A couple of issues arising from Rounds 3 & 4 of the Premier League.
First, in relation to the use of a ‘Runner’ for an injured batter, MCC Laws are set aside in various circumstances by the introduction of Cricket Gold Coast
Playing conditions.
In relation to runners for injured batters the following appears in:-
PART B – COMPETITION GENERAL PLAYING CONDITIONS
Law 25 Batsman’s Innings; Runners
Law 25.1 shall apply as modified below:
[A] Only a nominated player may bat. A runner is not permitted.
Secondly in relation to altering the condition of the ball. Umpires have observed the practice of some fielders returning the ball to the wicketkeeper or bowler by bouncing the ball, sometimes multiple bounces. I have copied the relevant MCC Laws to cover the issues of ‘Unfair Play’ and ‘Changing the condition of the Match Ball’.
The most important parts of the relevant Laws have been highlighted, however it is important to have a good understanding of the process involved.
41.1 Fair and unfair play — responsibility of captains
The captains are responsible for ensuring that play is conducted within The Spirit of Cricket, as described in The Preamble — The Spirit of Cricket, as well as within the Laws.
41.2 Unfair actions
41.2.1 The umpires shall be the sole judges of fair and unfair play. If an umpire considers that any action by a player, not covered in the Laws, is unfair, he/she shall call and signal Dead ball, if appropriate, as soon as it becomes clear that the call will not disadvantage the non-offending side, and report the matter to the other umpire.
41.2.1.1 If this is a first offence by that side, the bowler’s end umpire shall then summon the offending player’s captain and issue a first and final warning which shall apply
to all members of the team for the remainder of the match. warn the offending player’s captain that any further such offence by any member of his/her team shall result in the award of 5 Penalty runs to the opposing team.
41.2.1.2 If this is a second or subsequent offence by that side, the bowler’s end umpire shall then summon the offending player’s captain and inform him/her that there has been a further such offence. Award 5 Penalty runs to the opposing side
41.2.1.3 The umpires together shall report the incident as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the offending side and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and, if appropriate, the team.
41.3 The match ball — changing its condition
41.3.1 The umpires shall make frequent and irregular inspections of the ball. In addition, they shall immediately inspect the ball if they suspect anyone of attempting to change the condition of the ball, except as permitted in 41.3.2.
41.3.2 It is an offence for any player to take any action which changes the condition of the
ball. Except in carrying out his/her normal duties, a batter is not allowed to wilfully damage the ball. See also Law 5.5 (Damage to the ball). A fielder may, however
– 41.3.2.1 polish the ball on his/her clothing provided that no artificial substance is used, that the only natural substance used is sweat, and that such polishing wastes no time.
– 41.3.2.2 remove mud from the ball under the supervision of an umpire.
– 41.3.2.3 dry a wet ball on a piece of cloth that has been approved by the umpires.
– 41.3.3 The umpires shall consider the condition of the ball to have been unfairly changed if any action by any player does not comply with the conditions in 41.3.2.
– 41.3.4 If the umpires consider that the condition of the ball has been unfairly changed by a member or members of either side, they shall ask the captain of the opposing side if he/she would like the ball to be replaced. If necessary, in the case of the batting side, the batters at the wicket may deputise for their captain.
— 41.3.4.1 If a replacement ball is requested, the umpires shall select and bring into use immediately, a ball which shall have wear comparable to that of the previous ball immediately prior to the contravention.
— 41.3.4.2 Regardless of whether a replacement ball has been chosen to be used, the bowler’s end umpire shall
41.3.5 If the umpires agree that in the match there has been any further instance by that team of unfairly changing the condition of the ball, they shall
– 41.3.5.1 repeat the procedure in 41.3.4.1 and 41.3.4.2.
If the further offence is committed by the fielding side, additionally the bowler’s end umpire shall
– 41.3.5.2 direct the captain of the fielding side to suspend immediately from bowling the
bowler who delivered the preceding ball; he/she shall not be allowed to bowl again in the
match.
inform the batters at the wicket and, as soon as practicable, the captain of the batting side of
the reason for the action.
if necessary, the over shall be completed by another bowler, who shall neither have bowled
any part of the previous over, nor be allowed to bowl any part of the next over.
Umpires should be aware of some of the tell tale signs to consider :-
• Regular inspections of the ball are a must do;
• When there is a runout chance the offending player will throw the bull as full as possible;
• When there is just a regular return of the ball there may be multiple bounces of the ball on the return;
• After a multiple bounce return the thrower may feign a sore shoulder/arm, indicating he can’t return it on the full;
• If the pitch is not medium/fast bowler friendly the ball might be being prepared for the spinners;
• The first bounce may be on the pitch or in a worn area surrounding the pitch.
Leigh Buckingham and Bob Myatt – GCCU&SA Training Team.