Practice during the match

Law 26 — Where and when

Practice on the match pitch is prohibited on every match day. Practice elsewhere on the square requires umpire approval. Outfield practice before and after play, during lunch or tea and between innings is permitted if it will not significantly damage the surface.

Between Play and Time, only fielders may practise on the outfield, using only the match ball. Bowling practice must not take place between the square and boundary in a direction parallel to the match pitch. Practice must not improperly change the ball or waste time. A trial run-up is allowed if it neither wastes time nor damages the pitch.

Law 26 — Enforcement

The first breach brings a warning which applies to that player’s whole team for the rest of the match. A further breach by any teammate brings 5 Penalty runs to the opposition and a report. Ball-condition, time-wasting and pitch-damage rules also apply, and relevant warnings carry across the practice and unfair-play provisions.