PLAYING CONDITIONS

Changes made at the 2009 AGM and Spring 2010 Meeting are underlined.

1.		COMPOSITION OF DIVISIONS: The number of teams in any one division shall be a maximum of 18.
2.		FIXTURES: Unless weather or unforeseen circumstances intervene, each team in the Premier Division and Division Four shall play every other team in that division twice per season, home and away. Teams in Divisions One, Two and Three shall play every other team in that division once per season. Where practicable, in Divisions One, Two and Three home and away matches shall be equal, and the venue reversed in alternate years. The league fixtures shall be arranged by the Fixture Secretary of the League in conjunction with the Fixture Secretaries of member clubs. Any changes to the fixtures issued to member clubs shall be advised to the affected clubs by the Fixture Secretary. Once published in the League handbook no fixture shall be altered except by permission of the League Fixture Secretary. As far as possible fixtures will run consecutively from the first Saturday in May. League matches are to be played on Saturdays only, and to be completed by the second Saturday in September. The League Fixture Secretary will endeavour to ensure that all XIs of a club will play on the same dates. Where a club has two teams participating in the same division, the League Fixtures Secretary will arrange for the match between the two teams to be played within the first two weeks of the season. If the teams are in a division where matches are played home and away, the first match will be arranged in the first two weeks of the season and the second will be arranged in the first two weeks of the second half of the season. Before the scheduled starting time, the decision of whether a ground is fit for play is the responsibility of the Home club only. Once play has begun, the umpires shall be the judges of the fitness of conditions for play, in accordance with the Laws of Cricket as issued by the MCC. Venues can be changed only by the mutual consent of both clubs. In the event that a game is abandoned by the weather, so long as both teams agreed, the game can be replayed on a future date. The Fixture Secretary and the Results Line must be advised.
3.		ARTIFICIAL PITCHES: Games may be played on an artificial pitch provided both teams are agreeable.
4.		DURATION OF THE GAME: The duration of the game to be decided by 45 overs being bowled by each side, or until a side is dismissed whichever is sooner. No bowler may bowl more than 9 overs in any Premier Division game, and 10 overs in any game in Divisions 1 to 4. Any over or part over bowled by a bowler in excess of the stipulated 10 overs shall stand. If the error is discovered during the course of an over, that over shall be completed by a different bowler and shall then count as a complete over for him. Guidance: each innings should take no longer than three hours. ECB fast bowling directives 1. The captain of each side in every match shall ensure that no player under the age of 19 shall bowl more overs in a spell or in a match than is allowed by the most recent fast bowling directives published by the England and Wales Cricket Board, namely: · Up to 13 years old – 5 overs per spell and maximum 10 overs per day · Under 14 and under 15 – 6 overs per spell and 12 overs per day · Under 16 and under 17 – 7 overs per spell and 18 overs per day · Under 18 and under 19 – 7 overs per spell and 18 overs per day. 2. Age groups are based on the age of the player at midnight on 31 August in the year preceding the current season. 3. In the event of any breach of this condition the captain of the side shall be liable to disciplinary action and his side forfeit all match and bonus points awarded in any match in which the breach(es) took place and shall suffer the additional deduction of up to 20 points for each match in which a breach occurred. Over Rate Penalty (applicable only to Premier Division matches officiated by at least one League panel umpire) Unless the match is delayed by rain or there are exceptional circumstances accepted by the umpire(s), the 45 overs shall be bowled within three hours. Should the bowling side fail to complete their overs within three hours they shall be penalised as follows: If the first innings’ overs are not bowled within three hours the batting side will still face 45 overs but the bowling side will have the number of overs not bowled within the three hours deducted from their 45 overs. If the second innings’ overs are not bowled within three hours the batting side will still face their full number of overs but the first innings total will be reduced by six runs for every over not bowled within the three hours. NB. An over in progress at the three hours time limit will count as within the three hours. Examples: After three hours side B has bowled 42 overs. Side A goes on to score 200-8 in their 45 overs. Side B’s target to win is 201 in 42 overs. Side A scores 200-8 in their 45 overs within three hours. Side B has scored 180-7 off 42 overs after three hours. Side A’s total is reduced to 182 ie 200 – (6 runs x 3 overs). Side B needs 3 to win off their final 3 overs. After three hours side B has bowled 42 overs. Side A goes on to score 200-8 in their 45 overs. Side B’s target to win is 201 in 42 overs. After three hours Side B has scored 180-7 off 40 overs. Side A’s total is reduced to 188 ie 200 – (6 runs x 2 overs). Side B needs 9 to win off their final 2 overs. NB. Over rate penalty does not apply to any rain-affected match.
