Lyddon Trophy Match Rules 2009

1. As MCC laws unless otherwise stated.

2. Maximum 20 overs per innings, minimum 10 overs unless there is a result sooner. Maximum 4 overs to bowler (to be reduced proportionally if the innings is reduced before the first ball is bowled). Batsmen do not retire at 50. Professionals may play. If the professional is unavailable for any reason, a club may have a deputy professional or guest player from outside the competition.

3. Lancs KO one-day wides and a maximum of one bouncer per over.

4. 10 points for a win. 5 for each side if the match is tied (equal runs) or incomplete. One bonus point for every two wickets remaining at the time of victory (a team winning by seven wickets will get 3 points, retirements do not count as wickets down), one bonus point for every full 20 runs advantage a team has at the end of play (a team winning by 49 runs will get 2 points).

5. Matches commence no later than 6.15pm. The last over of the first innings must have started within 1 hour 10 minutes. If fewer have been bowled the team will receive this number in the second innings. The last over of the second innings must have started after 1 hour 10 minutes otherwise the team batting second will receive 5 runs per over bowled after this time, and the overs must be completed conditions permitting. The home side are responsible for searching for lost balls. Batsmen must be ready to take strike within 90 seconds of the fall of a wicket.

6. One over will be deducted from each side for every 7 minutes or part of lost before or during the first innings. After the first innings one over will be deducted for every 3.5 minutes lost, and the target adjusted to the overall run rate of the first innings.

7. The two teams with most points in each section will progress to the quarterfinals, with the winner in each group at home to a runner-up from another group. The semi-finals and final will be played at Little Lever C.C. In case of a tie the team with the higher runs per over will progress.

8. Clubs may field substitutes fielders up to 6.45pm. The opposition will not be expected to provide substitutes except for injury or illness during the match under MCC laws.

9. Throughout the match a minimum of four fielders, plus the bowler and wicket keeper, must be within an area bounded by two 25-yard semi-circles centred on each middle stump and joined by a parallel line on each side of the wicket. In the event of an infringement either umpire may call ‘no-ball’.

10. Matches not started will not be re-arranged, unless there is an unavoidable clash with continued Cross, Hamer, Birtwistle or Isherwood Cup matches, in which case the match should be played seven days later.