GUIDELINES

MLCA Mentors and Co-Mentors decisions with Games Organization would be final on the structure of Games on or before the start of the game

1. If the innings has reduced overs, maximum overs per bowler will be equal to the number of overs per innings divide by 6 (round up to the next whole number).
2. A grace period of 15 minutes may be allowed for the completion of the innings, at the umpire’s discretion, if there are unforeseen delays in the game. The innings break may be shortened by that time.
3. The on-field umpires may use their discretion to shorten the duration of the game if they feel that the game will go beyond the allocated time. They will notify both the team captains and managers about this at least 30 minutes prior to the end of the first innings.
4. An individual player may be given a drink, either on the boundary edge or on the field of play at the fall of a wicket or at injury breaks, providing playing time is not lost (umpire’s discretion followed).
5. Toss for each game will be no later than 30 minutes before game start time except delays due to weather or field conditions.
6. Standard ICC power-play rules apply to all age groups.
   1. Power Play will be the first 5 overs – only 2 fielders outside the inner circle (25 or 30 yards based on age group)
   2. For the rest of the overs maximum of 5 fielders outside the circle
7. Side may not declare an innings closed.
8. Players
   1. Player Restrictions
      1. Team Mentors in consultation with the Games Organization committee will decide on player movement between the teams.
   2. Number of Players
      1. Teams need a minimum of 8 players to play a game. Both Team Mentor’s decisions in consultation with umpire would be final to start the game.
      2. No more than 11 players can bat or be on the field of play at any time.
      3. 11 players can bat; 12 players are allowed to bowl.
      4. The team doesn’t need to nominate which players will bat, ahead of time.
      5. Any substitution of a fielder can only take place with the permission of the umpire. That substitute can immediately play a full role for the rest of the match.
      6. A retired batsman can come back to bat again only after the rest of the batsmen are out or retired.
      7. No runners will be permitted for an injured batsman.
9. Fielding
   1. Other than slip fielders and keeper, no fielder will be permitted to stand within 15 yards in any age category.
10. Special Rule
    1. To encourage all players to play the extended game, the team batting first has to play for all overs. If they get all-out under their allocated overs, the unplayed overs will be added to the team playing second to reach the run target.
    2. Scenario : 20 overs game: If Team A batting first gets all out in 15 overs - Team B batting second will have ( 20 over allocated + 5 unplayed team ) to chase down the target

1. Neutral umpires when available will be officiating all the matches. If neutral umpires are not available, one volunteer from one or both teams will officiate the game.
2. When neutral leg umpire is unavailable, leg umpires will be provided by batting side.
3. The team appointed volunteer umpires should be familiar with the laws of cricket and have a good understanding of all the rules.

1. Scoring will be done using cricclubs app. Players should claim their player profile by providing a unique and valid email address to get scorer access.
2. Each team will appoint one scorer(s) for each game played. The batting team is responsible for scoring. Both scorers and umpires have to tally score sheets after each inning & approve for correctness in consultation with mentors of both teams.
3. For any reason, if online scoring cannot be done during the game, scores will be updated in cricclubs from manual scoring sheets.

1. A new ball will be used at the start of each innings.
2. The umpires will decide if and when a ball becomes unfit for use and obtain a replacement.

1. Off-side
   1. Any off-side delivery which in the opinion of the umpire does not give the striker a reasonable opportunity to score shall be called & signaled ‘Wide Ball’.
2. Leg-side
   1. Any ball passing down the leg side i.e. missing the leg stump and not being hit or hitting the batsman is deemed a wide ball even if the batsman steps inside the line. However, if the ball passes between the striker and leg stump it will NOT be called wide.
3. No delivery will be called ‘wide’ if it comes into contact with the striker or striker’s bat or been called a ‘no-ball’.
4. If ball pitches on the edge or off the pitch, it shall be called a wide.
5. A short pitch ball that bounces above the head of the batsman will be called a wide ball and count as one bouncer for the over.

1. If the ball bounces twice before the popping crease at the batsman’s end it will be called a no ball.
2. Any full pitched delivery regardless of speed (spinner or pace/seam bowler) which passes or would have passed above waist height of the striker standing upright at the crease will be called ‘no ball’ even if the batsman hits the ball.
3. If the bowling team violates the fielding restrictions as listed, the umpire will call a no ball.
4. All no balls will result in a Free Hit for the batting team.
5. One ‘bouncer’ per over allowed. If the bowler bowls a second bouncer in an over, the umpire will call a no-ball. A bouncer is defined as any ball that passes or would have passed over the shoulder of the batsman in his normal standing position. It is immaterial whether he hits it or not.
6. If that short pitch ball is deemed a wide on grounds of height or direction or is a no-ball anyway it counts as the one for the over.
7. The Bowlers End Umpire will inform the bowler, the batsman and the fielding captain that the one per over has been bowled.
8. If a bowler breaks the non-striker’s stumps during his delivery or delivery stride, it will be called ‘No Ball’ – free hit allowed.