5.		STARTING TIMES: The normal time for the commencement Premier Division matches shall be 1:00pm (12:30pm from the third Saturday in August until the end of the season). Matches in the remaining divisions shall commence 1:30pm (1:00pm from the third Saturday in August until the end of the season). Any team not at the ground 15 minutes before the scheduled start time shall forfeit the toss. Any team not present and ready to begin the game by the scheduled start time shall forfeit two of their allotted batting overs for every further five minutes (or part of five minutes) until they are ready to begin the game. This reduction shall apply in full, even where the allotted overs are reduced in accordance with Playing Condition 7. At the toss the two captains shall confirm to each other how many players they expect to field. Any team not present and ready to begin the game by 45 minutes after the scheduled start time shall forfeit the match. The defaulting team may be fined £150 of which £125 will be paid to the opponents. For the purposes of this playing condition, ma team shall comprise no fewer than eight players.
6.		TEA BREAK: The tea break shall not exceed 30 minutes duration, and shall be between innings, unless otherwise agreed by mutual consent of both captains.
7.		DELAYED START: Should the start of the game be delayed or the game be interrupted because of the weather, then the two captains shall agree on a suitable equal number of reduced overs, with a minimum of 20 overs being substituted for 45 overs under Playing Condition 4 to decide the result of the match. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, should an innings be completed, or a target reached, within 20 overs, the match shall be completed. For example, Side A scores 86 all out in 19 overs and Side B scores 87-1 in 15 overs. Side B wins despite neither side facing 20 overs because a completed match has been played. Fifteen overs should be deducted for every hour lost, if necessary (every 4 minutes or part thereof lost = 1 over). For example, if 30 minutes play is lost at the start of the game, 8 overs are lost – 4 per side. If in this example an uneven number of overs are lost, an additional over should be lost so that each side loses the same number. If 30 minutes play is lost during the second innings, the team batting second will face 37 overs and the result will be decided on run rate. In the event of 2 sides having an unequal number of overs available, owing to interruption by weather, then the game shall be decided by their respective overall run-rates per over. In this connection: (i) Where the side batting first is bowled out before its total allotted number of overs are completed, its total score shall be divided by its full number of allotted overs to determines its run-rate per over (see Example 2 below). (ii) Part overs shall be counted as completed overs. (iii) All bonus points accumulated during a match of reduced overs shall be retained. Example 1 – Side A scores 225-6 after 45 overs when rain causes the game to be reduced to 20 overs for side B: Side A’s run-rate per over is 5 (225÷45) Side B’s target to beat in 20 overs is 100 (5x20) Example 2 – Side A is bowled out for 90 runs off 30 overs when rain causes the game to be reduced to 20 overs for Side B: Side A’s run-rate per over is 2 (90÷45) Side B’s target to beat in 20 overs is 40 (2x20) Or Side A is bowled out for 90 runs off 30 overs in a game already reduced to 35 overs each when rain causes the game to be reduced to 25 overs for Side B: Side A’s run-rate is 2.57 (90÷35) Side B’s target to beat in 25 overs is 64 (2.57x25) (ie more than 64.25) Example 3 – Side A scores 180-7 off 45 overs. Side B has scored 135-5 off 30 overs when rain causes the game to be abandoned: Side B wins by faster run-rate per over (4.5 against 4). Example 4 – Side