CHAMPIONSHIP
RULES – DIVISION 4 KENT CRICKET LEAGUE
These rules are in addition to the
League’s Constitution
1: ELIGIBILITY OF PLAYERS
1.1 No
player shall represent more than one member club in any one season, except with
the prior agreement (at least 3 working days before the match concerned) of the
Executive Committee.
A
"member club" is any club in the Kent Structure playing in either the
Kent Cricket League or a Regional Feeder League.
1.2 No
player shall play for more than one team on the same day
1.3 Each
clubs shall ensure that only fully paid-up subscribing members are selected to
play for its team(s)
1.4 No
club shall engage a match professional or make payment of any kind to a player
for playing. Such players or other contract players shall not be allowed to
play in matches arranged by the League.
1.5 No
club shall permit more than one overseas player in any League match. The definition of an overseas player is
someone not normally resident in the UK who has nor been an active and fully
paid-up member of that club for the previous two seasons.
1.6 A
player who has played in a recognised test match or one-day international for a
country which is a full member of the ICC, other than England, will be
ineligible to play in the League during the calendar year and for the next
three seasons. In addition, no
club shall be represented by any player who has played first class or County
second eleven cricket (or an equivalent standard) during the same season or
during either of the preceding two seasons.
1.7 In
the event of any doubt or dispute as to the status of a player, there shall,
wherever possible, be prior consultation with the Executive Committee. In any
event, that Committee shall be notified of all relevant facts & its
decision shall be final.
1.8 When
competing in a League fixture, each player shall wear predominantly white
clothing & footwear.
2: FIXTURES
2.1 All
fixtures shall be as arranged by the League’s Fixture Secretary and shall normally
be played on Saturdays except with the prior permission of the Executive
Committee
2.2 Teams are expected to fulfil all scheduled League fixtures (see
Constitution at para 4.3) where the ground is fit for play. In all other cases,
the team failing to field a side will be deemed to have forfeited the game
3: CANCELLATION
3.1 If,
in exceptional circumstances, a team is unable to fulfil a fixture commitment,
it shall ensure that its opponents & the League’s Results Secretary are
advised of that fact no later than 12 noon on the Thursday of the week in which
the match is to be played. Failure to so advise will incur a fine of £40
payable forthwith to the League. Reasonable representations for any
compensation by the non-offending team will be considered by the League.
4:
THE TOSS AND START TIME
4.1 The
toss is to take place at least 15 minutes before the appointed start time. Any team not in a position to do so
shall forfeit the choice of whether to bat or bowl first.
4.2 Matches
shall commence at 1.30pm except from & including the second Saturday in
August when they shall commence at 1pm.
4.3 A
delayed start caused by a team’s tardy attention to timeliness, and not by exceptional circumstances, will mean
that team receiving one less over, when batting, for every 3 full minutes by
which the start is delayed.
4.4 Even
though arriving late, a player must be ready to participate in a match, at the
very latest, by the start of the 24th over of the first
innings. If fielding, the player
must take the field of play by that time.
If batting, the player or his captain must inform both umpires of
his/her arrival before the 24th over is commenced.
5:
UMPIRES
5.1 Each
team playing in Divisions 1A & 1B shall provide a non-playing umpire for
each League fixture. Failure to do
so will result in a penalty as set out below (see “Penalties” at para 17.1).
5.2 Teams
playing in all other Divisions are encouraged to provide non-playing umpires.
Failure to do so may be regarded less severely by the League’s Executive
Committee who may recommend lesser penalties, if any
5.3 Umpires
shall be suitably attired
6:
HOURS & DURATION OF PLAY
6.1 The
normal duration of play shall be 92 overs.
6.2 The
side batting first shall receive not more than 46 overs.
6.3 The
side batting second shall receive the balance of the 92 overs, ignoring any odd
balls
6.4 The
playing time allowed for each full innings of 46 overs is up to 165 minutes
(2hrs 45mins).
