DORSET CRICKET LEAGUE REGULATIONS (Updated 3 March 2010)

1. TITLE

The name of the league shall be the Dorset Cricket league (hereinafter called ‘the league’ and may be modified to include the name of any sponsor as and when appropriate.

2. OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the league shall be to provide the highest possible standard of league cricket throughout Dorset in accordance with the objectives of the England and Wales Cricket Board.

3. LEAGUE MEMBERSHIP

3.1 Membership shall be open to all clubs whose constitution includes the following statement: “Membership shall be open to all, irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, ethnic origin, creed, colour, social status, sexual orientation.”

3.2 The league shall consist of separate Saturday and Sunday competitions and shall be set up in divisions and be open to such teams as are approved by the Annual General Meeting of the DCA.

3.3 The number of teams participating in either competition may vary. Any team applying for membership must be required to demonstrate their ability to meet certain criteria (Appendices A and B) set by, and regularly reviewed by the League Management Committee.

3.4 Any team wishing to join either competition should apply in writing to the league Secretary not later than the 31^st October in the year prior to that in which entry is to be operative. Such entrants shall be placed in the lowest division unless a special case is made and is approved by the League Management Committee.

3.5 All league clubs must have in place Public and Employers’ Liability Insurance. They may be approached from time to time by the Committee for proof of such. Cover is mandatory. Furthermore each club is strongly recommended to maintain a club bank account.

4. MANAGEMENT

4.1 The league shall be played under the auspices of the DCA and the management of the League shall be vested in Management Committee who shall be elected at the AGM and shall consist of the Chairman, Secretary, Results Secretary, Fixture Secretary, Treasurer and six members representing both competitions (Saturday and Sunday) plus the DCA Chairman and Secretary and a representative of the Dorset Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers as ex-officio members. Elected members, other than officers, of the Management Committee must be bona fide members of clubs who play in the Dorset League.

4.2 The Management Committee may appoint Sub-Committees and will have powers to co-opt other persons as necessary.

4.3 The Management Committee will meet as and when necessary (seven persons are required to form a quorum) to ensure the proper control and management of the League and to hear any protest or breach of the rules which come to their notice. The Management Committee shall also be responsible for administrating the funds made available and the treasurer shall deposit such funds in an approved bank account and be responsible for keeping all records of the League’s financial transactions. The Committee should act in the best interest of cricket in Dorset at all times.

4.4 All committee members shall normally receive at least 14 days notice of Management Committee meetings and special meetings.

4.5 Decisions of the Management Committee shall be carried by a simple majority.

4.6 Decisions made by the Management Committee in the Management of the League shall be final and binding on all member clubs.

5. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

5.1 The Annual General Meeting of the league shall take place before the end of November in each year, at a venue, date and time to be decided by the Dorset Cricket Association.

5.2 Notice of the AGM will be circulated to member Clubs at least three weeks before the date of the meeting.

5.3 Member Clubs wishing to propose changes to the regulations and playing conditions must notify the League Secretary in writing of such proposals not later than 31^st October.

5.4 All clubs must be represented at the AGM. Failure to do so will result in a fine of £50.

5.5 All AGM motions will be deemed to be carried if supported by at least two thirds of the bona-fide Club representatives present and voting. Each club shall have one vote. The quorum for the AGM shall be one third of the League member clubs.

5.6 Nominations for the posts of officers of the league must be received by the League Secretary in writing not later than 31^st October. In the absence of nominations, the existing committee may put forward recommendations.

5.7 The following business shall be transacted at the Annual General meeting:

a. Approve the minutes of the last AGM.

b. Receive a report from the league secretary on the previous season.

c. Receive a Report from the Treasurer on the accounts for the year ending 30^th September.

d. Elect the following Officers and Management Committee Members- Chairman, Secretary, Results Secretary, Fixture Secretary, Treasurer and six club representatives.

e. Consider any rule changes, proposals and arrangements for the forthcoming season from member Clubs or the Management Committee of which notice shall be sent out with the AGM agenda.

6. EXTRAORDINARY MEETINGS

An extraordinary general meeting may be called by the management committee or by not less than 30 members Clubs in writing to the League Secretary setting out the reason for such meeting. The secretary shall call the extraordinary Meeting within three weeks of such a requisition. No other business may be transacted at the meeting other than that set out in the Agenda. The rules contained in section 5.5 will apply.

