RULES OF THE GAME (MCC Laws of Cricket are followed, except where otherwise stipulated).

1. Each team entering is asked, before the start of their first game, to submit, to the organizers, a list of their nominated players (maximum of eight) from which the six for each game shall be drawn. No team shall field a non-nominated player (see Note b & c).

   Notes

   1. No player nominated in one team may play for any other team.
   2. A team needing, because of injuries, to field a non-nominated player, in any match, must first approach the adjudicator. The adjudicator will call a meeting of all captains, within the team's group, for approval of such a request.
   3. A player approved by the other captains, in this way, becomes a nominated player for that team. Should the injured player/s replaced recover to be fit enough to play again, his/their captain will request the adjudicator to call a meeting of the captains for approval to reinstate the player/s. The originally approved replacement will, in such cases, step down.

2. One player from each team will act as Captain for the duration of the competition, even though he may not necessarily play in each match. Captain's responsibilities will be:
   1. Nominating six (6) players for every game of the team.
   2. Time keeping.
   3. Conduct of his team.
   4. Acting on their behalf in the case of disputes.

3. One adjudicator shall be in charge of the tournament on each day. His decision on any point of dissention shall be absolutely final.
4. Each game is played between two teams of six players and consists of a maximum of five six ball overs bowled by each side.
5. Each member of the fielding side bowls one over, with the exception of the wicketkeeper. The wicketkeeper is nominated by the captain before the first over of each game and cannot be changed during the course of the game. The wicketkeeper must wear gloves whilst fielding (a different wicketkeeper can be used for each game if so desired).
6. Under-arm bowling is strictly prohibited.
7. Runs and extras are scored in accordance with the laws of cricket with the following exceptions :

   A. WIDES :

   CUP , BOWL & PLATE COMPETITION

   A WIDE counts as TWO (2) extra to the batting side in the Cup, Bowl & Plate Competitions. An extra ball is bowled in the over for each WIDE. (SPOON Competition, see below) The ball will be considered "DEAD" after a call of WIDE i.e. the batsman cannot be out, and NO ADDITIONAL runs will be awarded.

   1. To assess a WIDE delivery on the Off-side, a line has been marked at a distance of 24 " from the middle stump at right angles to the crease and extending from the bowling crease.A delivery passing the crease outside this line shall be designated a WIDE, provided it does not touch the bat and/or any part of the striker or part of his equipment.
   2. To assess a WIDE delivery on the Leg-side, any slow, medium, or fast ball which pitches on or outside the line of the striker's leg stump, when he is at his normal guard position , and continues to pass the popping crease on the leg side, shall be called and signalled WIDE.
      • Any medium- paced or fast ball pitching on the stumps which passes the striker behind his legs, when he is at his normal guard position, and outside the line of the leg stump shall be called and signalled WIDE.
      • If as a result of the striker stepping to the leg side in order to hit the ball, the ball passes BETWEEN THE STRIKER AND THE WICKET OR between his pads/legs, although passing outside the line of the leg stump, the ball shall NOT be called wide.
      • Any slow ball which pitches on or to the offside of the striker's off stump and which then turns down the leg the leg-side, shall NOT be called wide.
   3. If a bowler bowls six wides in an over the over will be closed AFTER THE 6TH WIDE IS SIGNALLED and a penalty of 24 runs will be added to the opponents' score IN ADDITION TO THE STATUTORY PENALTY FOR THE INDIVIDUAL WIDE DELIVERY.
      ALL WIDE DELIVERIES IN AN OVER PREVIOUS TO THE 6TH WIDE DELIVERY MUST BE REBOWLED.

SPOON COMPETITION

1. In the Spoon and LadiesChallenge (only), WIDES will count as 4 runs.
2. To assess a WIDE delivery, two lines have been marked at a distance of 24" from the middle stump at right angles to the crease and extending from the bowling crease. A delivery passing the crease outside these lines shall be designated a WIDE, provided it does not touch the bat and/or any part of the striker or part of his equipment. The delivery however will NOT be re-bowled UNLESS it is the LAST delivery of the over,when it will be re - bowled until a legitimate ball is delivered.

B. NO-BALLS

1. A NO BALL shall count as 2 extras to the batting side and an extra ball shall be bowled. Runs scored from a NO BALL (off the bat, byes or leg byes) will be credited, in addition to the 2 extras for the NO BALL.
2. The normal rules will apply to the call of "NO BALL". If after delivery, the ball is then considered WIDE, the call of "NO BALL" takes precedence and therefore the ball remains live.
3. Any ball which, after bouncing, passes the batsman above shoulder height in his normal stance, or would have passed him above shoulder height if it strikes the batsman's bat or body, shall be called a NO BALL by either umpire.
4. Any ball which, having not bounced after leaving the bowler's hand, passes the batsman above waist height, or would have passed him above waist height if it had not struck the batman's bat or body, shall be called a NO BALL by either umpire.
5. If at the instant of delivery the Wicketkeeper is more than 25 yards away from the stumps at the striker's end, NO BALL shall be called by either umpire.
6. A bowler's run-up will not exceed 15 yards. Infringement - NO BALL ( to help all concerned a 15 yd.restriction line will be marked at both ends of the wicket.)
7. The ball remains live after the call of NO BALL.

