A Call to the Pitch: Unite, Play, Inspire!

Dear Wonderful Members of the Ecumenical Council of Kerala Christians,

Get ready for something truly special! A new day is dawning for our beloved community, and it's bringing with it the exciting sound of cricket bats meeting balls! The Ecumenical Council of Kerala Christians (ECKC) is absolutely thrilled to announce our Inaugural ECKC Cricket Tournament – this is going to be a fantastic event, set to become a real highlight of our time together, full of fellowship and pure joy.

This isn't just any tournament; it's an open invitation to add some wonderful new chapters to the beautiful story of our shared faith and heritage. We're extending a warm, heartfelt welcome to every single one of our cherished member churches to bring your energy, put together your best teams, and join us on the pitch!

Just imagine the excitement: the friendly chats, the healthy competition, the cheers ringing out as we bring back a sport we all love right here in our own community. This tournament is a perfect chance to relive those treasured memories of playing cricket as kids – those easygoing afternoons spent perfecting our shots and celebrating every wicket with pure, unadulterated excitement. It's a brilliant opportunity to catch up with old friends, make some new ones, and really strengthen that amazing spirit of unity that connects us all as the body of Christ.

But this big event is more than just a trip down memory lane. It's also a really important way to pass on our passion to the next generation. When you participate, you're not just showing off your cricket skills; you're also teaching our young people about teamwork, discipline, and healthy competition. You're inspiring them to get active, to build friendships across different churches, and to carry forward the flame of community and shared enthusiasm. Let them see the happiness, the good sportsmanship, and the lively fellowship that makes us who we are, and in doing so, we'll plant the seeds for future generations of ECKC cricketers and leaders.

Let's work together to make this very first tournament a huge success, a true reflection of our collective strength and excitement. Your involvement isn't just about playing a game; it's about building fellowship, creating a legacy, and contributing to the bright future of the ECKC.

So, gather your teams, get those bats ready, and prepare for an experience you won't soon forget. Let the spirit of cricket bring us closer, inspire us all, and create memories that we'll treasure for many years to come.

We can't wait to see you on the field!

High Level Details

Program Coordinator: Riyo Rajan

Venue: Strawberry Knoll Park, Gaithersburg

Date and Time : August 30 Saturday 7.30 AM to 4.00 PM

Registration Fees: $120/team

Payment: can be made via Zelle to ECKC Treasurer Mr. Bixa Kurian Kanneth at +1 757-374 2746

High Level Game Details

Overs: 8

Players: 8/team

Registration Form

Tournament Rules

The organizing committee reserves the right to revise the rules at their sole discretion.

Registration Fee & Awards:

Each participating team must submit a registration fee of $120.00 by August 24, 2025.
Payment can be made via Zelle to ECKC Treasurer Mr. Bixa Kurian Kanneth at +1 757-374 2746
Trophies will be awarded to both the winners and the runners-up.

Player Eligibility

All players must be members of churches affiliated ECKC. Prior to the tournament, players should be verified by the Vicars of their respective churches.
Players from various churches affiliated with ECKC can combine to form a team. Players belonging to the majority representation within a team may name their team after their church.

Team Roster

Each team can have a maximum of 15 players on their roster.
The final roster must be emailed to the organizers by the end of the day on August 28,2025.

Points System

Win – 2 points
Tie/Abandoned Match – 1 point

Rules and Regulations

Matches will follow the latest M.C.C laws of cricket, which includes the ICC Standard T20 Playing Conditions (effective January 2022-2017 CODE 3RD EDITION 2022), except as may be varied in these rules and regulations.
Additional nonstandard cricketing rules may be applied with mutual agreement from team captains.

Playing Area

Pitch Length: 22 yards
Boundary Distance: 50 yards from the center
Inner Circle: 30 yards
Bowling from one end only

League Round

The number of pools and total matches will be decided based on team registrations.
Each team is guaranteed to play at least 2 matches before the finals
Teams will play a round-robin format in their respective pools. Each team will play a minimum of 2 matches.

