GUIDANCE FOR LEAGUE REPRESENTATIVES
Match days
Matches forfeited or re-arranged
Meetings
Payments
Results Line
Reporting results
Marking pitches and outfields
Grounds, facilities and pitches
Grounds criteria
Disciplinary Committee
Disciplinary process
Appeals procedure
ECB Code of Conduct
Spirit of Cricket
Home team to telephone result to the Results Line by 10:00pm on the evening of the match – see Results Line for details to be left on answerphone. The result includes abandoned, conceded, postponed or incomplete matches.
HOME team to report the result on the Play-Cricket website by the Monday following the match (within 2 days for Twenty20 matches) – see Reporting Results.
AWAY team to report the result on the Play-Cricket website by the Wednesday following the match (within 4 days for Twenty20 matches) – see Reporting Results.
BOTH teams to email to robinandsandra@supanet.com marks awarded for the opponents’ sportsmanship by the Monday following the match. A form can be found on the League website under “Forms”. Marking system is as follows:
5 = Very Good; 4 = Good; 3 = Acceptable; 2 = Poor; 1 = Very Poor.
AWAY team to email to robinandsandra@supanet.com marks awarded for the home team’s pitch and outfield by the Monday following the match using the same form for sportsmanship marking. Marking system is as follows:
5 = Very Good; 4 = Good; 3 = Acceptable; 2 = Poor; 1 = Very Poor.
In addition to (iv) above, a marking of “1” for opponents’ sportsmanship must be supported by reasons in writing to the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee within 7 days of match (the report may be emailed to raju.sivakumaran@gmail.com).
In addition to (v) above, a marking of “1” for opponents’ pitch must be supported by reasons in writing to the Chairman of the Grounds Sub-Committee within 7 days of match (the report may be emailed to kaypaulmark@aol.com).
Matches forfeited or re-arranged
Notify opponents – and umpire(s) if applicable – as soon as possible if unable to field a side. Failure to notify opponents by 8:00pm on the Thursday before the match incurs a £100 surcharge in addition to the £50 payment for failing to honour a fixture.
CONCEDING team to notify the Results Line that the game has been conceded.
HOME team to notify the Fixtures Secretary and the Results Line of any match re-arranged from the fixtures printed in the handbook.
Attend the Annual General Meeting on the last Monday in November.
Attend the Spring Meeting on the last Monday in April.
Attend an Extraordinary General Meeting if one is called.
The club must be represented by the League Rep or a competent member of the club.
Annual subscription of £150 per club due 1 March.
Fee for additional teams of £50 per team due 1 March.
Two places at the Annual Awards Dinner of £35 per place due 1 March.
Affiliation to the Surrey Cricket Board of £10 per Surrey club due 1 March.
Cricket balls at £13 per ball ordered due 1 March.
Additional places for the Annual Awards Dinner (by date notified).
Fines (within 14 days of notification).
The result must be telephoned in by the home team to the Results Line (020 8947 3116) not later than 10:00pm on the evening of the match. The Results Line is on answerphone and in most cases calls are made from a mobile with considerable background noise. Leave the details as clearly as possible.
Details required are:
Score AND wickets of team batting first (state “all out” if applicable).
Score AND wickets of team batting second (state “all out” if applicable).
Note: a team with less than 11 players is “all out” if the last wicket falls.
Name, team and score of players making 50 or over (state if not out).
Name, team, number of wickets AND runs against of players taking 5 wickets or more.
Spell difficult names.
All matches conceded or abandoned for whatever reason must be called in.
If a rain-affected match is completed, give the scores with the number of overs for each side and state which side won on run rate.
If a match is re-arranged from the schedule printed in the handbook, the Results Line must be notified immediately.
Any corrections to scores or points must be notified to the Results Line number or by e-mail to robinandsandra@supanet.com as soon as possible.
Tables and results are sent to the Croydon Advertiser, South London Press, Surrey Comet and Surrey Mirror. They will also be updated on the League website www.surreycricketleague.com.
Entering result and scorecards on the club Play-Cricket website
The HOME team must complete the scorecard by the Monday following the match and the AWAY team must make any corrections by the following Wednesday. The AWAY team may enter the scorecard details first.
Log onto your club Play-Cricket website and click on the ADMIN button.
Click on RESULTS and this will list the weekend’s league games for your club – NOTE: The fixtures are moved from the fixtures to the results section midnight Saturday. If you cannot see the matches there you can search by specific details (ie. by date and team).
