WC96: Playing conditions
New Delhi, Feb 2 1996 PILCOM ANNOUNCES WORLD CUP PLAYING CONDITIONS The Pakistan, India Lanka Committee (PILCOM) today released the playing conditions for the Wills World Cup Cricket commencing on Feb. 11. As per the conditions, there will be a reserve day for all matches on which an incomplete match may be replayed (but not continued from the scheduled day). The matches will consist of 50 overs each innings. A minimum of minimum 25 overs per team will constitute a match. Barring Cuttack, the timing of the matches in all the centres will be: 0900 - 1230 hrs (1st session) 1230 - 1315 hrs (lunch) 1315 - 1645 hrs (2nd session). At Cuttack, where India plays Kenya on Feb 18, the timings are: 0845 - 1215 (1st session) 1215 - 1300 (lunch) 1300 - 1630 (2nd session). For day/night matches the timings are: 1430 - 1800 (1st session) 1800 - 1845 (break) 1845 - 2215 (2nd session). The conditions specify that the innings of the team batting second shall not commence before the schedule time for commence- ment of the second session unless the team batting first has com- pleted its innings at least 30 minutes prior to the schedule in- terval, in which case a ten minute break will occur and team bat- ting second will commence its innings and the interval will occur as scheduled. Where play is delayed or interrupted the umpires will reduce the length of the interval as follows: Time lost upto 60 minutes interval will be 30 minutes, between 60 to 120 minutes lost - 20 minutes more than 120 minutes lost - 10 mniutes. INTERVALS FOR DRINKS: Two drinks breaks per session shall be permitted each 1 hour 10 minutes apart. Under conditions of extreme heat, the umpires may permit extra intervals for drinks. An individual player may be given a drink either on the boundary edge or at the fall of a wicket on the field provided that no playing time is wasted. Any player taking drinks shall be dressed in proper cricket attire. APPOINTMENT OF UMPIRES: There will be a World Cup panel of 12 umpires for on-field du- ties. Pilcom will also appoint a third umpire for each match to deal with television replays. The third umpire will officiate in regard to tv replays when the umpires on the field have referred a decision to him in regard to hit wicket, run out or stumping appeals. The umpires on field may also refer a decision to the third um- pire when there is uncertainty about a catch on the boundary or whether a `four` or `six` has been scored. The third umpire will communicate his decision by two way radio which will be provided for the purpose. The third umpire may if the need arises, advise the on-field um- pires by a two-way radio for any violation of such boundary line decisions. None of the three umpires appointed for any match will be from a country participating in that match. LENGTH OF INNINGS: (Uninterrupted matches): Each team shall bat for 50 (six ball) overs unless all out earlier. A team shall not be permitted to declare its innings closed. 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 have been bowled. Unless otherwise determined by the referre, the innings of the team btting second shall be limited to the first session. The over in progress at the scheduled cessation time shall count as completed over. The interval shall not be extended and the second session shall commence at the scheduled time. The referee may increase the number of overs to be bowled by the team bowling second if, after consultation with the umpires he is of the opin- ion that events beyond the control of the bowling team prevented that team from bowling the required number of overs by the scheduled time for the cessation of the innings of the team bat- ting first. If the team batting first is all out and the last wicket falls at or after the scheduled time for the interval, the innings of the team batting second shall be limited to the same number of overs bowled to the team batting first at the scheduled time for the interval (the over in which the last wicket falls to count as a complete over). If the team batting first is dismissed in less than 50 overs the team batting second shall be entitled to bat for 50 overs except as provided in above. Penalties shall apply for slow over-rates. DELAYED OR INTERRUPTED MATCHES (in general): A minimum 25 overs have to be bowled to the team batting second to constitute a match. The calculation of the number of overs to be bowled shall be based on and average rate of 15 overs is required, any recalcula- tion must not cause the match to be reschduled to finish earlier than the original cessation time. This time may be extended to allow for one extra over for both teams to be added if required. 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 results achieved. 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. Fractions are to be ignored in all calculations of the number of overs. Provisional: However, in day/night matches only, if the playing time is lost upto 60 minutes, the overs shall not be rearranged and the hours of play shall be extended and rescheduled to compensate for the lost time. The interval between the innings of the agreed duration shall be rescheduled wherever applicable. But if the playing time lost exceeds 60 minutes, the hours of play shall be extended and resheduled at the first instance as per the principles set out above and only that period of time in excess of 60 minutes shall be taken into account while rearrang- ing the number of overs. But if at any give time, the game is interrupted at a stage where equal number of overs cannot be allocated to both teams in the total remaining