Rules of Cricket

Unfair Play

Dangerous Bowling

If a bowler deliberately either:

bowls a fast ball that reaches the batsman above waist height on the full, or
bowls a ball at any speed that reaches the batsman above shoulder height on the full, or
repeatedly bowls fast balls that:
- bounce around head height,
- and in the opinion of the umpires represent a physical danger to the batsman, taking into account the batsman's skill,

the umpire will:

call a no ball,
caution the bowler,
inform the other umpire, the fielding captain, and the batsmen that the bowling has become dangerous.

If the same bowler offends a second time in the same innings, the umpire will repeat the procedure above, informing the bowler that this is a last warning.

If the same bowler offends a third time in the same innings, the umpire will:

repeat the procedure above,
suspend the bowler from bowling for the remainder of the innings,
and report the incident to the fielding side's management and the governing body responsible for the match, for disciplinary action outside the game.

Bowler Running on the Pitch

The central rectangle of the pitch, 60.96cm (2') wide and 14.63m (48') long, is called the protected area. Bowlers may not run on the protected area in the follow-through of their run-ups. If a bowler violates this rule, the umpire will apply the series of caution, final warning, and suspension as per dangerous bowling - although the balls are not called no balls.

This rule is designed to prevent unnecessary wear and scuffing of the pitch in the area where balls are most likely to bounce. If a bowler can scuff the pitch, it will provide an unfair advantage to later bowlers.

Tampering with the Ball

If a player on the fielding side violates the rules governing the condition of the ball, the umpires will:

change the ball immediately,
inform the captains of both sides,
award 5 penalty runs to the batting side, scored as penalty extras,
and report the incident to the fielding side's management and the governing body responsible for the match, for disciplinary action outside the game.

On a second offence in the same innings, the umpires will:

repeat all actions given above,
and suspend the bowler who bowled the previous ball from bowling for the remainder of the innings.

Distracting or Obstructing the Batsmen

If any member of the fielding side deliberately distracts the striker by word or action while he is preparing to receive the ball, the umpire will:

call dead ball - the ball does not count as one of the six balls in the current over,
give the offending side's captain a first and final warning for distracting the striker,
inform the other umpire and the batsmen.

On a second offence in the same innings the umpire will:

call dead ball - the ball does not count as one of the six balls in the current over,
award 5 penalty runs to the batting side, scored as penalty extras,
and report the incident to the fielding side's management and the governing body responsible for the match, for disciplinary action outside the game.

If any member of the fielding side deliberately obstructs the batsmen from running between the wickets the umpire will:

call dead ball - the ball does not count as one of the six balls in the current over,
award the run in progress when the offence occured to the striker,
award 5 penalty runs to the batting side, scored as penalty extras,
allow the batsmen to decide which one of them shall be the striker for the next ball,
and report the incident to the fielding side's management and the governing body responsible for the match, for disciplinary action outside the game.

Unfair Fielding

Fielders may not use any part of their clothing or protective gear to deliberately extend their ability to field the ball. If one does so, the umpires will:

call dead ball - the ball does not count as one of the six balls in the current over,
award 5 penalty runs to the batting side, scored as penalty extras,
and report the incident to the fielding side's management and the governing body responsible for the match, for disciplinary action outside the game.

A protective helmet belonging to the fielding side but not currently being worn by a fielder may be stored on the field behind the wicket-keeper. If the ball hits it while live, the umpires will call dead ball and award the batting side 5 penalty runs.

Time Wasting

If either the fielding side or the batsmen waste time the umpire will:

give the offending side's captain a first and final warning for time wasting,
and inform the other umpire and the captain of the other side.

On a second offence in the same innings, the umpire will:

if the fielding side offended during an over, suspend the current bowler from bowling for the remainder of the innings,
if the fielding side offended between overs, award 5 penalty runs to the batting side,
if the batsmen offended, award 5 penalty runs to the fielding side,
and report the incident to the offending side's management and the governing body responsible for the match, for disciplinary action outside the game.

Player's Conduct

If any player:

does not comply with an umpire's direction, or
criticises an umpire's decision by word or action, or
shows dissent with an umpire's decision, or
directs abusive language towards an opponent or umpire, or
appeals knowing that a batsman is not out, or
advances towards an umpire in an aggressive manner, or
attempts to distract an opponent either verbally or with any other noise under the guise of enthusiasm or motivating his own team-mates, or
engages in any act of violence, or
otherwise behaves in any manner which, in the opinion of the umpires, brings the game of cricket into disrepute,

the umpire will:

immediately inform the other umpire,
inform the player's captain of the offence,
instruct the player's captain to take action to curb the player,
warn the player's captain that this is a serious offence and that it will be reported to a higher authority,
and report the incident to the offending side's management and the governing body responsible for the match, for disciplinary action outside the game.