General, Eligibility and Competition Rules

COMPETITION RULES

These rules shall apply to all competitions run by the Winchester and District Cricket Clubs Association (the Association). Captains and umpires may not agree to alter these rules except as specifically provided within them.

The acceptance into Competition Membership for any and every season can be taken as agreement to the terms of the competition rules.
A MANAGEMENT

1. All competitions shall be administered by the relevant sub-committee: the Tichborne Cup, the Igglesden Cup, the Evening League and Hampshire Chronicle Cup by the Competition sub-committee, the Junior competitions by the Junior sub-committee and the Indoor cricket leagues by the Indoor sub-committee.

2. All members of the respective committees shall be appointed by the Management Committee at its first meeting following the Annual General Meeting of the Association. Members may be co-opted as necessary. Details of Secretaries of sub-committees will be published annually in the handbook.

3. Any disputes arising from the breach of rules of any competition should be notified in writing to the Secretary of the relevant sub-committee within seven days of the incident.

4. A club shall be entitled to appeal against any decision of the sub-committee by lodging their appeal in writing with the Secretary of the Association within seven days of receipt of the decision of the sub-committee.

5. The Management Committee shall consider the appeal at its next meeting. It may consider any evidence that it considers appropriate. The decision of the Management Committee shall be final.

6. Fees for each competition shall be fixed by the Management Committee. Applications, which must be in writing, and payment of fees shall be made on or before the Annual General Meeting preceding the season concerned.

7. In the case of indoor competitions, such applications and payments must be made before 1st August annually, unless otherwise notified.

Notwithstanding the above, applications and fees due on or before the date of the Annual General Meeting must be made and paid by 30th 0ctober if the Annual General Meeting is held after that date.

Application forms for entry to competitions shall be circulated by the Honorary Secretary when giving notice of the Annual General Meeting.

8. It is the responsibility of both teams to notify the relevant Competition Secretary of the result within 48 hours of the match. The result card shall be signed by a representative of each team in each case and sent by post, fax or e-mail.

9. Subject to availability, matches will be umpired by appointed umpires. This will normally be for all cup matches and indoor league matches. Each team is expected to provide a competent scorer and, where no umpires are appointed by the Association, a competent umpire.

10. All matches shall be played on the date shown in the handbook, unless the Management Committee or the appropriate sub-committee has specifically stated otherwise. If a Club is playing in a recognised County or National Competition on the same day as a published fixture, that fixture may be rearranged subject to agreement by their opponents and the relevant competition sub-committee to a date specified by the sub-committee. If clubs are unable to agree an alternative date, the sub committee concerned may declare the match void. The home team may, at its discretion, postpone or cancel a match in order to save unnecessary travelling if as a result of weather there is no likelihood of the match being played on the appointed day. The home team shall also notify, where relevant, the umpires of any cancellation or postponement and of the rearranged date and venue. Any postponed match shall be played on the date fixed by the rules of that competition. Failure to play for reasons other than adverse ground or weather conditions shall result in forfeiture of the match by the team unable to play. Any match expenses shall be met by the defaulting club. A change of venue agreeable to both parties shall be notified by the home club to the Secretary of the Competition. Clubs using Corporation pitches or not using their own home ground shall confirm the venue of home matches to the opposition and to the umpires where appointed at least three clear days before the fixture.

11. No club is bound to play on its normal home ground.

12. Non turf pitches which are of a porous nature are acceptable in all outdoor competitions subject to prior approval by the Management Committee. The opposition team, and the umpires, shall be advised at least 48 hours before the match that a non-turf surface will be used and advised of any special footwear needs. If such notification has not been made, and the away team so demand, the match shall be played on a turf pitch or forfeited by the home side. Approved pitches will be published annually.

13. In all league competitions, if two or more teams finish on the same number of points (or average points, as appropriate) then position, promotion or relegation shall be determined by the points scored in matches between the teams concerned and, if still equal, then by the number of runs scored divided by the number of wickets lost during the season. Where there is more than one division, at the end of the season two teams shall be promoted to and two relegated from the relevant divisions.

