Start of the Match

40. Captains, or deputies, must toss for choice of innings in the presence of the umpire(s), 15 minutes before the scheduled time for the start of the match. The captain/deputy winning the toss must immediately choose to bat or bowl first, whilst still in the presence of the opposing captain/deputy and the umpire(s). If either team is not in attendance by 15 minutes before the scheduled start time, then the toss shall be awarded to the team in attendance, if neither team is in attendance by 15 minutes before the scheduled start time) then the toss shall be delayed until at least one team has arrived. The first team to arrive shall be declared to have won the toss and a decision to bat or bowl must then be made. The game shall commence 15 minutes later. In the event of a late start caused by neither team being available at 15 minutes prior to scheduled start time, then rules 41 and 45, start delayed for reasons other than weather shall apply.

41. Each team will declare their eleven players (or twelve if a twelfth player present) on the GMACL match score sheet. Players names to be written in full in capital letters and all players under the age of 20 on the day of the fixture to have their age stated. The GMACL Match Score Sheet, match balls and umpire’s expenses must be handed to the Umpire(s) at the toss a minimum of 15 minutes before the scheduled start time irrespective of the number of players present. Each team’s Captain must check the opposing team Play-Cricket registered players against the GMACL Match Score Sheet before the start of the match, then no further protest can be made whilst the match is in progress. No alteration can be made to the declared teams after this without the consent of the opposing captain. The home team will provide the Match Score Sheet. All details of players, and batting/bowling/fielding statistics will be recorded. Umpires to declare the result, record time of start of both innings, and in the case of late starts, give reason and report team(s) responsible. Captains and wicket keepers must be identified on the Match Score sheet. Umpires and Captains to sign the Match Score Sheet.

42. (a) All matches to start at 1:00 pm; (b) Any matches due to be played in April and from the last weekend in August to start at 12:30 pm. All rules regarding time to be adjusted accordingly.

43. The umpire(s) shall be the sole judge of prevailing conditions, weather, light and fitness to play. The umpires authority for playing conditions will apply from the time of the toss (15 minutes before scheduled start time) until play is either completed or abandoned for the day. Umpires can consult the ground staff, and independent ground staff can call off play, either temporarily, or for the day at any time. Should a captain not be in agreement with the umpire(s) to either start or continue a match, a captain has the right to forfeit the match without being subject to any disciplinary action. If the captain chooses to continue, then the protest will have been deemed to have been withdrawn.

44. No match shall start or re-start in rain.

45. In the event of a late start for reasons other than the weather, the defaulting team shall forfeit 2 overs at the scheduled start time, 4 overs after 8 minutes, 6 overs after 16 minutes and a maximum of 8 overs after 24 minutes. After 30 minutes the defaulting team will have failed to fulfil the fixture and the match will be abandoned (see rules 24, 25, 33 and 34). A defaulting team shall forfeit overs until a minimum of eight players are declared on the team sheet, even if the start is weather affected. Forfeited overs remain part of the match.