A scores 200-6 in 43 overs when rain interrupts play. After 10 minutes tea is taken and the rain continues until 20 minutes after tea, thus 30 minutes play is lost (8 overs): Side A’s run rate is 4.65 (200÷43) Side B’s target to beat in 39 overs is 181 (4.65x39) In the Premier Division only, the maximum number of overs a bowler may bowl will be reduced pro rata to that of the number of overs of that innings reduced by the weather. Example 1 – Side A’s innings is reduced to 35 overs, Side B’s bowlers may only bowl a maximum of 7 overs – 35 ÷ 5 (the minimum number of bowlers required for a full 45 over game) Example 2 – Side A’s innings is reduced to 27 overs, Side B’s bowlers may only bowl a maximum of 6 overs – 27 ÷ 5 (5.4 rounded up to 6)
8.		FAILURE TO HONOUR A FIXTURE: Should a team fail to honour a fixture, their opponents will be adjudged to have won and will be awarded 20 points. The team cancelling it will not receive any points. Any club failing to honour a fixture shall be fined £25, and shall also pay £25 to its opponents. Both sums to be sent in the first instance to the League Treasurer. Any Team failing to notify their opponents that they are unable to honour a fixture by 8:00pm on the Thursday before the match shall pay a £100 surcharge, in addition to the original fine. Notification must be made by speaking to the opponents, eg messages and emails cannot be relied upon. If this happens a second time in any season, the team will be expelled from the League, unless the Executive Committee decide that there were very exceptional circumstances. Any Team failing to honour more than two fixtures in a season shall be expelled from the League. If a team is expelled under this playing condition (or withdraws during the course of the season) all its matches played to date shall be expunged from the League tables. If a club is unable to honour a fixture it must concede the match which its lowest XI is due to play that day. For the purposes of this playing condition, a team shall comprise no fewer than eight players.
9.		POINTS SYSTEM: 20 points shall be awarded for a win, 5 points for a tie (a tie is recognised as both sides having equal scores regardless of wickets lost), no points for a defeat. In addition the following bonus points will be awarded to the losing or tying sides: 60 runs 1 point 2 wickets 1 point 90 runs 2 points 4 wickets 2 points 120 runs 3 points 6 wickets 3 points 150 runs 4 points 8 wickets 4 points 180 runs 5 points 10 wickets 5 points When a side does not have its full complement of 11 players it is deemed to be all out when their last wicket falls and consequently 5 bonus bowling points are awarded to the fielding side. Full bonus bowling points are also awarded to the fielding side if a side declares its innings closed. No points shall be awarded in the event of a game being abandoned prior to commencement or whilst in progress before a result can be obtained under Playing Condition 7. It shall be the duty of the captain of the team batting second to ascertain between innings the total runs scored by the side batting first and to agree the batting target accordingly.
10.		LEAGUE POSITIONS: The league positions shall be decided by the average points per game played. The average shall be determined by dividing the number of games actually played and completed (ie excluding abandoned games) into the total points obtained from those games. In the event of two or more teams having an identical average, the league position will be determined by reference to the result of the match (or the matches) between the teams concerned, ie the winning team shall be placed higher. If this method is inconclusive (eg where the match is tied or abandoned, or where more than two teams are concerned) the team scoring most runs per wicket throughout the season shall be placed higher.
