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Australian Blind Cricket Council (A.B.C.C.)Rules
Introduction In this document: he, his, him, batsman and fieldsman all refer to both gender.The 3-Class System Blind cricket is played by three categories:
Index
A.B.C.C. Playing RulesRules as approved by the 23rd Australian Blind Cricket Council delegates up-dated Sydney Mid-term Meeting 7th October 1995.
A match is played between two sides of not more than eleven legally blind players, not more than six partially-sighted players and not more than seven partially sighted/poor partially sighted players to be in a team. Each side has two innings taken alternatively except in the case provided for in Rule 35 (a follow on). The choice of innings shall be decided by the Toss (Rule 7). (Explanatory Note 19).
A match may also be determined by being given up as lost by one of the sides, or by refusal to respond to the umpires call of "Play". A match not determined in any of these ways shall count as a draw. For an outright win where the winning team leads on the first innings, ten points shall be awarded. For an outright win where the first innings was tied, eight points shall be awarded. For an outright win where the team was defeated on the first innings, six points shall be awarded. For a tie where both teams have completed two innings (irrespective of first innings results), five points shall be awarded to each team. For a win on the first innings (these points to be retained if beaten outright), four points shall be awarded. For a tie on the first innings, two points shall be awarded to each team. For an outright loss after a loss on the first innings, no points shall be awarded. For a draw where the match was abandoned before the first innings was completed, two points shall be awarded to each team. At the conclusion of qualification rounds of a Blind Cricket Carnival, the two teams which have the higher aggregate of points shall play off in the final. In the event of an equality in both points and wins, this shall be determined by average calculations as thus:
Divide one above by two above, and the team having the higher quotient shall be considered the winner on the table. For ease of calculations a wicket will be determined against a State when:
In the centre of the ground is a rectangle 20.12 x 1.83 metres (22 x 2 yards), known as the pitch. A line shall be drawn across the pitch at a distance of 10.05 metres (11 yards) from each end. The creases shall be lines drawn across the pitch, distance 1.22 metres (4 feet) from each end. Four "wide-ball" line segments each of length 1.22 metres (4 feet) shall be drawn parallel to, and 61 cm (24 inches) from the edge of the pitch. The boundary shall be 27-37 metres (30-40 yards) (37 metres where possible), measured from the centre stump in a complete half circle from each respective wicket, and shall have parallel sides. All boundaries shall be marked, with a continuous white line and marked at varying points with witches hats. (Explanatory Notes 2, 3, 4).
A standard cricket bat should be used; but the bat may not exceed 11.5 cm (4.5 inches) in the widest part, or measure more than 96.5 cm (38 inches) in length. (Explanatory Note 5). Each wicket shall consist of three parallel tubular metal stumps, joined at the ends. These two wickets shall be placed opposite and parallel at the centre of each end of the pitch. They shall stand to a height of 74 cm (29 inches) and their width shall be of 23 cm (9 inches). The wicket must be constructed so as to prevent the ball passing between the stumps. (Explanatory Note 6).
Prior to the commencement of each match, the controlling body shall appoint two scorers, one representing each competing team if possible, to record the events of the game. The result of the match shall not become official until the umpires have signed the scorers' score books. Each team shall appoint from amongst its members a captain, whose identity shall be made known to the umpires and scorers prior to the toss. The captain shall be responsible for submission to the scorers, of a final team list prior to the toss. Before each match, the two captains shall be called together by one of the umpires to participate in the toss. The winner of the toss shall decide whether their team shall first bat or bowl; and upon announcing his decision, it shall be final.
The nomination of a team must include the nomination of a substitute player from each category in the team and if a member of the fielding side cannot take their place on the field, a substitute may act in their place. However, a substitute may not bowl or act as a wicket-keeper. A totally blind batsman is always entitled to make use of a substitute runner. (Explanatory Note 8). A poor partial batsman may apply to the Carnival Council for a substitute runner With the consent of the umpires or if the batsman has sustained an inhibiting injury during the match, a partially sighted batsman may also use a substitute runner. The runner must be a member of the batting side. (Explanatory Notes 8, 9). Any batsman over the age of 60 years may be entitled to a runner.
