Laws of Cricket 1980 Code - Law 17
1. Call of Time
The umpire at the bowler's end shall call "time" on the cessation of play, before any interval or interruption of play, at the end of each day's play, and at the conclusion of the match. See Law 27 (Appeals).
2. Removal of Bails
After the call of "time", the umpires shall remove the bails from both wickets.
3. Starting a Last Over
The last over before an interval or the close of play shall be started orivided the umpire, after walking at his normal pace, has arrived at his position behind the stumps at the bowler's end before time has been reached.
4. Completion of the Last Over of a Session
The last over before an interval or the close of play shall be completed unless a batsman is out or retires during that over within two minutes of the interval or the close of play or unless the players have occasion to leave the field.
5. Completion of the Last Over of a Match
An over in progress at the close of play on the final day of a match shall be completed at the request of either captain even if a wicket falls after time has been reached.
If during the last over the players have occasion to leave the field the umpires shall call "time" and there shall be no resumption of play and the match shall be at an end.
6. Last Hour of Match - Number of Overs
The umpires shall indicate when one hour of playing time of the match remains according to the agreed hours of play. The next over after that moment shall be the first of a minimum of 20 six-ball overs, (15 eight-ball overs), provided a result is not reached earlier or there is no interval or interruption of play.
7. Last Hour of Match - Intervals Between Innings and Interruptions of Play
If, at the commencement of the last hour of the match, an interval or interruption of play is in progress or if, during the last hour there is an interval between innings or an interruption of play, the minimum number of overs to be bowled on the resumption of play shall be reduced in proportion to the duration, within the last hour of the match, of any such interval or interruption.
The minimum number of overs to be bowled after a resumption of play shall be calculated as follows:-
a. In the case of an interval or interruption of play being in progress at the commencement of the last hour of the match, or in the case of a first interval or interruption a deduction shall be made from the minimum of 20 six-ball overs (or 15 eight-ball overs).
b. If there is a later interval or interruption a further deduction shall be made from the minimum number of overs which should have been bowled following the last resumption of play.
c. These deductions shall be based on the following factors:-
i. the number of overs already bowled in the last hour of the match or, in the case of a later interval or interruption in the last session of play.
ii. the number of overs lost as a result of the interval or interruption allowing one six-ball over for every full three minutes (or one eight-ball over for every full four minutes) of interval or interruption.
iii. any over left uncompleted at the end of an innings to be excluded from these calculations.
iv. any over of the minimum number to be played which is left uncompleted at the start of an interruption of play shall be completed when play is resumed and to count as one over bowled.
v. an interval to start with the end of an innings and to end ten minutes later; an interruption to start on the call of "time" and to end on the call of "play".
d. In the event of an innings being completed and a new innings commencing during the last hour of the match, the number of overs to be bowled in the new innings shall be calculated on the basis of one six-ball over for every three minutes or part thereof remaining for play (or one eight-ball over for every four minutes or part thereof remaining for play); or alternatively on the basis that sufficient overs be bowled to enable the full minimum quota of overs to be completed under circumstances governed by (a), (b) and (c) above. In all such cases the alternative which allows the greater number of overs shall be employed.
8. Bowler Unable to Complete an Over During Last Hour of the Match
If, for any reason, a bowler is unable to complete an over during the period of play referred to in 6. above, Law 22.7 (Bowler Incapacitated or Suspended during an Over) shall apply.
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