PLAYING CONDITIONS
and
MATCH HOSTING RESPONSIBILITIES
- UPDATED OCTOBER 2026 -
IN 2026, THE MCC ANNOUNCED IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS to the CODE OF LAWS - find out more here
1. The Laws of Cricket
Except as specially provided hereafter, the 2017 (2026) Code of the Laws of Cricket, together with the Playing Conditions as laid down by NZC will apply
2. Teams
The Zone will consist of the 6 North Island District Associations of Central Districts in a round robin competition – Hawke’s Bay, Horowhenua-Kāpiti, Manawatū, Taranaki, Wairarapa, Whanganui.
3. Match Manager
The host Association will appoint a Match Manager and advise teams and umpires. The Match Manager will be in attendance at all times but may delegate their responsibilities to a replacement if they need to leave the ground. The teams and umpires must be notified of the replacement at the next interval.
4. Hours of Play and Intervals
4.1 Session Times
10.30am – 1pm (2.30 – 38 overs)
1.40pm – 4pm (2.20 – 35 overs)
4.20pm – 6.30pm (2.10 – 32 overs).
4.2 Overs, Intervals and Readiness
A total of 105 overs will be bowled in the day. Two (2) overs are subtracted for each change of innings. A minimum of 15 overs will be bowled in the last hour of the match.
Players shall be ready to start on the field at the time set for the start of play and the resumption of play after a break. Drinks breaks are taken midway through each session at the discretion of the on-field umpires.
4.3 Additional Time on Day One
30 minutes of extra time can be played after the scheduled close of play on day 1 but at that point play shall cease regardless of whether the full quota of overs has been bowled. For example, a 6.30pm scheduled finish allows for play to continue until 7.00pm when the over being bowled is completed and time is called. Unbowled overs are lost.
The umpires are to be more demanding as they can be hurrying the over-rates along, with both the fielding and batting sides.
5. Weather Interference and/or Travel difficulties
Where owing to weather conditions or travel difficulties it has been decided no play is possible in the pre-lunch period, the time set down for the luncheon interval may be brought forward. Also in the event of delay due to weather conditions or travel difficulties the afternoon tea interval may be varied. Time will be made up on that day and/or subsequent days where weather, travel difficulties or any other unavoidable circumstance intervenes
6.1 Total Hours
The total hours of play (including all stoppages but excluding scheduled intervals) shall not exceed 14 hours in any match, except where necessary to allow the minimum number of overs to be bowled per day (105 overs) and in the last hour of the match (15 overs).
6.2 Calculation of lost time (excluding change of innings)
For every four (4) minutes of lost time, deduct one over. The major consideration with delays should be to recommence play as soon as possible. Co-operation is required between Captains/Coaches/Umpires. Note: Discussions on the resumption of play involves the umpires and the captains only.
7. Length of Innings
There is no restriction on the length of an innings. A new ball becomes available after 70 overs
8. Points system
8.1 First innings Bonus points:
Bonus points: Four batting and four bowling bonus points are available in each team's first innings.
Batting bonus points are awarded at 150, 200, 250 and 300 runs. (In the first 80 overs only).
Bowling bonus points are awarded on taking 3, 5, 7 and 9 wickets as at the conclusion of the innings.
8.2 Match points:
Win on first innings: 5 points
Outright win, having won on the first innings: 8 points (5+3)
Outright win, having tied on the first innings: 5.5 points (2.5+3)
Outright win, having been behind on the first innings: 6
Win on the first innings, loss outright: 5
Tie on the first innings: 2.5 each
Tie on the first innings, outright loss: 2.5
Outright tie: 2 each
Outright tie, having won on the first innings: 7
Outright tie, having lost on the first innings: 2
No result, fewer than 1.5 sessions played (fewer than 53 overs): 6 each
No result, less than a day played (105 overs or fewer): 3 each
No result, more than a day played (more than 105 overs): 1 each
Abandoned or raind off game 8 each
Win by default: Maximum points in the respective round (includes outright bonus points)
All results above are in addition to any bonus points earned. First-innings points are retained in every case.
8.3 Additional Outright Bonus Points
Won Outright by an Innings: 2 bonus points
8.4 Tied Scores
An outright tie occurs only when the scores are level and the team batting last is all out.
9. Zone Results and Winner
At the conclusion of each game the Host Association is responsible for ensuring that the result and scorecard are entered as a true and accurate record on PlayHQ. This includes the score at 80 overs in each team's first innings.
