Guys,

One major issue I missed.

No runs for no-balls (as of now). We can change it if need be. But as of now no runs of no-balls unless batsmen score of the bat. In which case, the run(s)

are scored for the batsmen and charged to bowler. One extra ball needs to be bowled. Scorer needs to credit the batsman for the run(s) (if any) for no-ball. The

bowler is charged with the run(s) (again if any). Mark it as N[123456] in the extra's column. Scorer(s) need to try their best to tally the scores. Its OK if there are

discrepencies. Just let the fielding team be aware of it and clear it up before they start batting.

Wides get a run. In our case, no matter what happens after the wide. Hit-wicket, Stumping, etc. I believe, To the Victor goes the spoils. The man-of-the-match needs to be from the winning team unless there is a good candidate from the losing team. It can be shared.

IN MY OPINION, last weekend had 3 men-of-the-match.

Winners :

Kishore - Batting

Anil - Bowling

Losers :

Praveen - Batting. Satish needs a mention also.

First 50 scored last weekend. Two at that. Good job guys. Hope to see more and maybe a 100 is in the off-ing.

Good luck to both teams this weekend.

-Raguram.

Guys,

There is no reason to be acrimonious about any issue. Here are a few points I would like to add to all the e-mails I have received.

1. 3 run mistake : Not an issue. The fielding team should and will rely on the scoring of the batting team. I don't see why this is too much to ask. In defense, this whole issue of debating the score has been going on for some time. One bowler came to the scorer and challenged the runs scored off him in yesterday's game also. This is part of the game and I see no end to it nor any method to put a stop to it. It is best left alone. I agree with some of the comments though. Challenges should be done during the game, not after. If 173 was not the required score and 170,167, etc was the score, there is no telling, we may still have lost by 4 runs.

2. We have been having the same team batting first and second for six consecutive games. 5 times we didn't have a choice and once we chose it. Well what if we toss one last time this weekend and whichever way it goes, the following weekend we will rotate.

3. Umpiring : Two points here -

a. Umpire's decision is final. I am convinced that this has always been the case. The issue though is arguing. I believe that any player has the right to ask the umpire why he made a decision. We should continue to allow that. The issue we need to put a stop to is arguments that go on and on, with the whole fielding team at the face of the umpire. I am not blaming any one team for this. If we had fielded second, we may have done the same. In addition, the batsma(e)n have the right also to ask for wides, etc. One more issue is the square-leg umpire. We need to have it. Here is a suggestion. If we have 16 or more players, we need a square-leg umpire from the batting team. If not, a batting team member needs to be fielding close to where he can make a call and the fielding team relies on his judgement for run-outs, caught behind, etc.

b. Sledging - Allowed. Stops when the bowler is in his run-up and till the ball is dead. No ifs and buts. But it should be done in a decent manner. Also fielders cannot argue with or aggravate a batsmen. We are not inter- national players to be able to withstand sledging at its worst.

4. Umpiring decisions :

This a very sore point that both teams have had problems with. The setup we have has evolved over years of playing under these conditions. Let me make some

clarifications for all involved.

a. Wide :

The half-side can is the wide. It is a wide only when it is over or away from the can. It is impractical to decide if the center of the can, etc, is the wide. It is best left to the umpire. The wide is when it crosses the batsman's stump, period. Not when it crosses the bastman or reaches the wicket-keeper. This is NOT at the discretion of the umpire. If the batsman is standing wide off the crease, in front of the crease, etc, DOES not matter. The umpire strictly calls when the ball crosses the batsman's stump. The leg-side wide has been consistent. It is a little painfull for the bowler when the ball is inches from the leg-stump. But that is the way it should be. If not we will have arguments all the time. The umpire calls a wide when the ball beats the batsmen and the leg-stump. It should stay as is. If you guys noticed, we have never had major arguments over it.

b. No ball :

Batman can be dismissed only by run-outs, stumping (I am not sure about hit-wicket). Needs to be called the moment the umpire realizes, not after.

1. Ball bounces off the pitch and rises above the bastman's shoulder in his normal standing position. Short guys will have more no-balls called in their favour, etc. So be it. The umpire should call it the moment the ball rises above the shoulder + (a fraction of a second). Not after he is caught.

2. Full-toss above the hip of the batsmen. Even if BOWLed is not out. Again needs to be called as above.

3. Bowler steps over the line. We need to dumb it down for practicality. If the bowler steps over the line completely, it is a no-ball. I don't think we need this, he lifted his heel story. The whole foot is beyond the line, toes, foot, heel, and shoes included.

I believe we need to be serious and give our all during the game, but after, CHILL-OOOUUT. Go home, have a beer and see where you screwed-up and work on it. Don't blame the whole world for it.

Suggestions are welcome.

-Raguram.