7. FINANCE

7.1 The Annual subscription to the league shall be determined at the Annual General Meeting of the DCA.

7.2 Any club which has not paid its DCA affiliation fees and league subscription by 31^st March shall have an automatic and immediate fine of £100 and have 40 points deduction applied to every team participating in league competitions. If these fees and/or subscriptions are still not paid by the commencement of the season, a further deduction of 40 points per team will apply each weekend, until the payment is received by the treasurer. Such clubs may also be liable to disqualification from the league.

7.3 Payment of DACU and S expenses shall be made to the league Treasurer in a post dated cheque (24^th June) by 31^st March. Refunds for matches not played will be deducted from the amount due on the next season’s affiliation account .

8. PROTESTS

All protests by member clubs must be made in writing and lodged with the League Secretary within seven days of the alleged breach of rules. The protest must be accompanied by a fee of £100 which may be forfeited if the protest is not upheld. In these cases the decision of the Management Committee shall be deemed to be final and binding.

9. DISCIPLINE

9.1 It shall be disciplinary offence

a) For any player in the course of or in connection with a match to misconduct himself/herself or to act at any time in a manner calculated to prejudice the good name or interests of the league.

b) For any Club to fail properly to control or discipline its players or to act in a manner calculated to prejudice the good name or interests of the league.

c) For any player or club party to any press reports likely to bring the League into disrepute.

d) For any player or club to be associated with any press reports which criticise the decisions and/or ability of the match officials. This should also include comments on clubs websites.

The player and club committing an offence shall be liable to penalties in the manner and as described hear after.

9.2 For the purpose of these Rules the expression ‘The player’ shall throughout these Rules be deemed to mean and include not only any player, whether a professional or otherwise, but also any member or official of any club or if appropriate any other person involved in any incident of possible misconduct occurring on the field of play, or on the premises of the club, as may be appropriate in the particular circumstances.

9.3 Where a player or club is reported for an offence, notice in writing of the alleged offence shall be sent both to the player and their club as soon as possible. The player and/club shall then be asked to appear before the next possible meeting of the Disciplinary Sub-committee. Such meetings will be held on the second Monday of each month where necessary. The player and/or club must inform the League Secretary if they wish to attend the Disciplinary hearing and whether they will be calling witnesses. Should the player or club fail to either request a personal hearing or to attend such personal hearing then the Disciplinary Sub-Committee reserves the right to adjudicate on the offence in the player or club’s absence. The player or club shall be entitled to attend the hearing (in the case of the club by its Secretary or other official), to be legally or otherwise represented, and to call witnesses. Legal representation shall not however be an excuse to delay the hearing. Where a player is reported for physically striking another player or official, the player so reported shall not be allowed to play in any league matches until the Disciplinary hearing is held.

9.4 If at the hearing the Disciplinary Sub-Committee find the offence alleged proved it shall have the power to impose one of the following penalties:

a) In the case of a player:

(i) Expulsion from the league;

(ii) Suspension for one or more matches;

(iii) A fine of not more than £200;

(iv) Reprimand

Save that a player may be for the same offence both suspended and fined.

b) In the case of a club:

(i) Expulsion from the league;

(ii) Expulsion from any cup competition of the League;

(iii) Deduction of points in the league;

(iv) A fine of not more than £200;

Save that a club for the same offence may be subject to both deduction of points and a fine.

9.5 A player or Club found by the Disciplinary Sub-Committee to have committed an offence or upon whom the Disciplinary Sub-Committee has imposed a penalty shall have the right of Appeal to Appeals Sub-Committee. Notice of appeal setting out the grounds must be given in writing to the secretary of the league within 7 days of the decision of the Disciplinary Sub- Committee, together with a deposit of £100. Upon giving Notice of Appeal the penalty shall not take effect pending the hearing of the Appeal.

9.6 The appeal shall be way of rehearing. The player or Club shall have the same rights of attendance and representation, and to call witnesses as they had before the Disciplinary Sub-Committee.

9.7 The appeals Sub-Committee may confirm, vary or reverse the decision of the Disciplinary Sub-Committee, save that it shall not have the power to increase the penalty. The Appeals Sub-Committee shall also have the power where they consider the appeal to be without merit to order that the deposit be forfeited.

