Umpire's decision will be final in all matters

All matches will be played with "tennis" cricket balls. We will provide wickets and balls. Teams have to bring their own bats and other necessary equipments. The games will be played as per the MCC Laws of Cricket with some exceptions. The exceptions and other tournament rules are as follows:

1. The tournament will be played out in knock-out format.
2. Each game shall be played between two teams of Eight players each.
3. Each game shall have a maximum of Eight 6-ball overs per side.
4. Each bowler can bowl a maximum of 2 overs.
5. The overs shall all be bowled from one end of the pitch, as determined by the umpires.
6. There will be no LBWs and no Leg byes.
7. A ball bowled shall be deemed a wide, by the umpire, if at the point at which it crosses the batsman (in normal batting stance and hasn't touched the ball) it is
• more than 30 inches away from the off stump on the offside, or
• at least 12 inches away from the leg stump on the leg side, or
• The ball rises over the batsman.

The umpire has the final word on each call. However the umpire shall mark with a chalk ( or tape ) the 30 inch and 12 inch points to help make the decision easier.

8. The bowler shall be permitted to bowl one legal bouncer per over ( that the ball should pass the batsman between the shoulder and head ), as long as it is not a wide as described above.
9. A ball shall be deemed a no-ball if:
• the bowler has over-stepped the popping crease. One free hit will be given to the batsman for front foot over stepping of crease.
• the ball is a full-toss above the waist height of the batsman - in normal stance, or
• the ball is at least the second bouncer of the over (and rising above the shoulder of the batsman in a normal batting stance).
10. Substitute fielders shall be permitted, for injured players - if they cannot return to the game. The substitute cannot bowl or bat.
11. If a player retires in the middle of the match for some overs, then the player has to spend as many overs on the field before the player can bowl.
12. Last man batting is allowed.
13. Each team will be permitted to register a maximum of 10 players, although only 8 can bat or bowl in any one game. Only one substitute fielder is permitted. All 10 players should be registered and should have signed the waiver form and should not have played in any other team. The teams should submit the playing 8 and the name of the substitute fielder at the beginning of the match.
14. Each team should have at least 8 players on the field (and registered) to begin playing a match.
15. In the event of a tied match, when both teams have an identical number of runs at the end of the allotted 8 overs - the winner shall be determined using the following tie-breakers
• Bowl out Each team will be given 5 balls to bowl and the team which bowls the wickets maximum number of times will be the winner. All 5 balls should be bowled by five different players.
• If the first bowl out results in a draw there will be a Sudden Death Bowl out . Both teams will bowl one after another till one team gets more wickets in same number of deliveries/chances. Five individual players will bowl one after another.
16. Players shall be allowed to use any regulation cricket equipment including gloves (batting and keeping), pads (leg and elbow), loin-guards, etc.
17. Boundaries shall be defined and explained to rival captains at the start of every game.
18. All tournament rules are subject to change by the tournament committee and/or the umpires before tournament starts.
19. Maximum 3 fielders are allowed on leg side.

Some MCC rules to remember:

1. Both wides and no-balls shall count as extra runs and an extra ball will have to bowled in the over.
2. Any runs (byes, leg-byes, off the bat) scored off the wides or no-balls will be credited as well.
3. A batsman can be stumped off a wide ball, or run-out off a wide or a no-ball.
4. A ball shall be deemed a dead ball if the ball bounces more than once before reaching the batsman
5. In a situation where the stumps are knocked down and the batsmen are looking to run an extra run (in an over throw situation), if there is a possibility of a run-out again - the fielders have to fix the stumps back in an upright normal position and then knock the stumps down again.
6. Wicket Keeper is allowed to bowl in the tournament.
7. Mankading-out is allowed: The bowler is permitted, before the bowler plants his right foot (right hand bowler) during his delivery stride, to attempt to run out the non-striker. The ball shall not count in the over. The umpire shall call and signal Dead ball as soon as possible if the bowler fails in the attempt to run out the non-striker.

