ECB states new regulations for encouraging better quality pitches

According to the new regulations declared by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for the 2017 County Championship season, Counties producing two “below average” pitches within a 12 month period could be penalized. This change in the regulations have been brought in by the ECB to encourage the Counties to produce even better quality pitches and the criteria has been widened under which action could be taken.

Unlike the past, when pitches had to be stated “poor” or “unfit”, in order to be eligible for a penalty, the new regulations state that “Two or more Below Average pitches in a 12-month period, rated so because of sub-standard performance relating to spin, seam or unevenness, if allied to intent would liable to penalty.”

The 2016 season saw the ECB announce different measures to encourage better quality pitches which involved the awarding of 16 or 20 points to the away sides if the home side failed to produce a better quality pitch. Also, the home side would be awarded no points irrespective of any bonus points won. Apart from this, the visiting captains would have the privilege of choosing to bowl first doing away with the toss of the coin. All these rules remain valid for the 2017 season too.

The Cricket Liaison Officers would have the authority to give the final rating of the pitches. There should be at least one CLO at every day of Championship Cricket as the ECB has increased the number of CLO’s to 10. Before coming to a conclusion about the pitches they are to consult the umpires, players and ground staff.

The ECB has also allowed time lost for a Championship match to be made up (to a maximum of 30 minutes) over the first three days removing the earlier rule which was for just on the day concerned.

The hours of a day-night game are stated to be 2pm to 10pm. The intervals are scheduled to be at 4pm and 6:40pm and are to be referred as “lunch and “tea” respectively while play cannot extend beyond 10pm to make up lost time.