Rules of Super 4s Cricket

Introduction

Super 4s Cricket is a specialised form of 'back-yard' cricket played on any grass or synthetic grass tennis court. Only four players represent the fielding team on the ground, thus the name of the game.

Rules of Play

General Procedure

Super 4s cricket proceeds very similarly to normal cricket. Bowlers alternate overs and a lineup of batsmen score runs until dismissed. In Super 4s only one end is used for bowling and the other used for batting.

Bowling

Any fielding player may bowl, and standard cricketing rules governing the bowler's action apply although concessions will often be made for less skilled bowlers. Extras such as no balls and wides are included (as well as leg byes but these scarcely occur in Super 4s and generally are attributed as runs). Overs consist of six balls and a bowler may not bowl successive overs. Also, in general Super 4s play each player on the fielding team MUST bowl at least one over per innings if possible. This rule may only be breached with prior agreement between teams.

Batting

Usually only a single batsman stands in the field, with the remainder of the batting team used as scorers, umpires or fielders if necessary. Batsmen may request a change of ball or bat anytime during their innings when play is stopped. The batting order is usually pre-determined by team captains, but may be altered without restriction during the game.

Fielding

The fielding team consists of a bowler and three designated fielders. There is a maximum of one outfielder allowed (not including the bowler); the outfield is defined as the half of the court (as divided by the net posts) that includes the bowling end. A typical fielding pattern including an offside fielder, a legside fielder, an outfielder and a bowler is illustrated below. If a team requires an extra fielder from the other team, any player except the batsman on strike may be selected, but over the course of the match, each fielding player must be chosen with approximately equal frequency. Substitutions which violate this rule are only allowed if the 'renegade fielder' rule applies - when there is a consensus on both teams that the extra fielder is playing unfairly or is biased in his actions.

Dismissals

Most standard cricketing dismissals are included in Super 4s. Super 4s dismissals are:

Bowled. The batsman's wicket is hit by the ball during a delivery.
Caught. The ball is caught on the full by a fielder off the batsman's bat.
Caught Behind. The ball hits, on the full, the wicketkeeping wall after hitting the batsman's bat off a delivery.
Caught Off Fence. A fielder takes a one-handed catch off any fence except the back fence, in the play that the ball has hit off the bat on the full.
Run Out. Either wicket is hit by the ball from a fielder when the batsman is between wickets, during play.
Hit Wicket. The batsman's wicket is hit by the bat during a delivery.
Leg Before Wicket. When the ball is judged to have been prevented from hitting the batsman's wicket by the batsman's leg pad. L.B.W. only applies for batsman who choose to wear leg pads.
Stumped. The ball rebounds off the wicketkeeper wall and hits the stumps while the batsman is out of his crease.
Retired. The batsman retires, in order to preserve a 'not out' score. This is only allowed after a minimum number of overs (agreed upon before the start of play). This number is usually at least four.

Other rare dismissals such as retired hurt, timed out, ball handling and hitting the ball twice are identical to standard cricket.

Scoring

Runs are normally scored as boundaries or singles. Typical singles' zones are shown shaded yellow below. Different run allocations for boundaries are also shown below. Any obstacle inside the field of play e.g. net posts, debris, hedges/bushes, are counted as part of the ground. Play continues even if these obstacles cause interference with the ball. If the ball appears lost in the field of play, the batsman may score a maximum of two runs, but does so at a risk of being run out if the ball is located.

Statistics

The scorer records the game, keeping standard cricket statistics such as runs, wickets, how out, maidens, etc. Each day's play should be recorded with these basic cricketing statistics kept. The scoring format and method is illustrated and explained below:

The statistics in blue ink are those kept during play, and written after a dismissal (or not out/retired) for batsmen and at the end of an over (or of an innings) for for bowlers. Each batsman's innings is recorded by the total score and the dismissal method, thus crediting fielding and bowlers. Abbreviations for the most common dismissal types are shown - bowled (b.), caught (c.), caught behind (cw.), caught and bowled (c&b.), run out (r.o.), not out (n.o.), stumped (st.) and hit out. Other dismissals with official abbreviations are leg before wicket (l.b.w.) and hit wicket (hit wkt.). These abbreviations are subject to significant variation. Each bowler's over is recorded by simply the runs conceded (including extras) and the number of wickets and then circled. If an over is incomplete then the number of balls effectively delivered must also be put inside the over oval.

