No Boundaries Cricket Rules

Rules for No Boundaries cricket are the same as for Outdoor All-Abilities cricket except for the following:

1.0 The Game:

1.1 Each game is played between two teams with 8 players each.  Substitutes may be used in any combination providing that no more than eight individuals bat and bowl per game with eight individuals fielding at any one time
1.2 The minimum number of players required for each team for a recorded match is six. In this instance, 2 players will bowl twice but the team may only bat 6 players
1.3 Ground and Pitch dimensions:

1.3.1 Pitch is 12 meters long. Markers placed at the batters end determine width of pitch. To measure width, place a bat length either side of the stumps
1.3.2 Dimensions of the court upon which play occurs provides the playing surface dimensions

1.4 There will be no batting crease. The batter must pass the wicket at the end to which they are running to complete a run
1.5 Batters & Bowlers are to be ranked accordingly to ability / skill level and a list is given to the opposing team prior to the match
1.6 Players bat & bowl to their ranking except when replaced through injury

2.0 Wides & No Balls:

2.1 No ball and wides will be at the discretion of the umpire and will depend solely on the ability of the batter to play the ball except in the following circumstances:

2.1.1 Any ball that hits the batters wheelchair will be deemed a wide.
2.1.2 Any ball that passes outside the markers at the batters end will be deemed a wide

2.2 Upon a wide being bowled, the ball is placed on a cone or batting tee next to the batter, with the batter receiving a free hit

3.0 Scoring:

3.1 Able-bodied batters must run to score at all times. If batter does not run, no score is recorded
3.2 A wide will incur a 1 run penalty awarded to the batter plus a free hit
3.3 Wheelchair batters who elect to have assistance from a fellow team member will be required to make a choice in how to score runs. Runs can be scored by:

3.3.1 The assistant will be required to run the length of the pitch to score or
3.3.2 The assistant and person in a wheelchair is required to run half the length of the pitch

3.4 If the batter makes a score from a free hit, this score will be added to the run that they received from the wide. i.e. 1 run for wide and 2 runs scored = 3 runs 
3.5 The bowling team receives ‘2 runs’ per dismissal
3.6 Able-bodied batters can run a maximum of six runs at one time and must run to score
3.7 Batters in a wheelchair will score through marked zones on the court. Markers are placed around the court to indicate scoring zones. Markers are placed and zones are awarded a score at the discretion of the umpires
3.8 Wheelchair batters must hit the back of the court wall to score 6 runs
3.9 If the ball is hit and goes outside the playing area of the court, 2 runs will be the maximum the batter can score


4.0 Equipment:

4.1 Tennis balls or balls with bells in them – as appropriate
4.2 Bowling aids including – tubes & gullies for players with limited mobility are allowed
4.3 Markers may be used to indicate positions on court
4.4 Two batting tees can be used to mark wides and can be used for the free hits. Batting tee’s can also be raised for those in wheelchairs
4.5 Protective equipment can be used at the players discretion

5.0 Bowling:

5.1 Each player must bowl 1 over per innings on a team rotation system
5.2 No bowling action will be deemed illegal but all possible effort must be made to use the correct action
5.3 Players with limited mobility can be assisted by a support worker to bowl. For example, hold up the arm, place the ball in the bowlers’ hand and push the hand in a forward motion. This support worker is to be either another member of the playing team or a substitute player.  Umpires at this stage can provide protection to the bowler should a ball be hit back hard in the direction of the bowler
5.4 Where there is no other option, only then may a support person assist the bowler and one hand must be in contact with the bowler. Eg carer, parent
5.5 If the ball does not reach or go past the half waypoint of the pitch, the ball must be re-bowled
5.6 Aids can be used to support bowling techniques eg. tubes, gullies, pads

6.0 Batting:

6.1 Players bat as individuals - one batter at a time
6.2 Each person bats for a total of one x 6 ball over per innings
6.3 Individuals remain batting irrespective of the number of times they are dismissed, until they have faced 1 over
6.4 Players can be out ‘bowled’, ‘caught’, ‘run out’, or ‘hit wicket’
6.5 Batters cannot be out stumped or LBW
6.6 A player can not be dismissed ‘caught’ off perimeter netting/fencing
6.7 If the batter is able to hold the bat, every attempt should be made to complete the innings without assistance. Honesty by the batter should be used to keep within the spirit of the game
6.8 A Bye can be taken in order to score a run
6.9 A batter in a wheelchair must leave 2 stumps visible to the bowler. This will apply whether there is a support batter or not
6.10 Batters can only be run out at the end that they are running towards
6.11 Batters that have limited running ability will run to a designated marked area – approximately ½ the pitch. This batter must notify the umpire prior to the commencement of the game that this is the case
6.12 Vision impaired batters may choose to use a bell ball
6.13 A player who requires assistance with batting shall:

6.13.1 Inform the umpire prior to the commencement of the game
6.13.2 Nominate the support person prior to the commencement of the game. This support person is to be another member of the same team and may only be able to assist one batter throughout the innings
The support person must not take control of the batters position.  Every effort is to be made by the batter to complete the innings on their own. At least one hand must be in contact with the original batter at all times by the support person

7.0 Fielding:

7.1 No player is permitted to field within 5 metres of the bat except the wicket keeper
7.2 Fielders will rotate in a clockwise position around the court including bowler and wicket keeper at the completion of each over
7.3 Fielders with limited mobility are allowed to have support from another team member and assist them in the field. This support person must in no way take control away from the fielder who requires assistance.  They may hand the ball to this player who will then return the ball back to the bowler or wicketkeeper
7.4 A legitimate catch for a player in a wheelchair is if the ball:

7.4.1 Is caught in the hands
7.4.2 Falls straight in their lap or bounces once then falls in their lap. Support workers (carers, parents etc) can move wheelchair to catch the ball

7.5 To collect a ball, a person in the wheelchair may be wheeled to the ball. The support worker picks up the ball and places it in the lap or hands of player. The player will then throw the ball (with support if required) where possible or support worker will wheel the player to the bowler or another player and hand them the ball.
7.6 Support worker must be alert at all times to put players in position to catch or stop the ball or in some cases move out of the way or shield a player from a fast travelling ball
7.7 Players fielding to a batter in a wheelchair may stop the ball from entering the marked scoring zones
7.8 It is recommended for players fielding close to the batter where safety helmets

8.0 Result:

8.1 The team scoring the most runs (batting score plus 2 runs per opposition dismissal) at the completion of both innings will be declared the winning team