Me on Kiwi radio program “All Sports Morning” hosted by former NZ women’s Test cricketer Lesley Murdoch MBE.

I’m not really sure how I feel about playing cricket this season. Last year, I was extremely gung ho about getting into the New Jersey scene having spent the previous summer in England. In the winter of 2009, I ran 3 miles a day and lifted weights four days a week in preparation to play a full season of club cricket on Saturdays and Sundays. Unfortunately, I discovered that if you are white, American-born, and do not claim to have any Australian, South African, English or Kiwi heritage, it is hard to get a game in America. After playing 23 games of decent standard club cricket in England during the summer of 2008, I played a total of four games in 2009, not through any lack of skill or lack of availability either. The greatest insult came late in the summer when my now former club had 10 players, including myself, who made themselves available for selection for a match. Yet, I was not selected to play on Sunday. Instead, two players who had removed themselves from being available due to injury were cajoled by the captain into playing so that the captain would not have to pick me. When people like this are in leadership positions, it’s no wonder why cricket is outside the perimeter of American sports culture.

In the first part of 2010, I’ve been occupied traveling around the world covering the USA national teams. Unfortunately, it means I haven’t really had a proper chance to train and I haven’t touched a bat since January. However, I started training again last week. After waiting forever, I finally decided to pick up the phone on Tuesday to call a contact to see if he would be interested in having me join his club this year. He mentioned something about a possible trial match this weekend. It’ll be interesting to see how things turn out.

Here are copies of the rules obtained from one of the team captains playing in the tournament. There were two sets of rules. The first set was sent out in an email on March 4th. The second list of rules, the new rules currently in use for the tournament, was sent out to the teams on Monday night March 15, two days before the tournament started.

Old rules

THE PREAMBLE- THE SPIRIT OF CRICKET

Cricket is a game that owes much of its unique appeal to the fact that it should be played not only within the Laws but also within the Spirit of the Game. Any action which is seen to abuse this spirit causes injury to the game itself. The responsibility for ensuring the spirit of fair play rests with the captains.

1. There are two Laws which place the responsibility for the team’s conduct firmly on the captain.

Responsibility of captains:

The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the spirit of the game as well as within the Laws. It is also the responsibility of the captains to hand over the teams with full names of players and the balls no later than fifteen (15) minutes prior to the start of play.

Player’s conduct:

In the event of a player failing to comply with instructions by an umpire, or criticizing by word or action the decisions of an umpire, or showing dissent, or generally behaving in a manner which bring the game into disrepute, the umpire concerned shall in the first place report the matter to the other umpire and to the player’s captain, and instruct the latter to take action.

2  Fair and unfair play:

According to the Laws the umpires are the sole judges of fair and unfair play.

The umpires may intervene at any time and it is the responsibility of the captain to take action where required.

3  The umpires are authorized to intervene in cases of:

Time wasting

Damaging the pitch

Dangerous or unfair bowling

Tampering with the ball

4. The Spirit of the Game involves RESPECT for:

Your opponents

Your own captain and team

The role of the umpires

The game’s traditional values

5. It is against the Spirit of the Game:

To dispute an umpire’s decision by word, action of gesture

To direct abusive language towards an opponent or umpire

To indulge in cheating or any sharp practice, for instance:

(a)  to appeal knowing that the batsman is not out

(b)  to advance towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing

(c)  to seek to distract an opponent either verbally or by harassment with persistent clapping

or unnecessary noise under the guise of enthusiasm and motivation of one’s own side

6. Violence:

There is no place for any act of violence on the field of play.

7. Players:

Captains and umpires together set the tone for the conduct of a cricket match.

Every player is expected to make an important contribution to this.

TITLE

1. The name of the organization shall be The AMERICAN COLLEGE CRICKET LLC.

The T20 Competition as arranged by the American College Cricket and shall be governed by    General Rules as detailed by all Rules and Bylaws

2. COMPETITION FORMAT.

Four Conferences: Five Teams per Conference with the Top Team in each Conference advancing to the semi-finals and the semi-finals winners playing in the Final.

