26 September, 2017

Men's Test Match Clause 12: Start of Play; Cessation of Play

12. Start of Play; Cessation of Play

12.1. Call of PlayThe bowler’s end umpire shall call Play before the first ball of the match and on the resumption of play after any interval or interruption.
12.2. Call of TimeThe bowler’s end umpire shall call Time, when the ball is dead, at the end of any session of play or as required by these Playing Conditions. See also clause 20.3 (Call of Over or Time).
12.3. Removal of bailsAfter the call of Time, the bails shall be removed from both wickets.
12.4. Starting a new overAnother over shall always be started at any time during the match, unless an interval is to be taken in the circumstances set out in clause 12.5.2, if the umpire, walking at normal pace, has arrived at the position behind the stumps at the bowler’s end before the time agreed for the next interval, or for the close of play, has been reached.
12.5. Completion of an overOther than at the end of the match,
- 12.5.1. if the agreed time for an interval is reached during an over, the over shall be completed before the interval is taken, except as provided for in clause 12.5.2.
- 12.5.2. when less than 3 minutes remains before the time agreed for the next interval, the interval shall be taken immediately if:

either a batsman is dismissed or retires; or

the players have occasion to leave the field,

whether this occurs during an over or at the end of an over. Except at the end of an innings, if an over is thus interrupted it shall be completed on the resumption of play.

12.6. Conclusion of match
- 12.6.1. The match is concluded
  - 12.6.1.1. as soon as a result as defined in clauses 16.1 to 16.5 (The result) is reached.
  - 12.6.1.2. as soon as both
    the minimum number of overs for the last hour are completed and the agreed time for close of play is reached,
    unless a result is reached earlier.
- 12.6.2. The match is concluded if, without a conclusion having been reached under 12.6.1, the players leave the field for adverse conditions of ground, weather or light, or in exceptional circumstances, and no further play is possible.

12.7. Hours of Play; Minimum Overs RequirementThe Home Board shall determine the hours of play, subject to there being 6 hours scheduled play per day, and subject to:
- 12.7.1. Minimum Overs in the Day Subject to clause 12.7.2 below:
  - 12.7.1.1. On days other than the last day, play shall continue on each day until the completion of a minimum target of 90 overs (or a minimum of 15 overs per hour) or the completion of the scheduled or rescheduled cessation time, whichever is the later but provided that play shall not continue for more than 30 minutes beyond the scheduled or rescheduled cessation time (permitted overtime). For the sake of clarity, if any of the minimum target number of overs have not been bowled at the completion of the permitted overtime, play shall cease upon completion of the over in progress. The overs not bowled shall not be made up on any subsequent day.
  - 12.7.1.2. On the last day, a minimum of 75 overs (or a minimum of 15 overs per hour) shall be bowled during the playing time other than the last hour of the match where clause 12.7.6 below shall apply. If any of the minimum of 75 overs, or as recalculated, have not been bowled when one hour of the scheduled playing time remains, the last hour of the match for the purposes of clause 12.7.6 shall be the hour immediately following the completion of these overs.
- 12.7.2. Reduction in minimum overs
  
  Except in the last hour of the match, for which clause 12.7.6 makes provision, if play is suspended due to adverse weather or light or any other reason (other than normal intervals) for more than 1 hour on any day, the minimum number of overs shall be reduced by 1 over for each full 4 minutes of the aggregate playing time lost. For the avoidance of doubt, the aggregate of 1 hour shall be inclusive of any time that may have been brought forward from previous days due to playing time lost on such previous days under clause 12.7.3.2 below.
- 12.7.3. Making Up Lost Time
  - 12.7.3.1. On The Day
    Subject to weather and light, except in the last hour of the match, in the event of play being suspended for any reason other than normal intervals, the playing time on that day shall be extended by the amount of time lost up to a maximum of 1 hour. For the avoidance of doubt, the maximum of 1 hour shall be inclusive of any time that may have been added to the scheduled playing time due to playing time having been lost on previous days under clause 12.7.3.2 below.
  - 12.7.3.2. On Subsequent Days
    If any time is lost and cannot be made up under clause 12.7.3.1 above, additional time of up to a maximum of 30 minutes per day shall be added to the scheduled playing hours for the next day, and subsequent day(s) as required (to make up as much lost time as possible). Where appropriate this additional time shall be added prior to the scheduled start of the first session. In circumstances where it is not possible to add this additional time prior to the scheduled start of the first session, the additional time may be added to the second and/or the third sessions (see also clause 12.7.4). When such additional time is added, the minimum overs for that day shall be increased by one over for each four minutes of additional time or part thereof.
  - 12.7.3.3. On the Last Day only (refer to Appendix E)

Clause 12.7.3.1 applies. However, for the purposes of this clause, the definition of playing time shall exclude the last hour. No time is made up in respect of any interruptions that commence after the start of the last hour.

Should play be interrupted prior to the last hour being signalled, the playing time lost will be made up (subject to the maximum of 1 hour described in (a) above) with the previously scheduled time for the last hour being updated to reflect the time made up during this interruption.