9.8 The decision of the Appeals Sub-Committee, or if no appeal of the Disciplinary Sub-Committee, shall be final and binding.

9.9 (a) the disciplinary Sub-Committee shall be composed of three members of the Management Committee.

(b) The Appeals Sub-Committee shall be composed of three different persons appointed by the Management Committee

9.10 The league will honour suspensions on players and clubs made by other cricket leagues providing that those leagues have an established disciplinary policy. Furthermore, the League will ask for reciprocation on suspensions with other leagues.

1. Fines resulting from disciplinary action, must be paid to the Dorset Cricket Association c/o the league treasurer within seven days of written notification from the League. If an appeal against the fine is sought, by an individual or club, payment of the fine may be held pending the outcome of the appeal hearing. If after the appeal the individual or club are still required to pay a fine they must pay the league treasurer within seven days of notification by the league. Failure to pay a fine within the seven day period will be considered “as holding the league in contempt” and a further disciplinary hearing will be required to take place before the individual or club can participate in any Dorset League cricket or any ECB appointed cricket competition in any other county. A player who has been fined by the league shall not be eligible to play in the Dorset league or any other County League until the fine has been paid in full.
2. The Chairmen of all clubs participating in both Saturday and Sunday competitions are required to sign a declaration, that the league code of conduct will be adhered to throughout their club. Their respective captain(s) and players will need to be aware of the codes implications and it is recommended that a copy be made available to all who represent their club in league matches.
3. Details of an individual or clubs fines/bans which result from league disciplinary action will be published on the league web site.
4. In the cases of (c) & (d) in paragraph 9.1above, a club player acting as a spokes person for that club, will incur an immediate two weekend ban and a fine. In the case of a club official, the club will incur an immediate 20 point penalty applied to every team that club has in the league competitions, plus a fine. There is no leave for a hearing or appeal, unless a public retraction is obtained from the media responsible for the article.

10. ALTERATION OF REGULATIONS AND PLAYING CONDITIONS

Regulations and Playing conditions may be altered at the AGM (see section 5.3 above). The Management Committee is authorised to deal with any matters which may arise not covered by the Regulations and Playing conditions.

11. RESIGNATIONS

A team is considered to re-enter the competition for the following season unless it gives notice to the League Secretary by 31^st October. A team withdrawing from the league after the fixtures have been made will be subject to a fine of £50.

Notwithstanding this rule each club will be invited to enter the league for the subsequent season and provide details of their ground availability by submitting a form and entry fee (as decided from time to time by the management committee). This form must be with the League Secretary by 31^st October.

12. LEAGUE COLOURS

The league colours shall be green and gold.

PLAYING CONDITIONS

(for both Saturday and Sunday competitions)

The laws of cricket (2000 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.

1. FIXTURES

1.1 Each team shall play each other twice, on 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 eighteen (18) 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 40 points on each of the first two occasions and the match shall count as a match played and lost for that side. A fine of £30 payable immediately to the League Treasurer shall be sent within seven days of the scratched game. Any team failing to honour a third fixture in the same season will be expelled from the League and their record deleted. However, there shall be a right of appeal on the first two occasions only. The appeal must be notified to the League Secretary within 24 hours of the match being scratched, by telephone and in writing within seven days together with an appeal fee of £100. In the circumstances of an appeal being made, the fine of £30 must still be sent to the treasurer with a note than an appeal is being made. The fine will not be banked until the appeal is heard. A club with more than one team in a competition shall always honour the more senior fixture if a game is to be scratched. When a club with more than one team in the league, 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 whatever possible the match takes place bearing in mind that a match at its commencement can consist of a minimum of 50 overs.

1.5 If the opposing team wishes to claim any expenses incurred in relation to the cancellation, it shall send such claim to the opposition and lodge a copy of the claim with the League Secretary within seven days of the cancellation.

1.6 Clubs wishing to enter external competitions are reminded that they must fulfil their league fixture obligations and cannot cancel league matches to participate in such competitions. The league requires clubs to field their strongest side in Dorset league competitions at all times.

2. GENERAL CONDITIONS

2.1 All matches other than Premier Division and Saturday Division 1 matches) shall commence by 2pm except for the final three weekends of the season when the matches shall start by 1.30pm. In the Premier Division and Saturday Division 1, all matches will start by 1.30pm except for the final three matches of the season when matches will start by 1.00 pm.

