GENERAL
RULES AND REGULATIONS
1.
MCC Laws, ECB Regulations and Safety
1.1 Unless modified
by the Section rules, the MCC Laws of Cricket (2000 Code and amendments
thereto) shall
apply EXCEPT with regard to Law 40.2 (relating to wicket-keeping glove
specification) and those parts concerning the awarding of penalty runs,
which should be confined to: -
Law 41.2 – Fielding the ball illegally and Law 41.3 – Ball striking
a helmet placed on the ground by the fielding side.The
penalty runs for these specific offences shall be added to the score of
the striker if the ball first deviates from his/her bat before the
offence is committed, otherwise they shall be added to the score of
extras, i.e. byes, leg byes, wides or no balls as the case may be.
Law 42.9 concerning the bowling of fast short pitched balls (bouncers)
and high full pitched balls (beamers),
as
modified by the League,
shall be fully adhered to.
1.2 Players shall NOT
to be allowed to bat unless they are wearing a cricket helmet fitted
with a grille (faceguard), which is adjusted and secured in place to
prevent a cricket ball passing through the space left between helmet
visor and the grille. The same shall apply to wicket keepers when
standing up to the stumps except, alternatively, a grilled face
protector, may be worn in place of a helmet, provided it is of approved
design.
1.3
The ECB close fielding regulations shall be strictly applied.
1.4
An injury, or any other condition, which results in blood loss
shall require the player or official to leave the field of play for
attention.
1.5 The designated
boundary shall include any person, other than participating player,
obstacle or animal etc (on or over the field of play) making contact
with the ball; in this event 4 runs will be scored. A boundary, however,
shall not be signaled or scored if a nominated player of the batting
side enters onto the field and makes contact with the ball. Only the
runs completed by the batsmen at the moment of contact to count.
2.
Umpires and supervision
2.1
Players to be under adult supervision at all times.
Match
control-
it is a requirement that at least two adult officials from each club be
present and responsible at each fixture (all age groups). This includes
the umpire but not the scorers. This means that at least one adult
person per club is made aware that they are responsible for the conduct
and guidance of players not on the field of play. Attending parents who
are not aware of their responsibilities are not adequate.
A male and a female adult shall supervise mixed gender teams.
2.2 Unless modified
by the Section rules, each club shall appoint a person who is competent
to umpire.
This person may offer advice to the captain of the fielding side and
batsmen, with whom they are associated. When league appointed umpires
are provided to officiate in the Final or Semi-Finals of a competition,
no advice is to be given to players during either innings except during
an agreed drinks interval involving both teams.
Young persons who have reached their 16th birthday, and above, may be
allowed to umpire provided an identified adult is present, throughout
the match, to specifically monitor and supervise their performance and
to discharge any “duty of care” obligations that may arise
particularly with regard to fitness to play and other player safety
issues. The club making the appointment is entirely responsible for
establishing the competency of the person to officiate in accordance
with cricket law and the relevant rules & regulations of the League.
The appointed person shall be senior in age to that of the age group
category of the players and shall exclude under 15 and under 17 age
group matches until the young person concerned has reached his/her 19th
birthday, is CRB checked and, preferably, is a junior member of the ECB
Association of Cricket Officials.
2.3 The two umpires
shall be in sole charge of matters when inclement weather, bad light, or
delays/ interruptions are concerned
2.4
Umpires shall not be changed during a match, other than in
exceptional circumstances. The opposing team manager must be notified as
to the reason for a change of official and agree the revised
arrangements.
2.5 A person MUST NOT
be appointed by a club, to umpire in a match on their behalf, unless
he/she is a fully “paid up” member of that club. An umpire who is
currently a “full” member of the ECB Association of Cricket
Officials (ECB ACO) may be appointed by a club unconditionally.
3.
Scorers and the workings of the scoreboard
Scorers
shall be given written details of all players, by their respective team
managers, and shall be seated together and
in a position to exchange
player names and identity during the match.