Game Format

League Matches – 8-over games
Finals – 8-over game
The committee reserves the right to reduce the number of overs based on the situation.
In a 6-over game, a maximum of 2 overs can be bowled by two bowlers, while all other bowlers can bowl a maximum of 1 over.
In an 8-over game, any bowler can bowl a maximum of 2 overs.

Finals Qualification

Teams will be ranked based on:

Total Points -> Net Run Rate (NRR) -> Number of Wins -> Win Percentage -> Head-to-Head results
The top 2 teams will advance to the Finals.
If the Finals ends in a tie, a Super Over will determine the win

Tournament Guidelines

The schedule will be released in advance, and all teams must adhere to it.
Matches will be played with hard tennis balls.
Teams must bring their own gear (except balls, wickets, and boundary markers, which will be provided).
Umpires will be selected from non-playing teams.
Scoring:
- Cricclubs app will be used for official scoring
- Paper scoring may be used as a secondary method
- The batting team’s score is final unless disputed and corrected
- Umpires must sign off on the score at the end of each inning and at the end of the game.
If a non-playing team fails to provide umpires, two points will be deducted from their overall points.
Before the toss, both captains must have a printed list of names, with a clearly marked playing 8.
Each team must consist of at least 8 players at the time of the toss.
To qualify for Finals, players must have played at least one of the regular-league games.
Both teams must arrive at the ground at least 30 minutes before the start of play. If a team is not ready to play 30 minutes past the start time, the opposing team will receive points for the game. For every 5-minute delay, the late team will lose one over when they bat, and the other team will get the full allotted overs.
If a team does not show up or is more than 30 minutes late past the start time, the offending team will lose the game.
The playing conditions will be determined by the umpires in consultation with the captains. In the event of any weather-related interruptions or delays, the decision to continue play will be made by the umpires/organizers with a primary concern for the safety of the players.

Code of Conduct

Players are expected to maintain the spirit of the game by following these principles

Fair Play and Sportsmanship - Show respect for opponents, officials, and the game.
Adherence to rules - Follow all game rules, including those on equipment, conduct, and scoring.
Respect for opponents - Treat all players with dignity, regardless of background or skill level.
Safe and inclusive environment - Avoid discrimination, harassment, or actions that endanger others.
Respect umpiring decisions - Accept umpire rulings without dispute.
No abusive language - Refrain from using offensive remarks or gestures.
Game integrity - Avoid match-fixing, bribery, or corruption.
Care for equipment and facilities - Use tournament-provided gear responsibly.
Fair play - Compete honestly and avoid unfair advantages.
Follow match officials’ instructions - Adhere to safety protocols and any schedule or format changes.
Violations of this code may result in penalties, including disqualification.

Super Over

In the event of a tie in the final match, an additional "Super Over" will be played to determine the winner. The Super Over involves a one-over per side, where each team faces a single over of six deliveries.
Each team selects a bowler and three batsmen to participate in a one-over "Super Over."
The same ball used in the match will be used in the Super Over.
The team that batted second in the match will bat first in the Super Over.
The batting team can lose only two wickets, and if they do, their innings will come to an end.

If the scores are tied at the end of the Super Over:

The team that hit the most sixes in the match will be declared the winner.
If that is also tied, the team with the most fours will be declared the winner.
If still equal, a count-back from the final ball of the one-over eliminator will be conducted. The team with the higher scoring delivery will be declared the winner.
If a team loses two wickets during its over, any unbowled deliveries will be counted as dot balls.
For this purpose, the runs scored from a delivery is defined as the total team runs scored since the completion of the previous legitimate ball, including any runs resulting from wide,no ball, or penalty runs.

Weather Interruptions

Before the start of a game
- A match shall consist of a minimum of 5 overs per team.
- A maximum of 2 overs can be bowled by one bowler, while all other bowlers can bowl a maximum of 1 over.
Weather interruptions after the start of a game:
- The team batting second must have played at least 5 overs to obtain a result.
- If a game is interrupted by weather and deemed unplayable, the winner will be decided by the Duckworth Lewis Calculator. No rescheduling such games.