Four runs shall be scored if the ball is hit past the boundary, or if the fieldsman shall carry the ball over the boundary. (Explanatory Note 11). If the ball pitches on the full over the boundary, six runs shall be awarded. Runs shall be scored when rules l7B, 19, 20 apply. If B and C apply, runs scored under A shall not be counted. The captain of the bowling team must at the commencement of an innings, or of a new days play, decide the end from which his team shall bowl. They cannot change ends during the course of play. A new ball shall be taken:
If the umpires consider the ball unfit for playing. In the event of a lost ball. At the commencement of an innings or session, the umpire at the bowling end shall call "Play". From that time no trial ball shall be allowed to any player on the ground between the wickets; and when the batsman is out, the use of the bat shall not be allowed to any person until the next batsman has come in. The umpire shall allow two minutes for each new batsman to reach the batting crease, and ten minutes between innings. Any team refusing to obey the call of "Play" shall forfeit the match.
A partially-sighted bowler may only bowl to a partially-sighted batsman, and if his over is interrupted by the presence of a totally blind or poor partially batsman; the umpire shall not call "over" and this over must be completed at the first possible opportunity later in the innings. A poor partially may only bowl to a partially or poor partially batsman. A totally blind bowler is not restricted to whom he shall bowl. No bowler may commence a new over unless one complete over has already been bowled since he last bowled. However, the bowling procedures in different innings shall be completely independent.
A batsman may not move out of his crease until the bowler has said play. Should a player infringe this rule he shall be called 'No Hit No Run' by the square leg umpire, however, a batsman may be dismissed under any other rule. A no ball occurs if the bowler infringes Rule 14. If the ball on its way to the batsman touches a fieldsman. If while the ball is in play, a member of the fielding side wilfully distracts or obstructs the batsman or his assistant. A wide ball is a ball which passes the batting crease outside the wide ball line and is not struck with the bat, or one which bounces so high as to be regarded by the umpires as out of the batsman's reach.
If, and only if, a batsman does not score from a no-ball or a wide, their team shall be credited with one additional run. From a no-ball, a batsman may only be dismissed under Rules 26-29 or 32D. From a wide ball a batsman may only be dismissed under Rules 26-32D. A dead ball means the cessation of play until the ball is next bowled, and a batsman cannot be dismissed while the ball is dead. Any run being attempted when the ball becomes dead shall count except if it becomes dead under Rule D. The ball shall become dead:
If while in play the ball should touch the batsman's assistant before the batsman has hit it. When the ball is struck past the boundary. When "Lost Ball" is called by a fieldsman. The umpire shall call "dead ball" if he considers the ball has been bowled unfairly through no fault of the bowler (e.g. the ball not passing the bowling crease, or a loud external noise, obliterating the sound of the ball). In any other situation at the umpires discretion. If a ball in play cannot be recovered, any fieldsman may call "lost ball" whereupon six (6) runs shall be added to the score. But if more than six (6) have been run before "lost ball" is called, only those runs that have already been completed shall be counted.
No further run may be attempted from a ball once it has been fielded. The ball shall become dead when it is returned overarm. If the fieldsman uses anything other than himself, with which to field the ball, it shall become dead, and the batsman shall be credited with five (5) additional runs. At any one time, the fielding side may have only one wicket-keeper whose identity shall be made known to the umpires. He must stand wholly but not necessarily directly behind the batsman's wicket. He is the only player on the field eligible to execute a stumping.
If in the opinion of the umpire, the runner has attempted but failed to make good his ground, it shall be a short run. (Explanatory Notes 10, 14).
