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» Rule 13 - Ground and Pitch Preparation and Maintenance
Rule 13 - Ground and Pitch Preparation and Maintenance
| 13.1 | PREPARATION The ground may be rolled, watered, mown, or beaten prior to each day's play except for matches played on consecutive days as stated in 13.3 and the pitch may also be rolled and/or beaten and/or swept for seven minutes before the commencement of each innings. |
| 13.2 | MAINTENANCE OF PITCH DURING PLAY During play on any day a batsman may beat the pitch with his bat and players may secure their footholds by the use of sawdust provided that no damage to the pitch is caused. |
| 13.3 | MATCHES ON CONSECUTIVE DAYS |
| 13.3.1 | Pitch Care Between Days Between the completion of play and the start of play on the immediately following day the pitch may be rolled, beaten, swept, and mown at any time but under no circumstances is the pitch to be watered. |
| 13.3.2 | In matches other than the First Eleven Final the outfield shall not be mown between the completion of play and the commencement of play on the immediately following day. In a First Eleven Final the outfield shall be mown completely between the completion of play and the commencement of play on each consecutive day but if this is not possible because of weather and ground conditions, the umpires may allow play to proceed after partial mowing or without mowing. |
| 13.4 | CHANGING OR RE-USING PITCH DURING MATCH |
| 13.4.1 | Changing Pitch During Match The pitch used for the commencement of a match shall be used until the match is completed unless the approval to change the pitch is obtained from the Pennant Committee. In such an event the opposing club shall be notified of the change as soon as possible. Any club changing a pitch during a match without approval shall be fined and/or the Pennant Committee shall have the power to award points to the opposing club. |
| 13.4.2 | Re-using Pitch During Match A current Premier match pitch in use may be re-used for another match up to and including Tuesday providing prior approval of the Pennant Committee is obtained. |
| 13.5 | USE OF COVERS The pitches for all matches shall be covered subject to the conditions laid down for the use of covers. |
| 13.5.1 | Cover Measurements Covers dimensions shall be as follows: All main ovals: sufficient covers to cover the entire wicket table. Thirds, Fourths and Premier Women's club ovals: minimum size 4.57 x 27.43 metres 15 x 90 feet). The Pennant Committee must approve all covers. |
| 13.5.2 | Covering Prior to Match Day (a) Pennant Committee approved covers, properly laid and pegged, shall be laid by dusk on the day preceding a match day. The use of underlay material shall be optional but its use shall be the same in the period prior to each day of a two day match. (b) At all other times the curator shall be permitted to use the cover at his discretion to obtain the best possible conditions for play on a match day. (c) The Pennant Committee shall have power to waive the provision in 13.5.2(a) and instruct clubs that covers need not be laid on any specific day. |
| 13.5.3 | Removing Covers on Match Day In good conditions the cover shall be removed no later than 8.30 am. Otherwise removal shall be at the discretion of the curator or ground manager having regard to prevailing weather conditions and may be relaid if necessary. |
| 13.5.4 | Umpires' Control of Covers The umpires shall assume control immediately after the toss or 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start of each day's play, whichever is the earlier, and make all decisions regarding the use of the cover until the end of play. At all interruptions they shall direct and supervise the laying and removal of covers and report any failure of either side to comply with 13.5.5. |
| 13.5.5 | Labour for Laying or Removing Cover Until the scheduled starting time the home club shall provide any labour required for the laying or removal of the cover. After that time both sides shall assist with the laying and removal. |
| 13.5.6 | Conditions for Final Series Matches The provisions of 13.5 shall apply to final series matches in the absence of any specific direction from the Pennant Committee. The Committee shall be empowered to inspect finals venues and monitor prevailing and predicted weather conditions and to direct the home or host clubs to use covers at any time in the week preceding any day of a match. |
| 13.5.7 | Failure to Comply with Directions A club failing to comply with the directions in 13.5 may be dealt with under 1.2. |
