ACT Veteran's Cricket Rules
and Playing Conditions

Playing Rules
1 The Matches
1.1 Type of Cricket Balls to be Used
Matches played on Turf pitches, a 4-piece red ball must be used. Matches played on synthetic/astroturf pitches a 2-piece (156 gm) red ball is to be used. Brand of ball is up to each team's choice. (see note in appendix A)

Law of Cricket 5.3 regarding New Balls is to be disregarded and a captain may use an "old" ball providing he advises both the Umpire and Captain of the opposition. The Umpire (or opposition captain) will determine if the "old" ball is of a good enough quality to be used.

In Twenty Over matches in order to keep costs down it is recommended that an "old" ball be used. The Umpire (or opposition captain if no umpire is present) will determine if the "old" ball is of a good enough quality to be used.

A typical scenario would be that a new ball could be used for the first match of a twenty over double header and then the same ball is used for the second match.

1.2 Forty Over Matches
A team shall consist of a maximum of 13 players. A maximum of 12 players may bat and a maximum of 12 may bowl.

1.2.1 Bowling Limitations
i. No player shall bowl more than seven (7) overs.
ii. Each team shall use a minimum of six (6) bowlers by the end of the thirtieth (30th) over. A person who finishes an over for an injured bowler but does not otherwise bowl shall not be counted as one of the six bowlers.
iii. In the event of a match being reduced to less than 40 overs a side the following alterations apply ?

Scheduled Overs per Side Maximum Overs per Player Six (6) bowlers must have bowled before the end of over number
36 ? 40 7 30
31 ? 35 6 25
26 ? 30 5 19
20 ? 25 4 14
iv. The above table will also apply if a weather interruption causes the number of overs in the second innings to be reduced to a figure that is less than the maximum quota of the first innings
 
1.2.2 Batting Limitations
i. Captains can retire a batsman at any time however batsmen must retire immediately upon reaching (or passing) a score of 30 runs.
ii. The only exception is if it is the last over of the innings. The batsman may remain until either dismissed or the last ball of the innings has been bowled.
iii. A retired batsman may resume their innings after all designated batsmen have either been dismissed or retired.
iv. If a team has multiple batsmen retire they must resume their innings in the order that they retired.
v. All retired batsmen are to be recorded as Retired Not Out, unless they are dismissed when batting a second time.

1.3 Twenty Over Matches
A team shall consist of a maximum of 12 players. A maximum of 11 players may bat and a maximum of 11 players may bowl.

1.3.3 Bowling Restrictions
i. No player shall bowl more than four (4) overs
ii. Each team shall use a minimum of six (6) bowlers in the innings. A person who finishes an over for an injured bowler but does not otherwise bowl shall not be counted as one of the six bowlers
iii. If the innings is reduced to less than 15 overs, then the minimum number of bowlers is reduced to five (5)

1.3.4 Batting Limitations
i. Batsmen must retire immediately upon reaching (or passing) a score of 25 runs. They are to be recorded as Retired, Not Out.
ii. The exceptions are ?
a. It is the last over of the innings and batsman may remain until either dismissed or the last ball has been bowled; or
b. That the last two batsmen are at the wicket.
iii. A retired batsman may not bat again.
iv. Forced retirements by Captains are not allowed, however if a player has to leave the match for any reason, they can retire them self but are to be recorded as Retired Out and the fielding team is credited with the wicket.

1.4 Four Quarter Matches
Four Quarter Matches consist of four lots of twenty overs. The team batting first will bat for a maximum of twenty overs. Then the team batting second bats for a maximum of twenty overs and so forth.

A team shall consist of a maximum of 14 players. A maximum of 12 players may bat and a maximum of 12 may bowl in each innings i.e. the two non-batters from the 1st inning can bat in the second innings and the same with non-bowlers.

Each team must use the same ball for both innings, unless it has been lost or has become unusable then the replacement ball must be in similar condition as the ball replaced.

1.4.1 2nd Innings for each team.
When teams bat for a second time, the captain is free to determine the batting order regardless of how many wickets fell in their first innings or the order of dismissals.

However any player compulsorily retired in the first innings cannot bat again until every player in the team has had a bat.

The batting and bowling restrictions as used in Twenty Over matches (1.3.1) are to be used in these matches but apply in each innings.

2 Clothing
Teams may choose to wear standard white shirts or they may wear coloured shirts in conjunction with long white trousers etc.