14. In extraordinary circumstances, the Management Committee shall have power to amend any of these rules, subject to approval by a General Meeting of the Association.

B CLUB ELIGIBILITY

1. All member clubs are eligible to enter competitions run by the Association, subject to Article 3(b) of the constitution. The Tichborne Trophy is open to all members who operate weekend teams subject to any limitation imposed under Article 3(b) of the constitution. The Igglesden Trophy shall be contested by those entrants to the Tichborne Trophy who have been beaten (but not those who have failed to compete) in their first match in that competition. Exceptionally, the Committee may also invite a club that has lost in its second match if it appears expedient to do so. No club may enter more than one team in the competition. The Hampshire Chronicle Cup is only open to clubs taking part in the current Evening League competition. Participation in the Indoor Competitions is subject to the discretion of the Indoor sub-committee.

2. In all competitions, teams are expected to field a full side of players. Persistent failure to produce a full complement of players shall render the club liable to be refused entry to the relevant competition or to having their total number of sides in that competition reduced in number.

C PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

1 All players must be bona fide members of the club in order to enter any of the competitions.

2 No player may play for more than one club in any competition.
NOTE: For the purposes of this rule the Tichborne and Igglesden Trophies are considered one competition; the Evening League and Hampshire Chronicle Cup are also considered one competition.

3 No player who has played first class cricket in the previous or current season will be eligible to play in any of the competitions.

4 Transfer of players from one club to another will only be at the consent of the relevant sub-committee. Agreement of both clubs concerned must be notified in writing to that sub-committee.

5 Where a club enters more than one team in a competition, those teams must be ranked. Before the start of the season, players must be nominated in writing for all teams other than the bottom ranked team. Only in exceptional circumstances, and after approval by the relevant sub-committee, may a member play for a team lower than the team for which he has been nominated. If during a season a player plays on three occasions (two in the Indoor Competition) for a team higher than that for which he has been nominated, he shall, for all purposes, be considered to be a member of that higher team.

D GENERAL PLAYING CONDITIONS

1 All matches are to be played under the latest code of the Laws of Cricket, published by the MCC, together with any Amendments or Experimental Laws in operation. These Laws may be varied by any of the rules of the competitions in Part E.

2 Particular attention should be paid to the following responsibilities of the Umpires and Captains:
a) Nomination of sides before the toss.
b) Time wasting and unfair play.
c) Decisions regarding adverse conditions and poor light.

NOTE: In the absence of one or both of the official umpires the captains shall decide whether matches can start or continue. In the event of disagreement the actual state of things shall continue save that if there is foreseeable risk to the safety of any player or umpire, play shall be suspended.

3 Starting times of matches must be adhered to. Umpires appointed by the Association are empowered to award the match to a side if their opponents are not ready to play at the appointed time.

4 The home team shall be responsible for providing the ground, stumps and bails for all matches except the finals of the Tichborne and Igglesden Trophies and the Hampshire Chronicle Cup and all matches in the Indoor competitions.

5 All matches shall be of limited overs duration with a limitation on the number of overs allowed per bowler. Each match shall also have a minimum number of overs per side or specific time rules applied. Specific limitations are spelled out in the relevant competition rules.

6 In a match subject to a delayed start or stoppage during the innings of the side batting first, the overs entitlement for each side shall be reduced by one for every complete six minutes of time lost. For calculation of the match result see each competition rules. This shall not apply to the Indoor leagues.

7 Scores Level. In a knock out competition, in the event of the scores being level at the end of the match the side with the least number of wickets down shall be the winner; if the number of wickets lost by each side is the same, the match is a tie. In a league competition, a match shall be tied if the scores are level, regardless of the number of wickets lost.

8 Protection of young players. The guidance of the ECB and the HCB regarding young fast bowlers, the wearing of helmets by young players and the fielding positions of young players must at all times be followed in all competitions.

