Rules for the T10 Cricket League have been announced

The T10 Cricket League is scheduled to start on December 14 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium and the rules of the play has been finalised during the Team Owners and directors meeting held at Capital Club, DIFC, Dubai recently. According to the rules, player replacement is permitted only for a player who is unavailable for the entire league due to unavoidable conditions.

The replacement player can be picked from the list of unpicked players at the draft, either from the same category or from the lower category as per the original player list. It has also been announced that all the matches will be played with the white Kookaburra Turf balls following debates over the use of pink ball under the light and the bright colours of the team jerseys.

Inspired by football

“It all started when we were watching a game of football,” says Shaji-ul-Mulk, chairman and founder of the league. “What struck us was the passion packed into 90 minutes, the pace of the game and we asked ourselves, why can’t cricket be packed into 90 minutes also? That thought gave birth to the T10 Cricket League.” he added

England ODI skipper Eoin Morgan will also feature in the league. He said that there is no room to make mistakes in this shortest format. “I think anyone who is first through the door to do something different or revolutionise the game is going to cop a lot of flak. The effect Twenty20 has had on the development of the game, and how aspects of the game are looked at in a completely different context now, is obvious,” said Morgan.

“But, I think T10 cricket really takes that to a microscopic level in that every ball will be dissected. There is no room for either taking time or making mistakes. It’s evolutionary, really.” he added.

The general rules have also been shared. The duration will be a maximum of 10 overs per side with each bowler allowed to bowl no more than two overs in an innings. For a result, in case of interruption, a minimum of 5 overs shall be bowled for each innings.