Format
How ATL works
A hybrid outdoor T20 built so nobody sits out. Everyone bats in fixed pairs, and everyone shares the bowling. Here is everything you need before your first game.
The format in 30 seconds
8 players a side, 4 fixed pairs, 5 overs each pair, so 20 overs an innings. The same eight players share the bowling: at least seven bowlers bowl at least two overs each. Nobody sits out and nobody is ever out of the game.
8 a side
Each team has eight players, split into four fixed pairs.
4 pairs
Pairs stay together for the whole innings. You cannot split or rearrange them.
5 overs per pair
Every pair faces exactly five overs, so every player bats the same amount.
20 overs an innings
Four pairs times five overs makes a 20 over innings. The same eight players share the bowling: at least seven bowlers bowl at least two overs each, capped at four, and nobody bowls back to back.
2 innings a match
Each team gets one innings. The second team chases the first team's total plus one.
Principles
Key ideas
A dismissal costs 5 runs, not your place
If you are dismissed, your pair loses 5 runs and you stay at the crease. Nobody is ever out of the game, so scores can go negative.
Everyone bats and bowls
Every pair bats five overs, and at least seven players bowl at least two overs each. No one bowls consecutive overs.
Scores can go negative
Dismissals and penalties can push a pair or team total below zero. The lowest score does not always lose.
Every over is six legal balls
Wides and no balls are not re bowled. They cost runs and still use up a delivery. A no ball arms a free hit.
Free hit on a no ball
The delivery after a no ball is a free hit. The batter cannot be out bowled, caught, LBW or stumped, but they can still be run out.
No Dots rule
Three consecutive dead dot balls cost the pair 2 runs and swap the strike, so there is always something to play for.
True extras
Wides, no balls, byes and leg byes go to the team extras column, never to an individual batter.
Super Over tie breaker
If a match is tied, a one over per side Super Over decides the winner. Each Super Over uses one pair and one fresh bowler.
On the day
Playing conditions
- WhenDaylight play.
- BallStandard hard pink 156g cricket ball.
- BoundariesRoughly 40 to 55 metres, set by the ground on the day.
- Batters gearHelmet, pads, gloves and a box are mandatory because it is a hard ball.
- Keeper gearGloves and pads are mandatory for the wicket keeper.
- Who can playOpen to the whole healthcare community, plus up to two guest players per team.
Format variants. The core format uses the hard pink ball. Some editions, for example beginner, mixed or women's rounds, may use a tennis or soft ball with gear requirements relaxed to suit. The rules never change, only the ball and intensity, announced per tournament.
Full rulebook
Want the complete laws, examples and scoring reference? Download the PDF and take it to the ground. Grab the flyer too if you want to share ATL with your team.