Cricket Max is a new game invented and designed by Martin Crowe with the following rationale:

"I Invented and designed Cricket Max because I felt it was time to provide to our spectators and TV viewers a game of cricket that was short in duration, very colourful, kept some old traditions and highlighted the best skills in the game."

"After 15 years of one-day cricket I could see a need for a new visual appeal in terms of the field lay-out, and the rules. This will provide great entertainment and an exciting result in 3 hours of cricket. There is far more scoring than ever before and also the potential for electric defensive work in the field. Cricket Max can be played and watched by anyone but nothing can beat seeing the best in the world display their skills in a whole match in just 3 hours."

"Kerry Packer sure did change the game back in the 70s, but now it`s time for Cricket Max to take the excitement of cricket through to the next century."

"Join us for the first game of Cricket Max on February 5, 1996."

Rules:

Field of play:

A traditional oval with an inner grid and two Max zones. There is a semi-circular Max Zone at each end embracing traditional longon and long-off, and extending to the boundary. The boundary is effectively the "diameter" of the semi-circle. The inner-grid has the same purpose as the inner-ring in the one-day game, but is angular and 6-sided. Better viewed than described, it is a rectangle with indented long sides, or a double trapezium:

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General:

1. 2 innings of 10 8-ball overs per team. That is, 4 quarters of 10 overs each.

2. 13 players per team consisting of: 3 batsmen, 2 allrounders, 3 bowlers, 1 wicketkeeper, 4 fielders.

3. 4 stumps and 3 bails.

4. No lbw rule.

5. If a no-ball is bowled, next ball is a free hit (can`t be dismissed unless run out).

6. Wides are 2 runs credited to the batsman on strike.

7. 11 players are in the field at any one time with option of 2 on free interchange.

8. Quarter and three-quarter time, 5 minute interval. Half-time, 10 minute interval.

Batting:

1. Only 5 batsmen (the 3 batsmen and 2 all-rounders) to bat with 2 innings each available.

2. When out, batsman rejoins the batting order.

3. Must lose 10 wickets to be all out (over the 2 innings).

4. Last man in bats alone, with the previous man out acting as runner.

5. Each batsman, in his 1st innings, must score 20 off his first 25 balls or he is deemed "struck out" and dismissed.

6. If ball is hit into or over the Max zone on the full, the batsman scores 12.

7. If caught inside the Max zone, the batsman is not out and scores 6.

8. If a batsman hits 3 boundaries in a row, the 3rd boundary is doubled (8 or 12).

9. Another player can be designated as a pinch hitter in the last 10 oversat any time. If dismissed, a team wicket is used up.

Bowling:

1. 5 bowlers (the 3 bowlers and 2 allrounders) must be used.

2. There must be at least one slow bowler.

3. 5 overs per bowler are available allowing a maximum spell of 3 overs at any time.

4. A bowler can be changed after 4 balls of any over during the crucial last 10 overs at any time. [Nothing mentioned about how this affects the 5-over rule per bowler]. It seems that the designated fielders may bowl in these circumstances.

5. Run ups start inside the inner grid.

Fielding:

1. In the first 10 overs, 2 fielders allowed outside the grid.

2. In the last 10 overs, 4 fielders allowed outside the grid.

3. If any fielder hits the stumps the ball is either dead or the batsman is out.

4. No fielder may be inside the Max zones at the point of delivery.

FIRST GAME:

This is sponsored by Pepsi Max and the BNZ. It will take place at Cornwall Park (Auckland) on 5th February 1996. It will be shown live on Sky TV and be repeated the following day and the following Saturday. The two teams will be an NZ WC Selection versus Noel Leeming All-stars. The all-stars team will include: Martin Crowe, David Hookes, Richard Hadlee, Lance Cairns, Merv Hughes, Bryan Young.