The scoreboard shall be operated and changed at least at the end of each
over to display the total runs scored, wickets fallen and the number of
overs remaining to be bowled in the innings. During the second innings
the first innings score shall be displayed, which in the case of
“pairs cricket” shall show the “net” total. Once the first
innings score is shown on the scoreboard it shall be taken to have been
agreed by all concerned and, thereafter, must not be changed.
4.
Fixtures
4.1
League fixtures shall be arranged so that clubs in a section are
scheduled to play each other at least once provided the number of
possible fixtures is equal to or greater than the number of
participating clubs.
Matches to be played as per fixture list except when the home ground is
unavailable
the fixture should be transferred to the ground of the away team
whenever possible.
4.2
A club withdrawing a team(s) from the league after 1st February
shall pay the full amount of the annual subscription, as per rule 6.2
(a) of the Administration rules, and in addition will be fined as per
rule 6.2 (c).
4.3 The postponement
of a fixture can only be progressed if the criteria used to approve such
an arrangement are fully met. Details are shown in Appendix 14 of this
Handbook and no official of the League is given authority to vary its
application. All postponed league matches shall be played before the
last published league match of the season. In the case of a cup-tie a
result must be determined prior to the date of the next round of the
competition. Note: It is permissible for re-arranged matches to be
played earlier than the original scheduled date.
The club having a valid reason to arrange a postponement, under the
provisions of the aforementioned criteria, is responsible for notifying
the Fixture Secretary immediately, by
e-mail, outlining the reason for not
playing the fixture and to obtain his/her approval. The club initiating
the postponement shall, thereafter, contact their opponents to agree a
revised fixture date, which MUST be played within 14 days of the
original date except when the designated “end of season” intervenes.
Result sheets in connection with a re-scheduled fixture shall be
submitted in the normal way in accordance with rule 5.1.
Failure to comply with the aforementioned may result in the provisions
of rule 5.3 being invoked and the club concerned suffering the
consequences of an unfulfilled fixture.
4.4 The cancellation
of a fixture due to unfit ground conditions, or the inability of a club
to fulfil a fixture, shall be advised to their opponents by direct
verbal communication as the use of e-mail or text messages is
unacceptable
5.
Result notification, Points allocation and Match forfeit.
5.1
Results of all matches, or reason for not playing/completing a
match, to be notified to the Results Secretary on a result sheet
designed and approved by the league so as to reach the Results
Secretary, by fax (or where specially authorised by E-mail), within
forty-eight (48) hours of the fixture date.
The result sheet must always include the identity of both the respective
team managers (signatures not required) and detail the forename
and surname of all the players of each side, even though they have not
batted or bowled in the match.
It is the responsibility of the designated HOME club to fully complete
and transmit the result sheet, by fax (or E-Mail when authorised),
within the time allowed otherwise a fine, in accordance with clause
6.2(e) of the Administration rules, WILL BE levied.
In the event of the designated HOME reaching agreement to stage the
match on their opponents ground responsibility for result notification
remains with the originally designated HOME club.
There will be NO phone call “chase up’s”, or reminders of any
other kind, initiated by the Results Secretary during the period
referred to above. Non-receipt of a result sheet will be published on
the “RESULTS” Pages of the league website (For access go to the
Results page and “click on” the relevant date that the match was
scheduled to be played,).
No league points will be allocated to either side until the matter is
resolved, as per rule, or a result sheet is received from the AWAY club
to substantiate its entitlement to one or more points.
Any recurring result notification violations shall be referred to the
Executive Committee
5.2. The league table position of clubs shall be determined
as follows: -
4 points for a win, 3 points for a tie, 2 points for an abandoned or
unfinished fixture
and 1
point for a fulfilled losing fixture
5.3. The discovery of any
unauthorized postponement, which is agreed and played between clubs,
will result in the match being downgraded to “friendly status” with
no points awarded to either side.
NOTE: -
The match result shall be a “tie” if the scores are equal when
the full allocation of overs have been bowled, irrespective of the
number of wickets, which may have fallen.
A match will be regarded as “abandoned or unfinished” if the outcome
is not determined by a
winning
or tied score on the date of the fixture or within the deadline set for
completion a postponed match.