Click on ENTER next to the match result you wish to submit (if the opposition have entered the result this will show as EDIT).
Enter the match details onto the summary page – NOTE: the scorebook must add up because if it does not it will cause problems later. The details to be entered are:
Ground / Result / Who won toss
Details of your team: Batted first or not / Runs / Wickets / Number of overs
Details of opponents: Runs / Wickets / Number of overs
Batting and bowling points for losing side – NOTE: Do NOT enter points of winning team. These are recorded automatically.
Highlights of match (eg. scores of over 50, five wickets plus, hat-tricks)
Click on SAVE to submit the result.
Confirm your team: You will see a list of one to eleven on the left hand side and on the right hand side a list of available players for that team. Select your players in batting order and click on the relevant box for captain and wicketkeeper. Click on SAVE TEAM – NOTE: Unsure is not acceptable for any player.
Confirm your opposition: As above select their team. If the opposition have selected a wrong player you can select the correct player. Click on SAVE TEAM – NOTE: If you cannot find a player’s name on the list, click on PICK A PLAYER FROM DATABASE and select from there. If the player’s name is not there you may select UNSURE.
Enter details of team batting first as follows:
How out, not out or did not bat (from drop down list)
Fielder if applicable (from drop down list)
Bowler if applicable (from drop down list)
Scores
Extras
Scores at fall of wickets
Batsmen out at fall of wickets (from drop down list)
Figures of bowlers (from drop down list)
Click on SAVE SCORECARD.
Enter details of team batting second: As for team batting first.
Click on SAVE SCORECARD – NOTE: If all details match you will be able to proceed. If they do not you will get a comment BOWLING AND BATTING DO NOT MATCH in which case you will need to check the entries made and correct errors.
You will be taken to VIEW SCORECARD where you can see all the details entered. Click on BACK TO RESULTS.
Notes
On the summary results screen you must enter the time the match started. If the overs are reduced due to weather, late arrival then this should be entered in the highlights box (eg. match reduced to 38 overs due to weather).
If the 2nd innings’ target is reduced due to weather then the target score should be entered in the highlights box.
Any queries can be e-mailed to robboofselsdon@talktalk.net.
MARKING PITCHES AND OUTFIELDS
The reason the League requests pitch and outfield markings is to help maintain and improve the quality of grounds in the League and the markings should identify those which do not reach an acceptable standard.
It is important that marks are objective and relate to the whole game. A mark should not be based on whether the away side won or lost the match, or how badly they batted.
Pitches are not expected to be of Test Match standards. A marking of “5” should be attainable.
Criteria to be considered:
The markings should be based only on the strip and outfield on which the game is played, not on ground facilities.
Variable bounce, for example too many balls keeping low, or bouncing high to the throat or head from just short of a length.
The length of the pitch.
Poor or incorrect line markings.
Whether the pitch is too dry or too wet. However, weather conditions should be borne in mind, for example a low marking might not be applicable if it is possible to play on a pitch that is wet due to rain.
Whether the outfield is bumpy or the grass is very long.
Whether there is significant litter in the outfield.
Whether boundary markers are in place.
NOTE: The absence of sight screens, boundary lines (providing a rope or markers are in place) or covers shall not form part of the marking criteria.
GROUNDS, FACILITIES AND PITCHES
The
Executive Committee has developed criteria for pitches and ground
facilities in respect of all member clubs within the League and any
future new applicants. This was considered necessary to improve and
maintain the standard and quality of cricket available to member
clubs and for the League to retain its position within the structure
of Surrey Cricket and the associated leagues. In addition it would
offer encouragement for Premier Division sides to remain within the
League instead of considering a move to another league to access
better grounds without necessarily improving their playing level of
cricket.
During 2009, a review of Premier and Division 1
grounds/facilities was commenced. This will be completed in 2010 and
each club will be allocated a grading (A/B/C) using a Committee
approved set of criteria (see next page) supplemented by personal
inspections by members of the Grounds sub-committee.
By the
close of season 2010 all Premier Division clubs must achieve a
minimum A or B classification to remain in that division for 2011. By
the same time (season end 2010) any Division 1 side attaining a
promotional position will not be granted promotion unless their
ground/facilities satisfy an A or B rating. Should a Premier side's
ground rating fall below a B grading at the conclusion of the season
2010 there will be significant risk of demotion to Division 1. If a
club changes ground, the new ground will be inspected by the Grounds
sub-committee and must be approved acceptable for Premier Division
cricket/promotion to the Premier Division.