Matches may only commence however if each side has at least seven (7) players in attendance.

2.2 There shall be an agreed tea interval of up to 30 minutes to be taken between innings if possible. 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 team at no cost to the visiting team (including umpires and scorers.)

2.3 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. Each captain shall nominate his players in writing to one of the umpires before the toss in accordance with the law. In the absence of ‘non player umpires’ then the captains shall exchange such lists. 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 team ‘winning’ the toss must make its decision known to the opposition and umpires immediately.

2.4 Before the toss for innings, the Executive of the Ground shall be responsible for preparation of the pitch, thereafter the umpires shall control its use and maintenance.

2.5 a. The creases SHALL be remarked between innings.

b. The BOUNDARIES shall be marked by a white line and flags or prominent markers, or by a rope.

c. Sweeping and rolling of the pitch shall be carried out as approved by the Umpires.

d. Sawdust should be available in a sufficient quantity at the commencement of the game.

e. The protected Areas of the Pitch shall now commence 5ft in front of the popping creases.

f. Premier Division and Saturday Division 1- a 30 yard field circle (where achievable) will be marked with white discs or a white dotted line. During the first 15 overs of each innings, only two (2) fielders are to be allowed outside the fielding circle. Additionally a minimum of two (2) fielders must be in a recognised close catching position. After the first 15 overs the numbers of fielders to be inside the circle shall be six (6) include the bowler and wicket keeper.

Total overs in innings Number of overs fielding restrictions will apply

25-26 first 7 overs

27-29 first 8 overs

30-32 first 9 overs

33-36 first 10 overs

37-39 first 11 overs

40-42 first 12 overs

43-45 first 13 overs

46-47 first 14 overs

48-50 first 15 overs

2.6 a. In both competitions 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. In the Saturday Premier Division, Saturday Division 1and Division 2, each side shall provide an approved League ball (see 2.6a above) to be used, one for each innings.

c. Failure to comply with the regulations 2.6a and 2.6b above will result in a fine of £30 being levied on the offending team.

d. An approved league ball must be used for the entire match.

2.7 Each team shall be responsible for providing a competent non-playing scorer. In the Premier and Division 1, failure to do so, where reported by the Umpires, will result in the offending team to be fined £30 on each occasion.

Additionally in the Premier Division and Saturday Division 1 only if no such scorer is available, then the umpires will require the appropriate captain to nominate one of his players to undertake the scoring duties. No substitute will be allowed for this player, who may, however, resume his/her place in the nominated side, with any resultant penalties under the laws if a scorers is subsequently provided.

2.8 Umpires shall be appointed by the Dorset Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers (DACU&S) in respect of the top two divisions on Saturdays and the appropriate expenses paid. Teams in all other divisions shall be responsible for providing a competent umpire. If only one such umpire is present, he shall officiate at the bowlers end at al times.

2.9 Where umpires are appointed by DACU&S the home team shall be responsible for notifying both Umpires concerned in the event of a cancellation at least two hours before the scheduled starting time.

2.10 Where umpires are appointed by DACU&S both team captains shall complete a report on the umpires and send such reports immediately after each game to the designated official. Clubs failing to send in such reports by the Friday immediately following the game will be subject to a fine of £30 on this and every subsequent occasion, and 5 points will be deducted from the teams total points tally, and on every subsequent occasion.

2.11 By the 2010 season, all clubs playing in Saturday Division 2 will be required to provide a non playing, competent umpire for their matches. By the 2011 season this will be extended to Saturday Division 3 sides. Clubs turning up for a match without a competent, non playing umpire must appoint one of their players from their team to carry out the umpiring duties. This player will carry out the umpires duties for the entire match and take no part in the playing of the game. No substitute will be allowed for this player, but should a suitable umpire subsequently become available, the player is allowed to take his/her place in the team, remembering that there may be resultant penalties under the laws of cricket that may come into play. (See playing conditions 2.7))

3. PLAYERS

3.1 Only bona-fide members of clubs shall play in the League.

3.2 Notwithstanding the above, any player having played for a club in one competition during the current season shall not be eligible to play for any other club in that same competition in the same season except by the mutual agreement of the clubs concerned The League Secretary must receive letters requesting a transfer from, both the player him/herself and the club which he/she wishes to join, together with a letter from the club which the player is leaving stating that they have objection to the transfer. On receipt of ALL of these documents the Management Committee through the League Secretary will approve the transfer. An administration fee of £30 will be payable by any player seeking a transfer, such payment to accompany his/her letter. No transfers will be allowed after the 31^stJuly in any season. In the event of this rule being contravened, the team offending 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 shall also be deducted. Such matches shall be listed as a ‘No result’ for the opponents, unless it would be detrimental to that team.

