Wet Weather and Extreme Weather Policy

Whether play goes ahead depends on the state of the match, the umpires’ judgement and the condition of the ground. The decision to continue or abandon rests with the accredited umpire.

Rain, or lightning threatening

The umpires confer and decide whether it is safe for play to start, or to resume if the match is already under way.

• If both umpires agree that player safety is not threatened and damage to the playing area is unlikely, play continues.
• If the umpires do not agree, and in the opinion of one umpire continuing would threaten player safety or damage the playing area, play is suspended. If play is under way the players leave the field, and once they are off the field play does not resume.

In that event neither team gains an advantage, such as a forfeit, unless a team can show the league that the suspension was unwarranted and was deliberately intended to create an advantage.

Lightning

If thunder follows a lightning flash by thirty seconds or less, anyone in the open is at risk of being struck. Play must stop immediately and everybody — players, officials and spectators — must take cover. Do not shelter under trees, and avoid contact with plumbing.

Play must not resume until thirty minutes after the last lightning flash followed by thunder within thirty seconds. The thirty-minute wait restarts after each new strike inside that limit.

Adjustments for lost time apply. Where an adjustment would mean the minimum number of overs cannot be achieved under the competition rules, the umpires may call the match abandoned immediately.

Where lightning has stopped matches in an area, all matches at grounds in that area that are not already complete may be deemed a draw by the committee — even if the teams choose to play on, which would contravene this rule.

Grounds closed by the council

Where a council has closed grounds, the tournament follows that council’s advice.

If grounds are open at the weekend but were closed during the week, players report to the venue and an assessment is made in the days beforehand. If the ground is not fit for play, the event is cancelled.

Judging whether a ground is fit

The safety of players and the protection of the ground both matter. Where there is doubt:

• Are there pools of water or slippery surfaces in the bowlers’ run-up?
• Does surface water appear when walking on the ground?
• If play went ahead, how likely is considerable damage to the facilities?

Tournament managers may issue updates on whether matches or days of play are abandoned, and may pass that to coaches and team managers so players and parents are told.