9 Nomination of players. The Association will supply suitable cards to enable Captains to nominate players to an umpire before the toss (see Law 1.2.) Young players to whom fielding or bowling restrictions apply or who are obliged to wear protective equipment must be identified at the time of nomination. In the absence of nominated umpires, this information must be supplied to every person who acts as an umpire. Players should also be nominated verbally or in writing to the opposing captain.

10 Umpires will be appointed by the Winchester and District Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers for all matches in the Tichborne Trophy and Igglesden Trophy Competitions. They may be appointed in later rounds of the Hampshire Chronicle Cup. No umpire (unless independently appointed by the W&D ACU&S) may impose 'disciplinary' penalties of five runs as prescribed by the Laws of Cricket (Code 2000). However any umpire may impose a 5 run penalty for illegal fielding contrary to Law 41.2, or contact with a helmet contrary to Law 41.3.

E SPECIFIC COMPETITION RULES

I. TICHBORNE AND IGGLESDEN TROPHIES

1. The Competitions sub-committee shall, at its discretion, seed the entries to the competition so that stronger do not play each other in the first (or early) rounds of the competition.

2. Provision of balls. Each team shall be responsible for the provision of a match ball and spare acceptable to the umpires and opposing captain and all balls shall be handed to the umpires before the commencement of the match.

3. Time/Over limitations.
a)
i) The side batting first shall bat for a maximum of 20 overs or until 7.40 pm, whichever shall be the shorter. If the innings of the side batting first is completed prior to 7.40 pm the side batting second shall be entitled to 20 overs. An interval of 5 minutes is allowed between innings. See Rules D6 and D7 .
ii) The over in progress at 7.40 pm shall be completed unless a wicket falls. Where a wicket falls at or after 7.40 pm the innings shall close and the side batting second shall receive the same number of overs and fair balls.
iii) In the Final round, matches shall commence at 6.15 pm – or as soon as possible thereafter - but the time of closure of the first innings shall remain as 7.40 pm.
b) No match shall be reduced under Rule D6 (Reduction in Overs) to less than 15 overs per innings, but in the event of bad light before the toss the umpires may decide to reduce the match to not less than 15 overs each commencing at 6.30 pm.

4. Bowler limitation. No bowler may bowl more than five overs or parts thereof.

5. Postponed / incomplete / tied matches. Any match postponed or incomplete shall be played on the Thursday following. Any further arrangements shall be in accordance with Rule A10. The Competition Secretary shall be informed of all postponements. Tied matches shall be replayed at the ground of the 'Away' side in the draw on the Thursday following the date specified in the handbook. In the event of a further tied match the toss of a coin shall decide the venue. The Competition Secretary shall fix the date for the second and subsequent replays.

II ZANCO CERAMICS EVENING LEAGUE

1. Provision of balls. Each team shall be responsible for the provision of a match ball and spare acceptable to the umpires and opposing captain and all balls shall be handed to the umpires before the commencement of the match.

2. Time/Over Limitations.
a) Matches should start at 6.30 pm. Any team not being ready at 6.30 pm shall concede the toss. The side batting first shall bat for a maximum of 18 overs. Rule D6 (Reduction of Overs) shall apply. If the innings of the side batting first is completed in less than 18 overs then the side batting second is entitled to the full 18 overs. An interval of 5 minutes is allowed between innings. In the first and last scheduled matches in the season, the innings of the side batting first shall be limited to a maximum of 16 overs.
b) No match shall be reduced to less than 14 overs due to delayed start or stoppages during the innings of the side batting first, but in the event of bad light before the toss the umpires, or in the absence of umpires the captains, may decide to reduce the match to not less than 14 overs each commencing at 6.30 pm.

3. Bowler Limitation. No bowler may bowl more than five overs or parts thereof.

4. Points. Two points shall be awarded for a win. One point shall be awarded to each team for a tie or when a match is cancelled or incomplete. A failure to notify the result of a match in accordance with Rule A8, without good reason, shall be met with a deduction of two points.


