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Cricketer's Phone Mishap Prompts Rule Interpretation Questions in County Championship

Tom Bailey's mobile phone fell onto the pitch during play, raising questions about the scope of electronic device prohibitions under Clause 41.5.

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Lancashire player Tom Bailey drops his mobile phone, accidentally having carried it onto the field while preparing to bat.

Overview

  • Lancashire batter Tom Bailey's mobile phone fell out of his pocket during a County Championship match against Gloucestershire on May 3, 2025, at Old Trafford.
  • Clause 41.5 of the County Championship Playing Conditions bans on-field electronic communication devices, except for approved movement technology.
  • The incident has sparked uncertainty over whether carrying a phone constitutes a breach of the rule, as Bailey was not actively using the device.
  • The phone was promptly removed from the field after the incident, with no immediate penalties or actions taken against Bailey.
  • Historical parallels include Allan Lamb accidentally bringing a phone onto the pitch and a 2014 Lancashire League match disrupted by missing player phones.