The new Laws that came into force in October 2017 contain a large number of changes. A full description of them all is available, but it is an 18 page document. This note sets out in basic simple terms the main changes that players might experience in a typical week. The descriptions provided are NOT comprehensive or complete. The note is aimed solely at providing WEPL captains with basic advice to help them prepare themselves and their teams.

There is a lot more information available;
1. Go to https://www.ecb.co.uk/be-involved/officials/resources
2. Go to https://laws.lords.org a proper on line training course (take the exam)
3. Ask – les.clemenson@btconnect.com or Bob, hampshires.timsbury@btinternet.com and they will send you the 15 minute PowerPoint we use to train the umpires. It has a sound track so just play it!

Here are the biggest items you need to know for 2018:

Practise on the SQUARE
Only allowed with the express permission of the umpire, including, before the game on match day

Helmets
A ball rebounding from and being caught or lodging on the full in, the fielder’s helmet, is OUT

A ball rebounding from a fielder’s helmet directly onto the stumps can result in a run out or stumped

Penalty Time – the simple version
If the ball hits you, you run into another player or wall/fence you can go off and when you come back you can bowl immediately – or if you are off at the end of the innings, you can bat immediately.

If you go off for any other reason, you incur penalty time up to a max of 90 minutes. You must be back on for the same period as the penalty time, before you can bowl.

If the innings ends, any unserved penalty time is carried into the next innings and you cannot bat until it is discharged. But if 5 wickets fall, you can bat immediately.

Deception
Mock fielding – pretending you have or are about to pick up the ball when you are not, is illegal. 5 penalty runs (plus any taken), ball does not count in the over, batsman decide who will face the next ball and you get reported!

Beamers
ANY ball above waist height of the striker standing upright in the crease is a no ball irrespective of its speed or direction. First beamer is a final warning. Second will mean the bowler is removed from the attack. Waist height will be interpreted as the belt.

Bouncers
If deemed dangerous by the umpire – a first and final warning. A further bouncer will mean the bowler is removed from the attack.

In WEPL games, where you are allowed one ball per over above shoulder but below head height, a second in the same over = first and final warning. A third or bowling two in a subsequent over = removal.

Non striker run out by the bowler
The point at which a bowler can still do this has changed. It was when the back foot landed in the delivery stride, it is now up to the point they would normally release the ball.

Striker’s stance in front of the popping crease
Still allowed, but must not be so far in the front that it is inevitable they enter the protected zone when batting/setting off for a run.

Runner “backing up”
The runner MUST stay behind the popping crease until the ball has passed the (injured) striker’s popping crease or been hit. No “backing up”. Runs disallowed if they do.

Player Behaviour
Loud swearing, petulance, dissent, bat throwing, stump/boundary markers knocked out are all level 1 offences. You get reported and the team gets a warning. A second offence by anyone on the team and it’s the same, but also 5 runs to the opposition.

Swearing at someone or extreme examples of other level 1 offences means you get reported and 5 penalty runs are awarded immediately

Abusing an umpire or threatening another individual is a Level 3 offence. You get reported, you concede 5 penalty runs and you get sent off for 10 overs.

Threatening the umpire or actual physical violence against anyone, you get reported, you concede 5 runs and you take no further part in the game