Players may not wear shorts whilst either fielding or batting, unless both captains agree.

Teams that choose to wear coloured shirts, the following rules apply.
i. Shirts must be approved by the Competition Administrator prior to the start of the first match that they are to be worn.
ii. Red and shades thereof cannot be used as the dominant colour, but may be allowed for collars and trim
iii. All players must wear the same colour and style of shirt, unless the opposition captain agrees, then a maximum of two players may wear white shirts or shirts of a similar colour
iv. Teams can opt to wear either coloured shirts or white shirts for every match

3 The Teams
Each captain shall provide the umpire or opposition captain, when no umpire is present, a team list prior to the toss. If the team consists of 13 players (or 12 for 20 Over Matches), the captain must nominate the non-batsman and the non-bowler.

However, if during the course of a match a player is injured and cannot take further part, then one of the designated not-batting/non-bowling players may take the place of the injured player and may be able to bat and/or bowl provided:
? The player is eligible to bowl (not an exempted player); or
? That the injured player has not already batted; or
? The injured player has not bowled their full complement of overs. If the injured player has bowled less that their full complement of overs, the replacement player can only bowl up to the remaining quota of overs of the replaced player

4 Players
All players must be registered in the MyCricket System for their club prior to participating in any match. If technology is available then it can be done immediately prior to the commencement of a match.

If technology is not available, then the captain of the team must:
? Have the player complete and sign a registration form
? Advise the umpire and opposition captain
? Make an endorsement of ?U? next to the players name on the team list

As soon as possible after the day?s play, the captain must email the Competition Administrator with the person?s details and then register said person in MyCricket.

This is done so that the player is fully covered under the JLT Insurance scheme.

5 Fielders
A maximum of eleven fieldsmen shall be on the field at any one time.

At no time are there to be more than six fielders on the leg side.

6 Semis & Finals Matches (no plans to have semis and finals at this stage)
In the event that semis and finals are introduced, then a player must have participated in at least 30% of Veteran's Cricket matches played that season to be eligible to play in the finals.

7 Multiple Teams (no plans to allow multiple teams at this stage)
If any club is given permission to field a second team in the Veteran's competition, then the following rules apply.
? Each team is treated as a separate ?club? and therefore player movements will be strictly controlled.
? Players may be permitted to play for the 'other' team and return to their original team on a single occasion (If team A has a bye or their match is played on another day, then none of their players are permitted to play for team B). Any subsequent occurrences, the club must seek permission for that player to return to play for their original team. However they are then no longer eligible to play for their former team for the remainder of the season.
? To qualify for the finals, players must have played at least 30% of Veteran?s Cricket matches in that particular team.

8 Ground and Playing Conditions
If an official or neutral umpire is appointed to a match, then he/she will be the sole judge of playing conditions, including fitness of ground, light and inclement weather.

If there is no umpire in attendance, then both Captains in consultation shall determine the outcome.

In the event of there being a disagreement about the weather conditions (i.e. light rain), the match will continue at the state of play at the time of said disagreement. I.e. if play is in progress then play will continue or if it occurs during an interval, excluding the scheduled drinks break, then play will not resume.

9 Lightning
The current Lightning Rule as applicable to CACT Grade competitions will apply (see appendix A)



10 Boundary
The Boundary is to be marked using suitable items such as coloured cones.

The oval playing size is to be measured as follows:
? A maximum of 50 metre half circle as measured from the middle stump at each end to form the ends of the oval and then joined by straight lines on both sides of the pitch.

No boundary shall be within two metres of any fixed object. Clubs are to use markers and if possible a solid line around the boundary.

Note: If there is no line present, then the imaginary line between markers is a straight line from marker to marker, not a curve.

11 Club?s Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of every team to ensure the match can be played, and any team found abusing the spirit and intent of this rule will penalised.

12 Covers
It is the responsibility of the ?home? team to ensure that covers are used if there is any doubt about the weather. Every effort must be made to ensure that covers are placed on turf wickets no later than Saturday evening and removed as early as possible the following day, unless inclement weather would make it unreasonable to do so.

Failure of the home team to cover the pitch as per this rule, then if no play is possible, the home team may be penalised by loss of match points and/or fines equal to no more than the cost of the ground hire at the discretion of the Competition Administrator.

