SECTION RULES AND REGULATIONS
For UNDER THIRTEEN (U13) CRICKET

(To be read and applied in conjunction with General Rules and Regulations)
The text shown in red indicates the rule is being introduced in 2008 for the first time  

1.Competition Procedure.
a)  Clubs entering a team in the U13 age group shall compete for
The U13  Reporter Championship Trophy.

b)  The Executive Committee to determine the format of the League when the number of teams participating is known. Teams, where possible, will be grouped to form two or more sections taking due account of their geographical location.

c)  When clubs are divided into two sections the top two teams in each section will take part in Semi-Final play off matches; the winners of those matches shall meet in the Final of the competition. The section leaders will be “seeded” not to play each other in the Semi-Finals. If two or more teams finish level on points (either in first or second position) the team to be placed highest in the league table will be determined by the result of the match(s) played between them e.g. either by straight win or by the greater aggregated score.

 If the teams cannot be separated by this method, the following “tie breaker” formula shall be used in respect of all completed league matches: -
    Total runs scored divided by the total number of wickets lost = A
    Total runs conceded divided by the total number of wickets taken = B
     Subtract B from A to determine the team with the highest average run differential
In the event of the League comprising three or four sections the top team in each section will automatically secure a place in the Semi-Finals and in the case of the former be joined by the highest performing second placed team, of the three sections, having the greater  average run differential.

d)  All arrangements for the Semi-Finals and the Final to be made by the Executive Committee, including the appointment of neutral umpires and selection of the ground for the Final.
e)  Unless specially approved by the League no player may play in the Semi-Finals, or Final who has:
            
i)  not played in at least two (2) matches for the club during the season.
           ii)   not previously been registered as per requirements of the league.
f)  Clubs are required to nominate a squad of twelve players to the Results Secretary, by FAX or E-Mail, no later than six days prior to the date of the Semi-Finals or Final, as the case maybe.


2.Conduct of play

a)  Play to start promptly at 10.00am, however, this start time may be varied if mutually agreed. A match played on an evening, under the provisions of General rule 4.3, shall commence no later than 6.30pm (earlier if agreed) and shall finish no later than sunset.
A team not ready to start at the scheduled or agreed time will forfeit the toss and their opponents will have the choice of innings.
The interval between innings to be a maximum 5 minutes duration with no requirement to re-mark, sweep or roll the pitch
b)  The pitch shall measure 21 yards in length.
c) The ball need not be new but shall be quartered and weigh 4¾ oz.
d)  A match to be one innings per team, each innings to be of twenty (20) overs maximum.
    Each team will use a minimum of seven (7) bowlers. No bowler shall bowl more than three (3) overs. Batsmen shall retire after scoring twenty-five (25) runs, with their last scoring stroke counting in full, and shall not resume their innings.
Wicket keepers not to be changed during an innings without good reason e.g. injury, sickness.  Under no circumstances will any player , having kept wicket, be allowed to bowl.

e) The match over allocation referred to in (d) above may, by agreement, be reduced by a maximum of 4 overs per innings if the scheduled start time is delayed or to avoid delaying the start of a senior match. The revised arrangements shall make provision for at least five (5) bowlers being used per side. Team Managers shall agree the revised arrangement before the toss and the result sheet shall record details of the agreement reached.

f)    Each team shall comprise a maximum of eleven (11) players who are under the age of 13 years
at midnight on the 31st August of the year preceding the current season EXCEPT girl members of the team may be allowed to play until the end of the season in which their 15th birthday falls.
RECOMMENDATION-: - Players under 8 years of age should not be included in a team .

g) A match will be valid, provided a team has a minimum of seven (7) players.
The inclusion of a late arriving player in a team must be declared to their opponents manager before the toss. A substitute fielder, if available, shall be allowed during the player’s absence. However, a player shall not take part in a match at which he has not appeared by the time half the agreed number of overs have been bowled in the first innings. Prior to the “cut off” point being reached the player who arrives late may bat or bowl as normal. After the “cut off” point is reached the substitute may be upgraded to the status of player. 
 
