THE Bolton League matches got under way on Saturday but the weather played a big part in the outcomes.

My game was badly affected when a sudden downpour after 21 overs put paid to any chance of a result other than points each, as mopping up ate into the time the side batting second had to chase – whatever the final first innings total was as we still had four overs to bat.

It was a big disappointment all round as the game was shaping up to be a good one.

Occasionally the game throws up something that has the umpires reaching for the law book afterwards and this week we had two such occasions.

The first occurred in a T20 match when a free-hit was given for a front-foot no-ball.

There is nothing unusual in that, however what followed next had a few people scratching their heads.

As the bowler came up to bowl, the batsman on strike apparently moved to a position behind the stumps and proceeded to hit the ball as it bounced over the stumps.

The wicketkeeper was stood back so there was no danger of him being obstructed.

The umpires had to decide, had any law been broken or should dead ball have been called? Is the batsman in a position to defend his wicket? Well he was when the bowler started his run up but was it unfair?

At the time they let things go but post-match discussions carried on and different opinions were sought.

An ex-Test umpire said it should be a dead ball and so far the 'dead ball call' outdoes the 'no-action scenario', but it is one for the law makers and hopefully we will get an answer from Lords.

Until we hear otherwise it will be called a dead ball if it happens again according to Law 42.2 – fair and unfair play.

The second occurrence was in the form of a picture from Australia which showed the off and leg stumps upright with the middle stump out of the ground.

Again, this is nothing unusual except both bails were still on the stumps!

Now the law says the wicket is down when either bail is completely removed from the top of the stumps or a stump is struck out of the ground.

Well the latter had happened and the umpires had to give the batsman out bowled.

There were a few bemused looks on the players’ faces, not to mention the umpires.