13 Inclement Weather
It is the responsibility of the ?home? team, or hosting club to advise the opposition captain, appointed umpire and the Competition Administrator as soon as possible if the ground will be unfit for play due to inclement weather or other conditions.

The Competition Administrator will then make every effort to reschedule the match, either by moving to another venue or to another date (or both) which is mutually agreeable by both teams.
14 Duration of Matches
If a 40 over match is reduced due to weather or other factors, then the minimum number of overs to be bowled to constitute a match is 20.

If a 20 over match is reduced due to weather or other factors, then the minimum number of overs to be bowled to constitute a match is 10.

In a Quarters Match is reduced due to weather or other factors, then unless both teams have completed their first innings, the match will be considered a draw.

15 Hours of Play and Intervals
15.1 Forty Over Matches
Unless otherwise agreed to by both teams, there will be two innings of maximum 2 hours 45 minutes duration, separated by a lunch break as below:

Innings 1: 10.30am to 1.15pm
Interval: 1.15 pm to 2.00 pm
Innings 2: 2.00 pm to 4.45 pm

15.2 Twenty Over Matches
Each innings will be of a maximum of 1 hour and 20 minutes duration.

Up to a 60 minute break between Morning and Afternoon matches has been allocated to allow teams to move between venues (when required). This break can be reduced to 30 minutes at the discretion of the two captains.

Morning Matches: 10.00am to 11.20am/11.30am to 12.50pm
Afternoon Matches: 1.50pm to 3.10pm/3.20pm to 4.40pm

15.3 Quarter Matches
There will be four innings separated by two 10 minute breaks (after the 1st and 3rd innings) and a lunch break (after the 2nd innings).

Innings 1: 10.00am to 11.20am
Innings 2: 11.30am to 12.50pm
Interval: 12.50 pm to 1.30pm
Innings 3: 1.30pm to 2.50pm
Innings 4: 3.00pm to 4.20pm

15.4 Intervals Between Innings
The innings of the team batting second shall not commence before the time for the scheduled interval between innings unless the team batting first has completed its innings at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled interval, in which case a ten minute interval will occur and the team batting second will commence its innings and the interval shall occur as scheduled.

Except as provided below, the interval shall be of 10 minutes duration.

15.5 Drink Breaks
? Forty (40) Over Matches - One drinks break per innings, to be taken after 20 overs have been bowled.

? Twenty (20) Over Matches - No drinks breaks.

In both forms of matches, the umpires may allow for extra drinks breaks at their discretion and with agreement with both captains.

An individual player may be given a drink either on the boundary edge or at the fall of a wicket, but it must be on the field and only if no playing time is wasted.

No other drinks shall be taken onto the field without the permission of the umpires.

In extreme hot weather, the umpire standing at square leg may hold onto drinks bottles for the batsman. However, from a Health and Safety perspective, batsmen must have their own drinks bottle. The drinks bottle are only to be brought onto the field when the batsman comes into bat and must be taken with them when they are either dismissed or retired.

16 Length of Innings
16.1 Uninterrupted Matches
Each team shall be allowed to bat for their full complement of overs unless the team is all out earlier.

The team batting first may declare their innings closed at any time prior to 30-minute mark before the scheduled break.

Unless exceptional circumstances exist, as determined by the umpire (or both captains if no official umpire), then if the team fielding first fails to bowl the required number of overs by the scheduled time for cessation of the first session, the number of overs bowled at the scheduled change of innings shall be noted. The team batting first shall then bat until they have faced 40 overs. The team batting second shall then only receive the number of noted overs that they had bowled to the team batting first at the time for the scheduled interval.

If the team batting first is all out and the last wicket falls within 2 minutes of the scheduled interval, the innings of the side batting second shall be limited to the same number of overs as that faced by the team batting first (the over in which the last wicket falls counts as a complete over.

If the team batting first is dismissed in less than 40 overs, the team batting second shall be entitled to bat for 40 overs.

The team batting second is entitled to receive their full complement of overs by the scheduled finish time.

If the team fielding second is unable to complete the required number of overs due to light or weather conditions, the result shall be determined using the Duckworth/ Lewis/Stern system.

16.2 Delayed or Interrupted Matches
The object shall always be to rearrange the number of overs so that both teams have the opportunity of batting for the same number of overs. A minimum of 50% of the scheduled overs have to be bowled to the side batting second to constitute a match, unless a result has already been achieved.

