5 Versions of unconventional cricket

4. Cricket Max:

Martin Crowe invented this interesting version of cricket in the year 1996.

•  2 innings of 10, 8-ball overs per team. That is 4 quarters of 10 overs each.
•  13 players per team consisting of: 3 batsmen, 2 allrounders, 3 bowlers, 1 wicket keeper, 4 fielders.3. 4 stumps and 3 bails.
• No lbw rule.
• If a no-ball is bowled, next ball is a free hit (can’t be dismissed unless run out).
• Wides are 2 runs credited to the batsman on strike.
• 11 players are in the field at any one time with the option of 2 on free interchange.
• Quarter and three-quarter time, 5-minute interval. Half-time, 10-minute interval.

Batting:

• Only 5 batsmen (the 3 batsmen and 2 all-rounders) to bat with 2 innings each available.
• When out, batsman rejoins the batting order.
• Must lose 10 wickets to be all out (over the 2 innings).
• The last man in bats alone, with the previous man out acting as runner.
• Each batsman, in his 1st innings, must score 20 off his first 25 balls or he is deemed “struck out” and dismissed.
• If caught inside the Max zone, the batsman is not out and scores 6.

Bowling:

• 5 bowlers (the 3 bowlers and 2 all rounders) must be used.
• There must be at least one slow bowler.
• 5 overs per bowler are available allowing a maximum spell of 3 overs at any time.
• A bowler can be changed after 4 balls of any over during the crucial last 10 overs at any time. [Nothing mentioned about how this affects the 5-over rule per bowler]. It seems that the designated fielders may bowl in these circumstances.
• Run-ups start inside the inner grid.

Fielding:

• In the first 10 overs, 2 fielders allowed outside the grid.
• In the last 10 overs, 4 fielders allowed outside the grid.
• If any fielder hits the stumps the ball is either dead or the batsman is out.
• No fielder may be inside the Max zones at the point of delivery.

Interestingly, New Zealand hosted India in the year 2002 to play this form of cricket. “Little Master” Sachin Tendulkar top scored with 72 off 27 balls, but New Zealand had the last laugh as they clinched the match by 21 runs.