III HAMPSHIRE CHRONICLE CUP

1. Playing Conditions. The Hampshire Chronicle Cup shall be played under the same playing conditions as the Evening League, as amended by Rules 2, 3 and 4 below.

2. Fixture Conflict. Where Evening League matches are postponed owing to conflict with fixtures for this competition, clubs must ensure that their league opponents and the Evening League Secretary are informed and agree upon new arrangements.
NOTE: See also Rule A10. The Committee will not approve the displacement of a League Match in favour of a re-arranged Hampshire Chronicle Cup match.

3. Postponed / incomplete matches. Any match postponed or incomplete shall be played on a mutually convenient date at least three complete days before the next round. The Competition Secretary must be informed of all changes. The winning team shall, within 24 hours of playing, advise their opponents in the next round of the result and, if necessary, the venue for that match and shall tell the Competition Secretary the result.

4. Tied matches. Tied matches shall be replayed at the ground of the 'Away' team in the draw on a mutually convenient date at least three clear days before the next round and the winning team shall, within 24 hours of playing, advise their opponents in the next round of the result and, if necessary, the venue for that match and shall tell the Competition Secretary the result. In the event of a further tied match the toss of a coin shall decide the venue. The Competition Secretary shall fix the date for the second and subsequent replays.

IV THE JUNIOR UNDER 15 COMPETITION

1. Playing Conditions.
a) Time/Over Limitations. Matches should start at 6.15 pm. Any team not being ready at 6.15 pm shall concede the toss. The side batting first shall bat for a maximum of 18 overs. Rule D6 (Reduction of Overs) shall apply. If the innings of the side batting first is completed in less than 18 overs then the side batting second is entitled to the full 18 overs. An interval of 5 minutes is allowed between innings.

b) No match shall be reduced to less than 12 overs due to delayed start or stoppages during the innings of the side batting first, but in the event of bad light before the toss the umpires, or in the absence of umpires the managers, may decide to reduce the match to not less than 12 overs each commencing at 6.15 pm.

c) The home team shall provide a match ball and spare.

d) No bowler may bowl more than four overs or parts thereof..

2. Players must be aged under 15 on 1st September in the year prior to the commencement of the competition.

3. No fielder, who qualifies to play in Under 15 cricket, except the wicket keeper, shall be allowed to field nearer than eight yards measured from the middle stump of the striker's wicket, except behind the wicket on the off side. Where the fielder qualifies to play in under 13 cricket the distance is increased to eleven yards.

4. Competition Points.

a) Points will be allocated as follows:
i) Winning side (save bonus points below) 8 points
ii) Losing side (save bonus points below) 0 points
iii) Bowling points: for every 2 wickets 1 point (max 4)
iv) Batting points: for every 25 runs in excess of 50 runs 1 point (max 4)
v) Bonus Batting points:
For every 2 wickets in hand in a match won 1 point (max 4)
Maximum points for batting from (iv) and (v): 4 points
vi) Tied Match (i.e. scores level (see D7)) 4 points
b) In a ‘no result’ match, or one cancelled through weather conditions or other special circumstances approved by the committee, no points will be awarded.
c) If a team fails to honour a fixture it will receive no points and the fixture will count as a completed match for calculation of points average. It will not count as a completed match in calculating the points average of the other team.
5. Result cards, which will be supplied by the Association, must be posted by first class mail bearing a post mark no later than 72 hours after the match. Failure to do this may lead to a deduction of points. The results secretary may vary this rule as necessary.

6. League positions will be determined on average points gained in completed matches (number of points divided by games played).

IVA JUNIOR UNDER 15 HOLIDAY COMPETITION RULES.