The calculation of the number of overs to be bowled shall be based on an average rate of 15 overs per hour in the total time available to play. If a reduction of the number of overs is required, any recalculation must not cause the match to be rescheduled to finish earlier than the original cessation time. The time may be extended to allow for one extra over for both teams to be added if required.
If the team fielding first fails to bowl the required number of overs by the scheduled time for cessation of the first session, play shall continue until the required number of overs has been bowled.

 
If the team fielding second fails to bowl the required number of overs by the scheduled cessation time, the hours of play shall be extended until the overs have been bowled or a result achieved, light and weather permitting. If the team fielding second is then unable to bowl the required number of overs by the close of play, the result will be determined by the Duckworth Lewis system.

The team batting second shall not bat for a greater number of overs than the first team unless the latter has been all out in less than the agreed number of overs.

Any uncompleted over included in the overs already bowled shall be regarded as a completed over.
Fractions are to be ignored in all calculations regarding the number of overs to be bowled.

16.3 Delay or Interruption to the innings of the Team Batting First
If the number of overs of the team batting first is reduced, a fixed time for the completion of the first session shall be determined.

If the team fielding first fails to bowl the required number of overs by the scheduled time for the cessation of the first session, play shall continue until the required number of overs has been bowled. See Rule 6.1.

16.4 Delay or Interruption to the innings of the Team Batting Second
If there is a suspension of play during the second innings, the overs shall be reduced at the rate of 15 overs per hour for time lost. However, should the innings of the team batting first have been completed prior to the scheduled or rescheduled time for the commencement of the interval, then any recalculation relating to the revision of overs shall not be effective until an amount of time equivalent to that by which the second innings started early has elapsed.

If the team fielding second fails to bowl the required number of overs by the scheduled cessation time, the hours of play shall be extended until the overs have been bowled or a result achieved, light and weather permitting. If the team fielding second is then unable to bowl the required number of overs by the close of play, the result shall be determined using the Duckworth/Lewis/Stern System.

16.5 Inclement Weather
If inclement weather is anticipated, captains and umpires may decide to vary the innings structure of a Forty Over Match to a Quarters Match (see Rule 1.4) however points for a Forty Over match apply.

17 Unfair Deliveries
17.1 Any full pitched deliveries (Full Tosses)
Any full pitched delivery?s that clearly arrives or would have arrived above the waist height of the striker from any bowler as judged from where the striker takes his guard is to be called a No Ball. Either the Umpire at the bowlers end or the Umpire at square leg can call and signal a No Ball.

Any bowler who bowls a second ?fast? Full Pitched Delivery will be removed from the attack immediately and is to be replaced by another bowler.

The Umpire at the bowlers end will be the sole arbitrator on the speed of the delivery.

17.2 Fast Short Pitched Deliveries
The bowling of fast short pitched deliveries is strictly prohibited.
? A fast short pitched ball is defined as a ball which after pitching passes or would have passed above shoulder height of the batsman standing upright at the crease
? In the event of a bowler bowling such a delivery, the umpire at the bowler?s end shall immediately call a No Ball, and then advise the bowler and fielding captain that a short pitched delivery has been bowled and that this is the first and last caution. The caution shall apply for the rest of the innings and will apply to every bowler
? In the event of any bowler bowling another fast short pitched delivery as defined above, the umpire at the bowler?s end shall call and signal No Ball and will then then tap his head with the other hand to signal to the scorers. In addition, when the ball is dead, the umpire shall instruct the fielding captain to replace the bowler and if necessary the over shall be completed by another bowler who neither shall have bowled the previous over nor be allowed to bowl the next over. The replaced bowler will not be permitted to bowl again in that innings
? In addition, for the purpose of this regulation, a ball that passes clearly above head height of the batsman, that prevents him from being able to hit the ball by means of a normal cricket stroke shall be called a Wide
? The umpire will then report the matter to the appropriate authority as a breach of code of conduct
? This regulation is not a substitute for Law 42.6 (Dangerous and Unfair Bowling) that umpires may apply at any time

18 Wide Bowling ? Judging a Wide
Umpires are instructed to apply a consistent interpretation concerning this Law in order to prevent negative bowling wide of the wicket.
Any off side or leg side delivery that, in the opinion of the umpire, does not give the batsman a reasonable opportunity to score shall be called a Wide.
Note: The "One-day" wide rules do not apply.