6.5 The
umpires shall have the power to make allowances for time lost during an innings
for drink breaks and matters beyond the control of the fielding side and to
deduct such time taken to complete the innings. It is within the Spirit of the Game for umpires to advise
captains when they are falling behind the required over rate and , at the close
of play, of the points to bededucted.
However, any failure by the umpires to comply with this clause shall not
invalidate the deduction of points.
6.6 A
side that fails to bowl the overs in the time allowed (after any adjustment in
6.5 above) shall have points deducted as follows:-
a) more than 2hrs 45mins but less than
3hrs one
point
b) between 3hrs and 3hrs 15mins two
points
c) more than 3hrs 15 mins three
points
6.7 A
side bowling the opposition out within 2hrs 45mins will not be subject to any
penalties.
6.8 In
a match where the overs are reduced, by agreement ( see 6.12 below), the time
allowed will be proportionally reduced.
6.9 A
side cannot return a negative value in points in a match. In any such case, the return will be
zero points.
6.10 Umpires shall call the last
over of each innings in such a way as to be understood by the batsmen, the
captain of the fielding side and the scorers.
6.11 There shall be a
tea interval of 20 minutes which, unless the captains agree otherwise, shall
normally take place between innings.
6.12 In the event of a
delayed start due to adverse playing conditions, no overs shall be deducted for
the first 15 minutes lost. Thereafter, the match shall be reduced in length by
2 overs for every 6 minutes lost. The side batting first shall receive not more
than half the overs so determined.
6.13 No match shall
start later than 2 hours after the appointed starting time nor be reduced to
fewer than 56 overs.
6.14 No match, once
started, shall be reduced in length.
6.15 Any match in
which the agreed number of overs have not been completed (eg: due to stoppages
for bad weather/light) and no result has been achieved, shall be deemed to have
been abandoned.
7: CRICKET BALLS
7.1 The balls to be used for
all League matches are those approved and provided by the League & shall be common across all Leagues in
Division 4.
7.2 One
new ball shall be taken at the start of the first innings. The second new ball must
be taken at any time from the start of the second innings prior to the last
20 overs.
7.3 The
umpire shall indicate to the batsmen and scorers when the second new ball is taken.
8:
OVER LIMITATION FOR BOWLERS
8.1 No
bowler shall be permitted to bowl more than 12 overs in a 46 over innings.
8.2 If a
match is reduced in length (see para 6.6) or the length of an inning is
restricted (see para 4.3), the limit on overs-per-bowler shall be as set out in
“Table A” in para 8.4 below.
8.3 If
the second innings is more than 46 overs following the side batting first
declaring or being bowled out early (see para 6.3), then the limit on
overs-per-bowler shall be as set out in “Table B” in para 8.4 below
8.4 Table
A Table
B
Overs in Over
limit Overs
in Over
limit
reduced match per bowler second
innings per
bowler
90-92 12 47-51 12
82-88 11 52-55 13
74-80 10 56-59 14
66-72 9 60-63 15
58-64 8 64-67 16
Minimum 56 7 68-71 17 etc
8.5 If,
during a match, a bowler is unable to complete an over for any reason, the
remaining balls in the over shall be bowled by another member of the fielding
side apart from the bowler who delivered the previous over or anyone who has
completed their allotted number of overs (see paras 8.1-4). Any balls so bowled
will count as a complete over in each bowlers over allocation.
9: THE COVERING OF PITCHES
9.1 Pitches
may be covered at any appropriate time.
10:
TEAS
10.1 The home team
will provide a suitable tea for consumption (see para 6.5 above) and will
charge the opposition no more than £30 for this facility.
11:
SCORING OF POINTS
11.1 The winners of a
match receive 15 points, irrespective of whether they batted first or second
11.2 The losers of a
match receive between 0 and 9 points depending on the margin of their defeat
(see “Table C” below).
