Daft rule regarding coverings

[Sureshot]

I'm currently doing an ECB umpiring course, and did you know that per the laws of the game, only the protected area of the pitch has to be covered? It is to be agreed between the groundsman and umpires before hand if it is to be covered across the whole pitch.

A rule back from the sticky dog days no doubt, could do with updating!

Also, it's against the rules for a batsman to run, not just off the protected zone, but the whole pitch. Never see the striker run off the cut strip, do you?

 

[aussie1st]

Strange indeed, don't think you would find any groundsmen not covering the whole pitch anyway but worth changing that just in case some cheap groundsmen only cover those protected area.

 

[MaD]

Hmm, I didn't know that, nobody ever told me it was a rule but there's no real need to get off anyways

 

[nightprowler10]

Is it costing you a pretty pence to do the umpiring course mate?

 

[Sureshot]

?30 for the course, will cost me ?48 in train fares...

 

[angryangy]

Strange indeed, don't think you would find any groundsmen not covering the whole pitch anyway but worth changing that just in case some cheap groundsmen only cover those protected area.

It's no issue at pro level, because they'd be punished by the administration for providing a sub-standard pitch. At low levels, I don't think anyone is fussed, they'd rather play the game than have to stop because the pitch cover isn't big enough.

 

[Sureshot]

It's a rule that is never adhered to, that is why it's not an issue. I've not known of a pitch that has had covers, to only cover the protected zone!

 

[Owzat]

re batsmen running off the pitch, well I guess the main reason they don't has to be to do with shorter distances in straight lines ie why run further than you have to?

And don't batsmen veer off the pitch to avoid the bowler? Also I guess it could cause problems with marking the crease in case of run-out calls, but don't runners run off the pitch?!? (where a batsman is hampered by injury he has a runner) You don't really focus much on the runner, but he has to be off the pitch and therefore run off it or he'd be in the way of the action surely.................................?

 

[Sureshot]

Well, the non-striker is pretty much always off the side of the pitch.