Gloucestershire County Trophy - Rules 2017
1. TITLE
The full title of the Competition is the “Gloucestershire Cricket Board County Trophy”
2. MANAGEMENT.
The control of the competition, which will take place annually, shall be undertaken by the Senior Clubs and Competitions Development Group (SCCDG) of the GCB and all decisions relating to these rules or to matches played in the competition shall be final and binding on all concerned.
3. ENTRY.
(i) All competing clubs must be affiliated to the GCB and ECB.
(ii) All Clubs that play in any league below the West of England Premier League (all Divisions) shall automatically qualify to enter the Competition.
(iii) All eligible clubs will be invited to enter the competition shortly after the end of the previous season. Clubs wishing to enter must return their entry forms before January 1st of the year of the competition.
(iv) If a club fails to fulfill a fixture in any one year that club may not be allowed to compete in the following year's competition.
(v) Previous year's finalists shall be exempt from the preliminary round of the following year’s competition.
4. COMPETITION STRUCTURE
The competition shall be organised on a straight knock out basis.
5. QUALIFICATION OF PLAYERS.
(i) A cricketer shall only be eligible to play for a club in the competition if he is a bona-fide, fully paid up member of that club.
(ii) If a club is a member of a League, a cricketer shall be deemed to be a "bona-fide" member of that club if he is eligible to play for that club under the rules of the League.
(iii) No currently contracted professional cricketer may take part in this competition.
(iv) No player may represent more than one club in the competition in any one year.
(v) Overseas players, as defined by ECB, shall be limited to one per team at any one time.
(vi) In addition to the above, it is against the Spirit of this Competition to boost the strength of a team temporarily with good players that normally play for the club, or any other club, in a higher team. Therefore, the following restrictions will apply.
a. For the 1st round a player will only be eligible if he has played no more than 50% of any clubs WEPL matches in the current season. For subsequent rounds, no player who has played in more than 25% of any clubs WEPL matches will be eligible to play.
b. The number of players eligible to play, who have played in WEPL matches in the current season, will be limited to 2 players per club.
6. CRICKET BALLS.
Each club shall provide the umpires with one new ball prior to the toss (this will normally be the ball used in their league matches or a ball of equivalent quality). This applies to all matches, except the Final, when the balls shall be provided by the Board. The HOME team shall be responsible for supplying spare balls of an adequate standard (inspected before the game by the umpires) to be used in the event of the match ball being lost or damaged or needing to be replaced.
A new ball must be used at the start of each innings.
7. UMPIRES.
The GCB shall be responsible for ensuring that GACO is requested to appoint two umpires for each game. Once the umpires have been appointed, it will be the responsibility of the HOME club in each round, except the Final, to confirm all arrangements with the appointed umpires, particularly in the event of postponements.
Umpires appointed by GACO are to be reimbursed their fee on the day by each club, preferably before the game.
8. SCORERS.
Each club is strongly encouraged to provide a competent scorer.
9. FIXTURES.
Subject to the over-riding discretion of the competition organiser, matches must be played on the date set.
(i) In the event of the game not being played on that date because of inclement weather, the clubs will be advised by the organiser of the deadline date applicable to the particular round. The HOME club must offer the AWAY club at least 2 dates on which the game could be played provided these are on or before the deadline date. If the away club declines all of the dates offered, then they shall be liable to be excluded from the competition.
(ii) In the event of a re-arranged game not taking place on the agreed date because of inclement weather, then the game must take place on the Sunday following - and so on until the game is played. Unless exceptional circumstances prevail, failure of a club to adhere to this may result in the offending club being eliminated from the competition.
(iii) A game may take place mid-week if absolutely necessary with a match of a minimum of 20 overs a side provided that the organizer has been informed and official umpires are appointed.
10. TEAM SHEETS.
Each side must provide the umpires with a signed team sheet before the start of the match identifying any player who has not reached the age of 18 on the date of the match showing the specific age of the player. It is recommended that the ECB Team Sheet is used wherever possible.
NB. Umpires will not stand in any match unless this requirement is met.
11. REPORTING RESULTS.
Following the match, the WINNING TEAM must inform the competition organiser of the result by email and must enter the final scores on Play-Cricket by mid-day of the following day. The full score sheet must be added to Play-Cricket within 72 hours.
12. HELMETS.
Any player under the age of 18 playing in the competition must wear a helmet that conforms to the latest ECB regulations.
13. CODE OF CONDUCT.
All players, team officials and club members shall be bound by the MCC Spirit of Cricket and the ECB Code of Conduct.
14. PLAYING CONDITIONS.
A. The Laws of Cricket (2000 Code – 4th Edition – 2010) shall apply with the following exceptions:
B. Hours of Play and interval.
(i) Normal hours of play will be 13:30hrs - 19:00hrs (12 noon – 17:30hrs for the final). Matches may commence at 13:00hrs providing both sides are agreeable and the Organiser has been informed. If no change to the start time has been officially made to the Organiser then the umpires will assume a 13:30hrs start.
(ii) In uninterrupted matches, an interval of 30 minutes will be taken at the conclusion of the innings of the team batting first (normally 16:20hrs) (14:50hrs in the Final). In the case of an interrupted match or a match in which the start is delayed, the duration and time of the interval can be varied by the umpires (minimum 10 mins.).
(iii) A scheduled cessation time for each innings shall be fixed prior to its commencement by applying the provisions of Playing Condition 14 C 2 (i).
(iv) Close of Play shall normally be 19:00hrs (17:30hrs in the Final) but play may continue after that time, subject to conditions of ground, weather and light, until the required number of overs has been bowled or a result achieved - see playing condition D.
