Rules and regulations

Rules and regulations for the 2007 County Championship

26-Sep-2007

1st, 2nd and 3rd days
Start 11am Lunch 1.15pm - 1.55pm
Tea 4.10pm - 4.30pm Close 6.30pm (min 104 overs)

4th day
Start 11am
Lunch 1pm - 1.40pm Tea 3.40pm -4pm Close 6pm

Timings are brought forward 30 minutes for matches scheduled to start in September. Timings may be later if agreed by the counties concerned and the ECB.

The County Championship consists of two divisions of nine teams with a two-up, two-down system of promotion and relegation. * The winning side will score 14 pts plus any bonus pts scored in the first innings, making a maximum of 22 pts.

In the event of a tie, each side will score seven pts plus any bonus pts from the first innings.

In a drawn match each side will score four pts plus any pts from the first innings.

If the scores are equal in a drawn match the side batting in the fourth innings will score seven pts plus any pts scored in the first innings and the opposing side will score four pts plus any pts scored in the first innings.

Bonus pts can only be earned in the first 130 overs of a team's first innings. A maximum of five batting pts are available as follows: 200-249: 1 point 250-299: 2 pts 300- 349: 3 pts 350-399: 4 pts 400 runs or over: 5 pts. A maximum of three bowling pts are available as follows: Three to five wickets taken: 1 point Six to eight wickets taken: 2 pts Nine to 10 wickets taken: 3 pts.

If a player with the England squad is released to play in a County Championship match after the nomination of the county teams, then that player may take the place of a nominated player.

Each county that has representation in the England Xl must specify which player shall be replaced. This shall be done at the nomination of teams to umpires. If no player has been specified the England player cannot participate in the county match. If a county has more than one representative in the England squad, then one player can be nominated for each England player.

If the county has specified a nominated player, and the England player is indeed released, the player must be released prior to the third scheduled day. No replacement will be allowed if the England player is not available to take his place in the county side until after the start of play on the third scheduled day.

There is no option for the County to refuse the England player if they have nominated a player to be replaced by the England player. The nominated player shall complete his innings if he is batting at the time that the England player joins the Championship match. The England player shall take over thereafter. The nominated player shall complete any unfinished over if he is bowling at the time that the England player is available. The England player shall take the field thereafter.