8. A batsman must retire not out on reaching a personal score of 30 runs. The batsman may complete all runs possible off the shot which takes him to or past the 30, e.g. if on 29 he then hits a boundary, the full score will be added, or if he is able to run additional runs past 30 they will also count. Batsmen who retire as a result of reaching or passing 30 runs will not be allowed to resume their innings.
9. A batsman cannot retire before reaching the 30 runs, other than through injury.
10. If five (5) wickets fall before the 5 overs are completed, the last remaining not out batsman is the only one who can score runs and therefore if he scores 1, 3 or 5 he must return to the batting crease. The last remaining batsman will be declared out if his partner is run out.
11. Substitutes : if a batsman is injured during the game, a runner may be employed subject to the umpire's approval. This substitute may be allowed to bowl if the player he is replacing has not already bowled and to bat if the said player has not batted. In the case of a wicketkeeper being injured, he maybe substituted, but this substitute cannot be allowed to bowl. Once a substitute is introduced, the player being replaced is not permitted to play again, in the game in question, under any circumstances. Substitution is allowed only for an injury, during a game, and no other reason. If all the fielders are not on the field, when a game commences, then the whole game will be played with the number of players present at the start of the game. The opposing captain may nominate the member(s) of the fielding team to bowl the over required to make up for the missing fielder, but no bowler may bowl two consecutive overs or part thereof.
    

    C) POINTS SYSTEM & RULES.

    1. The game is won by the side having the highest score, after the completion of the game.
    2. If the total scores are the same, the side losing the fewest wickets is judged the winner.
    3. In the event of both teams being the same, the game shall be considered a tie.
    4. Three (3) points are awarded to the winning side. If the game is a tie, both teams will receive two (2) points..
    5. Losing teams who, having batted first, complete their 4th over when bowling, or who, batting second, reach a total of at least 80% of their opponent's score, will receive one (1) point. Otherwise losing teams will score 0 points.
    6. In addition to the above and irrespective of the result of the match, any team who scores 90 or more runs in their innings, or who dismiss all 6 opposition batsmen, will receive one (1) bonus point.
    7. In the event of the total number of points being equal, in any table, on completion of a round, the superior position should be judged by using the following criteria in order :
       1. The team winning the most matches. If no decision, then.
       2. The team scoring the highest number of runs per ball, excluding wides, throughout all the games in that round.
       3. In the event of a tie in a play-off round (i.e quarter, semi or final), each team will bowl alternate overs until a decision is reached. A coin will be tossed to decide first to bat.
    8. Equipment: All equipment shall comply with M.C.C. Laws of Cricket. Cricket balls will be supplied by the organizing committee (NO NEW BALLS).
    9. Umpires: Neutral umpires will adjudicate each game. No player nominated in the competition shall umpire in any game (NO EXCEPTIONS).
    10. Time Keeping: Teams shall be ready to take the field of play when called. Captains should toss-up before the conclusion of the game PRIOR to their game and have batsmen/wicketkeeper suitably attired to take the field as soon as the previous game is completed. After the fall of a wicket, the incoming batsman must cross on the field of play.
    11. Unreasonable Behaviour. Decisions by the umpires on the field of play, and the adjudicator, in other matters are final. Any player showing unreasonable dissent in the opinion of the umpires/adjudicator shall be disqualified from further play in the tournament following due, and fair warning, from the said official/s.
    12. For Cup, Shield, Bowl, Plate & Spoon Trophies. The Chiang Mai Sixes is a club cricketers' tournament in which each team is allowed to field 1 current first class level, or retired international player in the side (six players) they name for a match.
        1. Should it be discovered in Chiang Mai that any team has two or three first class players in the team, as described above. Then that team will only be allowed to field One (1) of those players in any one match. They may be alternated for different matches, providing the tournament rule of a maximum of eight (8) players in any one team for the duration of the tournament is not infractured.
        2. If a team, because of having too many first class players, is unable to field a full side of six (6) eligible persons, the organizers will have no option but to disqualify that team from the tournament.
        3. The ruling of the Tournament's Scrutinising Committee, in assessing first class player status, will be final.

NOTE : The Match Committee reserves the right to amend the Rules at any time if it considers such action to be in the best interests of the competition.