Points will be withheld unless the Results
Secretary
is in receipt of a full listing of all the players who were selected to
play in the fixture which confirms player numbers for both teams meet
the minimum requirements necessary for the match to be deemed valid.
This will also apply in the case of an abandoned match.
5.4. Any club
unable to fulfil a league fixture shall forfeit the match and, where
applicable, league points and will be fined as per clause 6.2 (h) of the
Administration rules. The fixture will not count as a completed match
and shall be classed as a
“walkover”. A maximum
of four league points may be awarded to their opponents, at the
discretion of the Executive Committee, to ensure the club is not
disadvantaged. See also 5.6 below.
Any club failing to fulfill a league fixture, in a particular age group,
on three or more occasions may forfeit the right to continued
participation in the relevant competitions organized by the league. In
consequence all matches in respect of the club concerned and its
designated opponents may be declared null and void. The offending club
may lose all league points accrued during the season and maybe further
penalized at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
The circumstances relating to un-played cup ties and their possible
impact on the requirements of the relevant cup round draw(s) shall be
referred to and dealt with by the Fixture Secretary, as considered
appropriate.
5.5
A club shall forfeit the match and, where applicable, league
points if it includes an over-aged player in its team. If it transpires
the circumstances were concealed, by failure to inform the opposing
Manager and by neglecting to notify the Results Secretary, the offending
club will be fined an appropriate sum and/or suffer other measures as
may be imposed at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
5.6 Unless specified
to the contrary in the notes of the Fixture programme
(See page 62),
at least 50% of scheduled league matches, on any given date, must be
completed for the results to count, otherwise all match results will
declared invalid and two points will be awarded to all competing clubs.
This principle will be applied on a Sectional basis.
Note: The definition of a completed match is one resulting in a
“win” or a “tie”.
The awarding of points for a “walkover” outcome shall be at the
discretion of the Executive Committee having regard to the circumstances
e.g. if all other fixtures in the relevant section are abandoned, due to
unfit playing conditions, two points will be awarded to all clubs except
the club unable to fulfill a fixture will receive 0 points.
5.7
A
club who selects an unregistered player to play in a match and fails to
provide his/her full registration details within seven days of his/her
first match shall be fined as per clause 6.2 (g) of the Administration
rules.
If the club continues to play the player in breach of registration
requirements it may, at the discretion of the Executive Committee,
forfeit entitlement to league points or, in the case of a cup tie, the
right to proceed further in the relevant cup competition.
6.
Player Transfer and Loan procedure
The
League is opposed to the principle of allowing clubs an unrestricted
opportunity to import talented players from other clubs to further
“pot hunting” aspirations. The development needs of a clubs existing
“home grown” players shall be placed first and foremost at all times
The objective shall be to facilitate maximum player participation
in the game and to eliminate/reduce the number of teams operating
without a full complement of players. No player shall play for more than
one League club during the same season, in a particular age group,
without either obtaining a transfer from his/her club
or
under the provisions of a loan agreement. In both cases the league must
approve the arrangement.
6.1 In the case of a
transfer, only two internal transfers within the league between separate
clubs will be permitted on a per person per season basis. However,
transfers between “A”
and “B teams” (or other named identity) belonging to one club shall
not be allowed.
All requests for a transfer must go in the first instance to the
Registration Secretary,
giving at least 48 hours notice prior to the intended transfer date,
who provided there are no objections, may grant provisional transfer in
consultation with the Chairman or if he/she is not available with one
other member of the Executive Committee. The player(s) concerned will be
cup-tied and shall not play more than once in a cup competition unless
for the same team.
The provisional transfer so granted shall be referred to the Executive
Committee for ratification.
6.2 When a club has a
surplus of players, in a particular age group, such that one, or more,
of its lesser skilled players is/are unlikely to make team selection, on
a regular basis, the league may be approached to authorize the loan of
such player(s) to another club provided it can demonstrate it has a
genuine shortage of players. The club having agreed to loan a player(s)
shall always retain the right to re-call the player(s) at any time
particularly if, by not so doing, it would jeopardize being able to
fulfill a fixture.
The Registration Secretary must be given details of the loan agreement
reached and the names of the player(s) for authorization.
