration of the Cup and Plate
competitions (the equivalent of being Cup-tied in the FA Cup).
However, given that the league experiences periodic player shortages any player can play for
more than one team in league matches as long as his or her own team captain consents to such a loan.
For the purposes of this rule the player’s captain will be from the team in which the player
plays their first match of the season (League or Cup).
For any disputes concerning player eligibility the ruling of the ARCS committee will be final.
Individuals (and spouses/children thereof) who are employees, retired employees,
contractors, agency staff, or students of companies with personnel and/or
accommodation at Adastral Park are allowed to participate in the competition.
- MATCH FORFEIT: If a team fails to fulfil a league fixture then they will
be given a score of zero which will count towards their average. The opposition will
not count that match when calculating their average score.
Also the pitch will be paid for by the offending team.
- START OF THE MATCH:
This new rule replaces all previous rules regarding the timely commencement of matches:
Late starts to our matches can prove to be very dangerous in terms of light quality -
particularly later in the season. ARCS encourages everyone to start their matches at
17:30 and we do understand the logistical difficulty of getting to a ground some distance from Martlesham.
However, if one team is unwilling to start by 17:45 (according to the speaking clock on O2 or BT)
then that team will:
- Automatically forfeit the toss
- Lose one over of their own batting innings for every five minutes (or part thereof)
the start is delayed after 17:45 up to a maximum of five overs/25 minutes.
The team willing to start will still have a full 15 overs batting.
In the unlikely event that the match does not start by 18:10 then the team unwilling to start will
be considered to have forfeited the match. Such an event must be reported to a member of the committee.
The start is deemed to be the delivery of the first ball by the fielding team.
This naturally requires a minimum of two batsmen, two umpires and a bowler to be present.
If both teams are unable or unwilling to start by 17:45 then what happens next is down
to negotiation between the Captains. We positively encourage team captains to discuss
mutually acceptable compromises. The loaning of players to the fielding side, reducing
the number of overs per side and playing with reduced sides are all acceptable in ARCS,
although bonus points will not be enhanced as a result.
All times stated are British Summer Time.