3. SEMI-FINALS AND FINALS.

Tie-breakers, if needed will be used to determine the teams’ seeding to play in the elimination round.

(a) If two (2) or more teams, the team  that won the regular scheduled matches between them,

If no decision was reached, go to:-

(b)  The team with the most wins.

(c)  The team with the best overall run-rate in the competition….see Competition By-Law 7(b).

(d)  The team losing the least amount of wickets in the competition.

4. TOURNAMENT STRUCTURE.

The competition will be played on the following points system.

WIN = 7 POINTS * LOSS= 1 POINT *  SCORE 150-199 = 1 POINT * SCORE 200 = 1 POINT

NO RESULTS = 2 POINTS à A minimum of 6 overs must be bowled to the team batting first

5. REPORTS.

Each College Team is required to submit a report for each match by the end of the game. Reports must list all players declared for the match even if they did not bat. Compilation of stats, for the purpose of awards and eligibility for the playoffs or finals will be based solely on players listed on these reports.

Note: Reports are required for abandoned matches or matches interrupted for whatever reasons.

6. DURATION of MATCHES

The matches will consists of one innings per side and each innings will be limited to 20 six-balls overs. A minimum of six (6) overs per team shall constitute a match as per ICC playing condition. Teams cannot declare their innings close.

7. DRINKS…….THERE WILL BE NO INTERVALS FOR DRINKS DURING AN INNINGS.

A player may be given a drink either on the boundary edge or at the fall of a wicket, on the field,

provided that no playing time is wasted. No other drinks shall be taken onto the field without the

permission of the umpires. Player taking drinks onto the field shall be dressed in proper cricket attire.

8. UNINTERRUPTED MATCHES.

(a) If the team fielding first fails to bowl the required number of overs by the scheduled time for the cessation of the first session, unless otherwise determined by the umpire, the innings of the team batting second shall be limited to the same number of overs bowled by it, at the scheduled time for cessation of the first session. The over in progress at the scheduled cessation time shall count as a completed over.

The interval shall not be extended and the second session shall commence at the scheduled time.

(b) If the team batting first is all out and the last wicket falls at the scheduled time for the interval

the  innings  of  the  team  batting  second  shall be limited  to  the same number of overs bowled to the

team batting first at the scheduled time  for  the  interval (the over in which the last wicket  falls  count

as a completed over).

(c)  If the team batting first is dismissed in less than 20 overs, the team batting second shall be entitled to

bat to bat for twenty (20) overs except as provided in (b) above.

9.  DELAYED or INTERRUPTED MATCHES.

GENERAL.

(a) The  object  shall  always  be to rearrange the number of overs so that both teams have an

opportunity  of  batting  for the  same  number of overs.  Minimums of 6 overs have to be

bowled to the side batting second to constitute a match subject to the provisions of 11.1 (a).

The calculation of the number of overs to be bowled shall be based on an average rate of

one over per four minutes in the total time available for play

If a reduction of the  number  of  overs is  required,  any  recalculation  must not cause the

match to  be rescheduled to finish earlier than the original cessation time.

(b) The team  batting  second  shall  not  bat  for a greater number of overs than the first team

unless the later has been all out in less than the agreed number of overs.

(c)  Fractions are to be ignored in all calculations re the number of overs.

Examples: 10.5 overs = 10 overs  or 12.3 overs = 12 overs

Exception: The falling of the last wicket as stated in rule 11.1 (b).

10.  RESTRICTIONS on the PLACEMENT of FIELDSMEN.

(a) Two semi circles shall be drawn on the field of play.  The semi circle have as their center the

middle stump at either end of the pitch. The radius of each of the semi circles is 30 yards.

The ends of each semi circle are joined to the other by a straight line drawn on the field on the same side of the pitch. Continuous painted white lines or ‘dots’ should mark the field restriction

area at five-yard intervals, each ‘dot’ to be covered by a white plastic or rubber (but not metal) disc measuring seven inches in diameter.

(b)  At the instant of delivery, there may not be more than five (5) fielders on the leg side.