At the end of the day's play, the statistics are summarised, like in the sample sheet on the right in black ink. Basic statistics are innings, not outs, runs, high scores, catches, run outs, overs, maidens, runs conceded, wickets and best bowling in a complete over. In addition, any scores of 15 or over and 20 or over are tallied in separate columns if necessary and the same applies for two wickets and three wickets in an over.

Miscellaneous Rules

Interruption of Play

Play should only be halted after an innings is complete; drinks and meals breaks are up to the discretion of team captains.

Slagging, Bagging, Trash-talking, Pay-outs

Such behaviour is generally tolerated by Super 4s players and officials except in extreme maniacal instances. Sportsmanlike carriage is assumed of all participants and any confrontations should be limited to off-field conduct. In the case of any boilovers, any number of uninvolved players are encouraged to objectively diffuse such a situation through non-abusive media such as discussion. The only exception is that players are allowed to use the catch-phrase 'Shut up, Mark!' to prevent excessive dialogue from M. Novakovic.

Streaking, Nudees

Except in the case of 'the-girl-next-door', the excessive removal of clothing and any resulting unwarranted exhibitions should be limited to comic value only.

The Ground

The ground is setup as shown:

N.B. The length of the pitch is not standard, and is determined by the curator.

The Surface

The ground and pitch surface is identical, but subject to wear and tear generated by Super 4s play. Protection from such damage is the responsibility of the curator and any additional playing layers or surfaces may thus be used in corresponding areas, subject to general approval by senior Super 4s players.

Officials

The curator is, without consultation, wholly responsible (unless deemed otherwise by the curator) for the keeping of the ground and the pitch and the setup of the wickets. Close decisions in the field are normally given the 'benefit of the doubt' unless an unbiased clear majority consensus is achieved. In the case of leg before wicket dismissals, a number of players (usually including the outfielder and/or scorer) will be assigned as umpires. Only the scorer or outfielder may judge no balls. Wides may be judged by consensus by any number of players NOT including the bowler. The scorer is positioned just outside the entrance gap (marked above).

The Equipment

In general, any legal cricketing equipment is allowed in Super 4s play. There are a few important exceptions, these being:

Balls - No standard cricket balls are used in play. Super 4s balls consist of festy old tennis balls or ex-cricket balls covered with layers of electrical tape; the wide 'seam' being formed by several extra lashings of tape. The construction of these balls is up to the curator - significant variation in the balls' weight, hardness, consistency, shape and size is allowed as long as the balls are supplied by the curator and are allowed to be played by either team.
Resulting differences in performance of the balls is a part of the Super 4s play. The only exception is when balls are seriously damaged in play or are worn or melted significantly by the elements, in which case, the curator will judge whether the ball is to be discarded, repaired or played on. If a team secretly uses a ball previously deemed non-playable it will be seen as ball tampering. Such an offence carries a serious penalty, and the offending side will be sentenced immediately after the offence, by the curator and any other designated officials.
There are two composition types for the ball tape; a softer, thicker and more flexible inner tape (containing reinforcing thread) and a harder, thinner and more brittle surface tape. The tennis ball rubberised inner inside provides the bounce of the balls, the outer tennis ball fur and the inner tape layers are responsible for the deadening effect of cricket balls, and the outer hard shell is formed by the outer tape that is similiar to cricket balls in feel and durability.
The wide range of Super 4s balls can be approximately categorised:

Seamed
The main Super 4s ball, this ball is relatively heavy and carries a large seam. Most are uniformly coloured white or red, and are used extensively by both spin bowlers and pacemen. Nearly all balls of this type have been worn significantly, with small tears and shreds in the surface tape and some melting also.
Light
Like the preceding ball, but smaller and lighter. This ball still carries a large seam, but it is usually coloured different to the rest of the ball. This is a relatively new breed of ball, and thus is composed of colours such as yellow, red and black. This ball is preferred by recreational spinners.
Bouncer
A light, uniformly white ball, with less than average size and mass. Ideal for pace bowlers who use bounce or for those attempting a quicker delivery, but the lack of a sizeable seam makes it virtually useless for any sort of turn, whether it be spin or swing.
Black Magic
The supreme mystery ball, containing one larger, heavier rough side and one smaller, lighter smooth side. A large seam is also featured. The two sides are made with different coloured tape, with one side typically made using black tape.
Stumps - One-piece metal stumps, painted white, are supplied by the curator and are the only stumps to be used in play.
Shoes - No spiked shoes nor any shoes that leave marks on any part of the ground are allowed. Additionally, it is illegal to wear shoes with disturbing effects, whether it be emission of unparalleled foot odours or the transmission of sunlight via reflective strips on the footwear concerned..
Curator's Bat - The curator's bat is not allowed to be used by virtue of its inherent cash value and the possiblity of damage from Super 4s balls.
Gloves - Batsmen are allowed non-standard gloves while at the crease unless otherwise deemed by the curator and/or match officials. As in standard cricket, the gloves will then be treated as part of the player's bat. The fielding team may wear only standard cricket gloves, including both batting and wicketkeeping gloves.
Apparel - Virtually any clothing is allowed in Super 4s play, unless deemed offensive or hazardous (by physical appearance, nature or odour) to either the playing ground, other players or the concerned player by a general consensus of on-field players.