Fielding Restrictions

Only 2 fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle during the powerplay.
6 overs: The first over will be mandatory Powerplay.
8 Overs: The first 2 overs will be mandatory Powerplay.
After the powerplay overs, when playing in a proper cricket field where a 30-yard circle is valid, at all times the fielding team should have 4 players inside the 30-yard circle, not including the bowler and wicket-keeper at the point of delivery.
Violation will be a No Ball, resulting in one extra run and an extra delivery.
The main umpire will make the final call.
No more than 5 fielders are allowed on the On Side. If a team violates this rule, it will result in a No Ball being called.

Fielding Substitutions:

- Allowed at the umpire's discretion and at a reasonable level.
- The player being substituted must stay on the field throughout the entirety of the game, except in circumstances requiring urgent medical attention.

Ball Pitching Outside of the Pitch

- If ball pitches outside of the pitch or corner of the pitch then it shall be called no-ball followed by free hit.

Player arriving late or leaving the field of play

- If a player is arriving after the completion of 2 overs or has been off the field for more than 2 overs, then they can come to bat/bowl only after 2 overs or 2 wickets fall, whichever comes first.
- If a player is arriving after the completion of 3 overs or has been off the field for more than 3 overs, then they can come to bat/bowl only after 3 overs or 3 wickets fall, whichever comes first.
- If a player is arriving after the completion of 4 overs or has been off the field for more than 4 overs, then they can come to bat/bowl only after 4 overs or 4 wickets fall, whichever comes first.
- If a player arrives after the completion of the first innings, they won't be allowed to bat or bowl during the second innings.
- No bye-runners are allowed at any point during the play.
- However, if a batter gets injured, they can retire hurt and come back later, but only after two wickets have fallen or two overs have been bowled, whichever comes first.

Scoring

- Byes and overthrows are possible means of scoring runs.
- LBW decisions will not be applicable.
- No runs will be awarded for leg byes.
- For wide and no ball, an extra delivery is awarded, and 1 run is awarded to the batting team.
- Any delivery on the leg side of a batsman that doesn't make contact with the bat or any part of his person, or any delivery that bounces over the batsman's head, will be called a wide.
- A bowler can bowl one over the shoulder delivery in an over.
- A delivery over the waist of the batsman will be called a No-Ball.
- The batsman can get out with a valid delivery that shoots through the pitch. There is no dead ball called for such a delivery.
- Free hits shall be given for all No Balls.

No-ball Rule for Height

- A bowler can bowl one over the shoulder delivery in 1 over
- First instance:
  - If the ball is delivered above the batsman's shoulder but below the head, the umpire shall issue a warning to the bowler.
  - If the ball is delivered over the batsman’s shoulder and head, umpire shall signal a wide ball
- Second instance:
  - If the ball is delivered above the batsman's shoulder but below the head, the umpire shall signal a no-ball.
- If the ball is delivered over the batsman’s shoulder and head, umpire shall signal a no-ball.

Mankading

- The fielding side is required to give a warning to the backing up non-striker or umpire
- The bowler is permitted, until the ball is released, to attempt to run out the non-striker.
- Whether the attempt is successful or not, the ball shall not count as one of the over. If the bowler fails in an attempt to run out the non-striker, the umpire shall call and signal the ball dead as soon as possible

Umpires

- Each team must have two available umpires.
- The organizing committee will make reasonable efforts to ensure umpire neutrality. However, final umpire selection is at the sole discretion of the organizing committee.
- Umpires shall be the sole decision makers on the field, and any disputes must be raised but cannot be argued on the field.
- The Leg Umpire is responsible for signaling a wide ball that goes over the head, but the main umpire makes the final call.
- Similarly, any umpire can signal a no ball that goes over the waist, but the main umpire is the one who makes the final decision.

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