A JOINT COMMUNIQUE & DIRECTIVE
Re-drafted during Season 2007 following issues in
2000,2002 & 2004 by the
Drakes Huddersfield Cricket League & the Huddersfield Cricket League
Umpires Association
Clubs shall make every effort to ensure that
grounds are fit for play by the scheduled start time. Attention is drawn to Rule
L8e) where it states categorically that any decision to play or not is solely
in the domain of the umpires. Any attempt to influence such a decision by club
officials, groundsmen or players will be not be tolerated and treated as an offence
under Rule L11e).
Bad light, lightning or slippery & wet
conditions are usually the main reasons umpires judge play cannot commence, restart
or continue. Under no circumstances shall play be undertaken if the umpires consider
this to be the case.
Due to the unfortunate litigation world that
we live in, with examples of sporting court cases, umpires can be adjudged liable
for injuries occurring in such conditions and the statement in paragraph one is
re-iterated here.
However, in order to assist where a decision has to be made outside
the boundaries of the above criteria, the following guidelines are issued. They
shall be used in the case of a suspension, or resumption, of play due to rain.
1.
Play
shall not be suspended immediately due to a passing shower of short duration,
unless the strength of wind and level of light add to the deterioration
of the conditions.
2.
If,
after a short period of time, or a number of overs, it appears that there is no
reasonable expectation of the light rain ceasing play shall then be suspended.
3.
Play,
at any time, shall be suspended if the umpires consider the conditions to have
become dangerous.
1.
Play shall not resume if the umpires
consider the conditions to be dangerous.
2.
Play
shall resume, provided that both umpires are agreed that conditions
have improved sufficiently, even though rain may still be in the air.
At all times the umpires shall inform both team captains of their
intentions with regard to the continuance, suspension or resumption of play. In
the case of the batting side either of the players at the wicket shall be deemed
to be the captain.