(c) For the first six (6) overs only two (2) fieldsmen are permitted to be outside the field restriction marking at the instant of delivery.

(d) For the remaining overs only five (5) fieldsmen are permitted to be outside the field restriction

marking at the instant of delivery

(e) If the fielding team starts the game with less than 11 players on the field, they are still allowed 2 fieldsman outside the circle for the first 6 overs.

11. NUMBER of OVERS per BOWLER.

No  bowler  shall bowl more than four (4) six (6) ball overs in an innings.  In a delayed or inter-

rupted match where the overs are reduced  for both teams or for the  team bowling  second, no

bowler may bowl more than one-fifth of the total overs allowed. This restriction shall not apply

to the team fielding second where the provisions of 11.1 (a) have been applied.

Where the total overs is not divisible by five (5),  one (1) additional over  shall be allowed to the maximum number per bowler necessary to make up the balance.

In  the event of a bowler breaking  down and being unable to complete an over,  another bowler

will bowl the remaining balls. Such part of an over will count as a full over only in so far as each bowler’s limit is concerned.

NOTE: Ten (10) consecutive overs must be bowled from each end.

A bowler can bowl two (2) consecutive overs before a bowling change can occur however,

the captain must inform the umpire before the start of that bowler’s over.

12. THE BOWLING OF FAST, SHORT-PITCHED BALLS

ACTION BY THE UMPIRE

• after the second fast short-pitched delivery, call and signal no ball  and issue the first and final

warning and inform the other umpire, captain of the fielding team and the batsman of

what has occurred.

• if another (3^rd) fast short-pitched delivery is bowled, call and signal no ball and
• direct the captain of the fielding team to take the bowler off forthwith

and complete the over with another bowler,  provided that  bowler does  not bowl two overs or part another thereof consecutively. Not allow that bowler to further bowl in the innings.

NOTE: AS PER 14 (a) ABOVE. A BOWLER IS ALLOWED ONE FAST SHORT-PITCHED DELIVERY PER OVER

13. THE BOWLING OF HIGH FULL-PITCHED BALLS (Law 42.6(b)

Any delivery, other than a slow paced one,  which passes or would have passed  on the full above

waist height of the striker standing upright at the crease is deemed dangerous and unfair, weather

or not it is likely to inflict physical injury to the striker.

A slow delivery which passes or  would have passed on the  full above shoulder height of  the striker

standing upright at the crease is deemed to be dangerous and unfair, weather or not it is likely to in-

flict physical injury to the striker. In the event of a bowler bowling a high full pitched ball as defined

above (i.e. a beamer) the umpire at the bowler’s end shall, in the first instance call and signal ‘no ball’

and when the ball is dead,  caution the bowler and  issue a  first and  final warning.  The umpire shall

inform the other umpire,  the captain of the fielding team  and  the batsman at the wicket of what has

occurred.

Should there be any further instance by the same bowler in that innings, the umpire shall call and

signal ‘no ball’ and when the ball is dead, direct the captain to take off the bowler forthwith.

If necessary, the over in progress shall be completed by another bowler, who shall neither have bowled

the previous over, or part thereof, nor be allowed to bowl the next over, or part thereof.

The umpire will then report the matter to the other umpire, the batsman at the wicket and as soon as

possible to the captain of the batting side.

14. DELIBERATE BOWLING OF HIGH FULL PITCHED BALLS (Law 42.8)

Law 42.8 Shall be replaced by the following:

If the umpire considers that a high full pitched delivery which is deemed dangerous and unfair

was deliberately bowled, the caution and final warning process shall be dispensed with.

The umpire at the bowler’s end shall call and signal ‘no ball’. When the ball is dead, direct the

captain of the fielding team to take the bowler off forthwith. Not allowed the bowler to bowl again in that

innings. Ensure the over is completed by another bowler, provided that the bowler does not bowl two overs

or part thereof consecutively.

15. THE RESULT.

15.1  A result can be achieved only if both teams have had the opportunity of batting for at least six

(6) overs, subject to the provisions of 11.1 (a) unless one (1) team has been all out in less than six

(6) overs or unless the team batting second scores enough runs to win in less than six (6) overs.

