DORSET CRICKET LEAGUE
SATURDAY COUNTY DIVISIONS 4, 5 & 6 PLAYING CONDITIONS
Throughout these playing conditions, gender specific references shall include both sexes.
The Laws of Cricket (2017 code) Marylebone Cricket Club, together with subsequent amendments, coupled with the League Regulations and the Playing Conditions for the competition, shall be adopted in questions of play. (See exception in general condition 8d below)
Contents
1 – Pre-match
2 – The Match
a)Overs
b)Time lost
c)Time lost before play & during 1st innings
d)Time lost during 2nd innings
e)Duckworth-Lewis
3 – Bowling restrictions
a)Bowlers
b)Reduced overs
4 – No ball
a)Underarm bowling
b)‘Beamers’
c)Fast short-pitched delivery
5 – Fielding restrictions
6 – Wide Ball
7 – The result
8 – General conditions
Appendix – League criteria
1 – PRE-MATCH
a)All matches will start by 1.30p.m. Before the toss for innings, the Ground Executive shall be responsible for preparation of the pitch; thereafter the umpires shall control its use and maintenance.
b)Matches may only commenceif each side has at least seven (7) players in attendance. Should a team not have the requisite number of players present when the toss is due to be made, then that team shall have been deemed to have lost the toss. The other team must make its decision known to the opposition and umpires immediately.
c)The captains shall toss for choice of innings on the field of play, not later than 15 minutes before the scheduled, or otherwise agreed, starting time.Teams must be nominated before the toss and cannot be changed. In the absence of ‘non player umpires’, then the captains shall exchange such lists. Immediately following the toss the decision to bat or field must be notified to the opposing captain and umpires.
d)There shall be an agreed tea interval of up to 30 minutes, to be taken between innings if possible. If the 1st innings is completed before 3.30 p.m., then the 2nd innings will commence immediately, with tea then being taken at 4.00p.m. The actual duration of the tea interval should be agreed by the captains and umpires before commencement of play. Teas shall be provided by the home teamat no cost to the visiting team (including umpires and scorers).
2 – THE MATCH
a)There shall be a maximum of 40 overs per side.
b)Where time is lost between the scheduled start time and the commencement of the match due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances the number of overs shall be reduced as detailed below.
c)TIME LOST BEFORE PLAY HAS COMMENCED OR DURING 1st INNINGS
In the event of time being lost for any reason after the appointed start time or during the innings of the team batting first, the umpires will ensure that the number of overs to be received by each side are equal, less one over for every COMPLETE 7 (SEVEN) minutes lost.
d)TIME LOST DURING 2nd INNINGS
In the event of time being lost for any reason during the innings of the team batting second, the umpires will deduct one over for every COMPLETE 3 ½ (THREE and a Half) minutes lost.
e)If, due to suspension of play after the start of the match, the number of overs in the innings of either team has to be revised to a lesser number than originally allotted (minimum of 20 overs), then a revised target score (to win) should be set for the number of overs which the team batting second will have the opportunity of facing. This revised target is to be calculated using the current Duckworth-Lewis method. The target set will always be a whole number and one run less will constitute a Tie. (Refer Duckworth-Lewis Regulations)
If the innings of the side batting second is suspended (with at least 20 overs bowled) and it is not possible for the match to be resumed, the match will be decided by comparison with the DL ‘Par Score’ determined at the instant of the suspension by the Duckworth-Lewis method (refer Duckworth-Lewis Regulations). If the score is equal to the par score, the match is a Tie. Otherwise the result is a victory, or defeat, by the margin of runs by which the score exceeds, or falls short of, the Par Score.
Play must not continue until the Umpires and Scorers are satisfied that the score is correctly displayed on the scoreboard.
Note: If a team declares at any time the fielding team will be awarded 5 bowling points.
3 – BOWLING RESTRICTIONS
a)No bowler shall bowl more than 8 overs in any innings.
In the event of a bowler breaking down and being unable to complete an over, the remaining balls shall be bowled by another bowler providing he has not completed his allocated overs. Any over completed by another bowler in this instance shall count as part of his allocation.
b)Where the number of overs in a match has been reduced, the number of overs that can be bowled will be reduced in proportion to the overs available after the reduction, divided by the total number of overs originally available. See example below:
c)Example:-.
Reduced number of overs = 31.
Maximum number of overs per bowler, originally 8, now reduced to 31/40 x 8 = 6.20 (rounded to nearest integer = 6). Therefore one bowler may bowl 7 overs and other bowlers may bowl a maximum of 6 overs.