In order to determine the minimum overs to be bowled prior to the last hour and the rescheduled starting time for the last hour, it is necessary to complete the template in Appendix E. - 12.7.3.4. For Day/Night Test matches, the participating teams may agree on the following:
The maximum amount of make-up time to be used on the day up to no more than 1 hour;
The maximum make-up time to be added to subsequent days up to no more than 30 minutes per day; and

When the make-up time is to be allocated across subsequent days.Change of Intervals - 12.7.4. Change of Intervals

    - 12.7.4.1. If play has been suspended for any reason other than normal intervals for 30 minutes or more prior to the commencement of the scheduled or rescheduled tea interval on that day, the tea interval shall be delayed for 30 minutes.
    - 12.7.4.2. Notwithstanding the provisions of clause 12.7.4.1above, the timings of intervals can be altered under clause 11.4 at any time on any day if playing time has been lost irrespective of whether the time has been lost on that day or on any previous days.
- 12.7.5. Change of Innings   

    Where there is a change of innings during a day’s play (except where the change of innings occurs at lunch or tea or when play is suspended for any reason) 2 overs will be deducted from the minimum number of overs to be bowled.

    The over in progress at the end of an innings is regarded as a completed over for the purposes of determining the minimum number of remaining overs to be bowled in the day, except when the change of innings occurs in the last hour of the match (see clause 12.12.3).
- 12.7.6. Last Hour

A minimum of 15 overs shall be bowled in the last hour and all calculations with regard to suspensions of play or the start of a new innings shall be based on 1 over for each full 4 minutes (refer to clause 12.7.9 below).

On the final day, if both captains (the batsmen at the wicket may act for their captain) accept that there is no prospect of either side achieving a victory, they may agree to finish the match after (a) the time for the commencement of the last hour has been reached OR (b) there are a minimum of 15 overs to be bowled, whichever is the later. - 12.7.7. Notwithstanding any other provision, there shall be no further play on any day, other than the last day, if a wicket falls or a batsman retires or if the players have occasion to leave the field during the last minimum over within 3 minutes of the scheduled cessation time or thereafter. This shall also apply to the additional time permitted in order to complete the minimum over requirement for the day. If an over is interrupted in these circumstances stumps shall be drawn for the day and the over shall be completed on the resumption of play. - 12.7.8. An over completed on resumption of a new day’s play shall be disregarded in calculating minimum overs for that day. - 12.7.9. Stumps Drawn

Except on the final day:

    - 12.7.9.1. In the event of play being suspended for any reason at or after the most recently scheduled or rescheduled cessation time, stumps shall be drawn upon play being suspended.
    - 12.7.9.2. In the event of the players already being off the field for a suspension of play at the most recently rescheduled cessation time, then stumps will be drawn at that time
- 12.7.10. The scoreboard shall show:  

    - 12.7.10.1 the total number of overs bowled with the ball currently in use: and
    - 12.7.10.2 the minimum number of overs remaining to be bowled in a day.
- 12.7.11. Penalties shall apply for a slow over rates (refer to the ICC Code of Conduct and see clause 12.9 below).
- 12.7.12 Day-Night Tests

Home Boards may, prior to the commencement of a Test, and with the agreement of the Visiting Board, seek the approval of the ICC to play the match as a a day/night Test. In such a case the hours of play shall be determined by agreement between the Home Board and the Visiting Board subject to there being 6 hours scheduled play per day.

12.8. Extra Time
- 12.8.1. At the End of the Day
  
  The umpires may decide to play 30 minutes (a minimum of 8 overs) extra time at the end of any day (other than the last day) if requested by either captain if, in the umpires opinion, it would bring about a definite result on that day. This is in addition to the additional time provided for in clause 12.7.3 above. If the umpires do not believe a result can be achieved no extra time shall be allowed.
  
  If it is decided to play such extra time on one or more of these days, the whole period shall be played out even though the possibility of finishing the match may have disappeared before the full period has expired.
  
  Only the actual amount of playing time up to the maximum 30 minutes extra time by which play is extended on any day shall be deducted from the total number of hours of play remaining, and the match shall end earlier on the final day by the amount of time by which play was previously extended under this clause.
- 12.8.2. At the Lunch or Tea Interval
  
  The umpires may decide to extend play by 15 minutes (a minimum of four overs) at the scheduled lunch or tea interval of any day if requested by either captain if, in the umpires’ opinion, it would bring about a definite result in that session. If the umpires do not believe a result can be achieved no extra time shall be allowed.
  
  If it is decided to extend play, the whole period shall be played out even though the possibility of finishing the match may have disappeared before the full period has expired.

The following session of play shall be reduced by the amount of time by which play was previously extended under this clause. - 12.8.3. For the avoidance of doubt, clause 11.7 shall still apply subsequent to the application of this clause, i.e when 9 wickets are down following the extra 15 minutes. However, this clause shall not apply when clause 11.7 has already been applied, i.e. the 15 minutes shall not be added at the end of 30 minutes extra time.