Table C
Defeat
between Defeat
by Points
1 & 9 runs 1
wicket 9
10
& 19 runs 2
wickets 8
20 & 29 runs 3
wickets 7
30 & 39 runs 4
wickets 6
40 & 49 runs 5
wickets 5
50 & 59 runs 6
wickets 4
60 & 69 runs 7
wickets 3
70 & 79 runs 8
wickets 2
80 & 89 runs 9
wickets 1
A
side losing by 90 or more runs or by 10 wickets receive no points but may earn
bonus points for bowling.
11.3 Both sides will
also receive bonus points for bowling with one point being awarded for every 2
wickets taken. Maximum bowling points will be 5 either for all 10 wickets or
when a side is “all out”.
11.4 In the event of
the scores being level, each side receives 12 points plus any bonus points for
bowling.
11.5 In the event of a
match not being completed due to the weather, it will be classed as “abandoned”
and each side receives 12 points.
There will be no bowling bonus points.
11.6 In the event of a
team failing to fulfil a fixture, they will be deemed to have lost the match
and will receive no points. They will also incur a penalty deduction of 5
points (see para 17.3 later). Their opponents shall be awarded 20 points.
12:
NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS
12.1 The
winning team shall notify the League’s Result Secretary of the result details
of each match by 12 noon on the Sunday immediately following each game
12.2 In addition, the
home side must complete a result sheet/card provided by the League & post
it to the Results Secretary to arrive not later than the Wednesday following
each match
13:
CHAMPIONSHIPS
13.1 The team gaining
the largest number of points in each division each season shall be its
Champions.
13.2 In the event of
two teams having the same number of points, precedence will be given to the team with the greatest
number of victories achieved in that season.
13.3 Should that
number be identical, precedence shall be given to the team which scored the
greater number of points in the match(es) between the two teams that season.
13.4 Should that
number be identical, or should there be more than two teams with the identical
number of points & victories, precedence shall be given to the team with
the best average of runs-per-wicket for, to the average of runs-per-wicket against.
13.5 The champion team
in each Division shall be awarded that Championship’s Trophy. Other trophies
and mementoes may be awarded at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
13.6 Trophies &
mementoes will be awarded at the Annual Presentation Dinner
14: PROMOTION & RELEGATION
14.1 The final league
positions for each season in each division shall be determined by the formula
in para 13 above for “Championships”.
14.2 The bottom team
in each division at the end of each season shall be relegated to the division
immediately below. This may
include relegation from division 3 and to division 5 where applicable.
14.3
The top
team in each division at the end of each season shall be promoted to the
division immediately above as long as any particular entry requirements are
also complied with. This will include promotion to division 3 and
promotion from division 5 (where applicable).
14.4 Second elevens,
where relevant, will operate independently from first elevens in respect of
promotion and relegation.
14.5 The
Regional Management Group shall have the power, in certain circumstances, to
waive the relegation of a team(s) in any given year; to prevent the promotion
of a qualifying team if other entry requirements are not met or assured and,
where appropriate, to endorse the promotion of teams other than those winning a
division.
15: NEW CLUBS ADMITTED TO THE LEAGUE
15.1 New
clubs joining, or progressing through, the League shall be assessed as to both
their playing strength & facilities by the Regional Management Group and
placed in the most appropriate division(s)
16: STRENGTH OF TEAMS
16.1 Any club with two
(or more) teams in the League/Structure shall give priority to fielding its first XI on any
exceptional occasion that such club is unable to field both of its teams on the
same day. Failure to do so shall render the club liable to action taken by the
Regional Management Group/Executive Committee
16.2 Any attempt to
“load/stack” the strength of second elevens artificially for tactical reasons
will be treated as a serious matter and against the spirit of cricket played in
the League. Clubs may be required to justify their selection policy to the
Regional Management Group/Executive Committee
17: PENALTIES
17.1 Failure
to provide an umpire – for teams in the internal Divisions 1A & 1B, failure
to provide a non-playing umpire in any League fixture shall, on each occasion,
incur a 5 point penalty deduction.
