Wheelchair

The Rules

UK Wheelchair Cricket Association

Overs 24 /7A Side

Table of Contents Wheelchair Cricket – Concept ...... 3 Introduction ...... 3 Rules ...... 4 Teams ...... 4 Equipment & Playing Area ...... 4 The Game Format ...... 5 ...... 5 runs...... 5 ...... 6 ...... 6 Dismissals/ Getting Out ...... 7 Eligibility Format ...... 7 Special Laws ...... 7 Dead Ball ...... 7 Dangerous Bowling ...... 7 Scoring...... 7

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Wheelchair Cricket – Concept

Introduction From the records that we have for competitive disability cricket and based on the players within the game that have been disability sport profiled, we have a very small number of players who use wheelchairs. Based on the current numbers’ wheelchair players make up just 1.7%.

To understand why this should be so, a few questions raise their head. Is it because people’s perception of cricket means that players in wheelchairs feel that they cannot play, or if they can, they may feel that the experience of trying to manoeuvre a chair around a cricket field may prove too difficult whilst at the same time the cricketing experience is less than expected.

It may also be that wheelchair players feel marginalised by other disabled players insomuch as non- wheelchair players may have a perception that wheelchair players are not able to contribute to a game in the same way as ambulant disabled people.

Whatever the reason is, it is felt that there is a huge potential to provide an opportunity for wheelchair players to adopt and play a format specifically designed for them.

This format is played in wheelchairs and is played indoors. It has been designed to be a fast and exciting game and allows people of all ages and both sexes to take part. The game involves the basic principles and skill of traditional cricket, with a difference!

Wheelchair Cricket has some great benefits, such as minimal commitment, games are never rained off, you can play socially or more competitively if you wish, it allows you to keep active and can be played all year round. The game will improve your fitness and will have a positive effect on your health and wellbeing.

In the following pages the match rules are explained.

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Rules

Teams 1. Each team will consist of 7 players. Although teams can have more members, only 7 will be allowed on the court at any one time. 2. On match days, teams can name 8 players with one of those players acting as a substitute 3. Substitute players are not able to bat or bowl 4. All players must use a wheelchair

Equipment & Playing Area 5. Stumps – Normal sized cricket stumps will be used, and a set must be placed at both ends of the wicket 6. Ball – The ball used will be a lightweight composite ball – the ball is slightly lighter than a standard cricket ball weight. The reason for this is to increase the difficulty for the batsman to score runs! 7. Bat – A standard sized plastic bat is used in this game; however other custom-made bats can be used as long as they meet the requirements for standard bat widths. 8. Playing Area – shall be based on a full-size indoor basketball court 9. The Length of the Wicket – The batting crease is located on the base line (A) of the basketball court 10. The Bowling Crease – is located within the centre circle (C) of the basketball court 11. Fielders – are not allowed inside the free-throw line (B) of the court whilst the bowler bowls. 12. Target Areas – The hall will be zoned as the diagram below and the runs indicated will be scored by the batsman as indicated.

Runs are scored based on target areas. The court should be set up as follows:

1 RUN 2 RUNS 3 RUNS

C A B

4 RUNS 6 RUNS 1RUN

1 RUN 2 RUNS 3 RUNS

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The Game Format 13. A substitute may be named; however, the substitute player will be unable to bat or bowl and can only perform fielding duties. 14. Every game will consist of 24 X 6 ball overs. Each team will bowl 12 x 6 ball overs. 15. Each bowler will be allowed to bowl a maximum of 3 overs per game. 16. Each over will consist of 6 balls 17. If a bowler bowls a wide (any ball delivered down the leg side or any ball delivered sufficiently wide on the offside as deemed by the , then two runs will be added to the batting total and no extra ball will be bowled (except in the last over of each innings – see details below) 18. A no-ball will be signalled if the ball bounces more than once before reaching the batsman. 19. A no-ball will be signalled if a ball reaches the batsman on the full irrespective of its height 20. No-balls will not result in an extra ball being bowled but two extra runs will be added to the batting total (except in the last over of each innings – see below) 21. In the last over of each innings, no balls and wides as described above will realise one run extra, however, extra balls will need to be bowled, until six legitimate deliveries have been made.

Batting

22. A will be created for each team and the batsmen bat in order through their team. 23. A batsman is restricted to score 30 runs per innings but then must retire not out. A retired batsman can resume their innings once all other batsmen have completed their innings. 24. Retired batsman must resume their innings in the order in which they retire. 25. The batting order can be altered depending on the game situation, however, retired batsmen cannot resume their innings unless all other wickets have been lost or other batsmen have retired. 26. Batsman do not have to run to score, however they can do. Further runs are added to the batsman should the batters choose to run and reach the crease at the opposite end. Runs scored in this manner be in addition to any runs that may have been scored as a result of the ball touching a relevant wall. 27. When running, batters can be if they do not have part of their chair or body inside the designated popping crease. 28. All batting takes place at one end of the court. At the end of each over, the batters swap ends 29. In a normal game, once six wickets have been lost, the side will be deemed all out ( no last man stand)

