Lancashire League Handbook 2023

60 by a parallel line on each side of the pitch. In the event of an infringement the square leg Umpire shall call “no ball”. The fielding circle should be marked by painted white dots at 5 yard intervals, each dot to be covered with a white plastic or rubber (but not metal) disc measuring 7 inches in diameter. 3.13. (i) Any Offside or Leg side delivery, which in the opinion of the Umpire does not give the batsman a reasonable opportunity to score, shall be called “wide”. For guidance purposes, any ball, which passes leg side of the striker and leg side of the wicket, shall be called a wide. Two lines shall be marked at each end of the pitch running horizontal to the return crease, 17 inches in from the return crease. (This is to assist umpires when judging wide deliveries on the off side of the wicket). If the ball passes over head height of the striker standing upright at the crease, the umpire should call and signal no ball. (ii) One run shall be awarded to the batting team in respect of any no ball (which shall include any ball which pitches more than once or which does not pitch and is above waist high) and in addition the batting team shall be entitled to a free hit following any form of no ball. The delivery following a no ball called for any form of no ball 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 batsman is facing. 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 not permitted for free hit deliveries unless there is a change of striker save that in all circumstances, any fielder within 15 yards of the striker may retreat to a position on the same line no more than 15 yards from the striker. The Umpires will signal a free hit by (after the normal No Ball signal) extending one arm straight upwards and moving it in a circular motion. In Third Eleven cricket a free hit only applies in the event of a foot fault no ball. 3.14. Players are allowed to rub mud off the ball and rub the ball in sawdust. 3.15. The League Executive will arrange the supply of Grade A cricket balls which will be the only official match ball in First Eleven League &Worsley Cup matches. Each side to bat its own ball which must be a new one. 4. PLAYING CONDITIONS 4.1. The captains shall decide as to the fitness of the ground for the commencement of a match. In the event of disagreement a majority of the captains and umpires shall decide, and should they disagree play shall not commence. 4.2. When a match has been commenced and then stopped by rain the question of the resumption of play shall be decided by the Umpires only. 4.3. During the Match the Umpires shall be in complete control deciding all