6.3 On match day a club may agree to allow an unselected player(s) to
play for their opponents to facilitate a game of cricket which otherwise
would be abandoned through shortage of players.
The conditions under which the match was played to be recorded on the
result sheet detailing the player(s) who played under a loan
arrangement. If a club includes in its side a player(s) loaned to it
from another club it shall be deemed to have lost the match but will be
judged to have fulfilled its fixture obligation and suffer no further
penalty.
7.
Complaints and Disputes
Any
club wishing to mount a formal complaint against the actions of another
club, or to pursue an unresolveddispute, shall refer the matter to the
league’s General Secretary for independent arbitration and ruling
which in exceptional circumstances may result in the imposition of
disciplinary procedure.
Details of the case shall be disclosed in a comprehensive report sent on
official club headed paper, within seven days, and signed by the club
Secretary (or in his/her absence by an other high ranking club
official).
A copy of the report shall be sent at the same time to the Secretary of
the other club named in the complaint or dispute.
Complaints made on a result sheet, shall be deemed invalid unless
progressed in accordance with this rule.
8. Disciplinary
Guidelines for dealing with misconduct
The
under mentioned
aims to provide assistance and enable a unified approach throughout the
League.
”Misconduct” relates to unacceptable behaviour, on or off the field
of play, by a player, club member, supporter of a club or a club which
fails to properly control or discipline its players, members or
supporters.
A breach of the ECB’s Code of Conduct and The Spirit of Cricket
(see
Appendix 10 on page 45)
shall automatically be processed in accordance with the following
procedures which is an adaptation of the Guidelines set out in the ECB
Disciplinary Regulations (Code 2000) which is published in full on pages
46, 47 and 48 of theHandbook.
The guidance applicable to “Conduct of Hearing” has been modified by
the League (see 8.4) to the relevance of junior cricketers who by
definition, are all minors in the eyes of Cricket’s Governing Bodies
and takes into account the ECB’s Welfare of Young People in Cricket
Policy and recognises the importance of engaging the services of the
Club Welfare Officer. It effectively means that the guidance given
regarding the Conduct of a Hearing, as outlined in
“Code 2000” of the aforementioned Regulation, should only be
followed when charges are to be brought against an adult.
8.1 Any club bringing a charge of alleged misconduct against another
club, its players/ members/supporters shall refer the matter direct, by
post, to the league’s General Secretary.
Details of the case shall be disclosed in a comprehensive report
sent on official club headed paper, within
seven days
of the alleged occurrence, and be signed by the club Secretary (or in
his/her absence by an other high ranking club official). A copy of the
report shall be sent at the same time to the Secretary of the other club
involved.
The report shall include the name(s) of the individual(s) accused of
misconduct together with the identity of any witnesses otherwise the
League may not initiate proceedings.
Upon receipt of the notification, by the League General Secretary, it
will be referred to the League’s Disciplinary Chairman for direct
action who shall resolve to: -
a) refer the matter for action by a Club Internal Enquiry; or
b) arrange the convening of a league Disciplinary Hearing. ; Or
c) take no action except to record details the complaint etc and notify
the club accordingly.
8.2
INTERNAL CLUB ENQUIRY
The club, following the imposition of 8.1 (a) above, or of its own
volition and without receipt of a written report or other prompting
shall, forthwith, convene an Internal Club Enquiry.
The purpose of the Internal Club Enquiry shall be to establish the facts
and, where appropriate, to take the necessary action so as to ensure
that the club does not fail to properly control or discipline its
player(s) and ensure that the club acts in a manner designed to protect
the good name of the club and of cricket generally.
Clubs shall arrange to hold an Internal Club Enquiry within seven
days of the date of any reported alleged misconduct. The
report of the Internal Club Enquiry must be sent, by post, to the
League’s Disciplinary Chairman within 48 hours of its findings.
(NOTE: If the club fails to hold such an Enquiry within the
time allowed, the case will be reviewed by the League’s Disciplinary
Chairman who may decide to
conduct League Disciplinary Hearing.)
