Dummies Guide to 20/20 format

Herewith a summarised version of the playing conditions for the 20/20 competition. Please read and digest the laws because it needs to be enforced by all those that are umpiring.


• Hours of play:
First Innings: 14h00 to 15h20 (BUT PLEASE GET TO THE GROUNDS 30 TO 45 MINUTES BEFORE TIME)
Interval: 15h20 to 15h40
Second Innings: 15h40 to 17h00

• Not finishing bowling on time:
If the team fielding first fails to bowl the required number of overs by the scheduled time for cessation of the first innings, play shall continue until the required number of overs has been bowled. The interval shall be reduced to enable the second innings to commence at the scheduled time, subject to there being a minimum of 10 minutes. The team batting second shall receive its full quota of 20 overs irrespective of the number of overs it bowled in the scheduled time for the cessation of the first innings. Any time wasting will be reported to the Chairperson of the Umpires Association.

• Powerplay:
The first 6 overs of each innings will will be regarded as Powerplay.
There will be no more than 5 players allowed on the leg side.
Fielding restriction area needs to be drawn on the field. Two semi-circles 27.43 metres from the middle stump needs to be drawn on either end of the pitch. The semi-circles will be linked by two parallel lines.
During the powerplay overs only 2 fieldsmen will be permitted outside this fielding restriction area at the instant of delivery.
During the non Powerplay overs only 5 fieldsmen shall be permitted outside the fielding restriction area.

• Bowling restrictions:
Bowlers can bowl a maximum of 4 overs

• No ball – free hit after a foot fault is only applicable to Premier or Presidents league. This does not apply to Saturday 20 over competition.

• Wide deliveries:
A line shall be drawn from the popping crease to the bowling crease on the off-side. This line must be used to adjudge wides.
Any leg-side delivery which in the opinion of the umpire does not give the batsman a reasonable opportunity to score will be called a wide – so it’s simple, only bowl on the off.
A penalty of one run for wide shall be scored. This run stands in addition to any other runs that are scored or awarded.
A short pitched delivery passing above head height of the batsmen standing upright shall be called a wide (this will also count as the allowable short pitched delivery for that over).

• Short pitched deliveries:
One short pitched deliver shall be allowed per over, adjudged as having passed over the batsman’s shoulder standing upright at the crease.
In the event of a second short pitched delivery in the same over, it will be called a no ball, and the bowler will be cautioned.

Lastly let us all embrace the 20/20 over format. It’s going to be quick, fast and fun to play.