THE new law regarding batsmen damaging the pitch seems to be causing some problems with those who have been used to taking their guard outside the popping crease by a couple of feet.

This happens often when the wicketkeeper is standing back to receive the ball.

He can take a guard on the pitch but not so close that it will mean he encroaches on to the specified protected area.

The law says: “A batsman cannot adopt a stance in the area regarded as the protected area, (an area one foot either side of the centre stump and five feet in front of the popping crease) or so close to it that they frequently stand on this area.”

Taking a guard as mentioned above will invariably mean the batsman, in playing the ball, will end up on the protected area.

If the umpire sees this before the ball has been delivered he shall call and signal dead ball or if, after a batsman plays at the ball, will wait until the ball is dead and inform his colleague as to what has happened.

The bowler’s end umpire will warn the striker the practice is unfair and tell him it is a first and final warning, which is to apply throughout the innings.

This means every new batsman – and both captains – will be told the team is on a warning for damaging the pitch.

If this warning is ignored the umpire will call dead ball as mentioned above.

The bowler’s end umpire will disallow any runs to the batting side then signal no ball or wide to the scorers if applicable and award five penalty runs to the fielding side.

Both captains are to be informed and the umpires will then report the matter to their governing body who, under the laws of the game, take such action as considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned and – if appropriate – the team.

Batsmen are reminded they must run off the pitch when scoring their runs and get off that protected area as soon as possible.

A batsman is classed as causing avoidable damage to the pitch if the umpires class their presence on the pitch is without reasonable cause.

If the umpires see this then they adopt the same procedure as above with a first and final warning.

Then, if it happens again, they disallow any runs, return the batsmen to their original ends and award five penalty runs to the fielding side.