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)

3.4 Any player who has played for the first XI of a First Class County in any of the preceding three seasons, or an overseas player of proven First Class standard, must have his name submitted, in writing, to the Management Committee for clearance to play in League matches during that current season before they play for any club. Such players will only be permitted to play in the Premier Division and Saturday Division 1 and also the Sunday Division 1. The Management Committee reserves the right to refuse permission in any individual case. In any case no permission will be grated after 31^st July in any season.

3.5 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 on 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 1^st of May in each year. These persons must be registered with the League, in writing, in the same manner as stated in rule 3.4. It is the responsibility of Clubs to determine the eligibility of each player.

3.6 Any breach of the rules in Paragraphs 3.4 and 3.5 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 implications.

3.8 An overseas player must be registered, in writing, with the league secretary no later than May 1^st in each year.

4. LENGTH OF INNINGS

4.1 Each match shall consist of a maximum of 45 overs for each side (Premier and Saturday Division 1 shall be a maximum of 50 overs for each side) except where time is lost between the scheduled start time and the commencement of the match due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances (see also paragraph 2.1), when the number of overs shall be reduced as hereinafter provided (see paragraph 4.3).

4.2 The team batting first shall be entitled to bat for no more than 45 overs (Premier and Saturday Division 1, 50 overs) or half of the number of overs where reduced as in paragraph 4.1.

4.3 TIME LOST BEFORE PLAY HAS COMMENCED

In the event of time being lost for any reason after the appointment start time and PRIOR to the commencement of the game the umpires will ensure that the number of overs to be received by each side are equal based on 45 overs per side (Premier Division – 50 overs per side) less one over for every COMPLETE 7 (SEVEN) minutes lost.

4.4 TIME LOST, AFTER PLAY HAS COMMENCED, DURING THE FIRST INNINGS

In the event of time being lost AFTER the commencement of the match due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances during the innings of the team batting first, then the team batting first will still receive their full or revised allotted number of overs.

Where a team batting second does not have the opportunity of batting the same number of overs as the team batting first, due to time being lost after the commencement of the match, the result will be determined as follows:

The second innings run rate shall be determined immediately prior to the start of the innings of the team batting second using the following formula:

The second innings run rate = (100 + {P x 1.2}) x (1^st innings run rate) x (1/100) where d = the difference in overs to be played at the commencement of the innings of the team batting second

(1^st innings run rate) = (1^st innings score) divided by (number of overs allocated to the side batting first).

Notes: i) The run rate of both the 1^st and 2^nd innings shall be calculated to two decimal places.

iv) If the second innings commences with the same number of overs allocated to the

team batting first, the run rate shall remain the same as the first innings run rate,

even though a later interruption may reduce the number of overs the team batting

second may receive.

The “run rate required” shall be multiplied by the lowest number of overs which the team batting second shall be entitled to receive after making allowance for time lost after the commencement of the match. The resulting figure shall be the “target score”.

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.

A match shall be tied if the scores are equal at the end of the match. In a match where there is an interruption after the commencement, where the revised target score involves a fraction of a run, then the final scores cannot be equal and the result cannot be a tie.

EXAMPLE OF REDUCED OVERS RUN RATE CALCULATION

1st innings

Runs Scored

Overs allotted

at start of

match

Run rate =

A/B

To 2 decimal places

Overs allocated to side batting second at start of 2nd innings

P = Difference

in overs

B - D

P x 1.2

Run rate for team batting second

= (100+F) x C

100

221

4.42

9.6

4.84

Target score = overs allocated to side batting second x G

Target score for example above = 42 x 4.84 ie. 204 to win match

If overs are reduced again after start of second innings

New Target score = Revised number of overs allocated to side batting second x G

Example with further reduction of 4 overs after start of 2^nd innings =

38 x 4.84 = 183.92 = 184 to win match

Changes to bowling restrictions in the event of a reduction in the number of overs bowled in a match.

Premier Division and Division one Saturday.

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.

