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Official NCAA T20 League Rules, Regulations & Competition Guidelines
Essential information about the NCAA T20 tournament structure
The key purposes behind our playing conditions
Key regulations that require immediate attention
All batters and close-in fielders must wear approved helmets
Tied knockout matches decided by continuous super overs
Minimum 5 overs required in second innings for DLS
Teams must provide volunteers for all matches
Detailed rules and regulations for all match scenarios
Each team consists of a minimum of 15 players and a maximum of 22 players at the start of the season. A mid-season window will be open from the first week of December to 7 December, or as advised by NCAA. A maximum of 3 players can be added per team during the open window period.
Promotion: The top two teams from the league standings will be promoted. In addition, the winners of Grade B and Grade C will be promoted if they are different from the respective top two teams in the league standings. Relegation: The bottom two teams from Grade A and Grade B will be relegated to Grade B and Grade C, respectively. If the Grade B or Grade C winner is different from the top two teams in the respective league standings, an additional team will be relegated to maintain the required number of teams in each grade. In those circumstances, three teams will be relegated instead of two.
The team finishing at the bottom of the Grade C league table must participate in the qualifying round for the following season, subject to the overall team capacity being capped at 36 teams.
Clubs must play at the ground provided by NCAA. NCAA holds the exclusive right to decide the venue.
Captains shall provide the playing 11 before the toss, in writing or in the app, and hand the list to the umpires. No players may be changed after the toss.
Should a team be unable to field or bat with eight or more players, the game will be forfeited and the opposition team will be declared the winner. The cut-off time is 9:30 AM for the morning game and 1:00 PM for the afternoon game.
If a team is unable to finish its innings within 100 minutes, the following rules apply:
For every over delayed, one fielder must be brought inside the 30-yard circle.
A penalty of $2 per minute will also apply for the delay.
To conclude a match, a minimum of 5 overs must be bowled to the team batting second (refer to DLRS PlayHQ rules). To apply the DLS rule, 5 overs must be bowled in the second innings.
The leg umpire must avoid using mobile phones while on the field, unless the leg umpire is scoring in the app.
An individual player may be given a drink at the boundary edge or at the fall of a wicket on the field, provided no playing time is wasted. No other drinks may be taken onto the field without the umpires' permission.
Players taking drinks onto the field must be dressed in proper attire. Drinks breaks must be on the field. Permission from the umpire is required to leave the field for any reason.
Officials, scorers and players are strictly prohibited from drinking alcohol while active in the game.
Batters must always wear a protective helmet while batting. No batter may take guard or face a delivery without a helmet, regardless of whether they are facing a pace or spin bowler. This requirement is strictly enforced to minimise the risk of serious head injury and keep player safety a top priority throughout the match.
A wicketkeeper standing close to the stumps is required to wear a helmet.
Fielders must wear a helmet at silly mid-on, silly mid-off, short leg, or any position within five metres of the batter.
The powerplay is the first 6 overs of the innings. A maximum of 5 fielders are allowed after the powerplay. The bowler's bowling side does not affect the fielding numbers; for example, a bowler may bowl around the wicket and still have 5 fielders for a right-handed batter.
Leg-side fielding placement is not limited. Any number of players are allowed on either side of the pitch.
If a team fields with fewer than eleven players, no more than five fielders may be positioned outside the 30-yard circle. The fielding captain decides the positions inside the 30-yard circle.
If the final cannot be played or completed on the scheduled day or the reserve day, the trophy will be shared between the two finalist teams. Only one reserve day is allocated for the final.
If the trophy is shared between the finalists, only two teams will be promoted to the top level based on league ladder standings, not finalist status.
If a knockout match cannot be played or completed and no result is possible, the team finishing higher on the league ladder will be declared the winner.
If volunteers do not turn up in time, the home team must run the game. The next batters or a nominated home-team player will act as leg umpire and scorer to run the game.
Teams that do not qualify for the knockout games are responsible for officiating all knockout games. The playing-conditions penalty applies if a team is absent from its duties.
Teams compete in a round-robin format within their respective group during the league stage. The top four teams in Grade A progress to the playoffs, comprising two Eliminators, one Qualifier and one Final. Only one reserve day is allocated for the playoff matches. If the playoffs cannot be completed within the scheduled playing and reserve days, the trophy will be shared between the eligible teams as per the competition regulations.
If the score is tied in a knockout round, the result will be decided by a Super Over. If there is no result after the Super Over, Super Overs will continue until one team wins. Players who participate in the first Super Over may not participate in the second, and so on, until the outcome is finalised.
Each team must send two volunteers (one leg umpire and one scorer) for its allocated matches before the game starts. Failure to comply incurs the following penalties:
If volunteers do not turn up from the reporting time until the start of the game, the fine is $50. Every 5 overs thereafter attracts a further $50 fine.
The maximum penalty for absence for the entire game is $450. If volunteers fail to turn up for the whole game a second time, the fine is $450 plus 1 demerit point for the following season.
Volunteer swapping is not allowed. Clear justification may be required if volunteering is not suitable for the entire club, and prior NCAA approval is required.
Unnecessary discussion with umpires will be subject to the following action:
The player will immediately be asked to leave the field. Further disciplinary action, including a ban, may be imposed based on the umpire's report and NCAA disciplinary review.
Only the playing squad and the 12th man may enter the ground during the game.
Any player who enters the ground without the umpires' consent while the game is on is subject to a penalty of $50 or more, including a match ban.
If a player who is not included in the playing 11 squad is brought into play, the captain will be penalised with a $100 fine and a 1-match ban. The opponent team will be declared the winner if the breach is found.
To safeguard the integrity, fairness, and balance of the league competition, any team that withdraws, forfeits, or otherwise fails to complete its fixtures after the commencement of the tournament will be subject to the following:
The team will be ineligible to participate in the immediately following season's tournament.
The team's bond/deposit will be forfeited in full.
The team will be required to participate in and successfully qualify through the prescribed qualifying matches to be eligible for participation in any subsequent season's tournament.
If the temperature reaches 41 degrees Celsius or above, the match will be stopped until the temperature falls to 40 degrees Celsius or below. The umpire has control of all grounds. Both captains will be informed before play is stopped. If an over has commenced before the temperature reaches 41 degrees Celsius, that over shall be completed for DLS calculations.
During rain or other adverse weather, all decisions related to rain interruptions and ground suitability rest exclusively with the appointed match officials (umpires). Umpires will assess ground and weather conditions to determine whether play may commence, continue, be reduced or be concluded.
There will be a point share (1 point each team) in the event of ground closure. NCAA holds full right to make a final decision for any unforeseen circumstances not mentioned above or if any clause contradicts another clause.
Answers to common questions about NCAA playing conditions
Contact NCAA officials for rule interpretations and competition guidance. We're here to ensure fair play and sportsmanship for all participants.
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