h)  Either umpire shall call and signal “No ball” if a delivery bounces three or more times, or rolls along the ground, before it reaches the popping crease.
i)  Either umpire shall call and signal “Dead ball” if a delivery comes to rest in front of the line of the striker’s wicket, without any intervention by the striker. The bowler shall be allowed another delivery.
j) A bowler who may appear to have an unfair, or unusual, bowling arm action shall not be “no balled” on account of this nor shall he/she receive any official warning or be subjected to any humiliating comments or gestures. The umpire making the observation(s) shall bring the matter to the immediate attention of his/her colleague. There is no requirement to involve the captains of either side. The bowler’s Team Manager shall be informed, at the first convenient break in play, and the matter shall be referred to the League by comment on the result sheet.

k) A non-turf pitch may be used provided
           i) the visiting Team Manager is advised prior to the scheduled match date OR

           ii) the prepared turf pitch has been declared unfit by the umpires and both Team Managers agree to play the match on the artificial surface
l) Incomplete matches in Semi-Final or Final play off stages of this competition must be continued on the earliest date available, as agreed by both clubs, provided the venue/pitch location is not changed.
m) If the total scores in a Semi-Final or Final play off are equal, the winners will be the team losing the least number of wickets. If inconclusive, the side with the highest score at the end of 19 overs shall be the winner, if still equal, at the end of 18 overs and so on.

 THE U13 GORDON S.COOPER CUP RULES

1. All clubs competing in the U13 Reporter Championship League shall enter a team(s) in The U13 Gordon S. Cooper Trophy competition, which is organized on a “knock out” basis .The U13 Section rules 1(d), (e), (f), 2 (b), (c), (d), (e),  (f) (g), (h) (i), (j) and (k) shall apply.
2.
Sunday matches to commence at 10.00am, however, this start time may be varied if mutually agreed or under the provisions of rule 5 below. A match scheduled to be played on an evening shall commence no later than 6.30pm (earlier if agreed) and play shall finish no later than sunset. The interval to be 5 minutes with no requirement to re-mark, sweep or roll the pitch between innings
3. Matches postponed due to fitness of ground, weather or light must be re-arranged on the earliest date           available, as agreed by both clubs.                                                                                                                                                                            Incomplete matches must be
continued on the earliest date available, as agreed by both clubs, provided the venue/pitch location is not changed.  
4. Should any match end in a “tie”, the team that loses the least number of wickets will be declared the winner.  If equal, the side with the highest scores at the end of 19 overs will be the winner or failing this, at the end of 18 overs and so on.

If this method proves inconclusive, a “bowl out” contest shall be arranged between five players from each side (not the wicket keeper) bowled from one end. Each player to bowl one delivery and the winner shall be the team scoring most hits from a maximum five attempts. A hit resulting from a “No ball” shall not count. If still equal a round of “sudden death” bowling will follow until a winner is established.The toss of a coin to decide which team bowls first.

5. Should a semi-final match not be completed on the scheduled fixture date, the match is to be played or replayed on the following Sunday commencing at 2.30pm to permit league fixtures arranged for that date to go-ahead as planned. The semi-final concerned will be hosted by the club “first out of the hat” as determined by the published cup draw, however, if their ground is not available, for any reason, it may be played on the ground of their opponents. If both grounds are unavailable the match to be staged earlier on the first available weekday evening. The final of the competition will, thereafter, be played on the Sunday immediately following completion of the semi-final in the same manner. Every effort will be made to appoint neutral umpires but a contingency shall be in place to provide club officials if this is not possible.

6. The winner of this competition will represent HWDJCL in the MCC “Spirit of Cricket” ECB National Club competition provided the outcome is settled on the original fixture date, as published in the league Handbook, otherwise the club to go forward to the ECB competition will be decided by one of the following methods:
            (a) a “bowl out” contest between the undefeated finalists, if conditions allow
            (b) the undefeated finalist with the highest “net average run rate” achieved in completed league matches