17.2 Failure
to give timely notice of match result
- any team which fails to comply with all the requirements on the
notification of results (see para 12 above) shall, on each occasion, incur a 5
point penalty deduction
17.3 Failure
to fulfil a fixture commitment – any team which fails to honour a fixture
shall, in addition to any other administrative penalty (see “Cancellation” para
3 earlier), incur a 5 point penalty deduction.
18: CRITERIA FOR MEMBERSHIP (also see FORMAT notes below)
18.1 The
“A” divisions -
18.1.1 Each club must be able to field two elevens on each Saturday on
which they are required to play League fixtures
18.1.2 Each
club must be able to comply, consistently, with the required “Listed Standards”
(see below) relating to its playing and general facilities. Its cricket
committee is expected to ensure regular maintenance of such standards
throughout each season.
18.2 Other divisions –
18.2.1
Each club shall
have the use of a private ground for League fixtures with a suitable clubhouse
and easy access to a bar with facilities for families.19.2
19:
ANNUAL PRESENTATION EVENING
19.1
The League will
hold an Annual Presentation Dinner for the purpose of awarding trophies to the winner of each division and such
mementoes and other playing awards as the Executive Committee deems appropriate
19.2
Member clubs are
expected to support this function and shall take a minimum of
two-places-per-team
19.3
Payment for
places at the Presentation Dinner shall be made to the League by 1 May each
season.
LISTED STANDARDS FOR ALL TEAMS IN THE “A”
DIVISIONS
- shall have the use of a recognised
home ground
- for match days - the pitch must be
well prepared to accommodate a match of maximum overs, with clear and well
defined markings and be of fair and even bounce
- at wicket-ends, the square must have
ruts and holes, caused by batsmen and bowlers, levelled, filled and firmed
in good time for a subsequent League match
- the outfield must be cut evenly to an
acceptable level for cricket and must be free from ruts and holes which
may be dangerous to fielders. Any grass cuttings which could hinder the
roll of the ball must be removed. The condition of the outfield must feature
in any pre-season preparation, especially where winter sports have been
played on the same area.
- there must be clearly marked
boundaries around the whole ground perimeter which are easily definable to
both umpires and fielders. This means a rope on the ground or a white line
marking with added indicators such as flags or boards at a maximum of 20
metres apart
- a sightscreen of adequate size must
be provided at each end of the ground.
- there must be a scoreboard which is fully
operational; displays all relevant information and is clearly visible from
the square
- a clock must be displayed which is
visible to umpires & players from the square
- there must be adequate car parking
for visiting teams
- the changing rooms, showers and
toilets must be hygienically clean and tidy and of a size adequate for two
teams
- the pavilion must be clean , tidy
& well maintained and there must be a bar and adequate catering
facilities
- a public telephone must be available
to use at the ground
PROPOSED FORMAT FOR DIVISIONS “A” & “B” IN
THE LEAGUE
Depending
on the number of teams participating in, or applying to join, each internal
division in the League, the Executive Committee propose to run a format
initially of four divisions with 2 in section “A” and 2 in section “B”. Each
division will comprise 9 teams playing fixtures on a home-and-away basis each
season.
The
eventual aim is for all members to participate in an open structure at the
earliest possible time with all divisions, at this point in the structure,
running in a “straight-line” format.
KENT CRICKET LEAGUE
(REGIONAL STRUCTURE)
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1.
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TITLE & OBJECTIVE
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1.1 |
The League shall be called Kent Cricket League
Division [4 or 5 etc]. The name
of any sponsor may be included in the title, subject to the agreement of
member clubs. |
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1.2 |
The object of the League shall be to promote
and encourage the game of cricket amongst member clubs in accordance with: |
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·
The League Constitution |
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·
The Championship Rules |
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·
The League Code of Conduct ·
The Laws of
Cricket ·
The MCC Spirit
of Cricket |
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2.
