LATE STARTS (League Rule 33)
Unless eight players of any team are ready to play at the appointed start time, the umpires shall report the defaulting club to the League Secretary and the game shall not commence until the requisite number of players are present. If the match goes ahead with a late start the offending club will be fined £25 for the delay as indicated by the match umpire(s). Overs shall be deducted as described in rule 26 (one over for every three minutes)
If eight players from a side are still not available 45 minutes after the scheduled start time the umpires will abandon the match and report the matter to the League Secretary. The offending team will be deducted 20 league points and their opponents will receive 20pts (10 match points plus 5 batting and 5 bowling bonus points). If the offending team are the away side, they will have to compensate their opponents for eight teas plus any umpires and scorers’ fees, provided the claim is submitted by the home side to the League Secretary within five days of the scheduled fixture and approved as meeting the requirements of this rule. On receiving the approved amount of costs, the offending team will be given seven days to reimburse their opponents. Failure to comply with this rule will result in a charge under Rule 47.
WEATHER CONDITIONS (League Rule 26)
The two captains shall decide if conditions are suitable for the match to start, and if they cannot agree, the umpires shall decide. After play has commenced, the umpires shall be the sole judges as to the continuation or resumption of the match.
If a prepared pitch is deemed unfit for the scheduled start of play by the captains and umpires they can request that another pitch is prepared, which must then be used provided weather conditions allow. All efforts should be taken to ensure that the game is played.
Delayed starts: Where weather delays the start of the match, overs will be deducted at one for every three minutes lost. The number of overs lost will be deducted from the total match overs and the balance split equally between the two teams. If the number of overs lost is an odd number, it must be rounded up.
Example: Delay 39 minutes, overs lost 13, so the match will be a 43-overs a side contest.
A match cannot commence if more than 60 overs have been lost. The the minimum length of game permissible is 20 overs per side after a delayed start.
Interruptions
Once play is under way in all games there is a cumulative allowance of 30 minutes for stoppages for rain, bad light or other adverse conditions when no overs will be deducted. Once the stoppages have exceeded 30 minutes overs will be deducted at the rate of one for every three minutes lost.
Example: Stoppages of 12 minutes, 13minutes and 17 minutes means a total of 42 minutes lost. After deducting the 30-minute allowance the time loss from which overs will be deducted is 12 minutes meaning four overs will be deducted.
No overs shall be deducted during the tea interval but any stoppage before the interval shall be added on to any stoppage after the interval should the same team be batting.
If any stoppage is for sun, no overs shall be deducted however long the interruption. The umpires shall remain on the field of play during the stoppage.
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