For players up to Year 6 - in October (these players can stay in this grade until the end of March)

General:

Batting:

Batters should also note the Wide/No Ball provisions below to increase their scores. Player 1 and 2 bat first for the batting side. Players bat until they are 'Out' or at the end of the over in which they have have faced 35 balls (including wides and no balls) when they must retire. Retired batsman can return to bat once all other batsman have been 'Out' or retired. The batting order is required to be rotated from game to game in a manner that provides all batsmen the same opportunity to bat during the season. While reticent players may not be required to open, this will not mean reduced opportunities to bat and the same batsmen should not mostly open.

Players can be 'Out': bowled, caught, run out, stumped, hit wicket or LBW.

The batting team innings concludes once all batters have been dismissed or after the conclusion or 25 overs. If a team has less than 9 players and/or the overs are not completed, at the discretion of the opposition, and with the strong encouragement of the CJCA, the remaining overs can be bowled. In such cases, the batsmen to be used again will be in the order of those facing the least balls in their first innings and where this is the same, the order of their original batting position applies. Runs further scored don’t change the winning target but will enable players on both sides to further develop.

Bowling:

Where a team has 9 players, all bowl 2 overs while 7 players bowl 3 overs. Coaches to ensure all players bowl the same number of overs during the season – on an equivalent availability basis. “Test Match” Wides & No Balls apply and are signalled but no extra balls are bowled.

• Where a team has less than 9 players available, each player bowls 3 overs while an extra over bowled by bowlers chosen by the batting team.

No Balls & Wides:

Normal (test match) wides will apply.

No Ball will be called if ...

• the bowler oversteps their popping crease. 
• the ball bounces three or more times or rolls on the pitch before reaching the batsman's popping crease. 
• if the delivery would have passed over the waist on the full at normal batting stance. 
• if the delivery would have passed over the shoulder at normal batting stance.
• No Balls not normally called for throwing but players should be encouraged to bowl with a straight arm.

Free Hit

If a 'Wide' or 'No ball' is bowled in the first to fifth ball of an over, the next ball is a 'Free Hit'. Batsman can only be 'Out' 'run out' from a 'Free Hit'. If a batsman hits a delivery that is a 'no ball', they score 1 run plus whatever runs are scored from the shot. The next ball remains a FREE HIT BALL. If the batsman decides to leave or misses a delivery that is deemed a 'no ball', they score 1 run for the no ball and the next ball is a free hit. If a batsman decides to hit a delivery (and connects) that is a wide, they only score runs made from that shot and they may be caught out. If the batsman decides to leave or misses a wide delivery, they score 1 run for the 'wide' plus whatever runs they score from the next ball which is a free hit. Where a 'wide' or a 'no ball' is bowled in the last ball of an over, 2 runs will be scored.

LBWs

LBWs may only be given, on appeal, if the ball is pitched in line with the stumps AND the ball was going to hit the stumps AND the player has gone onto the back foot and stayed on the back foot. This means the player cannot be given out if the ball is pitched outside the line of the stumps (leg or off side) OR if the player has played forward - even if the player is hit on the back pad or foot.

Scoring:

Runs scored as normal however on the last ball of the over, 2 runs scored for wides & no balls (+ any actual runs.)

Safety:

Minimum protective equipment when batting or wicket keeping - when standing up to the wickets - are: protective box, gloves, pads on both legs & a helmet with face guard*. Fielders may not stand closer than 10m from the strikers wicket on the on-side or in front of point on the off-side. *Exceptions: For batsman... if the parent of the player provides the coach of the team a signed letter confirming the player is not required to wear a helmet AND this letter is viewable on each playing day by the opposition coach if requested AND a copy of the letter is sent to the players Grade Manager (see above) within a week of the date of the letter. For Wicketkeepers standing up to the wickets, they MUST wear either a helmet with face guard OR a Cricket Face Guard.

Draws

Draws will be published here on Tuesdays and in The Press and the Christchurch Star on Wednesdays.

Results & Points allocation:

Points for games will be: Two points for a win. One Point each for a tie or weather abandoned game. Points will accumulate from October to December to establish the pre Christmas winning team/s. Points will accumulate from February to March to establish the New Year winning team/s.

• to register match results and special player perfromances, see here

  General:

In heavy dew conditions: Prior to the toss, teams should consider having each team bat 10 overs each & then resuming respective innings in order that similar conditions exist for each team. (Fast turnarounds needed where this occurs.)

School years - for each grade mean a player remains eligible for the WHOLE season in that grade if eligible for that grade in October.

Grade Objectives: Each grade is to provide players with a fun, fair & learning game with a connection to International cricket as close as the age group, player abilities & time allow.

MCC Laws of Cricket (here) apply unless otherwise stated. In all cases, the stated rules are to be applied. (Coaches seeking rule changes should provide their suggestions to the CJCA rather than litigate rule differences each week with their new opposition.)

Players: All players participating must be eligible or have written CJCA dispensation viewable to the opposition coach prior to play. Such a dispensation letter will be on CJCA letterhead and be signed by either the Grade Manager or the President of the CJCA. Note that while there are Girls Only grades, girls can play in any grades.

Player List Cards (supplied) are to be completed by the coach & handed to the opposition coach prior to the game.

Dress: Players are to dress in white or in Club / School colours as approved by the CJCA. (Club / School colours will be approved only where such colours will not obscure the ball in the colour of the bowler's clothing. ) Sun protective hats are desirable.

Gear: Each team is required to provide 3 stumps, 2 bails and a ball. This includes stumps suitable for artificial pitches if required or applicable.

Defaults: Teams with reduced numbers should still seek to play using opponent players to assist in the field. If even this is not possible and a team has to default, please advise Mike Fisher - Phone 363-5099; Email: mfisher@canterburycricket.org.nz as soon as possible.

Code of conduct: The code of conduct published here applies to all players, coaches, parents and others at all games

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