All matches, in which both teams have not had an opportunity of batting for at least six (6) overs

shall be declared a no result.

15.2  In matches in which both teams have had the opportunity of batting for the agreed number of overs,

subject to the provisions of clauses 11.1(a)  the  team scoring the higher number of runs shall be  the

winner. If the scores are equal, the result shall be a tie and no account shall be taken of the number

of wickets, which have fallen.

15.3 If  a match is  interrupted  under any circumstances,  the  winner  will be the  team, which  has scored

faster in runs per over throughout the innings,  provided that at least 6 overs had been bowled at the

team that is batting second. If the scoring rate is the same, the side losing the lesser number of wickets

in the first 6 overs of the inning will be the winner.  In the event that the team batting first is all out

in less than the full quota of overs the calculation of their run rate shall be based on the number of

overs  in which they would have been entitled to and not the number of overs in which  they  were dis-

missed. In determining the run rate, teams that  are  all out will be calculated on the twenty (20)overs

or the reduced overs as calculated by the umpire(s).

16. LOSS OF OVERS AND DEFAULTED MATCH.

(a)  Any  team not ready to play at the schedule start time will lose one (1) over  per four (4) minutes delay up to 15 minutes, after which they lose the game, providing that the other team is ready for play. The team not ready will be charged with a match default, if both teams are not ready to play after 15 minutes of start time, they will both lose one (1) over per four (4) minutes of delay up to 15 minutes.

If both teams are not ready by the start time, then the match will be considered abandoned and both teams

will be charged with a match default. The same formula will be used when the starting time changes.

(b) A  team  must  have  seven (7) players  (in white  colored  clothing  or sponsored shirts when provided)

in order to be considered as ready to play.

(d) There will be no postponement of any matches.  Defaulted games will be awarded to the team

present at the appointed venue. Note: no games will be re-scheduled.

(e) If a team does not show up  for a scheduled game the points goes to the team that is present provided

that the team is ready to play as determined by the umpires. The winning team must submit a match

report listing the names of the players present.  Players  listed  will  be considered as actually played.

The umpires  must sign  the match report,  the defaulted team will  be  charged with a match default.

If said team or any other team  unable  to  field a  team on any two occasions during the competition

will be dropped

(f) Any time a team walks off the field for whatever reason, they will automatically forfeit the match

17. NO BALL – PENALTY

The Laws of Cricket will apply except that the penalty for a no ball will be two (2) runs.

18. FREE HIT AFTER A FOOT FAULT NO BALL

In addition to the Laws of Cricket, the delivery following a no ball  called for a  foot fault shall be a

free hit for whichever batsman is facing it. If the delivery for the free hit is not a legitimate delivery

(any kind of no ball or a wide ball), then the next delivery will become a free hit for whichever bats-

man is facing it.  For  any  free  hit,  the  striker can be dismissed only under the circumstances that

apply for a no ball, even if the delivery for the free hit is called wide ball.

Field changes are permitted for free hit deliveries.

The new rules:

THE PREAMBLE - THE SPIRIT OF CRICKET

Cricket is a game that owes much of its unique appeal to the fact that it should be played not only within the Laws but also within the Spirit of the Game. Any action which is seen to abuse this spirit causes injury to the game itself. The responsibility for ensuring the spirit of fair play rests with the captains.

1. There are two Laws which place the responsibility for the team’s conduct firmly on the captain.

Responsibility of captains:

The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of the Game as well as within the Laws. It is also the responsibility of the captains to hand over the teams with full names of players no later than fifteen (15) minutes prior to the start of play.

Player’s conduct:

In the event of a player failing to comply with instructions by an umpire, or criticizing by word or action the decisions of an umpire, or showing dissent, or generally behaving in a manner which brings the game into disrepute, the umpire concerned shall in the first place report the matter to the other umpire and to the player’s captain, and instruct the latter to take action.

2 Fair and unfair play:

According to the Laws the umpires are the sole judges of fair and unfair play.

The umpires may intervene at any time and it is the responsibility of the captain to take action where required.

