A historic cricket club near Brighton has recently altered its rules concerning boundary scoring due to neighboring complaints about property damages caused by high-flying balls during matches. The Southwick and Shoreham Cricket Club, established in 1790, now instructs players not to count the first ball hit over the boundary fence for runs; doing so will result in no run being added. Subsequent attempts may lead to dismissal from play.
A club player expressed their views on these changes: “Hitting a six is an integral part of cricket’s thrill. The prohibition seems unnecessary.”
The change comes amidst recent warnings directed at players to refrain from hitting balls in specific areas due to concerns raised by neighbors regarding potential police involvement and financial repercussions tied to insurance for sports clubs, injury or property damage claims.
Previous examples of unusual scoring rules exist; the St Lawrence ground in Canterbury awards four runs if a ball hits a designated tree within its boundary while Lancing Manor's unique rule grants two additional runs when balls are hit behind the bowler's arm positioned near trees.
Mary Gill, an 80-year-old resident whose family has lived adjacent to the cricket ground for decades, highlighted instances of property damage caused by straying balls in her statement: “Living next door to this venue means occasional encounters with flying objects causing inconvenience.”
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) oversees the sport's official laws and has been approached for a comment.
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