[edit] B. Match timings and Punctuality

1. All matches are scheduled to start on time.
2. Both captains or designated captains should be present for the toss before the start time.
3. Teams not reporting in time will be disqualified and their opponents will get a bye and 4 points.
4. All teams are expected to be prompt and ready to play. Any deliberate delay in the start of a game will result in the guilty team being penalized overs or, ultimately, disqualification from the competition. In this case the other team will get 4 points.
5. Coin toss will be completed off the field, and both teams will be fully prepared to take the field as soon as the field is available.
6. Teams completing a game are expected to exit the field in an orderly and efficient manner.
7. All team members should be present before the match on the field. The game will not be held up due to the absence of any player of either side.
8. Any side not ready to take the field will forfeit the match, or must take the field with 'player(s) short'.
9. It is expected of all teams to finish one innings in 45 minutes and the match within 90 minutes. In order to accomplish this teams are expected to show up at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. This will allow time to set up the pitch and boundary markers. It takes at least 15 minutes to setup the ground.

[edit] C. Penalty for taking the field late

1. In case one team is not able to take the field due to players arriving late the following rule can be used to deduct Overs. If a team is able to take the field:
   Before or on Time: No Penalty
   After Time: Deduct 1 Over
   After 10 minutes: Deduct 2 Overs
   After 20 minutes: Deduct 4 Overs
   After 30 minutes: The waiting team will get a bye and 10 points.
2. We recommend that the waiting captain inform the umpire about the other team being late and request him to penalize the opponent. The umpire should implement the rule as strictly as possible. The umpire should make sure that 1 team is ready and the other team is not ready to take the field and accordingly penalize the team being late. The umpires present at the game would take the decision after considering the situations. Once the umpires have taken a decision, the team captains should make sure that they follow it gracefully. If a captain thinks that the umpire is not implementing the rule properly, the captain should immediately consult the organizing committee and request the committee to discuss the scenario with the umpire.

[edit] D. Umpires arrangement through out tournament:

1. Each team will have to provide 2 players for umpiring for 2 to 3 games. In each game, players from third team will do umpiring. Umpires decisions will be considered as final decisions. Umpires for any game will be decided solely based on draw system and schedule. No teams can raise issues about Umpires assigned to specific game. All team's captains will be invited for Draw of schedule and Umpires arrangement. e.g. Suppose, we have A1-A4 and B1-B4 teams are playing the tournament. If there is a match between A1 and A2, then any two players from A3, A4, B1-B4 will do umpiring.
2. It is compulsory to provide two players for umpiring duties for 3 to 4 games from each team. Any team fails to provide umpires on their schedule duty on time, team will be fined with $25 per game. Umpiring deposit will be required to pay at the time of registration - $75 per team. At the end of tournament, all teams will be given Umpiring deposit back after deducting failed Umpiring duties charge. e.g. Suppose, team A fails to appear for Umpiring duty for 2 times from their duty, they will only get refund of $25.
3. All players who are scheduled for umpiring, they must come in time to avoid any delay in match. If dedicated players from team cannot manage to send same players, they can send any other members from team with prior permission from organizing committee. If umpires will not able to come in time, they will be panelized according above rules. Also team failing to provide their Umpiring responsibility more than once, teams/players will not be allowed to play any upcoming tournaments organized by this organization.

[edit] E. Ranking Criteria and Bonus point system

After each match, bonus points will be calculated. Teams will be ranked after completion of each round based on number of points earned. Depending on ranking, lowest ranked team will face highest ranked team in order to try to get best teams competing in FINALs. Teams will be awarded match winning points. Bonus points will be awarded to the teams based on below criteria. Losing team will also awarded bonus points based on following criteria. Winning team's net bonus points = Winning team's bonus points - Losing team's bonus points.

1. Match win will give a team 10 points.
2. One bonus point if a batsman scores 25 runs or more.
3. One bonus point if a bowler takes 3 wickets or more.
4. One bonus point if a team wins by more than half the runs it has scored while batting first
5. One bonus point if a team chases the target in less than or exactly 4 overs.
6. One bonus point if a team gets the opposition all out.
7. One bonus point if a team scores 60 runs or more.

If there is still a deadlock, the tiebreaker would be NRR. We shall calculate the NRR (Net RunRate) for each team at the end of the match.

NRR = (Total Runs Scored / Total Overs Faced) - (Total Runs Given / Total Overs Bowled)

If a team gets all out, the total overs it has faced for the calculation of NRR will be 8 overs.

If a team gets the opposition all out, then the total overs it has bowled should be 8 overs for the calculation of NRR.