Central Districts will keep a points table and advise associations of the points on Monday afternoon.
In the event of a tie, on points, the tiebreaker will be applied as follows:
- Most Outright wins
- Best net runs per wicket. Net runs per wicket is calculated by taking the runs per wicket for and deducting the runs per wicket against.
The Zone winner will win the right to the Zone 2 Challenge. If for any reason the Zone winner is unable to fulfil the challenge obligations, then the second-placed team will become the Challenger.
10. Umpires
Umpires appointments will be made by Central Districts Cricket Associations (CDCA) and notified to the Districts or placed on the CDCA website. All travel logistics will be done by CDCA.
11. Balls
Associations are to provide their own 4 piece Kookaburra Regulation 156 gram balls for the matches. Ideally replacement balls in varying conditions of use should be available if needed.
12. Covers
Host Association will ensure adequate covers are available where possible to cover the block and where possible the bowlers' run ups. Both teams will assist with covers on match days
13. Scoreboard
The Host Association will provide a suitable scoreboard
14. Scorers
Each match is to have two scorers. The Host Association will provide at least one scorer. Any visiting team scorer is to be notified to the host association 7 days prior to the match. If a visiting team is not able to provide a scorer, they must liaise directly with the Host Association to ensure that two scorers are present at the match.
PlayHQ live scoring is to be utilised where possible during the match, with scorers ensuring that final scorecards – including first-innings scores at 80 overs – are entered correctly.
15. Player Eligibility
As per New Zealand Cricket Playing Conditions applying to the Hawke Cup.
16. Nomination of Players - Law 1.2
For each match teams may be composed of twelve players.
(a) Prior to the toss for each match team captains must provide opposing captains and the umpires a list of their batting XI and their Fielding XI. The player left out of the Fielding XI will act as a 12th man for the fielding portions of the match. (i.e. the player may bat in the Batting XI but may not bowl)
(b) The 12th man may be rotated on and off the field acting as substitute fielder bearing in mind the rules of cricket in terms of eligibility to bowl and bat in relationship to a player’s time off the field still apply. Sensible rotation is expected. It is recommended that players are rotated on and off at breaks in play ie drinks, lunch and tea, unless a replacement is necessary due to injury or sickness. Persistent rotation of a bowler or bowlers, after short spells, is not deemed to be a “sensible” reason for a substitution
(c) No player (batsman/batter) can only bat in the match and not take part in the field
17. Catering
The Host Association to provide a light morning and afternoon tea and lunch for players and umpires and relevant officials. Lunch shall be of a good nutritious standard suitable for fulfilling the needs of the athletes
The following catering guidelines should apply -
Hot dish / selection salads / rolls etc / fruit
Morning / afternoon tea optional
Ice to be provided
Player drinks will be available, at all times, during the game
Dietary requirements – Associations liaise with their opposition around ensuring dietary requirements are catered for.
18. Dressing Rooms
Host Association to provide clean and tidy dressing rooms for players and umpires. At the conclusion of the match, teams are required to leave the rooms in the condition in which they found them
19. Code of Conduct
All Central Districts Cricket Association administered tournaments and competitions are governed by the NZC Community Cricket Code of Conduct. A copy of this document will be made available to each competing district prior to the start of each seasons competition.
20. Match Reports
The Captain’s Report on Umpires form can be found on the Central Districts Cricket Association website.
Click on CDCA Competitions and choose your competition, then click on Captain’s Umpires Report [scroll up to the top of this page for the button].
Complete report and submit. Captains will need to know the respective umpires’ names.
It is recommended that this form is completed straight after the game. If no completed report is received from a participating Furlong Cup team by 5pm on the following Wednesday, after the scheduled game, 4 points will be deducted from that team in the Furlong Cup points table
21. Travel and Accommodation
Each Association is responsible for organising its own travel and accommodation. Prior to making accommodation bookings, the visiting association should make contact with the host District Association to ascertain whether there are any sponsorship relationships that can be taken into account.
Accommodation for umpires is arranged by CDCA.
22. Disputes
Any query regarding matches will be referred to CDCA who will rule on the point at issue or arrange to obtain a ruling.
23. Helmets
A copy of the NZC Helmet policy will be made available to each competing District prior to the start of each season’s competition. The NZC Helmet policy is adopted in full for the Furlong Cup competition.
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