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REGIONAL LEAGUE STRUCTURE |
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2.1 |
The League shall form a part of the Regional
Structure of the Kent Cricket League and shall have a constitution held
in common with other leagues forming that structure. The league will provide
representation on the Regional Management Group (RMG) and will abide by the
decisions of that Group. |
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3.
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MEMBERSHIP
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3.1 |
There will be two methods of entry into the
Regional Structure as follows: |
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3.1.1 |
Any club/team desiring to become a member of
the Kent Cricket League (Regional Structure) shall make an application in
writing to the Regional Management Group (RMG). Such applications will be considered by the RMG and, if
successful, the team(s) shall be allocated to the most appropriate entry
point(s) in the regional structure. |
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3.1.2 |
Alternatively, teams may enter Division 4 of
the Regional Structure on relegation from Division 3 of the Kent League or by
promotion from Division 5 of the Kent League. The RMG will allocate relegated/promoted teams to the most
appropriate Regional Division. |
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3.1.3 |
Any club resigning membership of the League is
expected to notify the League’s Honorary Secretary at the earliest possible
time and at least 28 days in advance of the Annual General Meeting of the
League. |
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4.
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MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA
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4.1 |
Membership of the Regional Structure and of
each Division, shall be dependent upon grounds and facilities commensurate
with the standard of cricket to be played. |
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4.2 |
Clubs undertake to use their best endeavours to
provide the optimum playing facilities, and must comply with mandatory
requirements that the RMG may from time to time stipulate. |
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4.3 |
Clubs are required to fulfil all their League
fixtures , as a condition of membership of the League. |
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4.4 |
Clubs are required to comply with the
Championship Rules of the
division in which they participate(see Appendix 1 or 2 to this Constitution
as appropriate) |
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4.5 |
Clubs and their players are responsible at all
times for conducting themselves in such a way as to uphold the good name and
interests of the Kent Cricket League. |
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4.6 |
All member clubs shall be fully paid up
affiliated members of the Kent Cricket Board. |
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5
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MANAGEMENT & ADMINISTRATION
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5.1 |
Regional Management Group
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5.1.1 |
The RMG shall have overall responsibility for
the conduct of the Regional Structure of which this League forms a part. This will include ensuring that the
common constitution and playing conditions are supported, maintained and
observed. To this end, the RMG
will determine a common agenda for the respective league AGM/SGMs including
proposals for the amendment/revision of the common constitution & playing
conditions. It will also manage
the alignment of objectives for member leagues at the key interfaces within
the structure both above, for the Kent Cricket League's countywide structure
requirements and below, for the involvement of more local leagues. |
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5.1.2 |
The RMG shall comprise 3 representatives from
each of the leagues in Division 4 and Division 5. These representatives shall be elected/appointed at each
league’s AGM/SGM and shall be entitled to cast the one vote available for
each league on the RMG. Other
representatives may be co-opted, without voting rights, from the Kent Cricket
League and from the Structured League Committee of the Kent Cricket Board. |
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5.1.3 |
At meetings of the RMG, each of the feeder
leagues must be
represented and the quorum shall be not less than 5 representatives entitled
to vote. Substitutes for
nominated persons will be allowed. |
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5.1.4 |
The RMG shall usually meet on a quarterly basis
in February, June, September and November each year. It will set the common agenda for the
AGM/SGMs and, subsequently, ratify events at AGMs/SGMs shortly after such
meetings have taken place. This
will have particular relevance to the final outcome of resolutions to amend
the common constitution and/or playing conditions and obtaining the required
simple majority at the RMG for change across all of the Regional
Structure. In the event of there
being no majority, then the status quo will prevail. |
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5.1.5 |
The RMG shall nominate one of its voting
members as the co-opted representative for the Regional Structure on the Kent
Cricket League’s Management Committee. |
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5.2 |
League’s
Committees |
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5.2.1 |