Eagles Indoor Cricket – Rules, Regulations & Playing Conditions

1. Committee & Governance

The Eagles Indoor Cricket Committee oversees all decision‑making, rule updates, and operational matters. All players must follow the rules, values, and updates issued by the committee.

• Weekly match fees are determined solely by the committee.
• Players may offer suggestions face‑to‑face after matches, but cannot dispute decisions in the group.
• Core committee members: Mehdi, Moin, Shafiq, plus rotating additional members.
• The indoor WhatsApp group is strictly for match‑related communication.
• All players must uphold Eagles values: Respect • Enjoy • Fair Play.

2. Match Booking & Participation

• All players must follow the current booking system.
• Carry‑forward payments do not provide booking priority.
• Matches start on time even if players are late.
• No replacement fielders are allowed for late arrivals.
• Players must respect all committee and captain decisions.

3. Umpiring Rules

3.1 Umpire Authority

• The umpire’s call is final.
• Players must not argue with umpires.
• If a team has concerns, only the captain may raise it with the other captain or request committee review later.
• Umpires will not be removed due to complaints.
• Main umpire makes final decisions on wides, run‑outs, no‑balls, and bouncers.
• Leg umpires/scorers assist but cannot override the main umpire.

3.2 Player Behaviour Toward Umpires

• Players must communicate concerns only through their captain.
• Captains are responsible for controlling their players’ behaviour.
• Committee intervenes only for serious on‑field issues.

4. No‑Ball Rules 

4.1 Waist‑High Full Toss 

A full toss above waist height is one of the most disputed calls. These rules remove all ambiguity:

1. Any full toss above the batter’s waist (in normal stance) is a NO‑BALL.
   • Applies to all bowlers (fast, medium, slow, spin). 
   • Umpires do not judge the ball’s speed or height after passing the batter. Does not matter whether the bowl will fall down once it passes the batter. 
2. Exception: If the ball hits the wicket directly before touching bat or batter → OUT.
   • Prevents batters from stepping away to claim a free hit.
3. If the ball hits the bat first and then the wicket → NO‑BALL.
4. Runs on a no‑ball:
   • Batter receives N1 + any runs scored (N2, N3, N4, etc.).
5. Next ball is a FREE HIT.
   • Batter cannot be out except:
     • Run out
     • Stumped
     • Hit wicket
     • Obstructing the field
   • If bowled or caught on a free hit, batter may still run and those runs count.
6. If the free hit is also a wide or no‑ball → next ball is again a free hit.
7. If the batter steps out of the crease and moves down the wicket:
   • A high full toss is NOT a no‑ball.

4.2 Bouncer Rules

1. One bouncer per over allowed (above shoulder, below head).
2. Second bouncer in the same over = NO‑BALL (N1).
3. Any ball above the batter’s head = WIDE, and also counts as the bouncer.
4. Umpire’s judgement on height is final.

4.3 Double Bounce Rule

• If the ball bounces twice before reaching the batter → NO‑BALL.

5. Wide Ball Rules (Fully Explained)

1. Any leg‑side ball that hits nothing (bat, pad, stump) = WIDE.
2. Any ball above the batter’s head = WIDE.
3. Off‑side wides follow the standard indoor wide line.
4. Batter movement does not matter, considering the wide lines. 
5. Wides add 1 run + any runs scored.

6. Run‑Out Rules 

1. Main umpire has final say on run‑outs.
2. Close calls always favour the batter (benefit of doubt).
3. Batter must have bat or body grounded behind the line.
4. Bat on the line but not behind it → OUT.
5. If the bat bounces up during a dive, nothing is grounded → OUT.
6. Ricochet off bat, pad, or fielder → still out if short.
7. Ball hitting stumps after roof/net → still out if short.

7. Benefit of the Doubt 

To maintain fairness and reduce disputes:

• Close run‑outs → NOT OUT.
• Close catches → NOT OUT unless umpire clearly sees a clean catch.
• Close stumpings → NOT OUT unless 100% certain.
• Close no‑ball height calls → NO‑BALL.
• Close wides → WIDE.

8. Bowling Rules

• Same bowler cannot bowl 2 overs to the same batting pair.
• If a bowler bowls an extra ball due to scorer error, the bowling captain decides if it counts.
• All no‑ball rules apply consistently.

9. Fielding Rules

• Maximum 2 fielders allowed on the long boundary.
• All players must rotate through umpiring, scoring, and operational duties.
• Fielding structure: 5 in front, 5 behind the half‑crease.

10. Dot‑Ball Rule

• Three consecutive dot balls = OUT.

11. Captaincy Rules

• Captains must manage player behaviour and uphold Eagles values.
• Players must express interest in captaincy to the committee.
• Vice‑captaincy may be used to support captains.

12. 10‑a‑Side (20 Over) Match Rules

1. Each team bats and bowls 20 overs.
2. Each bowler bowls 2 overs, but one bowler may bowl 3 overs (captain’s call).
3. Fielding structure: 5 in front, 5 behind the half‑crease.
4. If players are missing, captains may reshuffle teams and allow 3–4 bowlers to bowl 3 overs.
5. If odd number of players, captains decide the last batting pair.

13. Specific Match rules for 8 a side match (20 Overs)

1. 4 bowlers will bowl 3 overs, and 4 bowlers will bowl 2 overs each.
2. 4 players fields in front of the half crease and 4 fielders behind the half crease. 
3. Captains will decide who will bat with the last pair if we have an odd number of players.

14. Specific Match rules for 8a side match (16 Overs)

1. Each bowler will bowl 2 overs each. However, as per the captain’s call, 2 bowlers can bowl a maximum of 3 overs. 
2. 4 players fields in front of the half crease and 4 fielders behind the half crease. 
3. if we have less players on the match day (last minute drop out), captains can shuffle the team, and 3/4 bowlers can bowl a maximum of 3 overs as per both captain’s calls. 
4. Captains will decide who will bat with the last pair if we have an odd number of players.