1. Playing Conditions. The laws of cricket shall apply with the following exceptions:
a) No more than four players must be in the under 15 age group. The remainder should come from the Under 14 or younger age groups.
b) Matches will be played over 40 overs.
c) Matches will start at 2.00pm.
d) The tea interval will normally be between innings and last no more than twenty minutes.
e) No fielder except the wicketkeeper shall be allowed to field nearer than eight yards measured from the middle stump of the striker’s wicket, except behind the wicket on the off side. Where the fielder qualifies to play in Under 13 cricket the distance is increased to eleven yards.
f) for the provision of tea should be agreed prior to match day.
g) If the side batting first has not completed their innings by 4.30pm the over in progress shall be finished and the innings then closed. The team batting second will receive the same number of overs.
h) No bowler may bowl more than 8 overs (or parts thereof) and six bowlers must be used.
i) When a batsmen reaches a personal score of 75 he shall retire. He may return to the crease when all of his side save one are either out or retired. Retired batsmen shall return to the crease in the order of retirements.
j) The fielding team will provide their own ball and suitable spare.
k) In the event of inclement weather the match shall be reduced by one over for each full six minutes lost in the first innings, or for each complete three minutes in the second innings. In the event of reduced overs the match shall be decided on run rate.
l) In the event of the scores being level at the end of the stipulated overs the match will be a tie.
m) Any of the above playing conditions other than rules one to three maybe varied by mutual agreement between the sides. If agreement cannot be reached these rules will apply.

2. All players must be Under 15 on 1st September in the year prior to the commencement of the competition.

V THE MILLARD UNDER 15 KNOCK-OUT CUP COMPETITION

1. Rules E.IV.1, 2 and 3 above shall apply.

VI THE JUNIOR UNDER 11 COMPETITIONS

1. Playing Conditions. The laws of cricket shall apply, with the following exceptions:
a) The pitch shall be 20 yards in length.
b) The ball shall weigh 4 ⅝ ounces.
c) Where possible the wicket shall be 27 inches high and 8 inches wide.
d) Each side shall normally comprise eight players.
e) Each match shall consist of one innings per side, of 16 overs duration. (20 overs when time permits).
f) The batting side shall be divided into pairs, each of whom shall bat for four overs. (Five overs in a 20 over game). Pairs shall change at the end of the fourth, eighth and twelfth overs. (Fifth, tenth and fifteenth overs in a 20 over game).
g) Batsmen shall have 'unlimited lives', but each life lost shall result in five runs being deducted from the total in Under 11 cricket, or eight runs deducted from the total in Under 13 cricket. No batsman who is out for any reason shall face the next ball.
h) Each player on the fielding side must bowl, with the exception of the wicket keeper. No player shall bowl more than three overs (four overs in a 20 over match.)
i) Once three 'Wide Balls' have been bowled in an over, any further such deliveries shall not result in the delivery of any additional balls. Umpires will call and signal a 'Wide Ball' in the usual way.
j) Each side shall commence its innings with a score of 200 runs.
k) The winning side shall be the side scoring the higher number of runs, after deductions for the fall of wickets. In the event of scores being equal, the match shall be a tie.
l) In all matches no fielder, except the wicket keeper, shall be allowed to field nearer than eleven yards measured from the middle stump except behind the wicket on the off side.
m) In the event of the umpires being satisfied that a player is incapacitated his place may be taken by a reserve who shall bat and/or bowl in his place. If no reserve is available any over due to be bowled by the injured player shall be bowled by another player without exceeding his quota. The captain of the fielding side shall choose one of the players in the first three pairs to bat a second time in the fourth pair.

2. By mutual agreement of the clubs playing, rules d),f), g), and j) above may be adjusted as follows for friendly fixtures only:

d) Each side shall comprise nine players.
f) and g) Batsmen will bat until dismissed, or until they have scored fifteen runs, when they will retire. Five bonus runs will be awarded to each batsman retiring. In the event of a side being dismissed, retired batsmen may resume their innings in the order that they retired. If any batsman retires without scoring fifteen for any reason other than injury or illness, he shall be deemed ‘retired out’.
h) At least six members of the fielding side must bowl. No player shall bowl more than three overs (four in a twenty over match).
j) The winning side shall be the side scoring the highest number of runs. In the event of scores being level, the match shall be a tie.