(v) Additional Time - subject to weather and light, in the event of play being suspended for any reason other than normal intervals, the playing time shall be extended by the amount of time lost up to a maximum of 30 minutes. The captains may agree to dispense with this rule only by mutual consent. In such circumstances the umpires must be notified before the start of the match.
C. Length of Innings.
1. In uninterrupted matches
(i) Each team shall bat for 40 overs unless all out earlier.
(ii) All sides are expected to be in position to bowl the first ball of the last of their 40 overs within 2 hours 30 minutes playing time. In the event of them failing to do so, the full quota of overs will be completed, and the batting side will be credited with 6 runs for every whole over that has not been bowled. This will apply to both innings of the match. If the side batting second is credited with runs in this way and this consequently takes their score to or past their victory target, then the match shall be deemed to be won by the side batting second. All penalties in this regard will be imposed immediately the ball first becomes dead after the scheduled or re-scheduled cessation time for the innings.
(iii) If the team batting first is dismissed in less than 40 overs the team batting second shall be entitled to bat for 40 overs.
2. In delayed start matches.
(i) The number of overs shall be arranged so that both teams have the opportunity of batting for the same number of overs (minimum 10 overs each team). A result can only be achieved in a match of less than 20 Overs per side if both sides have the opportunity to bat for the full number of overs originally allocated. The calculation of the number of overs to be bowled shall be based on one over for each full 3.75 minutes (i.e. 3 mins-45secs) in the time remaining before the close of play (normally 19:30hrs).
As a guide the following shall apply. Time for the interval must be allowed for in the Calculation (See 14 B (ii)).
Overs Remaining Calculation Chart
Playing Time Remaining (mins.) / Total Overs to Bowl / Playing Time Remaining (mins.) / Total Overs to Bowl75 / 20 / 210 / 56
90 / 24 / 225 / 60
105 / 28 / 240 / 64
20 / 32 / 255 / 68
135 / 36 / 270 / 72
150 / 40 / 285 / 76
165 / 44 / 300 / 80
180 / 48 / 315 / 84
195 / 52 / 330 / 88
337.5 / 90
(ii) A fixed time will be specified for the start of the interval as calculated by applying the provision of 14 C 2 (i). In the event of the innings of the team batting first being completed prior to the scheduled time, the interval shall take place immediately and the innings of the team batting second will commence correspondingly earlier. If either team fails to bowl the required number of overs by the scheduled time, play shall continue until the required number of overs has been bowled and playing condition 14 C 1 (ii) shall apply. In all reduced over matches the fielding team will be given one overs leeway in addition to any time that the umpires might allow for stoppages. The interval shall be of the duration determined by the umpires as in 14 B (ii).
3. In matches where play is suspended after the match has started.
(i) When play is suspended during the first innings the object shall be to re-arrange the number of overs so that both sides have the opportunity of batting for the same number of overs (minimum 20 overs per side). The calculation of overs shall be as in 14 C 2 (i). The provisions in 14 C 2 (ii) shall also apply.
(ii) If, owing to a delayed start in the second innings or a suspension in play during the second innings, there is insufficient time for the team batting second to face the same number of overs as the team batting first, then the number of overs to be bowled will be those that could be bowled by the scheduled close of play (14 B (i), 14 B (iv)) assuming a rate of 16 overs per hour. The number of overs to be faced by the team batting second will never be increased after an interruption.
(iii) In the event of a suspension occurring in the middle of an over, the number of full overs to be bowled will be calculated, and any balls remaining to be bowled in the over during which play was suspended, will be added.
(iv) Where the match has started and, due to an interruption there is no longer the opportunity for both sided to face a minimum of 20 overs, if time allows, the original match will be abandoned and a new match of not less than 10 overs per side will commence. A result can only be achieved in a match of less than 20 overs per side if both sides have the opportunity to bat for the full number of overs originally allocated.
4. In all matches.
The umpire shall inform the fielding team captain when taking the field for the first time and on every subsequent occasion if play is interrupted by the weather, of the scheduled cessation time for that innings. The umpire at the bowlers end will inform the fielding captain, the batsman and his fellow umpire of any time allowances as and when they arise. (This matter will not be subject to retrospective negotiation). The umpires shall be responsible for calculating the revised number of overs to be played in the match, the fielding team will be given one overs leeway.
D. The Result.
(i) In an interrupted match where the number of overs has had to be reduced, a result can be achieved only if both teams have batted for at least 20 overs unless one team has been all out in less than 20 overs or unless the team batting second scores enough runs to win in less than 20 overs. There is provision for a result to be achieved in an equal overs per side contest of minimum of 10 overs per side as long as both teams have the opportunity to bat for the full number of overs originally allocated (see 14 C 2 (i) , 14 C 3 (iv))
(ii) When there is no interruption in the match and when both teams have had the opportunity, subject to the provisions of 14 C 1 (ii), of batting for the same agreed number of overs, the team scoring the higher number of runs shall be the winner. If the scores are equal, the result shall be determined by the loss of wickets with the team losing the fewer number of wickets being declared the winner. If still equal, or if both sides were all out, the team with the higher score at the end of the completed penultimate over shall be the winner, and if still equal, at the end of the previous over, and so on until a winner can be decided.
(iii) 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 that originally allotted (minimum 20 overs) then a revised target score should be set for the number of overs which the team batting second will have the opportunity of facing. This will be calculated on the basis of average run-rate (nb. a completed innings with the side being dismissed in less than their allotted overs, counts as their full allocation of overs for the purpose of calculating run rate. If the scoring rate is the same then the winner will be determined as set out in 14 D 2).