The grading of
grounds and pitches is not related or linked in any way to the pitch
and outfield markings provided by clubs which is a separate entity.
GROUND CRITERIA
To follow
DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE
Transgressions in the following categories will be addressed by the Committee:
Failing to comply with the instructions of an umpire, criticising his decision by word or action, showing dissent, using abusive language, or generally behaving in a manner which might bring the Game and/or the name of the League into disrepute.
Repeated infringements by an individual of the Spirit of the Game (where it is decided that each infringement in itself does not merit any immediate disciplinary action). Repeated infringements by a team are likely to result in the captain being held responsible for the conduct of his team (whether or not individual players are also identified for disciplinary action). When issuing the penalty, the Disciplinary Committee may take account of instances of poor team discipline in previous years, particularly where the on-the-field captain is the same. Captains should understand their responsibility for the “on the field” behaviour of themselves and their team members.
There is no place for any act of violence on the field of play. Proven cases of violent conduct will result in expulsion from the League.
Players and team officials must not make racially abusive comments nor indulge in racially abusive actions against fellow players, officials, members and supporters.
ECB Code of Conduct and the Spirit of Cricket
Any breach of the Code of Conduct and the Spirit of Cricket.
Club Members and Supporters
Non-playing members and supporters are the responsibility of the club and any cases of misconduct will be dealt with by the Disciplinary Committee.
DISCIPLINARY PROCESS
Complaint
Any alleged breach of the Code of Conduct, the Spirit of Cricket, or the Rules and Playing Conditions of the Surrey Cricket League shall be notified by any member club or player (the ‘complainant’) in writing (the ‘complaint’) to the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee as soon as possible and not later than 7 days from the occurrence of the incident subject of the complaint. The Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee shall forward a copy of the complaint to the member club against whom the complaint is made (the ‘defendant’) who shall respond to the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee in writing (the ‘response’) to the complaint within 7 days of the date the complaint was copied to the defendant.
On receipt of a complaint and the response, the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee shall consider the complaint as soon as reasonably practicable, and resolve either:
to take no action except to record and notify the decision to the relevant member clubs; or
decide on a suitable action for minor offences where there is clear evidence or admission by a club or clubs involved; or
if the complaint appears to require further action, to convene a disciplinary hearing as soon as is practically possible and no later than 21 days of the decision to call for the hearing.
Umpires will report any ‘reportable’ incidents within 24 hours of the completion of the game, using the umpire’s card (by e-mail). The same process as in (1) above will be followed.
Disciplinary Hearing
A case which is referred to a disciplinary hearing will be notified in writing to the League Representatives of the relevant member clubs giving at least 7 days notice. Any adjournments may be granted at the discretion of the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee. The player concerned and the member club shall be entitled to attend the hearing, state their case (in the case of a club by its League Representative or other club official). They may be supported by a colleague and may call witnesses. The hearing will be conducted by the Disciplinary Committee of the League which shall consist of not less than three persons, none of whom shall be connected with the player, the club or the opponents.
Penalties
If the Disciplinary Committee finds the alleged offence proved it shall have the power to impose one or more of the following penalties, together with such order as to costs as it deems appropriate:
In the case of a player -
To require the player to submit an appropriate letter of apology within a specified time
To record a reprimand and to give a 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 a member club -
To require the club to submit an appropriate letter of apology within a specified time
To record a reprimand and to give a warning as to future conduct
To impose a fine
To deduct league points from the club’s team(s)
To relegate to any lower division of the League
To expel the club from any competition of the League
To expel the club from the League
The Disciplinary Committee shall have the power to suspend the operation of any part of or the entire penalty it imposes for such period and subject to any terms that it deems appropriate. Decisions of the Disciplinary Committee, a finding that a complaint is proved or otherwise or a decision on penalty, shall be by a majority vote, where necessary the Chairman shall have a casting vote.
In the case of violent conduct, the player(s) concerned will be suspended with immediate effect and matter investigated. A disciplinary hearing will take place once the investigations are completed thoroughly.