Example:

Reduced number of overs = 37

Overs per bowler equates to 37/50x10 = 7.4(rounded to the nearest integer)

Two bowlers may bowl a maximum of 8 overs and three may bowl a maximum of 7 overs.

In the event that a bowler has already bowled his full allocation of 10 overs at the time of the delay, this shall be ignored in the calculation.

Example:

The already reduced number of overs is further reduced to 27 overs.

The overs per bowler now equates to 27/50x10 = 5.4

Two bowlers have completed 8 overs as a result of the previous reduction. Therefore the remaining overs must be bowled by other bowlers, but limited to a maximum of 5 overs.

All other Saturday Divisions and Sunday League.

Example:

Reduced number of overs = 37.

Maximum number of overs per bowler originally12 now reduced to 37/45x12 = 9.86 (rounded to nearest integer) = 10

This maintains the integrity of the need for 4 bowlers.

Example:

Reduced number of overs = 28

Maximum number of overs per bowler originally12 now reduced to 28/45x12 = 7.46(rounded to the nearest integer) = 7

4.5 If either team does not have the opportunity of batting a minimum of 25 overs, then the match shall be considered to be abandoned. It may not be necessary for the side batting second to bat the minimum required 25 overs, but they must have the opportunity to do so.

4.6 In the Saturday Premier and Saturday Division 1, the side bowling its overs first shall bowl in no more than 3 hours. Drinks intervals of no more than 5 minutes may be added, but if a side does not meet this target it shall only receive that number of overs bowled, including the over in progress, when it has its innings. However, in both divisions, the side bowling second may, at any time during the second innings, have the option of bowling those ‘overtime overs’, but the full quota must be bowled . The side bowling second shall be subject to the same over rate. The umpires shall be the sole judges of any increase to the time allowed where unavoidable stoppages in play have occurred. In both innings, no further bowling bonus points may be gained in any complete over which is bowled after the time allowed.

4.7 The laws of cricket now state that the umpires shall have the final say on the commencement, continuation and/or resumption of play where the fitness of the ground, the weather and the light are called into question.

5. BOWLING RESTRICTIONS

5.1a No bowler shall bowl more than 12 overs in any one innings regardless of any overs that may be transferred under 4.2 above. Loss of overs under 4.3, 4.4 and 4.5 shall not affect this rule.

5.1b Premier Division and First Division only- No bowler shall bowl more than 10 overs in any innings.

5.2 In the event of a bowler breaking down and being unable to complete an over, the remaining balls shall be bowled by another bowler within the restriction of 5.1 above.

5.3 Underarm bowling is not permitted in either competition. “No ball” should be called if this rule is contravened.

5.4 Wide Ball - In order to prevent negative bowling wide of the wicket and over the batsman’s head, the following criteria should be adopted by Umpires:

a. If a ball passes either side of the wicket, sufficiently wide to make it virtually impossible for the striker to play a “normal cricket stroke” both from where he is standing and from where he should normally be standing at the crease, then the Umpire should call and signal “Wide Ball.” The criteria for Premier and Division 1 are to be the definition within the first class game. All other leagues will adhere to the Laws of Cricket definition.

5.5 No Ball- The bowling of a Fast Full Pitch Ball which passes or would have passed above waist height of the striker standing upright at the crease or a Slow Full Pitch Ball which passes or would have passed above shoulder height of the striker standing upright at the crease shall be called and signalled as No Ball by the bowler’s end umpire.

6. SCORING OF POINTS

6.1 The team which wins the match shall score 10 points.

6.2 In a tied match each team shall score 5 points (see 7.2).

6.3 In the event of a ‘No result’ other than that contained in 3.2 above, neither team shall score any points nor shall the match count in a teams’ point average.

6.4 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 when calculating its point’s average. The non-offending team shall be awarded 20 points and the game will be counted as a game played and won when calculating its point’s average.

Points awarded

A Batting

Premier Division and Saturday Division 1 All other divisions

Score Points Score Points

100 to 124 1 90 to 109 1

125 to 149 2 110 to 129 2

150 to 174 3 130 to 149 3

175 to 199 4 150 to 169 4

200 or more 5 170 or more 5

B Team Batting second

Premier Division and Saturday Division 1

Margin of victory Points

10 or 9wickets 5

8 or 7 wickets 4

6 or 5 wickets 3

4 or 3 wickets 2

2 or 1 wickets 1

NB – the total of margin of victory points and second innings bonus points shall not exceed 5.