11.		PLAYERS ELIGIBLE TO PLAY: A player is ineligible to play in the League if during the current season he has played first or second XI County Cricket or in the Minor Counties, or for a club’s first or second XI in County Premier League Cricket unless the club has written permission from the General Secretary. A player may play for only one club in the League during any one season, unless written permission is given by the Executive Committee. Any complaint that this playing condition has been transgressed must be made in writing to the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee within 7 days of the relevant game. Any player engaged in a League fixture, shall not participate in any other cricket match during the same playing time. Clubs are expected to field their strongest available sides in all matches. In addition, in any case where a club’s first XI does not have a League fixture, clubs are expected to select their second (and other) XIs from players who would normally be expected to play in those particular XIs. If a complaint is received from any club within 14 days of the match alleging infringement of this playing condition, the Executive Committee may call for an explanation from the club concerned and take any action it considers appropriate with regard to the result of the match in question. On complaint of the opposing team, or another team not party to the match but adversely affected by the match result, the Disciplinary Committee may investigate an allegation that a team has played a player of a notably higher standard than the normal level of that division, and that player has had an undue influence on the result of the match. The Disciplinary Committee will take into account the following factors: · Whether the player plays regularly for the club or not (in the recent past, or subsequent to the match in question). · The difference in standard of the player compared to the norm for that division. · The importance of the result of the match in the context of the league positions, particularly with regard to promotion and relegation. · The level of influence the player had on the result of the match. The Disciplinary Committee may alter the result of the match, and may impose a points penalty if the allegation is proved. STAR PLAYERS: Performance data will be used to select five higher XI players. The selection will take place immediately after the second Saturday of June (this allows 4 to 5 games to assess players), and will need to be in place by the fourth Saturday in June (14 days later). Star players will remain so until the end of the season. Clubs will be notified of their star players, and have 7 days to appeal against the inclusion of up to 2 of the players in the list. The appeal must state the reasons, and offer alternatives. The General Secretary will reconsider the list and amend it if appropriate, or refer the appeal to the Executive Committee for a final decision. The final list of all star players will be published on the www.surreycricketleague.com website. From the fourth Saturday in June, clubs with more than one team will not be able to field any star player in a lower XI. A club may request to change up to two star players during the season. Any request must be made in writing with full reasons to the General Secretary. Any complaint that this playing condition has been transgressed must be made in writing to the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee within 7 days of the relevant game. Any falsification of result cards should be considered as a serious disciplinary matter. Penalties could include forfeiting the points of a game, or banishing one of the offending star players from the team to which he is allocated for 5 games (thus weakening the higher XI over a longer period).
12.		UMPIRES: Subject to availability, two independent umpires shall be appointed to each match in the Premier Division. If only one umpire is appointed he shall stand at the bowler’s end for the full match and the batting side must provide an umpire at the striker’s end. Should an independent umpire not be available, both teams must provide a non-playing umpire for the full match. Teams in Divisions 1 – 4 should provide a non-playing umpire who is entitled to stand in both innings. If not possible the umpiring must be agreed by the captains.
13.		NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS: The HOME team shall enter the result and complete the scorecards on the Play-Cricket website by the Monday following the match. The AWAY team shall verify the result and scorecards by the Wednesday following the match. The result includes matches which are abandoned or conceded. Failure to comply will incur a fine of £10. For cup matches the actions must be completed no later than two and four days after the match by the HOME and AWAY teams respectively. The HOME team shall mark their opponents for sportsmanship on a scale of: 5 = Very Good 4 = Good 3 = Satisfactory 2 = Poor 1 = Very Poor The mark shall be sent to the General Secretary by email or post no later than the Monday following the match. The AWAY team must mark their opponents for sportsmanship, the pitch batting surface, and the outfield on identical scales and shall send the marks to the General Secretary by email or post no later than the Monday following the match. Any 1 marking for a pitch must be explained in writing (by post or email) to the General Secretary within 7 days of the game in question. Any 1 marking for sportsmanship must be explained in writing (by post or email) to the Discipline Secretary within 7 days of the game in question. A captain may also report in writing (by post or email) to the Discipline Secretary within 7 days of the game in question any incidents of poor conduct even though a sportsmanship mark above 1 was awarded. If a team finishes a season in a promotion position but has an unsatisfactory pitch mark (below 3), it may forfeit promotion. The promotion place may be taken by the highest finishing team outside the promotion places with a satisfactory pitch mark. Should a team have an unsatisfactory pitch mark (below 3) in two consecutive seasons, it may be relegated to the division below for the following season replacing the highest placed team in the relegation positions. A team which plays at a ground which does not fulfil Grade B of the League’s ground criteria, as published in the League handbook, shall forfeit promotion to the Premier Division. A Premier Division team shall not be permitted to move to a ground which does not fulfil Grade B of the ground criteria. The home captain shall telephone the match result to the Results Line on the day of the match before 10:00pm. This shall apply whether the game is abandoned, incomplete or finished. Where a team concedes a match to its opponents, it shall be the duty of the team conceding the match to telephone the Results Line. Late submission or failure to send a result card, telephone a result, or write explaining a “1” marking as set out in this Playing Condition, will incur fines as per Rule 9.