3 The umpires are authorized to intervene in cases of:

Time wasting

Damaging the pitch

Dangerous or unfair bowling

Tampering with the ball

4. The Spirit of the Game involves RESPECT for:

Your opponents

Your own captain and team

The role of the umpires

The game’s traditional values

5. It is against the Spirit of the Game:

To dispute an umpire’s decision by word, action of gesture

To direct abusive language towards an opponent or umpire

To indulge in cheating or any sharp practice, for instance:

(a) to appeal knowing that the batsman is not out

(b) to advance towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing

(c) to seek to distract an opponent either verbally or by harassment with persistent clapping orunnecessary noise under the guise of enthusiasm and motivation of one’s own side

6. Violence:

There is no place for any act of violence on the field of play.

7. Players:

Captains and umpires together set the tone for the conduct of a cricket match.

Every player is expected to make an important contribution to this.

TITLE

1. The name of the organization shall be The AMERICAN COLLEGE CRICKET, LLC.

The 2010 American College Cricket Spring Break Championship as arranged by the American College Cricket and shall be governed by General Rules as detailed by all Rules and Bylaws

2. COMPETITION FORMAT.

Four Conferences: Five Teams per Conference with the Top Team in each Conference advancing to the semi-finals and the semi-finals winners playing in the Final.

3. SEMI-FINALS AND FINALS.

The teams’ and their seeding to play in the SemiFinals will be determined by most wins. If 2 or more Teams have the same number of wins then the Semi-Finalists and their Seeding will be determined by the number of Points accumulated.

If no decision was reached, go to:-

(a) The team with the best overall run-rate in the competition….see Competition By-Law 7(b).

(b) The team losing the least amount of wickets in the competition.

4. TOURNAMENT STRUCTURE.

Each Team is scheduled to play 4 Games within their Conference in the Playoffs, from which 1 Team will advance to the Semi-Finals.

The competition will be played on the following points system.

WIN = 7 POINTS * LOSS= 1 POINT * SCORE 150-199 = 1 POINT * SCORE 200 = 1 POINT. All Bonus points

are forfeited by the Batting Team if all 10 wickets are lost. BOWLING OUT a Team: = 1 POINT.

NO RESULTS = 4 POINTS à A minimum of 6 overs must be bowled to the team batting first

5. DURATION of MATCHES

The matches will consists of one innings per side and each innings will be limited to a maximum of 20 six-balls overs. A minimum of six (6) overs per team shall constitute a match as per ICC playing condition. Teams cannot declare their innings close. All matches must finish within 3 hours, each Teams’ innings will be a maximum of 80 minutes.

7. DRINKS: THERE WILL BE NO INTERVALS FOR DRINKS DURING AN INNINGS.

A player may be given a drink either on the boundary edge or at the fall of a wicket, on the field, provided that no playing time is wasted. No other drinks shall be taken onto the field without the permission of the umpires. Player taking drinks onto the field shall be dressed in proper cricket attire.

8. UNINTERRUPTED MATCHES.

(a) If the team fielding first fails to bowl the required number of overs by the scheduled time for the cessation of the first session, unless otherwise determined by the umpire, the innings of the team batting second shall be limited to the same number of overs bowled by it, at the scheduled time for cessation of the first session. The over in progress at the scheduled cessation time shall count as a completed over.

The interval shall not be extended and the second session shall commence at the scheduled time.

(b) If the team batting first is all out and the last wicket falls at the scheduled time for the intervalthe innings of the team batting second shall be limited to the same number of overs bowled to the team batting first at the scheduled time for the interval (the over in which the last wicket falls count as a completed over).

(c) If the team batting first is dismissed in less than 20 overs, the team batting second shall be entitled to bat to bat for twenty (20) overs except as provided in (b) above.

9.  DELAYED or INTERRUPTED MATCHES.

GENERAL.

(a) The object shall always be to rearrange the number of overs so that both teams have an opportunity of batting for the same number of overs. Minimums of 6 overs have to be bowled to the side batting second to constitute a match subject to the provisions of 11.1 (a).