3. All players should be aged under 11 on the 1st September in the year preceding the competition.

VIA THE JUNIOR UNDER 13 COMPETITION

1. Playing Conditions. The laws of cricket shall apply, with the following exceptions:
a) The pitch shall be 21 yards in length, where possible.
b) The ball shall weigh 4 ⅝ ounces.
c) Where possible the wicket shall be 27 inches high and 8 inches wide.
d) Each match shall consist of one innings per side of 20 overs duration or 1 1/4 hours, whichever is the shorter.
e) No bowler may bowl more than 4 overs (or parts thereof) in an innings. Six bowlers must be used in each innings.
f) Any no ball or wide bowled shall count two extras, and no extra ball shall be bowled in the over. Any runs scored off a wide or no ball shall be added to the two run penalty.
g) When a batsman reaches a personal score of 25 runs he shall retire. He may return to the crease when all of his side (save one) are either out or retired. Retired batsmen shall return to the crease in the order of their retirements.
h) Matches should commence by 9.45 a.m. on Sundays.
i) In the event of inclement weather, the match shall be reduced by one over for each full six minutes lost in the first innings, or for each complete three minutes in the second innings. If the side batting second have their over entitlement reduced to below that of the side batting first, the match shall be decided on average run rate.
j) If the innings of the side batting first is completed, its run rate shall be calculated by dividing the total runs scored by the full over entitlement. A match reduced to less than ten overs a side shall be invalid. Six bowlers must still be used in an over reduced match.
k) A match shall be tied if the scores are level. In 'knock out' matches, the side losing less wickets in a match where the scores are level shall be deemed the winners. If the number of wickets lost is equal, the match shall be won by the team with the higher score at the end of the 19th over. If still level, the scores at the end of the 18th over, and so on, shall be used.

2. All players should be aged under 13 on the 1st September in the year preceding the competition.



VII THE JUNIOR UNDER 11 KNOCK-OUT CUP AND THE UNDER 13 BARFOOT KNOCK-OUT CUP COMPETITION

1. Section E.VI above shall apply, but sub paragraph E.VI.1.k) shall be substituted by sub paragraph (a) below. (Note that Rule D7 does not apply to these competitions.)
a) ‘(1.k) The winning team shall be the side scoring the higher number of runs, after deduction for the fall of wickets. In the event of the scores then being equal, a bowling 'Shoot out' shall take place. See Section E.X.3 below.'

VIIA THE JUNIOR UNDER 9 COMPETITION

1 Rule E. VI.1 of these rules shall apply with the following adjustments:
a) The ball shall be a small size ‘Incrediball’ unless agreed otherwise by both managers.
b) The pitch should be 18 yards long where possible.

2 All players should be aged Under 9 on the 1st of September in the year preceding the competition.


VIII LISTERINE INDOOR COMPETITIONS

1. The competition is restricted to clubs in membership of the Hampshire Cricket Board.

2. Venues and Timings.
a) All matches will be played at the Winchester River Park Leisure Centre on Sundays unless otherwise directed by the sub-committee. All games must be played in accordance with the published fixture list.
b) Captains must toss for choice of innings ten minutes before the due starting time. Captains shall ensure that this rule is strictly adhered to, that there are no delays during matches and that batsmen are ready to play immediately a wicket falls or a batsman retires.

3. Officials. Rule A9 (Umpires) applies. Teams will use official score sheets supplied by the Association. If no scorer is provided, one of the offending team's players will act as scorer and shall not play in the match. Results sheets must be handed in at the conclusion of the match.

4. Clothing. All players will wear normal cricket attire. Rubber soled, light coloured footwear shall be worn by the players. Nails or spikes will not be permitted, nor will black soled shoes of any description.