14.		CRICKET BALL: In the Premier Division each side must provide one new ball, to be used in each innings. In divisions 1 – 4, the home side is responsible for providing a new ball for the whole game. It shall be of the type specified in the contract with the League sponsor. Each side must provide one new ball, to be used in each innings of all Premier Division games. Otherwise, the home side is responsible for providing a new ball for every game. It shall be of the type specified in the contract with the League’s sponsor. Clubs playing more than two-thirds of their matches away from home shall provide a match ball for each game.
15.		LEAGUE CUP: Suspended pending new playing condition for the Twenty20 competition – advised separately. All member clubs will be entitled to enter one team into the League Cup, which will be played midweek on a knockout basis. Matches will be played on, or before if both sides are agreeable, the dates given by the League Fixture Secretary. If a match is to be played on any date other than the published date or at a different ground to that published in the handbook, the home side shall inform both the visitors and the League Fixture Secretary at least two weeks before the date of the game. In any event, the home side shall contact the away side at least one week prior to a cup game to confirm the date of said cup game. If a cup match is postponed through bad weather, it shall be rearranged for the Wednesday immediately following (or sooner of both clubs are agreeable). If the game is not concluded, the tie will be decided by the toss of a coin. If need be any Committee member may be used to assist this process. The League playing conditions shall apply, where relevant, to League Cup matches, with the following exceptions: (i) Playing Condition 2 – does not apply. (ii) Playing Condition 9 – In the event of a tie, then the side losing fewer wickets will be deemed to be the winner. If the number of wickets fallen is also equal, then a replay is necessary. (iii) Playing Condition 14 – The visiting side shall provide a new AJ Sports ball. In the League Cup final tie, a new AJ Sports ball, supplied by the League, shall be used in each innings. (iv) Playing Condition 11 – For any match in the League Cup Round 2 a team shall consist entirely of players who have played for that club in at least two AJ Sports League matches (excluding Cup matches) in the current or immediately preceding season. In Round 3 the qualification is three such matches, in Round 4 four such matches, and in the Final five such matches. In the event of any infringement of this playing condition, the offending team shall be deemed to forfeit the match. If a team plays an ineligible player, the Executive Committee will consider suitable punishment (which may affect the cup or the league) and any further action it considers appropriate.
16.		TWENTY20 CUP AND TROPHY: The T20 Cup shall be open to teams in the Premier Division and Division 1. The T20 Trophy shall be open to teams in Divisions 2, 3 and 4. Only one team per club may be entered in each cup competition. Entry is optional with an entry fee of £25 to be paid by 1 March. Early rounds up to and including quarter-finals will be held on a weekday evening at the ground of the team drawn at home. At the Executive Committee’s discretion the weekday matches may be played on a regional basis. The semi-finals and final of both competitions will be held at a neutral ground on a Sunday in August. There will be a “Man of the Match” award for both finals. Match rules · Matches shall consist of 20 six-ball overs per side. · There shall be a maximum of 4 overs per bowler. · Bowlers shall have a maximum of 12 yards run up which includes walking (ie forward movement) – penalty is a No ball called by either umpire. · Any full pitched ball bowled above waist height and any ball bouncing above shoulder height shall be called No ball. · Offside wides to be adjudged in accordance with the Laws of Cricket, but any delivery which passes legside of the striker and misses leg stump shall be called Wide. · Wides and No balls shall count as 3 extra runs with no extra ball, except in the final over of each innings when they will still be counted as 3 extra runs but an extra ball shall be bowled. · The incoming batsman must be in position to take guard or for his partner to be ready to receive the next ball within 90 seconds of the fall of the previous wicket. · Evening games must commence at 6:00pm – if a 6:30pm start is agreed between the sides, the game shall consist of 15 overs per side and a maximum of 3 overs per bowler. · There shall be 10 minutes between innings – no tea shall be provided. · The Away team shall provide the match ball. · In the event of a rain affected game, each side must have batted for at least 10 overs and the winner will be decided on the run rate. · In the event of a tie, the side losing fewer wickets shall be deemed to be the winner. If the number of wickets lost is also equal, the game shall be decided by a bowl-off of 10 balls per team (2 per bowler) and if wickets are equal, the