The calculation of the number of overs to be bowled shall be based on an average rate of one over per four minutes in the total time available for play

If a reduction of the number of overs is required, any recalculation must not cause the match to be rescheduled to finish earlier than the original cessation time.

(b) The team batting second shall not bat for a greater number of overs than the first teamunless the later has been all out in less than the agreed number of overs.

(c) Fractions are to be ignored in all calculations re the number of overs.

Examples: 10.5 overs = 10 overs or 12.3 overs = 12 overs

Exception: The falling of the last wicket as stated in rule 11.1 (b).

10. RESTRICTIONS on the PLACEMENT of FIELDSMEN.

(a) Two semi circles shall be drawn on the field of play. The semi circle have as their center the middle stump at either end of the pitch. The radius of each of the semi circles is 30 yards.

The ends of each semi circle are joined to the other by a straight line drawn on the field on the same side of the pitch. Continuous painted white lines or ‘dots’ should mark the field restriction area at five-yard intervals, each ‘dot’ to be covered by a white plastic or rubber (but not metal) disc measuring seven inches in diameter.

(b) At the instant of delivery, there may not be more than five (5) fielders on the leg side.

(c) For the first six (6) overs only two (2) fieldsmen are permitted to be outside the field restriction marking at the instant of delivery.

(d) For the remaining overs only five (5) fieldsmen are permitted to be outside the field restriction marking at the instant of delivery

(e) If the fielding team starts the game with less than 11 players on the field, they are still allowed 2 fieldsman outside the circle for the first 6 overs.

11. NUMBER of OVERS per BOWLER.

No bowler shall bowl more than four (4) six (6) ball overs in an innings. In a delayed or interrupted match where the overs are reduced for both teams or for the team bowling second, no bowler may bowl more than one-fifth of the total overs allowed. This restriction shall not apply to the team fielding second where the provisions of 11.1 (a) have been applied.

Where the total overs is not divisible by five (5), one (1) additional over shall be allowed to the maximum number per bowler necessary to make up the balance.

In the event of a bowler breaking down and being unable to complete an over, another bowler will bowl the remaining balls. Such part of an over will count as a full over only in so far as each bowler’s limit is concerned.

NOTE: Ten (10) consecutive overs must be bowled from each end.

12. THE BOWLING OF FAST, SHORT-PITCHED BALLS

ACTION BY THE UMPIRE

• after the second fast short-pitched delivery, call and signal no ball and issue the first and final warning and inform the other umpire, captain of the fielding team and the batsman of what has occurred.
• if another (3^rd) fast short-pitched delivery is bowled, call and signal no ball and
• direct the captain of the fielding team to take the bowler off forthwith

and complete the over with another bowler, provided that bowler does not bowl two overs or part another thereof consecutively. Not allow that bowler to further bowl in the innings.

NOTE: AS PER 14 (a) ABOVE. A BOWLER IS ALLOWED ONE FAST SHORT-PITCHED DELIVERY PER OVER

13. THE BOWLING OF HIGH FULL-PITCHED BALLS (Law 42.6(b)

Any delivery, other than a slow paced one, which passes or would have passed on the full above

waist height of the striker standing upright at the crease is deemed dangerous and unfair, weather or not it is likely to inflict physical injury to the striker.

A slow delivery which passes or would have passed on the full above shoulder height of the striker standing upright at the crease is deemed to be dangerous and unfair, weather or not it is likely to inflict physical injury to the striker. In the event of a bowler bowling a high full pitched ball as defined above (i.e. a beamer) the umpire at the bowler’s end shall, in the first instance call and signal ‘no ball’ and when the ball is dead, caution the bowler and issue a first and final warning. The umpire shall inform the other umpire, the captain of the fielding team and the batsman at the wicket of what has occurred.

Should there be any further instance by the same bowler in that innings, the umpire shall call and signal ‘no ball’ and when the ball is dead, direct the captain to take off the bowler forthwith.

If necessary, the over in progress shall be completed by another bowler, who shall neither have bowled the previous over, or part thereof, nor be allowed to bowl the next over, or part thereof.