A poor partially batsman may only be dismissed by Rules: 12 TIMED OUT, 24 BOWLED, 25 L.B.W, 26 OBSTRUCTING THE FIELD, 27 HANDLING THE BALL, 28 DOUBLE HIT, 29 RUN-OUT, 30 HIT WICKET, 31(c) STUMPED, 32(a,b,d) COMPULSORY RETIREMENT. A totally blind batsman may only be dismissed by Rules: 12 TIMED OUT, 24 BOWLED, 25 L.B.W, 26 OBSTRUCTING THE FIELD, 27 HANDLING THE BALL, 28 DOUBLE HIT, 29 RUN-OUT, 31(b) STUMPED, 32(c,d) COMPULSORY RETIREMENT. If a legitimate ball should contact the batsman's wicket, then he shall be "OUT BOWLED". If a legitimate ball hits the batsman without first having touched the bat, and if in the opinion of the umpire it would otherwise have contacted his wicket, he shall be given out "LEG BEFORE WICKET". The batsman shall be given out if he or his assistant wilfully obstructs the field. A fieldsman may not however wilfully obstruct the batsman when Rule 15C shall apply. The batsman or his runner shall have right of way in a constant direction from where he commences his run, to where he crosses the line of the bowling crease, or on the pitch to protect his wicket or on return to the batting crease or so on. However, should he deviate from his constant direction in such a manner as to wilfully obstruct the field, he shall be given "OUT OBSTRUCTION". Should the field wilfully obstruct the batsman or his runner continuing in a constant direction, or on the pitch, he shall be given "NOT OUT OBSTRUCTION". (Explanatory Note 15.) If the batsman or his assistant deliberately touches the ball with his hand which is not in contact with the bat, he shall be given "OUT FOR HANDLING THE BALL". If the batsman attempts to strike the ball knowing he has already hit it, or that it has hit him, except in a genuine attempt to defend his wickets, he shall be given "OUT FOR HITTING THE BALL TWICE". If whilst the ball is in play, having been struck by the bat; and if the runner is out of his ground when the appropriate wicket is contacted by the ball, if first having touched a fieldsman; the batsman shall be 'RUN OUT'. A batsman being run out, that run which is being attempted shall not count. (Explanatory Notes 10, 16, 17). If the batsman in making or contemplating a stroke should contact the wicket himself, or with his bat, he shall be "OUT HIT WICKET".
A totally blind batsman can only be stumped by a totally blind wicket keeper. A poor partially batsman may be stumped by a poor partially or a totally blind wicket-keeper.
A partially or poor partially batsman must immediately retire when he has scored 30 runs, for which he shall be credited with 30. A totally blind batsman may retire after scoring 30 runs or after facing 8 overs (48 legitimate bowls) and must immediately retire after facing 16 overs (96 legitimate bowls). If the batsman or his runner becomes absent during his innings, without the consent of the controlling umpire, he shall be compelled to retire. A batsman if ill or injured may only retire with the umpire's consent, and may only resume his innings after one or more batsmen haave completed their innings. No team may declare their first innings closed until all of their totally blind batsmen who are named in the listed team have completed their innings. However, a totally blind batsman may retire at any time after he has faced eight overs or scored thirty runs. (Explanatory Note 11). The captain shall notify the umpires who shall then notify the opposing captain and the scorers. Once the umpires have been notified the declaration cannot be reversed unless the previous conditions have not been fulfilled. If the team which bats second, fails in its first innings to score more than half of the opposing team's first innings score, it may be required by the opposing team's captain to follow on (i.e. to take its second innings immediately).
If a new batsman does not reach the crease before the scheduled time for adjournment of play, the adjournment shall be taken, except under Rule C. If the conditions of Rule B prevail, and if it is the last session of play for the match, the over shall be completed upon request by either captain. Play may only be interrupted, if upon appeal by either captain, the umpires consider the ground or the weather (other than the light) to be unsuitable for play. The umpires however, are to be the sole judges of whether the conditions are suitable to commence or resume play. There shall be ten minutes break between innings. There shall be a drink break every hour of play, or sooner at the discretion of the umpires, with the consent of both captains. Drinks may be refused by the fielding captain at any time. There shall be 40 minutes break for lunch. There shall be 20 minutes break for tea. At the discretion of the controlling umpires, an early lunch or tea break may be taken in the event of bad weather or state of the ground.
There must be a minimum of 105 overs bowled in a days play, except in the case of rule 37B. For time lost one (1) over equals three and one half (3 1/2) minutes or part thereof. This rule to apply only in the event of time lost for weather or state of the ground because of the weather or change of innings. If in any innings if both captains agree, a game may be abandoned at any time, and the condition of the game existing at the time of abandonment, shall be the match result. When an innings is completed 10 minutes or less before lunch or tea, or if an over has not been completed at the scheduled time for adjournment, Rule A will not apply.
The umpire at the bowling end shall always at the commencement of an over, at the commencement of a batsman's innings, at the commencement of a session and when there is a change, tell the batsman his block, the bowler's name, the arm and side of the wicket from which he is bowling, and shall tell the bowler the batsman's name and whether he is batting left or right handed. When the ball becomes dead at the end of an over, they shall call "OVER". When Rules 9, 11, 12, 15, 16, 18, l9, 22, 24-32 and 36 apply, they shall give the appropriate call, also when turning down an appeal, for a dismissal, the umpire shall call "NOT OUT", and further when Rules 31D and E apply they shall call "NO HIT, NO RUN" and "NO RUN" respectively. The umpire at the bowling end shall make the decisions and shall--give the appropriate call on all occasions, except when Rules 14B, 22, 29, 30, 31 and 36 apply. Decisions concerning Rule 36 shall be made jointly. If at any time an umpire is unable to give a decision, they shall consult with the other umpire whose decisions shall then be final. Upon request the bowling umpire shall always tell the bowler where the ball has been directed when bowled.
