The Preamble – The Spirit of Cricket Cricket owes much of its appeal and enjoyment to the fact that it should be played not only according to the Laws, but also within the Spirit of Cricket. The major responsibility for ensuring fair play rests with the captains, but extends to all players, umpires and, especially in junior cricket, teachers, coaches and parents. Respect is central to the Spirit of Cricket. Respect your captain, team-mates, opponents and the authority of the umpires. Play hard and play fair. Accept the umpire’s decision. Create a positive atmosphere by your own conduct, and encourage others to do likewise. Show self-discipline, even when things go against you. Congratulate the opposition on their successes, and enjoy those of your own team. Thank the officials and your opposition at the end of the match, whatever the result. Cricket is an exciting game that encourages leadership, friendship and teamwork, which brings together people from different nationalities, cultures and religions, especially when played within the Spirit of Cricket. 1 Table of Contents 1 THE PLAYERS ................................................................................... 4 2 THE UMPIRES ................................................................................... 6 3 THE SCORERS ................................................................................ 13 4 THE BALL ......................................................................................... 13 5 THE BAT........................................................................................... 15 6 THE PITCH ....................................................................................... 17 7 THE CREASES ................................................................................ 20 8 THE WICKETS ................................................................................. 21 9 PREPARATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE PLAYING AREA .. 22 10 COVERING THE PITCH .................................................................. 26 11 INTERVALS ...................................................................................... 27 12 START OF PLAY; CESSATION OF PLAY ...................................... 32 13 INNINGS ........................................................................................... 42 14 THE FOLLOW-ON ............................................................................ 43 15 DECLARATION AND FORFEITURE ............................................... 44 16 THE RESULT ................................................................................... 44 17 THE OVER ....................................................................................... 51 18 SCORING RUNS .............................................................................. 52 19 BOUNDARIES .................................................................................. 57 20 DEAD BALL ...................................................................................... 61 21 NO BALL........................................................................................... 64 22 WIDE BALL ...................................................................................... 68 23 BYE AND LEG BYE ......................................................................... 70 24 FIELDER’S ABSENCE; SUBSTITUTES .......................................... 71 25 BATSMAN’S INNINGS ..................................................................... 74 26 PRACTICE ON THE FIELD.............................................................. 77 27 THE WICKET-KEEPER .................................................................... 79 28 THE FIELDER .................................................................................. 80 2 29 THE WICKET IS DOWN ................................................................... 84 30 BATSMAN OUT OF HIS GROUND ................................................. 86 31 APPEALS ......................................................................................... 87 32 BOWLED .......................................................................................... 88 33 CAUGHT........................................................................................... 89 34 HIT THE BALL TWICE ..................................................................... 90 35 HIT WICKET ..................................................................................... 92 36 LEG BEFORE WICKET .................................................................... 93 37 OBSTRUCTING THE FIELD ............................................................ 94 38 RUN OUT ......................................................................................... 95 39 STUMPED ........................................................................................ 97 40 TIMED OUT ...................................................................................... 98 41 UNFAIR PLAY .................................................................................. 98 42 PLAYERS’ CONDUCT ................................................................... 115 43 SHEFFIELD SHIELD FINAL........................................................... 118 APPENDIX A ............................................................................................ 122 APPENDIX B ............................................................................................ 129 APPENDIX C ............................................................................................ 133 APPENDIX D ............................................................................................ 137 APPENDIX E ............................................................................................ 140 APPENDIX F............................................................................................. 142 APPENDIX G ............................................................................................ 143 3 2017/18 Sheffield Shield / Futures League Playing Conditions (Incorporating the MCC Laws of Cricket 2017 Code) NOTE: Cricket Australia shall appoint a Match Referee who may meet with the umpires and captains prior to the commencement of the match to secure uniform interpretation of these Playing Conditions (unless otherwise specified) and to adjudicate, if necessary, should there be any dispute. 1 THE PLAYERS 1.1 Number of players 1.1.1 A match is played between two sides, each of eleven players, one of whom shall be captain. 1.1.2 However, for Futures League: 1.1.2.1 a match is played between two sides, each of twelve players, one of who shall be captain; and 1.1.2.2 only 11 players shall be permitted to bat in each innings; and 1.1.2.3 only 11 players shall be permitted to field at any one time; but 1.1.2.4 all 12 players may bat and bowl in the match. 1.2 Nomination and replacement of players 1.2.1 Each captain shall nominate his players (including the selected emergency fielder/s) in writing to the Match Referee before the toss. No player may be replaced after the nomination without the consent of the opposing captain, apart from the Concussion Substitute which will be managed in accordance with Appendix C. NOTE: The captains are not required to nominate the Concussion Substitute/s at this time. Concussion Substitute/s will be managed on a case by case basis in accordance with Appendix C. 4 1.2.2 Subject to notifying the visiting State or its Team Manager, the emergency fielder of the home State may be released to play with his Club team, and the home State may supply another emergency fielder to act in his place (if required). 1.2.3 The 12th player, or any other emergency fielder, must wear a distinguishing top from the players on the field when walking inside the fence but outside the boundary rope. 1.2.4 Should any player playing in a match be required by Cricket Australia for playing duties, that requirement shall take precedence and the following will apply: 1.2.4.1 the player's State Association may nominate a replacement player to the opposing Team Captain for approval, which must not be unreasonably withheld. Where approval is not provided by the opposing Team Captain, the Match Referee will make a final determination on whether to grant approval for the replacement; 1.2.4.2 once a replacement player has been approved, that player may act as a replacement for the remainder of that match; 1.2.4.3 if the originally replaced player is no longer required by Cricket Australia, that player may resume his place in the team only if his replacement has not either batted or bowled during the absence; and 1.2.4.4 otherwise the originally replaced player may take no further part in that match and the replacement player must continue in his place. 1.2.5 Any eligible player may act as a substitute (including as a Concussion Substitute provided that is managed in accordance with Appendix C). 1.3 Captain 1.3.1 If at any time the captain is not available, a deputy shall act for him. 1.3.2 If a captain is not available to nominate the players, then any person associated with that team may act as his deputy to do so. See 1.2. 5 1.3.3 At any time after the nomination of the players, only a nominated player can act as deputy in discharging the duties and responsibilities of the captain as stated in these clauses, including at the toss. See clause 13.4 (The toss). 1.4 Responsibility of captains The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within The Spirit of Cricket as well as within the clauses. See The Preamble –