The umpire will then report the matter to the other umpire, the batsman at the wicket and as soon as possible to the captain of the batting side.

14. DELIBERATE BOWLING OF HIGH FULL PITCHED BALLS (Law 42.8)

Law 42.8 Shall be replaced by the following:

If the umpire considers that a high full pitched delivery which is deemed dangerous and unfairwas deliberately bowled, the caution and final warning process shall be dispensed with.

The umpire at the bowler’s end shall call and signal ‘no ball’. When the ball is dead, direct the captain of the fielding team to take the bowler off forthwith. Not allowed the bowler to bowl again in that innings. Ensure the over is completed by another bowler, provided that the bowler does not bowl two overs or part thereof consecutively.

15. THE RESULT.

15.1 A result can be achieved only if both teams have had the opportunity of batting for at least six (6) overs, subject to the provisions of 11.1 (a) unless one (1) team has been all out in less than six (6) overs or unless the team batting second scores enough runs to win in less than six (6) overs.

All matches, in which both teams have not had an opportunity of batting for at least six (6) oversshall be declared a no result.

15.2 In matches in which both teams have had the opportunity of batting for the agreed number of overs, subject to the provisions of clauses 11.1(a) the team scoring the higher number of runs shall be the winner. If the scores are equal, the result shall be a tie and no account shall be taken of the number of wickets, which have fallen.

15.3 If a match is interrupted under any circumstances, the winner will be the team, which has scored faster in runs per over throughout the innings, provided that at least six (6) overs had been bowled at the lesser number of wickets in the first 6 overs of the inning will be the winner. In the event that the team batting first is all out in less than the full quota of overs the calculation of their run rate shall be based on the number of overs in which they would have been entitled to and not the number of overs in which they were dismissed. In determining the run rate, teams that are all out will be calculated on the twenty (20)overs

or the reduced overs as calculated by the umpire(s).

16. LOSS OF OVERS AND DEFAULTED MATCH.

(a) Any team not ready to play at the schedule start time will lose one (1) over per four (4) minutes delay up to 15 minutes, after which they lose the game, providing that the other team is ready for play. The team not ready will be charged with a match default, if both teams are not ready to play after 15 minutes of start time, they will both lose one (1) over per four (4) minutes of delay up to 15 minutes.

If both teams are not ready by the start time, then the match will be considered abandoned and both teams will be charged with a match default. The same formula will be used when the starting time changes.

(b) A team must have seven (7) players in order to be considered as ready to play.

(d) There will be no postponement of any matches. Defaulted games will be awarded to the team present at the appointed venue. Note: no games will be re-scheduled.

(e) If a team does not show up for a scheduled game the points goes to the team that is present provided that the team is ready to play as determined by the umpires. The winning team must submit a match report listing the names of the players present. Players listed will be considered as actually played.

The umpires must sign the match report, the defaulted team will be charged with a match default. If said team or any other team unable to field a team on any two occasions during the competition will be dropped

(f) Any time a team walks off the field for whatever reason, they will automatically forfeit the match

17. NO BALL – PENALTY

The Laws of Cricket will apply , the penalty for a no ball will be one run.

18. FREE HIT AFTER A FOOT FAULT NO BALL

In addition to the Laws of Cricket, the delivery following a no ball called for a foot fault shall be afree hit for whichever batsman is facing it. If the delivery for the free hit is not a legitimate delivery(any kind of no ball or a wide ball), then the next delivery will become a free hit for whichever batsman is facing it. For any free hit, the striker can be dismissed only under the circumstances that apply for a no ball, even if the delivery for the free hit is called wide ball.

Field changes are permitted for free hit deliveries.

19. Colored Uniforms are to be worn, pads are a part of a player’s uniform.

ICC 20/20 Rules are to be followed, except where different above. American College Cricket reserves the right to reschedule games,if neccessary, because of rain or other disruption.