[edit] Rules and regulations for Women and Youth Cricket

Senior Youth team player should be under 17 years age. Kid should not have completed 17 years on 8th June, 2013 (e.g. Birthday should be after 8th June, 1996).
Junior Youth team player should be under 12 years age. Kid should not have completed 12 years on 8th June, 2013 (e.g. Birthday should be after 8th June, 2001).
Junior Youth team player should be under 10 years age. Kid should not have completed 10 years on 8th June, 2013 (e.g. Birthday should be after 8th June, 2003).

a) For Women, Pitch Length should be 56 ft and boundary 120 ft radius (but will be formed in an elliptical shape)
b) For Under 10 age group, Pitch Length should be 56 ft and boundary 120 ft radius (but will be formed in an elliptical shape)
c) For Under 12 age group, Pitch Length should be 60 ft and boundary 140 ft radius (but will be formed in an elliptical shape)
d) For Under 17 age group, Pitch Length should be 66 ft and boundary 140 ft radius (but will be formed in an elliptical shape)

Number of Overs: 8 Overs for Youth and 6 Overs for Women
Bowling limit for player: 2 Overs

Women and all youth teams will play with hard tennis ball as well.

Number of players per team : 10 including 2 reserved players. The 2 reserved players however can bat, bowl or field by replacing 2 other players. But at any given time there will be only 8 players from a team on the ground. 8th player and 9th player can also play for 8th wicket. Once 8th wicket is out, team will be considered all out.

For Women, All bowling styles are valid, bowlers can throw over/under the arm while bowling.

For Youth, Legal bowling is needed from the bowlers. Throwing the ball instead of proper bowling action is not allowed. Such balls will be declared no- balls by the umpire. Any bowler called for throwing 3 times in a game will not be allowed to bowl anymore during the game.

In order to properly organize the event we request the parents and coaches to train your players 'BEFORE' the game. Please avoid training them during the game.

Please bring necessary sun screen lotions, hats to avoid the heat. Also please bring gloves or any other necessary protective gear.

[edit] 8 Guidelines for the Tournament

Parents/Coaches, Please follow 8 Guidelines for the Tournament:

For successful tournament, I want strongly request to follow following guidelines.

Guideline #1: Only one assigned coach per team is allowed in the playing area. Parents are requested to sit outside the boundary line.

Guideline #2: Coaches please conduct yourself professionally during the tournament. Make sure every player of your team is treated equally. Avoid any arguments with parents or spectators while the games are taking place. Please let the organizers handle any issues that might come up.

Guideline #3: As much as we want our kids to foster that competing spirit when playing a game or to win a game, it is also critical that we dont want to push them beyond a certain teritorry. They need to understand that Cricket is about team play combined with individual contribution but most importantly it is about having FUN and enjoying the team spirit.

Guidline #4: Parents and Coaches please DO NOT put any pressure on any kids for dropping catches or not performing in any games at the ground or at home. They are only kids at the moment. Even an International player Rahul Dravid who holds the world record of Most catches in career dropped two catches during the recent Test match. Kids have enough pressure at school or home. Make sure that they enjoy the time they are at the ground.

Guidline #5: Please note that in furtherance of this tournament , wide calling, no-ball calling by coaches or parents sitting outside will not be allowed in all games going forward. The umpire's call will be final.

Guidline #6: Parents are allowed to cheer their kids and the team they play for. However, when parents or coaches are too loud, this is intimidating the opposite team and hence will need moderation.

Guidline #7: The children are leanring to play the game and maintaining a line and length while bowling only comes with practice and proper nurturing during the game. They cannot operate in a pressure situation when the expectations are pushed by the parents or coaches within and beyond the perimeter. An average of 30-40 runs have been conceded by each Junior team or Senior team in form of wides. This is pretty much the norm by every team and is acceptable.

Final Guidline # 8: While watching the games please keep in mind through out the game that you are watching a kids match not an International game. So make sure Kids should be enjoying and all the parents should be in encouraging mode.

your support is absolutely necessary in making these cricket games more enjoyable for the children.

End of the day, they are just children and all they need is to enjoy life and we cherish everything they do.

Please allow your children to spread their wings and enjoy the game in their own right.

Rules updated on Apr 19th 2013. These rules supersede all previously published rules. Organization can change these rules at any time before start of Cricket Tournament.