5. Player Eligibility. In addition to Rules under Part C (Player Eligibility) above, no player may play in any other competition currently run in other parts of the country which is part of the England and Wales Cricket Board competition.

6. Competition Points.
a) Points will be allocated as follows:
i) Winning side (save bonus points below) 8 points
ii) Losing side (save bonus points below) 0 points
Bowling points: for every 2 wickets 1 point
(A team playing with less than six players, all of whom have been dismissed, shall be deemed to have lost SIX wickets.)
iii) Batting points: for every 25 runs in excess of 50 runs 1 point
iv) Bonus Batting points:
For every 2 wickets in hand in a match won 1 point
Maximum points for batting from (iv) and (v): 3 points
v) Tied Match (i.e. scores level (see D7)) 4 points
b) Should a match not be played because of the inability of one team to field a side, twelve points shall be awarded to the side that is ready to play at the due starting time. The offending club shall pay its opponents' match fee.

7. Playing Regulations. Rule D1 (Laws of Cricket) applies, subject to the following exceptions:
a) Sides shall consist of not more than six and not less than five players.
b) Each match shall consist of one innings per side.
c) Each innings shall consist of a maximum of 12 six ball overs.
d) No bowler shall bowl more than three overs or parts thereof.
e)
i) If in the opinion of either umpire, bowling is negative or short pitched, he shall call and signal 'No Ball'.
ii) A ball pitching off the edge of the mat or pitching short of a line drawn on the mat 33 feet from the stumps at the striker's end shall be deemed to be short pitched.
iii) If in the opinion of the umpire a ball passes outside the batsman and is not intercepted by the batsman or his bat and then passes more than 12 inches outside the leg stump, he shall call and signal 'Wide ball'.
iv) If in the opinion of the umpire a ball passes outside the batsman on the off side and the batsman is unable to play a normal cricket stroke the umpire shall call and signal 'Wide ball'.
f) A ball which, in the opinion of the umpire, is delivered full pitch to reach the batsman above the height of his waist, when standing upright at the popping crease, shall be deemed negative.
g) There shall be a five minute interval between innings.
h) Two batsmen shall be at the wickets at all times during an innings. In the event of a side losing five wickets (or four, if they are a player short), the last batsman shall continue with the dismissed batsman acting as a runner.
i) When a batsman reaches a personal score of 25 runs he shall retire. He may return to the crease in the event of the remainder of his side (save one) being dismissed or retiring. Retired batsmen shall return to the crease in the order of their retirements, subject to rule (h) above.
j) The fielding side shall have a properly attired wicket keeper.
k) The umpires and batsmen shall change ends at the end of each over.
l) Except as provided in rule (m) below, Law 22.4(b)(ii) and (iii) will not apply: each ‘No ball’ (of whatever description) or ‘Wide ball’ shall be reckoned as one of the over.
m) In the twelfth over of each innings, Law 22.4(b)(ii) and (iii) shall apply and an extra ball shall be bowled for each ‘No ball or ‘Wide ball’ that has been delivered in that over.
n) The umpire at the bowler's end shall announce (or signal) any runs scored after each ball, at which time the ball shall become dead.

