The series incorporated rules that are a hybrid of outdoor cricket and that of indoor cricket. As with the regular game boundaries score 6 runs if hit over the perimeter, and 4 if the ball hits the ground before passing or touching the perimeter. There are eight overs in an innings, with the final two overs declared in which each sides captain is allowed to field the batsmen and bowlers of their own choosing. For the first six overs batsmen and bowlers are swapped out every two overs. When a batsman is dismissed, he keeps batting – however, he loses runs. A score is decreased by 5 runs when the batsman has been dismissed by two-handed catch, and by 7 runs with a one-handed catch. It is possible to score into negative numbers. A batsman cannot be dismissed LBW if he plays a shot. The series uses a plastic drop-in pitch to allow the ball to bounce, and batting and bowling only take place facing one direction. The Coolangatta arena initially featured an open boundary along the surf, allowing fielding to be possible in the water; however this was later removed due to crowd control concerns.
Highest winning score; England 1/153 v Australia at Scarborough, 2008.
Highest losing score; Australia 0/126 v England at Scarborough, 2008.
Lowest winning score; West Indies v England ?/41 at Coolangatta, 2007.
Lowest losing score; Australia v South Africa 6/22 at Coolangatta, 2009.
Most wins in a row; New Zealand 7 from 2008 to 2009.
Most losses in a row; Australia 5 from 2007 to 2008.
Individual
Most runs ; Graeme Hick 81 v Australia at Scarborough, 2008
Most runs ; Graham Gooch 36 v New Zealand at Coolangatta, 2008
*batted twice
Trophies
Winners of the round robin competition receive a beer glass, while the runners-up receive a can of XXXX Gold beer. Winners of the finals are presented with a beer glass mounted on a wooden stand. In 2009 the trophies were:
For the 2008 series, XXXX was giving away free XXXX Gold Beach Cricket Aussie Team Shirts as part of sales of promotional cartons of XXXX GOLD. Television commercials were aired starring some of the Beach Cricket legends. Network Ten is the host broadcaster of the matches.
Entertainment
Throughout the matches the players are miked up so both fans at the game and at home watching the televised match can hear the players talking. Also music is played throughout the day whilst the matches were being played. When the players were fielding around the boundary, they take time out to sign autographs for fans situated around the boundary. In between the matches there are performances on field, by the female cheerleading squad . Also XXXX promotional staff hand out giveaways including XXXX Gold bucket hats, beach cricket balls and other promo items.
Controversy
XXXX's sponsorship of the series caused a number of controversies with Cricket Australia, which is sponsored by another beer brand, VB from Carlton & United Beverages. The Gabba was forced to remove XXXX billboards promoting the series from the ground after the organisation threatened to take away the ground's rights to host future international matches. Cricket Australia claimed that XXXX's billboards were a form of "ambush marketing". Allan Border was also forced to resign as a national selector for taking part in the series against Foster's Group wishes.
New Zealand
England
Australia
South Africa