No player shall question the umpires decision which is final. If a player repeatedly refuses to obey an umpires reasonable request, or repeatedly and wilfully infringes a rule, or is unruly, the umpire may request the captain to remove the player from the field of play. A player who leaves the field may only return during a break in play. An umpire may report a player for misconduct to the Cricket Council.
Explanatory Notes to accompany Playing Rules of Blind Cricket
That a poor partially player be defined as a player with minimal useful vision (two over sixty or less in the best eye after correction). It is suggested that the pitch be a hard surface e.g. concrete. Further it is suggested that this surface extends about 1.83 metres (2 yards) beyond each end of the pitch, because this is helpful to the totally blind players. In the construction of new grounds, or in the purchase of new equipment, it is suggested that there be consultation with the senior State Cricketing Authority regarding metric conversion. Where ground's of different sizes are used during a Carnival, the boundaries shall be drawn so as to make all playing areas of equal size. Except in Rule 4B, the bat shall be taken to include the batsman's hand or hands holding it. A player (or their person) shall include the individual and the clothing or cricketing equipment which he may be wearing. To assist the partially-sighted players, the wickets should be painted in suitable colour. To assist the totally blind players, bells may be attached to the wickets, provided that they do not protrude above or to the sides of them.
No-balls and wides shall be included in the bowlers analysis. Wickets which are only taken under Rules 24, 25, 30 and 31 shall be credited to the bowler. The batsman is allowed an assistant for the purpose of calling. They need not be the runner, but must be a member of the batting side. Their purpose is to help the batsman to locate the ball in order to play it, and to assist him in knowing whether it is safe to run. It is for the umpires to decide, whether a batsman's condition is sufficiently inhibiting to entitle him to a runner. But the umpires shall be bound by any current ruling of the controlling body. A batsman is said to be in his ground when any part of him or his bat (provided he is touching it) is on the ground, not between the creases. In cases of unfair play, the umpire should endeavour within reason to give decisions favouring the offended party. In particular, in the case of a partially-sighted / poor partially-sighted batsman, (because they must retire having reached 30 runs); it is considered unfair play if a member of the fielding side deliberately boosts their score, and so the runs should not be counted. A distinction is drawn however, between the ball being "allowed" or "made" to cross the boundary by a fieldsman, where the first act is not considered as unfair. In cases where it is in the interest of a team for its totally blind batsman to be dismissed as quickly as possible, the umpires are reminded that there are "fair" and "unfair" ways for a batsman to be dismissed. In particular, deliberate infringement of the rules by a batsman's assistant may be considered as unfair play when he should not be given out. During the forward thrust of bowling the ball, the bowlers hand must pass below the line of his shoulders. The fielding side may use a bell or a call to assist the bowler or any fieldsman, however strict silence must be observed once the bowler has called "play".
If a runner is out of the batting crease prior to the batsman striking the ball , the run attempted shall be called "short run". If a batsman fails to make good his ground on any run that is attempted, that run shall be called "short run". Obstructing the field shall include the case when a batsman deliberately positions himself in an endeavour to dee lect the fieldsman's return. It shall also include deliberately kicking the ball, or deliberately blocking a fieldsman's path to the ball. The appropriate wicket is that one towards which the batsman is facing when the ball is deemed by the umpire to have been fielded, except if the batsman deliberately turned after having crossed half-way where it shall be the other wicket. In Rules "Run Out" and "Stumped" only, "contact" means the ball touching the wicket, or the arm or hand of a fieldsman which is holding the ball touching the wicket. The reader is advised that there are occasions when a rule referring to a specific situation may appear to contradict one which refers to a general situation. This is a matter of interpretation, so the rule referring to the specific situation shall take precedence over the general case. The officiating umpires in each carnival qualifying round match shall each allocate points on a 3 2 1 basis for each side and each category of player ie partially, poor partially and totally competing in that game 3 being the best 2 for the next best and so on. At the conclusion of the Carnival the player in each State and in each category with the highest number of points shall be deemed best player in that category in that state. In the event of equal points the player with the most 3s shall be deemed the winner and so on.
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