12.9. Minimum Over RatesThe minimum over rate to be achieved in Test Matches shall be 15 overs per hour.

The actual over rate shall be calculated at the end of the match by the umpires and shall be the average rate which is achieved by the fielding team across both of the batting team’s innings.

In calculating the actual over rate for the match, allowances will be given as follows:

- 12.9.1.  The time lost as a result of treatment given to a player by an authorised medical personnel on the field of play;
- 12.9.2.  The time lost as a result of a player being required to leave the field as a result of a serious injury;
- 12.9.3.  The time taken for all third umpire referrals and consultations and any umpire or player reviews;
- 12.9.4.  The time lost as a result of time wasting by the batting side; an
- 12.9.5.  The time lost due to all other circumstances that are beyond the control of the fielding side.
- 12.9.6.  2 minutes per wicket taken, provided that such wicket results in the subsequent batsmen immediately commencing his innings. For the avoidance of any doubt, no time allowance will be given for the final wicket of an innings or where a wicket falls immediately prior to any interval
- 12.9.7.  4 minutes per drinks break taken (one per session).

In the event of any time allowances being granted to the fielding team under clause 12.9.4 above (time wasting by batting team), then such time shall be deducted from the allowances granted to such batting team in the determination of its over rate.

If a batting team is bowled out in 3 1⁄2 hours or less (taking into account all of the time allowances set out above) in any particular innings, and the fielding team was unable to maintain the minimum over requirement during that innings, no account will be taken of the actual over rate in that innings when calculating the actual over rate at the end of the match.

The current over rate of the fielding team (+/- overs compared to the minimum rate required), to be advised by the third umpire every 30 minutes as a minimum, shall be displayed on a scoreboard or replay screen.

12.10. Last hour of match – number of oversThe bowler’s end umpire shall indicate the commencement of this 15 overs to the players and to the scorers. The period of play thereafter shall be referred to as the last hour, whatever its actual duration.

During an uninterrupted last hour, play will continue until the end of the over in progress when 60 minutes have been played, or until 15 overs have been bowled, whichever is later.

12.11. Last hour of match – interruptions of play

If there is an interruption in play during the last hour of the match, the minimum number of overs to be bowled shall be reduced from 15 as follows:

- 12.11.1. The time lost for an interruption is counted from the call of Time until the time for resumption as decided by the umpires.
- 12.11.2. One over shall be deducted for every complete 4 minutes of time lost.
- 12.11.3. In the case of more than one such interruption, the minutes lost shall not be aggregated; the calculation shall be made for each interruption separately.
- 12.11.4. If, when one hour of Playing time remains, an interruption is already in progress   

    - 12.11.4.1. only the time lost after this moment shall be counted in the calculation
    - 12.11.4.2. the over in progress at the start of the interruption shall be completed on resumption and shall not count as one of the minimum number of overs to be bowled
- 12.11.5. If, after the start of the last hour, an interruption occurs during an over, the over shall be completed on resumption of play. The two part-overs shall between them count as one over of the minimum number to be bowled.

12.12. Last hour of match – intervals between inningsIf an innings ends so that a new innings is to be started during the last hour of the match, the interval starts with the end of the innings and is to end 10 minutes later.
- 12.12.1. If this interval is already in progress at the start of the last hour then, to determine the number of overs to be bowled in the new innings, calculations are to be made as set out in clause 12.11.
- 12.12.2. If the innings ends after the last hour has started, two calculations are to be made, as set out in clauses 12.12.3 and 12.12.4. The greater of the numbers yielded by these two calculations is to be the minimum number of overs to be bowled in the new innings
- 12.12.3. Calculation based on overs remaining:
At the conclusion of the innings, the number of overs that remain to be bowled, of the minimum in the last hour, to be noted
If this is not a whole number it is to be rounded up to the next whole number.
Two overs, for the interval, to be deducted from the resulting number to determine the number of overs still to be bowled.
- 12.12.4. Calculation based on time remaining:
At the conclusion of the innings, the time remaining until the agreed time for close of play to be noted
10 minutes, for the interval, to be deducted from this time to determine the Playing time remaining
A calculation to be made of one over for every complete 4 minutes of the Playing time remaining, plus one more over if a further part of 4 minutes remains.
12.13. Completion of last over of matchThe over in progress at the close of play on the final day shall be completed unless either a result has been reached; o

the players have occasion to leave the field. In this case there shall be no resumption of play except in the circumstances of clause 16.7 (Mistakes in scoring) and the match shall be at an end.

12.14. Bowler unable to complete an over during last hour of matchIf, for any reason, a bowler is unable to complete an over during the last hour, clause 17.8 (Bowler incapacitated or suspended during an over) shall apply. The separate parts of such an over shall count as one over of the minimum to be bowled.

Men's Test Match Clause 12: Start of Play; Cessation of Play

12. Start of Play; Cessation of Play

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