Cricket is like tennis. Think about it… Think about it…

Not mentioned in the video explicitly is the fact that hitting the ball in tennis is referred to as a shot or a stroke, just like it is in cricket. For example: In tennis, there is a backhand shot and forehand shot, which are known as groundstrokes. In cricket, there is the pull shot and the cut shot as well as the different types of drives, all of them known as strokes. There is also the volley in tennis and the volley or half-volley in cricket.

This is just the tip of the iceberg in my cricket batting theory. More to come in due time.

Last but not least, kudos to Suds for being a machine behind the camera, recording the session while standing at silly point. He took a miscued drive flush in the shoulder on the second cricket ball that was sent down for me to hit at 5:53 in the video. The badass barely flinched. Balls of steel Suds, balls of steel.

What’s the best part about Christmas Day in America? The fact that halfway around the world in Australia it’s a day later, which means it’s Boxing Day and time for the Green and Gold to head out to the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the Boxing Day Test Match.

December 25th would not be complete in New Jersey without a Channel 9 broadcast on December 26th from Australia.

After a very long hiatus, Cricket 101 is back. The examination of batting theory will be coming up in one of the next few episodes. However, in today’s edition of 101, it’s time to breakdown the myth of what cricketers wear on the field. I know, I know. Cricket is a funny game played by men in white clothes, most of whom are wearing sweaters…

except that it’s not. Well, at least sometimes anyway.

So there you have it. Cricketers wear colored jerseys and clothes when they play in certain matches… just like any other sport.

I got to thinking over the past couple of days, who becomes a hero for cheating on their wife and who becomes a villain. While Tiger Woods is seemingly being villified in the media, and rightfully so, I couldn’t help but wonder how one of the greatest cricketers of all time cemented his legendary status through similar “transgressions.”

Shane Warne: the man, the myth, the legend. The King of Spin became famous for bamboozling batsmen all over the world. Warney also gave the legend of Phar Lap a run for his money, developing a reputation for being a stallion off the field, with an assortment of fillies left in his wake.

Cricket's consummate ladies man - Shane Warne.

Warney is a big fan of the text message, as is Tiger. There hasn’t really been any info released on what Tiger’s SMS skills are, but I doubt they can match such suave Warney gems as:

“Where are you now… waiting for you, should I get dressed or stay naked, room 2011… Shane.”

or

“I would like to tie you up in the rain and watch you get so wet, water dripping all over your beautiful body … and then slowly come up and kiss you everywhere and make love to you. Yum!”

Warney celebrates another successful text message... er, wicket.

Then of course, there was the time Warney fired off this text – “Hey beautiful. I’m just talking to my kids. The back door’s open.” – intended for his mistress but sent instead to his ex-wife, who replied, “You loser, you sent the message to the wrong person.”

The list of Warney stories goes on, but somehow it only makes people love him more. The only other athlete I can think of who endeared himself to his fans for completely screwing up his life is Lawrence Taylor. No matter how much cocaine LT did, Giants fans including myself seemed to give him a pass, and that includes post-retirement.

So why do Warney and LT get cheered and Woods gets jeered? For me, it boils down to the fact that Warney and LT truly are just like the rest of us. Warney and LT are seemingly ordinary people with extraordinary talents. Warney had already been kicked out of the Australian academy before he was out of his teens and LT was allegedly a troublemaker in his youth as well.

Warney appeals to the umpires, and the ladies.

There is nothing ordinary about Woods and there never has been. There is nothing ordinary about the way his father raised him with a one-track mind on golf. There’s nothing ordinary about his career path and success. There’s certainly nothing ordinary about some of the things that have been written about him in the last 10 days either.

On a slightly separate tangent, people wonder about Tim Donaghy’s claims that David Stern manipulated the outcome of NBA playoff games in an attempt to gain the best matchups and ratings possible. The answer that is often thrown out in opposition to this claim is, “Why would David Stern risk destroying the entire reputation and history of the NBA to do something so stupid?” That’s funny. A lot of people are asking the same thing about Tiger Woods. “Why would he so brazenly have sex with as many women as he possibly could and risk losing his entire fortune?” Well, apparently he has. Of the many incredible things he supposedly said to these women, one of them is that he didn’t feel he was financially secure.

With Woods, as with Stern, anything is possible.