The player or person concerned shall have the right to appeal to the
President or other nominated high-ranking Officer of the Club for a
review of the findings of the Club Internal Enquiry and the penalty
imposed. The decision of the President or nominated high-ranking Officer
shall be final and binding
If the Internal Club Enquiry finds the alleged case of misconduct
proven, the club shall have the following powers
·
To require the player to submit appropriate letter(s) of apology
within a specified time.
·
To record a reprimand and to give warning as to future conduct.
·
To suspend the player for one or more matches or for a stated
period of time.
·
To suspend the player’s membership of the club for a period.
·
If the conduct constitutes gross misconduct the club shall have
the power to terminate the player’s membership
The club for the same offence may, if it
thought fit, impose more than one of the above penalties
8.3 If the League’s
Disciplinary Secretary is satisfied with the action taken by the club,
the case will be closed.
Alternatively, if the League’s Disciplinary Secretary is not satisfied
with the action taken by the club, a league Disciplinary Hearing will be
convened.
8.4 CONDUCTING A HEARING
In the event of a Hearing being convened and charges of
misconduct being brought against a juvenile/ minor the following
guidance should be followed: -
a) The Hearing will be held
in front of a Disciplinary Panel comprising the Disciplinary Chairman
and two League Officials or members of the League Management Committee
who have no direct involvement with the clubs concerned or with any
other club which, in the event of possible points deduction, could gain
advantage.
b) Details of the Hearing
will be sent to the Club Secretaries by the Disciplinary Chairman
indicating those who should attend.
c) Any person under the age
of 18 years who is summoned to attend a Hearing will be entitled to
parental or legal guardian support.
Persons in support will be allowed to sit in on the Hearing but take no
active part in the proceedings. Alternatively, the accused person (s)
may be accompanied a club official such as Club Welfare Officer or
committee member, but not the relevant team manager or coach who, in
most cases, can expect to be called as a witness. There
is no right of legal representation at this stage.
d) When the complaint has
come from neutral umpires officiating in the finals of a competition or
in representative matches, they should be available to give evidence.
e) Witnesses will be called
into the Hearing with the Disciplinary Panel determing the order of
appearance. Witnesses should not assume that they are free to leave
after giving evidence as a recall may be necessary
f) Having heard all
the evidence, the Panel will deliberate and reach a decision by simple
majority.
g) The accused person
(s) will then be recalled and the Panel’s decision will be announced
as to whether the case is considered proven or not. In the case of a
proven outcome the accused person (s), will be invited to offer any
mitigating circumstances that could affect the Panel’s decision in
terms of punishment.
h) The accused person
(s) will retire to allow the Panel to determine the level of punishment,
which will then be conveyed to him/her/them, verbally, and then in
writing to the Club Secretary with in a period of 14 days.
i) Before leaving the
Hearing, the accused person (s) shall be made aware of his/her right of
Appeal and the procedure.
8.5 The League’s
Disciplinary Panel, on finding an alleged offence proven, shall have
power to impose one or more of the following penalties, together with
such order, as it deems appropriate.
In case of the
player
·
To require the player to submit appropriate letter(s) of apology
within a specified time.
·
To record a reprimand and to give warning as to future conduct.
·
To suspend the player for one or more matches, or for a stated
period of time.
·
To deduct League points from the player’s team.
·
To expel the player from the league.
In the
case of the club
·
To require the club to submit appropriate letter(s) of apology
within a specified time.
·
To record a reprimand and to give warning as to future conduct.
·
To impose a fine
·
To deduct League points from the clubs team.
·
To expel the club from any competition of the league.
·
To expel the club from the league
The League’s Disciplinary Panel shall have the power to suspend the
operation of part, or all, of the penalty it imposes for such period and
subject to such terms and conditions it deems appropriate.
8.6 The Executive Committee shall also be empowered to take punitive
action against any club or individual member of a club who makes
derogatory or disparaging media statements or comments regarding other
clubs, umpires or the League and its officials. If the case is proven,
clubs and/or individuals will be found guilty of bringing the game into
disrepute and will be liable to points deductions and/or suspension
and/or financial penalty as the Disciplinary Panel sees fit.
In this regard media shall include press, radio, television, club
websites and club match programmes
END