Any decision to suspend a player will be communicated to his club’s opponents scheduled to play during the suspension, to the League’s umpires in the case of a Premier Division club, and reported to the Surrey Cricket Board for national circulation. Suspensions will apply to all cricket played under the auspices of the ECB and cover the appropriate number of league games played to a result, including rearranged fixtures, cup games or inter-league matches within the suspension period.
Any decision to expel a player or a club will be communicated to Surrey Cricket Board and other Surrey Leagues, after an appeal process if applicable.
APPEALS PROCEDURE
A player or member club shall have the right of appeal to the Appeals Committee. The notice of appeal setting out the grounds must be given in writing to the League General Secretary within 7 days of the decision of the Disciplinary Committee together with a fee of £100. If notice of appeal is given the penalty shall not take effect pending the hearing of the appeal, which shall take place as soon as is practicable.
The appeal shall take the form of a re-hearing before a different committee. The composition of the committee shall be at the discretion of the Chairman of the League and shall consist of not less than three persons none of whom shall be connected with the player, the club or the opponents, or who sat on the Disciplinary Committee. The player or the club shall have the same rights of attendance as they had before the Disciplinary Committee.
The Appeals Committee may confirm, vary or reverse the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and it shall have the power to increase the penalty and award costs of the appeal hearing. The decision of the Appeal Committee shall be by majority vote; where necessary the Chairman shall have the casting vote. The decision of the Appeals Committee or, if no appeal, of the Disciplinary Committee, shall be final and binding.
In the event of a successful appeal, the fee shall be returned in full. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the appeal fee shall be forfeit unless the Appeals Committee considers that, in the circumstances of the case, the fee should be returned in full or in part.
ECB CODE OF CONDUCT AND SPIRIT OF CRICKET
1. Code of conduct
The ECB is committed to maintaining the highest standards of behaviour and conduct. This code of conduct incorporates the Spirit of Cricket, as set out below. It applies to all matches played under the auspices of the ECB and may be applied to cricket in general.
Captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of Cricket as well as within the Laws.
Players and club officials must at all times accept the umpire’s decision. Players must not show dissent at the umpire’s decision or react in a provocative or disapproving manner towards another player or a spectator.
Players and club officials shall not intimidate assault or attempt to intimidate or assault an umpire, another player or spectator.
Players and club officials shall not use crude and/or abusive language (known as ‘sledging’) nor make offensive gestures or hand signals nor deliberately distract an opponent.
Players and club officials shall not make racially abusive comments nor indulge in racially abusive actions against fellow players, officials, members and supporters. Clubs must operate an active open door membership policy and welcome players/members irrespective of ethnic origin.
Players and club officials shall not use or in any way be concerned in the use or distribution of illegal drugs.
Clubs must take adequate steps to ensure the good behaviour of their members and supporters towards players and umpires.
2. Spirit of Cricket
Cricket is a game that owes much of its unique appeal to the fact that it should be played not only within its Laws, but also within the Spirit of the Game. Any action which is seen to abuse this spirit causes injury to the game itself. The major responsibility for ensuring the spirit of fair play rests with the captains.
There are two Laws which place the responsibility for the team’s conduct firmly on the Captain.
Responsibility of captains
The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of the Game as well as within the Laws.
Player’s conduct
In the event of any player failing to comply with the instruction of an umpire, criticising the decision by word or action, showing dissent, or generally behaving in a manner which might bring the game into disrepute, the umpire concerned shall in the first place report the matter to the other umpire and to the player’s captain, and instruct the latter to take action.
Fair and unfair play
According to the Laws, the umpires are the sole judges of fair and unfair play. The umpires may intervene at any time, and it is the responsibility of the captains to take action where required.
The umpires are authorised to intervene in case of:
Time wasting
Damaging the pitch
Dangerous or unfair bowling
Tampering with the ball
Any other action that they consider to be unfair
The Spirit of the Game involves respect for:
Your opponents
Your own captain and team
The role of the umpires
The game’s traditional values
It is against the Spirit of the Game:
To dispute an umpire’s decision by word, action or gesture
To direct abusive language towards an opponent or umpire
To indulge in cheating or any sharp practice for instance
to appeal knowing the batsman is not out
to advance towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing
to seek to distract an opponent either verbally or by harassment with persistent clapping or unnecessary noise under the guise of enthusiasm and motivation of one’s own side.
Violence
There is no place for any act of violence on the field of play.
Players
Captains and umpires together set the tone for the conduct of a cricket match. Every player is expected to make an important contribution to this.