1. A minimum of 5 overs per side will constitute a match.
2. Team scoring most runs in an uninterrupted game will be declared as the winner.
3. If the scores are level at the end of both innings, the match will be declared a tie.
4. It shall be the duty of the captain(s)/mentor(s)/coach(es) of the team(s) and the umpire(s) to ascertain between innings, the total runs scored by the side batting first and to agree on the batting target accordingly.
5. In the event of a game being shortened due to weather or delayed during the game by unforeseen circumstances either before the start or during the game.
   1. If possible start the game from the beginning with a minimum of 5 overs per side been played.
   2. Work out the number of overs to be played by the time left and dividing it by 4 minutes per over.
   3. Wherever possible both sides must have the same number of overs to play
   4. Umpires to work out the number of overs per bowler as mentioned in general rules and playing conditions as well as agreeing to the fielding restrictions.
6. If a match is interrupted by weather and the team batting second doesn’t get to face the same number of overs as the team batting first, the match will be decided based on the Duckworth Lewis recommendation. In the event of a game is abandoned by any team or doesn’t have a minimum of 7 players at the time of toss, the game will be deemed as produced a result and the other team will be declared as a winner.
7. No rescheduling will be done once the schedule is reviewed and approved. Mentors from both the teams should inform the Games dispute committee immediately for any inability to play on a scheduled day Other games will be considered forfeit and the team that didn't show up will have a penalty point on top of the game gets forfeited to the opposite team.

1. Any dispute arising from the application or interpretation of the rules and playing conditions shall be referred to the Games organization and MLCA Games Dispute committee, who will make the final decision.

1. Game Manager will be responsible for setup and cleanup of field.
2. Game manager will be responsible for bringing & setting up of scoreboards, stumps, boundary/circle cones, markers.
3. Game Manager to ensure that umpires have the MLCA game balls.
4. Game Manager shall collect the umpires contact from Games Organization Organizers on a weekly basis.
5. Home Team Players will be responsible for setup and cleanup of field (All Age group recommended).

1. Parents are responsible for the discipline and well being for the kid.
2. Only Mentors and/or Co Mentors are allowed to advise the players on the field.
3. No parents’ intervention/advice should happen when the match is in progress.
4. Kids and Parents should ensure cleanup of their trash at the end of a game.
5. Smoking / Drinking is not allowed in at the grounds and parent/guardian found in violation will be barred from entering the ground and case will be referred to games dispute committee.
6. Mobile phones by players are not allowed on the field of play at any time.
7. Parents are required to provide kids availability on or before Wednesday NOON for Mentors to work with Games Organization for substitute.

1. Umpires should wear dark colored shirts since the games are being played with white balls.
2. Umpires decision will be final on ground , all disputes should be submitted to MLCA dispute committee after the game.

1. Umpires, Team Managers will submit game report to Games organization at the end of each game.
2. Any issues would be directed to the MLCA disciplinary committee and MLCA coaches consultation and team managers will be informed accordingly.

1. All players must wear a MLCA team uniform.
2. Batsman and non-striker should wear colored batting pads.
3. Wicket Keepers will be required to wear a helmet and abdomen guard while the ball is in play.
4. Batsman and non-striker will be required to wear a helmet while the ball is in play.
5. Thigh guard, chest guard, and abdomen guard will need to be worn inside clothing.
6. Umpires reserve the right to not allow a player to bat or bowl if footwear is likely to damage or is damaging the surface in any way until the player changes the footwear.

1. All the MLCA registered players shall be assigned to teams during draft day.
2. All the assigned players to the team can request for leave to Team Mentors and Team Mentors can update games organization for the further process with justifiable reason.
3. In case of non-availability of player after draft day due to injury or any other reason, lower age group players will be made available to fill out a position for that game only by Games Organization with proper communication only.
4. Any direct changes of players and mentors changing the assigned teams without informing Games organization would be disqualified with immediate effect.
5. Parents are required to provide player pool availability on or before Wednesday NOON for Mentors to work with Games Organization for substitutes.