Law 42 Fair and Unfair Play

Law 42 FAIR AND UNFAIR PLAY
Contained within the following paragraphs are illustrations of play, which is classified as unfair, requiring the captain and offending player to be reported to the league. So far as the B&DAJCL and HWDJCL are concerned the circumstances should be brought to the attention of the Results Secretary by an entry in the “Comments” section of the Score Sheet, which is faxed through to him after the match. The Secretary will decide whether the league requires a full written report.

So, what does the law says constitutes unfair play?
The paragraphs of this law are numbered to make it easier to check the full story.

42.3	A player MAY	-polish the ball, but without wasting time and without using artificial substance.
		-remove mud from the ball under the supervision of the umpire.
		-dry a wet ball on a towel (not sawdust now).
	A player MAY NOT	- rub the ball on the ground
		-interfere with the seams or surface of the ball
		-take any action likely to alter the condition of the ball (other than the allowable activities listed)
If a player is found guilty, the ball will be changed and the captain and player reported. If there is a further instance, all the above sanctions will be repeated plus the bowler will be taken off and not allowed to bowl again in the match. Note:- 5 penalty runs shall not be awarded to the batting side as required by law.
42.4	In the case of a deliberate attempt to distract the striker while he is receiving a delivery, the umpire will call Dead Ball, issue the captain with a first and final warning and not allow any dismissal from that ball. If it happens again, then the captain and player shall be reported to the league. Note:- 5 penalty runs shall not be awarded to the batting side as required by law.
42.5	It is also classed as unfair to distract or obstruct either batsman after the striker has received the ball. Either umpire can decide the action was wilful - and if it is, then the captain and player shall be reported to the league. Note :- 5 penalty runs shall not be awarded to the batting side as required by law.
42.6	Bouncers and beamers now come together under one heading - dangerous and unfair bowling. "The bowling of fast short-pitched balls is dangerous and unfair if the umpire at the bowler's end considers that by their repetition and taking into account their length, height and direction they are likely to inflict physical injury on the striker". "Any delivery which, after pitching, passes or would have passed over head height of the striker standing upright at the crease, although not threatening physical injury, is unfair" and will be considered as part of the repetition sequence of unfair deliveries.
	High full pitches split into two kinds
		- other than slow, in which case above waist height is dangerous & unfair
		-slow, when above shoulder height is dangerous and unfair.
	Sanctions haven't changed, except that both types of dangerous and unfair bowling now count together as one category rather than a bowler being entitled to two warnings for each. A bowler delivering a deliberate beamer should be removed from the attack immediately and not allowed to bowl again in the match.
42.9	In the case of time wasting by the fielding side, the umpire will issue the captain with a first and final warning. If it happens again,
		a) the captain, and if appropriate the team, shall be reported. b) during an over, the bowler will be taken off.
	Note:- 5 penalty runs shall not be awarded to the batting side as required by law.
42.10	There are also sanctions in place if batsmen waste time. The basic expectation is that " in normal circumstances the striker should always be ready to take strike when the bowler is ready to start his run-up". If the umpire is satisfied that either batsman is wasting time, he will issue them with a first and final warning.This warning will be repeated to each subsequent incoming batsman and if there is a further offence, then the captain and players shall be reported. Note :- 5 penalty runs shall not be awarded to the fielding side as required by law.
IT IS UNFAIR FOR ANY PLAYER TO CAUSE DELIBERATE DAMAGE TO THE PITCH. Specific detail is given depending on which player causes the damage.
42.12	The bowler must avoid the protected area (the 2-foot strip down the centre of the pitch starting 5 feet in front of the popping crease). If he doesn't, then the umpires follow the procedures of caution, final warning and taking the bowler off, plus reporting the captain and bowler concerned.
42.13	If any fielder causes avoidable damage to the pitch( not just the protected area), the umpire will issue the captain with a first and final warning. If there is any further avoidable damage caused to the pitch by any member of the fielding side the captain and relevant players to be reported. Note :- 5 penalty runs shall not be awarded to the batting side, as required by law.
42.14	The situation with batsmen damaging the pitch is rather like the time-wasting situation. If a batsman causes avoidable damage to the pitch, the umpire will caution him and repeat the warning to each incoming batsman. If there is a second instance by any batsman in that innings, the umpire will issue a final warning and disallow any runs from that delivery. A third instance again requires disallowance of runs and the captain and relevant player should be reported. Note :- 5 penalty runs shall not be awarded to the fielding side, as required by law.