C All other divisions

Opponents score Margin of victory Points

Under 90 9 or 10 wickets 5

7 or 8 wickets 4

5 or 6 wickets 3

3 or 4 wickets 2

1 or 2 wickets 1

90 to 109 8 to 10 wickets 4+1

5 or 7 wickets 3+1

3 or 4 wickets 2+1

1 or 2 wickets 1+1

110 to 129 7 to 10 wickets 3+2

3 to 6 wickets 2+2

1 or 2 wickets 1+2

130 to 149 4 to 10 wickets 2+3

1 to 3 wickets 1+3

150 or more Any 1+4

NB – If a team obtains a batting point in scoring the winning runs, then the points shall be reduced by one. The maximum number of points is five.

In all divisions of both competitions the side batting second and losing shall be awarded 3 extra points if they achieve a target within 10% of their opponents score (see Appendix C).

D Bowling – All divisions

Wickets taken Points

2 1

4 2

6 3

8 4

10 5

NB If a team declares at any time the fielding team will be awarded 5 bowling points.

See also Paragraph 4.6 (Length of Innings) regarding the non-awarding of bowling points where time has been exceeded in the Saturday Premier and Saturday Division 1.

7. THE RESULT

7.1 A result can only be achieved if both teams have had the opportunity of batting for at least 25 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 25 overs.

7.2 A match shall be tied if the scores of the respective teams are equal at the conclusion of the match. In any match where the score needed to win has been subsequently reduced by a loss of overs, then such revised target score shall be the winning target and there shall be no tie.

8. NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS

8.1 The Home Captain, or his representative, shall be responsible for submitting the result of the match (including cancellations and ‘No Results’) to the Results Secretary – David Vincent – Telephone 01258 480110 by 10pm on the day of the match.

8.2 Clubs failing to observe this rule shall be fined £30 (payable within 14 days of the scheduled day match, directly to the treasurer) No points will be deducted if the fine is paid in full within the specified period. However, failure to pay the fine within the stated time limit will lead to the deduction of five points.

8.3 The home team shall be responsible for submitting a fully complete Result Sheet to the League Officer named thereon, to arrive no later than 72 hours after the game is played. Clubs failing to observe this rule shall be fined £30 on each of the first three occasions and then £20 for each subsequent offence.

9. LEAGUE POSITIONS

9.1 League positions will be based on the average number of points obtained by a team per match played.

9.2 In the event of two or more teams having the same points average (to 2 decimal places) 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.

10. LEAGUE STATISTICS

All Clubs are required to submit their League averages by the 31^st October to the designated League Official on the form provided by the League.

11. DISPUTES AND COMPLAINTS

Any disputes or complaints arising from Dorset League matches must be notified to the League Secretary within 48 hours of the incident to which they refer. Such protests may be notified by telephone in the first instance, but must be confirmed in writing and be accompanied by a fee of £30 which will be forfeited if the protest is not upheld. The Management Committee’s decision in such matters shall be final.

12. TROPHIES

Perpetual trophies shall be returned to the League Secretary by the 30^th September each year. Trophies are to be retuned in the same condition as received and any loss or damage to such trophies shall be the responsibility of the club holding the trophy.

PROMOTION AND RELEGATION

Each competition shall be organised into divisions, the size of which may vary according to overall team membership.

Saturday Competition:

The team finishing bottom of the Premier Division shall be relegated to Division One and the top in Division One promoted to the Premier Division, provided the club meet criteria as set out in Appendix A.
The team finishing 9^th in the Premier League will play off against the side finishing 2^nd in Division 1 at a neutral ground on the first Saturday after the end of the normal season (or the following Saturday in the event of the match being curtailed by weather). The venue and match officials will be organised by the League management committee. Eligible players, must have played a least six matches in that current season for that club in the Saturday league competition. Normal Saturday Premier and Division one playing conditions to apply. Match to commence at 12.00 hours. The tea interval to be no more than 20 minutes. In the event of the play off being unable to be played, due to bad weather, a bowl out will be arranged at the Dorset Cricket Centre, at a date and time to be agreed with both teams.
Should the winner of Division One, or the winner of the playoff match being originally the runner up from Division 1, be unable to meet such criteria then the existing 9^th place team in the Premier Division shall, if it wishes so, apply for re-election.
The two teams finishing bottom of Division One shall be relegated to Division Two and the top two teams in Division Two promoted to Division One, provided these clubs meet the criteria as set out in Appendix B.
Should the winner or runner-up in Division Two be unable to meet such criteria then the existing bottom team(s) in Division One shall, if it so wishes, apply for re-election.
* In all other Divisions (Division 3 onwards) the top two teams shall be promoted to the Division above whilst the bottom two teams in such higher Divisions shall be relegated.
No teams from the same club shall be allowed to compete in the same Division except the lowest Division.
Should a position fall vacant in any Division, a lesser number of teams shall be relegated. However, the Management Committee may, if they think appropriate, promote a team from a lower division to fill such vacancy.
All decisions as to whether or not teams have fulfilled the relevant criteria shall be determined by the Management Committee.