Scoring runs

Runs are scored as follows:

30. The indoor hall is divided up into zones and each zone is worth a set number of runs as shown in diagram 1 above 31. The wall behind the wicketkeeper will attract 1 run (either if hit by the batsman or as an extra (bye)

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32. The side wall will be divided up into zones with different values depending on where the ball strikes. The umpire will be the final arbiter of runs scored 33. The furthest wall will attract a score of 4 runs if hit direct by the ball and where the ball contacts the ground. No further ‘physical runs’ can be scored in this scenario. 34. The furthest wall will attract 6 runs if hit direct by the ball where the ball makes no contact with ground between leaving the bat and striking the wall. No further ‘physical runs’ can be scored in this scenario 35. If the furthest wall is hit by the ball after it has struck another wall, then the relevant run score will apply for the first wall that the ball is in contact with. 36. The ceiling of the indoor facility is deemed as out of bounds. If the ball hits the ceiling during normal play, then the ball will be deemed as ‘dead’, however, the delivery will stand, but no runs can be scored, or wickets claimed. 37. In any of the above scenarios, the batsmen are entitled to run between the wickets also (except for a boundary 4 or 6). Every run that is physically run will count as double. For example, if the striking batsman hits the wall in the ‘2 run’ zone and runs between the wickets also, this will count as a total of 4 runs i.e. 2 runs for the wall strike and 2 runs for physically running. 38. It is not compulsory for batsmen to run between the wickets.

Bowling

39. Each bowler will bowl 6 ball overs (except where stated in rule 21) 40. The bowler must ensure a part of their wheelchair remains in the centre circle when making their delivery. Failure to have any part of the wheelchair in the centre circle at the time of delivery will result in ‘no ball’ being called. 41. Bowlers must attempt to release the ball for above their head, whether that is using their own arm or an adaption. 42. Dispensation will be allowed for bowlers who cannot bowl in this manner and wish to bowl underarm. In these instances, the umpires and opposing must be aware prior to the start of the innings. 43. The fielding team MUST ensure their 10 overs are completed within 30 minutes. 44. Failure to complete the 10 overs in time will result in 5 penalty runs being added to the oppositions core for every over or part over left to bowl.

Fielding

45. There are seven players in the fielding team 46. The field must have a minimum of two players in the ‘offside’ and two in the ‘onside’ for each delivery of the ball 47. Once the ball is released fielders are free to move in either half of the court 48. A fielder may use their chair to help field the ball. Once a legitimate attempt to field the ball using the chair has been made, the batters will only be able to complete the run they are taking. The umpire will call ‘fielded’ to ensure all are aware of the ball’s status 49. This is only the case where a legitimate attempt to field the ball with the chair has been made. This does not include where a fast-approaching ball deflects off the chair where no intentional fielding attempt has been made 50. . 51. The next bowler will be the person in rotation who has vacated the fielding position to the right of the previous bowler. 52. A batsman cannot be caught off the side walls and the wall behind the wicketkeeper. 53. A batter cannot be caught off the far wall as once hit, the ball becomes dead.

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54. If a fielder is using a ‘fielding stick’ that can be used to catch the ball as well as an aid to field the ball

Dismissals/ Getting Out

55. Caught 56. Run out 57. Bowled 58. Stumped 59. LBW 60. Hit Wicket

Eligibility Format 61. Players MUST be in a wheelchair to play this format of cricket. At all times the play must remain seated in the chair. Should a competing player have use of their legs, they CANNOT use the legs to gain extra height or reach as this will be deemed as against the spirit of the game. If the players wheelchair has ‘leg-straps’, then these should be used. 62. Should a player be seen to be using their legs, or if they do not remain seated during a period of play, the umpires will reserve the right to call a ‘dead ball’. 63. In time and for competitions, players must be willing to undergo a classification assessment for eligibility. This will allow teams to be constructed of players with different profiles in order to ‘even up’ the competing teams.

Special Laws

Dead Ball 64. If a ball becomes lodged under a fielder’s wheelchair, the umpire may call ‘dead ball’, and only runs accrued up to that point will count. 65. If the ball is struck and leaves the field of play, ‘dead ball’ will be called and only runs accrued up to that point will count. No extra delivery will be allowed. 66. If the ball strikes the ceiling a ‘dead ball’ will be called

Dangerous Bowling 67. The bowling of fast short pitched balls will be deemed unfair play if, in the opinion of the umpire at the bowler’s end, this is considered an attempt to intimidate the striker. Under no circumstances must a delivery be deliberately directed at a batsman’s body. Consideration will be given to the relative skill and disabilities of the players involved. 68. ONE warning only will be issued by the umpire to the bowler, and this will be conveyed to the captain of the fielding side. A further transgression will result in the bowler being immediately removed from the attack and 5 penalty runs awarded to the opposition total. The bowler will not be allowed to bowl again in the innings, and a further bowler will be required to complete the over if applicable. This will count as one completed over for the replacement bowler.

Scoring 69. A specific score sheet for use in Wheelchair cricket will be available to use

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