Umpiring Guidelines for Rain Affected Games
 
Guidelines for handling NCCA games affected by inclement weather or bad light

Guidelines for handling NCCA games affected by inclement weather or bad light

provided by the NCCA Umpiring Committee

May 12, 2005

1  Basis for calculations

  • (a) Total playing time for NCCA league games should be estimated according to NCCA Standing Rules, on the basis of 4 minutes per over, plus 5 minutes per water break, plus 30 minutes for lunch. That is
    • for a 50-overs-a-side game with two breaks in each inning: 7 hours and 30 minutes
    • for a 45-overs-a-side game with two breaks in each inning: 6 hours and 50 minutes
  • (b) Law 3.9 (Suspension of play for adverse conditions or ground, weather or light) should be followed to determine when to suspend or resume play.

2  Communication before the game when rain is expected

When rain is expected, the two captains and the umpires should attempt to make phone contact with each other on the morning of the game, so the captain of the home team can give the umpires and the other captain a report of conditions at the ground, and a decision can be made whether teams and umpires are expected to show up at the ground at the scheduled start time. That decision should be made between three and two hours before the scheduled start time. If possible, phone numbers for such contact should be agreed by the previous evening. If after this phone consultation, both captains and both umpires agree that conditions are most likely unsuitable for play, and that the game should be abandoned, that decision may be made on the phone without the umpires or the teams showing up to the ground. In that case, both captains and one of the umpires should report the abandonment of the game to the Match Secretary, and the umpires should not be paid.

3  Inclement weather, rain or bad light at the start of the game

If, by two hours prior to the start time, it has not been agreed in advance to abandon the game, (in particular, if either captain wishes to play, or if there is a failure of phone communication, or if for any other reason the captains and umpires have not agreed to abandon the game):
  • (a) Both umpires and both teams are expected to report to the ground at the scheduled start time. Umpires or teams not reporting to the ground will be penalized per the NCCA Standing Rules.
  • (b) The captains shall toss at the appointed time (30 to 15 minutes before the scheduled start time).
  • (c) Umpires shall do an inspection of the pitch and the outfield ground conditions, unaccompanied by any of the players. If play is not possible in their opinion, then they should set a time for further inspections, say at 30 minute intervals, or more frequently if they see fit.
  • (d) If at any time, both umpires and both captains agree that conditions are so bad and so likely to remain so that it is pointless to hope they will improve, then the game should be abandoned. But except under unusually bad conditions which are forecasted to continue, umpires are advised that games should not be abandoned until at least one hour after their scheduled start.
  • (e) Periodic inspections may continue until a point in time when a minimum playing time of 2 hours and 50 minutes is not possible. (calculated thus: 20 overs a side times four minutes per overs + 10 minutes interval between innings)
  • (f) If play becomes possible after a delayed start, the Umpires shall compute the time lost from the scheduled start of the game and determine the number of overs lost at the rate 4 minutes per over. The Umpires shall then divide the overs in two equal halves for each team to play.
  • (g) If play becomes possible after a delayed start, The Umpires shall work with the Captains to see if the time for Lunch and Drinks can be waived in order to maximize the number of overs.

4  Inclement weather, rain or bad light during the game

  • (a) Under such conditions, the umpires should offer the batsmen at the crease the option to discontinue play. If the batsmen decide to continue under unsuitable conditions, a subsequent appeal against the conditions shall be allowed only if conditions have worsened from the time when the option to discontinue play was originally offered the batsmen. (Law 3.9 )
  • (b) If the side batting first has not completed their innings, the Umpires shall determine the number of overs lost due to one or more suspensions of play and re-arrange the number of overs in such a manner that it is the same for both sides. Example: 80 minutes of play are lost due to rain after the side batting first has played 15 overs. Then, estimating the number of overs lost as 80/4 = 20, and dividing this number by two, the number of overs to be played by each side should be reduced by 10 overs from the originally scheduled number of overs for each side. This reduction should be announced by the umpires before resumption of play.
  • (c) If the side batting first has completed their innings Umpires shall reduce the number of overs lost due to suspension(s) of play. If the side batting second does not have an opportunity to play for a minimum of 20 overs, the game will become a 'NO RESULT' game. After reducing the number of overs for the side batting second at the rate of four minutes per over, the umpires shall reduce the target for the side batting second, using the average run-rate of the side batting first.

5  Remuneration of Umpires in case of abandoned games

If the match has not been abandoned at least 2 hours prior to the scheduled start time, Umpires are required to show up at the ground and should be fully compensated according to their qualifications, irrespective of the length of time they are present at the ground. The only circumstance in which the Umpires should not be paid is if the decision to abandon the match was made at least 2 hours before the start time.