Sunday Competitions:

1.* In all Divisions the top two teams shall be promoted to the Division above whilst the bottom two teams in such higher Divisions shall be relegated.

2. No teams from the same club shall be allowed to compete in the same Division except the lowest Division.

3. Should a position fall vacant in any Division, a lesser number of teams shall be relegated. However, the Management Committee may, if they think appropriate, promote a team from a lower division to fill such vacancy.

4. All decisions as to whether or not teams have fulfilled the relevant criteria shall be determined by the Management Committee.

*NB both competitions

Where Divisions are regionalised because of lesser numbers of teams, then only one team shall be promoted from each Division, except in circumstances covered in Sections Saturday 7 and Sunday 3 above.

APPENDIX A

Criteria for Promotion to and continued acceptance in the Premier Division (Saturday Competition)

1. All member team competing in the Premier Division must be First XI of a club, except where a club has a senior team playing in an ECB Premier League competition. If the club has a second XI playing on the same day, this team must compete in the Dorset League. A Premier league club must run at least two youth teams at ages between under 11 and under 16.

2. All clubs must provide the following:

A Natural grass cricket square suitable for at least 100 overs and meeting the ECB’s criteria as follows:-

“The surface of all pitches must be safe, level and without divots or undulations. A ball pitching on a ‘good length’, at both ends of the pitch, should rise consistently to stump height by the time it reaches the popping crease it should neither ‘shoot’ along the surface or lift at a dangerous angle. In addition, the ‘line’ of the ball should only deviate when required by the bowler.” Where a club has a grass pitch it must be used.

B. Outfield which again meets the ECB’s criteria follows:-

“The outfield should be smooth with an even gradient. The grass length should be such, that it does not inhibit the free passage of the ball. At no time should the ball deviate or lift as a result of undulations on the surface.”

C. Pavilion with separate changing rooms for each team and for umpires, with showers, toilets and adequate catering facilities.

D. Sight screens (where practicable); boundary markers; scoreboard and sheltered area for scorers; clock in working order and visible from the square.

3. The ground and the cricket square shall be regularly inspected by an experienced person approved as satisfactory for Premier Division cricket.

APPENDIX B

Criteria for promotion to and continued acceptance in Division One (Saturday and Sunday competitions).

1. All clubs will provide the following:

A. Suitable cricket square and outfield as in 2 A and B above. The League will no longer accept artificial pitches in Saturday Division One. However the League will be prepared to accept approved artificial pitches e.g. Notts turf in the Sunday Division One.

B. Pavilion/changing Rooms (include separate room for umpires) with showers, toilets and catering facilities.

C. Sight screens (where practicable); boundary markers; scoreboard and sheltered areas for scorers; clock in working order and visible from the square.

2. The ground and cricket square may need to be inspected by an experienced person and be approved as satisfactory for Division one cricket.

NOTES:

(a) Where any pitch is reported as being poor or dangerous on two (2) occasions in a season, then the Pitches Sub-Committee will arrange an inspection. Should five (5) such reports be received then the Management Committee shall have the right to relegate that club by one Division.

(b) Where clubs are reported for failure to provide sight screens or to provide off the field facilities as determined by the relative criteria, those clubs will receive a written warning and will be expected to rectify the omissions. Failure then to do so could results in relegation.

Dorset Cricket .org

DORSET CRICKET LEAGUE REGULATIONS (Updated 3 March 2010)

Target score for example above = 42 x 4.84 ie. 204 to win match

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