playing time (minimum 25 overs each time), the innings of the team batting first shall be terminated at the number of overs already bowled (fraction of an over bowled shall be treated as a complete over). The team batting second shall be called upon to bat after the interval between the innings. FIELDING RESTRICTIONS: Two semicircles shall be drawn on the field of play. The semi circles have as their centre the middle stumps at either ends of the pitch. The radius of each of the semicircles is 30 yards (27.5m). The ends of each semicircle are joined to the other by a straight line drawn on the field on the same side of the pitch. The field restriction area should be marked by continuous painted white lines or dots at 5 yards (4.5m) intervals, each dot to be covered by a white plastic or rubber (but not metal) disc measur- ing 7 inches (18cm) in diameter. At the instant of delivery,there may not be more than five field- ers on legside. FOR THE FIRST 15 OVERS: Only two fielders are permitted to be outside the field restric- tion marking at the instant of delivery. For the remaining overs only five fielders are permitted to be outside the field restric- tion marking at the instant of delivery. In the first 15 overs, there must be a minimum of 2 stationary fielders within 15 yards of the striker at the instant of delivery. Where play is delayed or interrupted, affecting the innings of the team batting first and the total number of overs available is reduced the number of overs in regard to the field restrictions shall be reduced proportionately for both teams (number of overs X 30 percent). Fractions are to be ignored. In the event of an infringement, the square leg umpire shall call and signal a `no ball`. NUMBER OF OVERS PER BOWLER: In a delayed or interrupted match where the overs are reduced for both teams or for the team bowling second, no bowler may bowl more than one-fifth of the total overs allocated. This will not apply if a bowler has completed his quota of overs be- fore the interruption of play. Where the overs is not divisible by 5, one additional over shall be allowed to the maximum number per bowler necessary to make up the balance. NO BALL: Short pitched bowling - if the ball passes or passed above the shoulder height of the striker standing upright at the crease, either umpire can call and signal `no ball`. WIDE BOWLING: Umpires are instructed to apply a very strict and consistent in- terpretation with regard to his law in order to prevent negative bowling wide of the wicket. Any offside or leg side delivery which in the opinion of the um- pire does not give the batsman a reasonable opportunity to score shall be labelled as `wide`. As a guide on the leg side, a ball landing clearly outside the leg stump and going further away is a `wide`. THE BALL: Pilcom shall provide Kookaburra turf white cricket balls which will be used in all matches including day matches. In the event of a ball becoming wet or soggy as a result of play continuing in inclement weather or it being affected by dew , or a ball becoming significantly discoloured and in the opinion of umpires being unfit for play, the ball maybe replaced for a ball that has had a similar amount of wear even though it has not gone out of shape. Either bowler or batsman can raise the matter with the umpires and the umpires decision as to a replacement or oth- erwise will be final. The fielding captain or his nominee may select the ball with which he wishes to bowl from the supply pro- vided by the home board. Such a selection must take place in the presence of the referere. The umpires shall retain possession of the match ball(s) throughout the duration of the match when play is not actually taking place. During play, umpires shall periodically and irregu- larly inspect the condition of the ball and shall retain posses- sion of it at the fall of a wicket, a drinks interval, at the end of each over or any other disruption of play. The umpires shall ensure that the cricket ball(s) used in the matches are handed over to the authorities of the home borad at the end of the match. BALL LOST OR BECOMING UNFIT FOR PLAY: In the event of a ball during play being lost or, in the opinion of the umpires being unfit for play through normal use, the um- pires shall allow to be replaced by one that in their opinion has had a similar amount of wear. If the ball is to be replaced, the umpire shall inform the batsman. DAY/NIGHT MATCHES: If during a day/night match, or a day match played with black sightscreens and white balls, in the opinion of umpires, natural light is deteriorating to an unfit level they may authorize the ground authority to use the artificial lighting so that the match can continue in acceptable conditions. PROVISIONALS: Normally, the flood lights would be operational in case of a day/night match from 1600 hrs. If a day/night match is washed out on its scheduled day, the match will be replayed on the rain day as a day and night match. FITNESS OF GROUND, WEATHER and LIGHT: The umpires will suspend, or continue to suspend play for bad light when they consider that there is a risk of serious physical injury to the batsman. Amongst the facts to be considered are background, sight screens and the type of bowling. Before deciding to suspend play, or not to resume play after an interval on account of bad light (but for no other reason), the umpire shall establish whether the captain of the batting team (the batsman at the crease may deputise for the captain) wishes to continue in unfit conditions, if so his wishes shall be met.Contributed by Anoop (anoop@sarang.ee.iitb.ernet.in)