4 – NO BALL
a)Underarm bowling is not permitted. “No ball” shall be called if this Law is contravened. Additionally a delivery bouncing more than once, or rolling along the pitch before reaching the popping crease of the batsman on strike shall be called a No Ball.
b)The bowling of any Full Pitch Ball which passes, or would have passed, above waistheight of the striker standing upright at the crease shall be called and signalled as No Ball by the bowler’s end umpire. (See note 8c below)
c)All fast, short-pitched deliveries above head height with the batsman in an upright stance at the popping crease shall constitute, and be called, a NoBall.
5 FIELDING RESTRICTIONS
There shall be no more than 5 players on the leg side, at all times. If this is contravened either umpire shall call and signal No Ball.
6–WIDE BALL - Judging a Wide
In addition to MCC Law 22 the following will apply:Umpires are expected to apply a very strict andconsistent interpretation in regard to this Law in order to prevent negative bowling wide of the wicket.Any offside or legside delivery which in the opinion of theumpire does not give the batsman a reasonableopportunity to score shall be called a wide. For guidancepurposes, in adult cricket a legside wide should becalled if a ball passes on the legside outside the pads ofthe batsman standing in a normal guard position. However the final position of the batsman may be taken into consideration in the judgement of legside wides.
7 – THE RESULT
a)A result can only be achieved if both teams have had the opportunity of batting for at least 20 overs, unless the team batting second has scored more runs than its opponents or has achieved its target score, or revised target score, within the 20 overs.
b)A match shall be tied if the scores are equal at the end of the match.
c)If the score of the team batting second surpasses the “target score”, at any time prior to the conclusion of its innings, then the match shall be won by the team batting second. If the team batting second is bowled out earlier, then the match shall be won by the team batting first.
8 – GENERAL CONDITIONS
a)The boundaries shall be marked by a white line and flags, or prominent markers, or by a rope.
b)Sawdust must be available in a sufficient quantity at the commencement of the game.
c)The sanctions for bowling Full Pitch Balls varies within these divisions as follows:
When the ball is dead, the umpire shall caution the bowler, inform the other umpire, the captain of the fielding side and the batsmen of what has occurred. This caution shall apply throughout the innings.
If there is any further instance of dangerous and unfair bowling by the same bowler in that innings, the umpire shall repeat the above procedure and indicate to the bowler that this is a final warning. This warning shall also apply throughout the innings.
Should there be any further repetition by the same bowler in that innings, the umpire shall call and signal No ball and (i) when the ball is dead direct the captain to suspend the bowler forthwith and inform the other umpire of the reason for this action. The bowler thus suspended shall not be allowed to bowl again in that innings.
If applicable, the over shall be completed by another bowler, who shall neither have bowled any part of the previous over, nor be allowed to bowl any part of the next over. Additionally he shall (ii) report the occurrence to the batsmen and, as soon as practicable, to the captain of the batting side. (iii) together with the other umpire report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the fielding side and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain and bowler concerned.
d)In these divisions the sanctions regarding players’ conduct as listed within Law 42 of the 2017 Code shall not apply. However players are reminded of, and expected to adhere to, the Spirit of Cricket as detailed in the preamble of the Laws. Additionally captains are reminded of their responsibilities as listed in Laws 1.4 and 41.1 of the same Code.
APPENDIX – LEAGUE CRITERIA
FIXTURES
1.1 Each team shall play each other twice, on a home and away basis. However, the Management Committee may alter this where a division has either a greater or lesser number of teams than the normal.
1.2 All fixtures shall be made by the League Management Committee and be played on consecutive weekends, commencing on the first Saturday in May.
1.3 Any team failing to honour a fixture for reasons other than weather or unfitness of ground shall forfeit 20 points on the first occasion, 40 points on the second occasion, and the match shall count as a match played and lost for that side. In addition, there will be a £30 fine imposed, on each occasion. Should a team fail to honour a 3rd fixture during the season, the club will be contacted by the League Secretary, who will ascertain the reasons for scratching fixtures and the possibilities of that team completing their remaining fixtures. The Secretary will then contact committee members, who will decide if they can assist the team in completing their fixtures or that the team will be expelled from the League. Any team expelled from the League will have their playing record deleted, unless the default occurs in the final three weeks of the season, where the results previously achieved will not be amended.
The decision as to the fitness of the ground is the responsibility of the ground authority for the home team.
When a club, with more than one team, is unable to fulfil all of its fixtures on any match day, the most senior fixture(s) must be fulfilled. In the event of the most senior team being withdrawn from the League, then its fixtures must be undertaken by the next most senior team in that club.
1.4 It is the responsibility of the home club to ensure that wherever possible the match takes place. A match, at its commencement, can consist of a minimum of 40 overs.