8. Scoring
a) The wall behind the bowler shall be the boundary (this includes any sloping portion of the rear wall). The practice nets shall be considered part of the boundary. A ball hitting the boundary without first touching the floor or any other wall or ceiling shall score four runs. If the ball, after a hit, touches the floor but does not touch any of the other walls or ceiling and hits the boundary wall it shall score six runs. Four runs shall be scored if a fielder knocks the ball onto the boundary wall without it touching the floor first.
b) A ball struck to hit one or more of the side walls, the back wall or the ceiling shall score only one run even if it subsequently hits the boundary. (NOTE: A ball passing over the netting into the other court shall be deemed to have hit a wall.)
c) A bye or wide, or no ball not struck by the batsman, shall score two runs if the ball hits any wall or the ceiling. A leg-bye (or a no ball which would otherwise have been a leg bye) shall score one run if the ball hits a wall or the ceiling.
d) Laws 24.12, 24.13, 25.5 and 25.6 (Penalties and Runs resulting off No balls and Wides) shall apply save that a penalty of two runs shall be imposed.
e) In cases (b), (c) or (d) above two additional runs shall be scored each time the batsmen cross and make good their ends.
f) A ball while in play and, in the opinion of the umpire, becoming lodged or inaccessible in the surroundings shall be considered dead. The umpire shall call and signal ‘Dead Ball’. (NOTE: A ball passing over the netting into the other court is inaccessible under this rule.)
g) An overthrow hitting any wall (including the boundary), the ceiling or passing into the other court shall score one run in addition to those already scored. The batsmen shall not change ends. If the ball then lodges or becomes inaccessible the umpire shall call and signal ‘Dead Ball’. No further runs shall be scored.
h) The ceiling is considered to be all those areas above the rafters and including the rafters themselves. Anything attached to, or suspended from, the ceiling shall be considered part of the ceiling.
9. Methods of Dismissal. Rule D1 (Laws of Cricket) applies, subject to the following exceptions:
a) The striker may be out caught after the ball has hit the side netting or a wall (not being the boundary) or the ceiling provided the ball has not touched the floor.
b) The last ‘Not out’ batsman shall be given out if his runner (under Rule 7(h) above) is dismissed.
c) A batsman is not out if the ball rebounds from the wall or the ceiling and breaks the wicket without having been touched by a fielder.
10. Law 31 (Timed out) shall apply with the substitution of one minute for three minutes. If an incoming Batsman is in breach of this law he shall be given out ‘Timed Out’ without appeal from the Fielding Side. The Umpires shall not investigate the cause of the delay.

IX THE HAMPSHIRE CHRONICLE JUNIOR INDOOR LEAGUE (Under 16 and Under 13)

1.Matches shall be played in accordance with Section E.VIII above, with the following amendment:
a) All players must be aged under the relevant age on 1st September preceding commencement of the competition.
b) In the Under 13 competition, the pitch shall be 21 yards long.

X THE HAMPSHIRE CHRONICLE JUNIOR INDOOR KNOCK-OUT COMPETITION
(Under 16 and Under 13)

1 Matches shall be played in accordance with Section E.VIII above.

2 The following amendments shall have effect:
a) Rule D7 applies.
b) A wicket shall be deemed to have fallen when a batsman is dismissed in accordance with any of the methods defined in the match rules.
c) A batsman who is retired ‘Not out’, or who retires after scoring 25 runs and has not returned to the crease shall NOT be deemed to have been dismissed.
d) If the numbers of runs scored and of wickets lost by both sides are equal, a bowling ‘Shoot out’ between the two sides shall take place immediately after the match.

3 In the event of a bowling ‘Shoot out’:
a) The Captains shall toss for the choice of bowling first or second, the Captain winning the toss having the choice.
b) Each Team Manager or Captain shall nominate a bowling order, which shall be given to the umpires before the ‘Shoot out’ begins.
c) The players from each team shall then bowl one ball (overarm) alternately, and in the nominated order, at the unguarded striker’s wicket until all the players have each bowled one ball. The team which bowls down the wicket the greater number of times shall win the match.
d) If either umpire calls and signals ‘No ball’, the player who delivered that ball shall not be permitted to deliver another ball at that time. If the wicket is bowled down by a ‘No ball’ this will not count to the score in (c) above.
e) If a side plays with less than the permitted number of players, it shall forfeit the balls which would have been bowled by the missing players. Hence a side playing with five players may only deliver five balls while its opponents may deliver six. The term ‘bowl’ shall be interpreted in accordance with these Rules.

4 The procedure defined at 3. above shall be repeated, as often as is necessary, until one side has bowled down the wicket a greater number of times.