Additionally, there is the restriction that any player wearing leg pads MAY be dismissed leg before wicket.

Match Types

Test Matches [Players: 6/7/8]: In these matches, a set number of innings for play is determined; usually at least three innings. Teams typically play each innings until dismissal, otherwise they must declare after a certain number of overs (minimum: 4). The team with the highest run total for their innings is the winner.
First-Class Matches [Players: 5]: Players are not assigned to teams in these games, but rather it is 'every man for himself'. That is, each player in turn becomes the lone batsman against the other four players (one bowling, three fielding). Each player's maximum batting time is a minimum four overs, and at least three innings in total must be played.
One Day Matches [Players: ?]: The proposed format for these matches is to use an identical system as for test matches, but to keep a complete score of balls faced so a strike rate for batsmen can be calculated. Another idea is to allow more generous wickets, by giving each batter in a team's lineup one or more extra 'lives' to use up in the limited overs.

Super 4s History

Super 4s rules have been in evolution since the first Test Match played on 23 August 1997. Prior to this, friendly games without strong Super 4s competitiveness and team loyalties were played.

Rule Changes and Statistical Anomalies

In the inaugural Test Match, no ball was allowed to be hit out of the playing court for any runs and was scored as 'hit out'. Several players were dismissed this way, particularly slogger Adrian Korbel who hit-out several times in the opening two Super 4s matches. Another significant rule difference was running between wickets - 'hit and run' style play was used in the first two games, with run-outs not recorded as fielding credits, but as bowling wickets. As a result, bowling figures were much better in general for even incompetent slow deliveries.

Soon after the second game, the pitch length was increased. Also, proper sized stumps replaced the original white wooden chairs (larger than real stumps) that were used. Additionally, hit-out rules were modified, allowing the current system of run boundary allocations and significantly, the 'hit-and-run' rules were revoked. By this time, scoring methods and statistics kept were standardised to include information such as fielding statistics and maidens.

Following another two games, additional rules were made. The loss of the ball in obstacles was given a two-run maximum, with the batsman still being able to be run out in the process of finding the ball. Catching off the bounce one-handed was reduced to only off the front and side fences, not off the ground. After another game in which spinner Charles Liu was continually hooked for three runs, the leg side boundary run values were reduced.

As a result of these rule changes, all of which have been hailed as 'indisputably brilliant' improvements by the majority of players, including those with greatest attendance and the curator, statistics are not completely consistent. Run-outs were not recorded in the early parts of the competition and attributed instead as wickets, thus improving many bowling statistics. Other rule changes have also advantaged and disadvantaged various players, but overall these modifications have been deemed both worthy and correct. The general consensus is to continue playing as many games as possible to smooth out these errors, and accordingly, Super 4s statistical leaders must have played a certain minimum number of overs or innings to be included in top average categories.

Some subtle but significant changes were introduced when the second Super 4s season finally began in the 1999/2000 summer. Sixes could now be scored, for the first time, square of the wicket if two fences were cleared in the direction of square leg. The clearing of one fence was still two or three runs. William Lin was the first player to make use of this rule when he clipped an Adrian Korbel delivery for the first ever Super 4s square leg six. A less subtle change was the further lengthening of the pitch to almost cricket pitch length. As a result of this rule, only daring and quick players who could regularly accurately judge runs were able to take singles and placement and timing became important if batsmen were to play shots along the ground. Another change of note was the new structure for a day's play. Several short two innings test matches were played allowing players to constantly change teammates as well as face a good variety of bowling. The shorter games allowed Super 4s to more closely mimic the 'slog-overs' of one day cricket with shots in the air dangerous but necessary, but also rewarded with big runs and traditional good cricket shots receiving less reward with more defensive and run saving fields. The quick games also led to the new "Player of the Day" award to replace the previous "Man of the Match" award. Finally, more statistics were also kept, including no balls, wides, balls faced and ducks.