1.5 If the opposing team wishes to claim any expenses incurred in relation to the cancellation, it shall send a claim to the opposition and lodge a copy of the claim with the League Secretary, within seven days of the cancellation.
2 .1
a. The Home team shall supply a new match ball. The League Management Committee shall determine the make and supplier of the ball to be used in ALL divisions of each competition..
b. The penalty for failing to supply an approved ball is a fine of £30 for the 1st offence, and a deduction of 5 points on the team for subsequent offences.
c. An approved league ball must be used for the entire match. Any replacement ball must be league approved, or the penalty in b will apply.
2.2Alcohol
No alcohol should be consumed by players, or match officials, whilst a match is in progress.
3. PLAYERS
3.1 Clubs must register their players. The names of registered players, for each club, will appear on the Dorset Cricket League Play-Cricket website. The deadline for registering a player will be midnight Tuesday following the match. Teams will be penalised 5 points for playing a non-registered player.
3.2A player may only be registered, on play-cricket, to play for one club, within the Dorset Cricket League. A player can be dual registered with a Dorset League club and a club playing in a different competition.
(a) If a player wants to play for a different club, other than the club he is currently registered for on play-cricket, but has not yet played for that club in the current season, then he needs to request that club to remove his Dorset Cricket League play-cricket registration with them. Once actioned, the player’s new club can register him on play-cricket.
(b) If a player wants to move clubs during the season, having already played for a club that season, the new club should register the player on play-cricket, requesting a transfer from the player’s current club. The player should email the DCL Results Secretary, requesting a transfer and giving details of the 2 clubs involved. The Results Secretary will contact the player’s current club, asking them to either approve the transfer request on play-cricket or provide the DCL Management Committee with a valid reason why the transfer cannot take place.
(c) In the event of rule 3.2 being contravened, the offending team shall forfeit 10 points for each match in which the ineligible player takes part. In addition to this, any points obtained by that team in such matches will also be deducted. The opponents will be awarded 10 points, regardless of the result, along with any bonus points earned during the playing of the fixture. If the match is abandoned, bonus points only will be awarded.
3.3 As the Saturday and Sunday competitions are separate, a player may play for different clubs in each competition (subject to 3.2 above). NB In the case of an “overseas” player, each club is responsible for applying to the League for its permission to enable the “overseas” player to play at the club.
3.4 Overseas players:-
In support of the ECB’s guidance, a team will only be permitted to play one overseas player in each match. An overseas player is one who is not qualified to play for England or who does not hold an EC passport. Other foreign nationals will be eligible to play if they have been resident in the United Kingdom for 12 consecutive months prior to the 1st of May in each year. It is the responsibility of Clubs to determine the eligibility of each player.
3.5 Any breach of the rules in Paragraphs 3.3 and 3.4 will attract the same penalty as stated in Paragraph 3.2.
3.7 No player, including overseas players, shall be remunerated for playing in the League. NB Remuneration includes benefits supplied to a player which may include free accommodation, meals and kit. Clubs should be aware of potential PAYE and employment law implications.
3.8 An overseas player must be registered, in writing, with the League Secretary, no later than June 30th in each year.
4. SCORING OF POINTS
4.1 The team which wins the match shall score 10 points.
4.2 In a tied match each team shall score 5 points.
4.3 In the event of a game being abandoned each team will score 5 points each, along with any “bonus” points gained.
4.4 Where a game is ‘scratched’, the offending team shall be penalised as detailed in Paragraph 1.3, and the game will be counted as a game played and lost. The non-offending team shall be awarded 20 points and the game will be counted as a game played and won.
4.5 If a team declares at any time the fielding team will be awarded 5 bowling points.
Bonus Points awarded – see Appendices below
5. NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS
5.1 The Home Captain, or his representative, shall be responsible for submitting the result of the match (including cancellations and ‘”Abandoned”) to the Results Secretary Alan Graham –Text 07801 312976 or e-mail , by 11.00pm on the day of the match.
5.2 The Home Team must input a completed scoresheet on the Play-Cricket website, within 72 hours of the end of the match.
5.3 Clubs failing to observe either of these rules shall be fined £20 on the first occasion and then the team will be deducted 5 points on each subsequent occasion.
6. LEAGUE POSITIONS
6.1 League positions will be based on the total number of points obtained.
6.2 In the event of two or more teams having the same number of points at the conclusion of the League programme, the placing shall be decided firstly by taking into consideration the results of and points obtained in all games played between all those teams so involved. If this is indecisive, then the number of wins shall decide and if still indecisive then the number of losses shall be taken into account.