remaining players of each side shall bowl 2 balls alternatively until a winner is established. Late starts Play must commence on time or as soon as both sides have a minimum of 8 players. If the start is delayed up to 6 minutes, the game will consist of 19 overs per innings and so on until up to 30 minutes when each innings will be 15 overs. If a delayed start is caused by one side, that side shall forfeit the toss and lose 1 over for every 3 minutes late. If both sides are responsible for a late start, the side ready to commence the game first shall be awarded the toss and both sides shall lose 1 over for every 3 minutes it is late. Over rate penalty Unless the tie is delayed by rain or there are exceptional circumstances accepted by the umpire(s), the 20 overs shall be bowled within 1 hour 15 minutes (the period). Should the bowling side fail to complete their overs within the period they shall be penalised as follows: If the first innings’ overs are not bowled within the period the batting side will still face 20 overs but the bowling side will have the number of overs not bowled within the period deducted from their 20 overs. If the second innings’ overs are not bowled within the period the batting side will still face their full number of overs but the first innings total will be reduced by 10 runs for every over not bowled within the period. NB. An over in progress at the period limit will count as within the period. Example 1 – After the period side B has bowled 18 overs. Side A goes on to score 100-8 in their 20 overs. Side B’s target to win is 101 in 18 overs. Example 2 – Side A scores 100-8 in their 20 overs within the period. Side B has scored 80-7 off 18 overs at the end of the period. Side A’s total is reduced to 80 ie 100 – (10 runs x 2 overs). Side B needs 1 to win off their final 2 overs. Example 3 – After the period side B has bowled 18 overs. Side A goes on to score 100-8 in their 20 overs. Side B’s target to win is 101 in 18 overs. After the period Side B has scored 65-7 off 15 overs. Side A’s total is reduced to 70 ie 100 – (10 runs x 3 overs). Side B needs 6 to win off their final 3 overs. NB. Over rate penalty does not apply to any rain-affected match. Player eligibility · Subject to the following condition, players eligible to play in the competitions are those who, during the current season, have participated in at least one league game before the first round; in at least two league games before round two; and at least two league games before the semi-final and final. Any request to play a player who does not qualify under this requirement must be made in writing to the General Secretary giving full reasons including the name of the player. Three days should be allowed for a request to be considered. · A player is ineligible if during the current season he has played first or second XI County Cricket or in the Minor Counties, or for a club’s first or second XI in County Premier League Cricket. · A player cannot play in both competitions in the same season. · The Star Players provision is applicable – see Playing Condition 11. Clubs contravening the player eligibility shall be expelled from the cup competition and may be fined or otherwise penalised by the Executive Committee.
17.		NO BALL/WIDE BALL: Bowling of high full pitched balls Any delivery which passes or would have passed on the full above waist height of the striker standing upright at the crease is to be deemed dangerous and unfair, whether or not it is likely to inflict physical injury on the striker. Judging a Wide (a) If the bowler bowls a ball, not being a No ball, the umpire shall adjudge it a Wide if according to the definition in (b) below, in his opinion, the ball passes wide of him standing in a normal guard position. (b) The ball will be considered as passing wide of the striker unless it is sufficiently within his reach for him to be able to hit it with his bat by means of a normal cricket stroke. (c) In the Premier Division and the Twenty20 cup competitions, umpires are instructed to apply very strict and consistent interpretation in regard to this law in order to prevent negative bowling wide of the wicket. Any offside delivery shall be judged in accordance with (a) and (b) above. Any legside delivery which passes legside of the striker and misses leg stump shall be called a Wide. Delivery not a Wide The umpire shall not adjudge a delivery as being a Wide: (a) If the striker by moving, either (i) causes the ball to pass wide of him, as defined in (b) above or (ii) brings the ball sufficiently within his reach to be able to hit it with his bat by means of a normal cricket stroke. (b) If the ball touches the striker’s bat or person. Ball not dead The ball does not become dead on the call of Wide ball. Penalty for a Wide A penalty of one run shall be awarded instantly on the call of Wide ball. Wide not to count A Wide shall not count as one of the over.
18.	CODE OF CONDUCT: Players and clubs (including officials and members of the club) are expected to act in a manner which does not prejudice the good name or interests of the league.