PART A - GENERAL. 1. Introduction Darwin & Districts Cricket Competition 1.1 Rules 1.2 Alteration of Rules 1.3 Application of Rules 1.4 My Cricket 2. Registration 2.1 Teams 2.2 Withdrawal from competition 2.3 Players 2.4 Clearances RULES INDEX 3. Committees, Sub-committees and Panels 4. Fees 3.1 Sub-committees 3.2 Junior competition 3.3 Umpires Appointment Sub-committee 3.4 Permit sub-committee 3.5 Disciplinary Panel 3.6 Selection committee 4.1 Summary of Fees 4.2 Ground Fees 4.3 Fines PART B THE COMPETITION 5. Grades 5.1 Grading of Players 5.2 Eligibility for Major Rounds 5.3 Substitution of Players 6. Grounds and Practice Nets 6.1 Allocation of Grounds and Practice Nets 7. Minor Rounds 1
7.1 Competition Draw 7.2 Percentage 7.3 Premiership points 7.4 Bye Team 8. Major Rounds Senior Grades 8.1 Final Four 8.2 Major Round Grounds 8.3 Major Round Dates 8.4 Major Round Draw or Tie 8.5 Rescheduling of Major Rounds 9. Match result 9.1 Drawn Matches 9.2 Forfeited Matches 9.3 Abandoned Matches 10. Umpires 10.1 Appointment of Official Umpires 10.2 One Official Umpire Available 10.3 Official Umpire to Rule on No Balls 10.4 No Official Umpire Available 10.5 Official Umpire to Provide Advice 10.6 Umpires Report by Captains PART C PLAYING CONDITIONS 11. Laws of Cricket 11.1 Games to be Played Within Spirit and Laws of Cricket 12. General conditions of playing time 12.1 Rules 16 and 17 to Apply 12.2 Play May Continue After Result 12.3 Interval Not to be Taken 12.4 Additional Drinks May be Taken 12.5 Play to Continue 12.6 Official Umpires Sole Judges of Time 12.7 Duty Team 12.8 Batsman Injured Runners 13. Late Starting and Forfeits 13.1 Late Starting 13.2 Forfeit Due to Lateness 14. Other conditions of play 2
14.1 The Toss 14.2 Exchange of Team Lists 14.3 Underarm bowling 14.4 Matting Pitches Dead Ball and No Ball 14.5 Declarations 14.6 Follow on 14.7 Overs 14.8 New Ball 14.9 Completed Innings Batsman Absent 14.10 Juniors Playing Senior Cricket 15. Dress 15.1 General Dress Conditions 15.2 Exceptions to Dress Rules 15.3 Lower Grades 15.4 Enforcement of Dress Rules 16. Ground and Pitch Preparation 16.1 Playing Area to be Marked 16.2 Preparation of the Pitch 16.3 Covers 17. Implements of the Game 17.1 Balls 17.2 Custody of the Ball in Use 17.3 Prohibited Stumps 18. Adverse Weather Conditions 18.1 Cancellation of Play 18.2 Umpires to Decide Fitness of Pitch PLAYING CONDITIONS ONE-DAY MATCHES 19. General Playing conditions for one-day matches 19.1 Wide Ball 19.2 Time Wasting 19.3 Penalties for Not Achieving Over Rates 19.4 Target Score 20. One day matches Premier grade 20.1 Hours of Play and Intervals 20.2 Winner of the Game 20.3 Length of Innings 20.4 Lost Time 20.5 Field Restrictions 3
20.6 Number of Overs per Bowler 20.7 Determining the Result 20.8 No ball: A-grade One-day Matches 20.9 Free Hit after a No Ball 20.10 Number of Players Per Side 20.11 One-day Final 21. One day matches B, C, D and E Grades 21.1 Hours of Play and Intervals 21.2 Length of Innings 21.3 Lost Time 21.4 Number of Overs per Bowler 21.5 Field Restrictions 21.6 Determining the Result 21.7 No ball: One day matches B, C, D and E Grades PLAYING CONDITIONS TWO-DAY MATCHES 22. Two-day matches Premier, B and C Grades 22.1 Hours of Play and Intervals 22.2 Objective Minimum Number of Overs 22.3 Length of Innings 22.4 Minimum Over Calculation 22.5 Extra Playing Time 22.6 Last Hour 22.7 Determining the Result 22.8 Penalties for Slow Over Rates 22.9 Short-pitched Balls Two-day Matches 22.10 High-Pitched Balls 23. Major round matches 23.1 Hours of Play and Intervals 23.2 Objective Minimum Number of Overs 23.3 Penalties for Slow Over Rates 23.4 Determining the Result 23.5 Penalty for Late Start 23.6 Extra Playing Time 23.7 Early Finish PART D - REPORTS AND DISPUTES 24. Conduct 24.1 Introduction to Conduct 24.2 Member Protection Policy 25. Code of Behaviour 25.1 Code of Behaviour 4
25.2 Red and Yellow Cards 26. Breaches of the Code of Behaviour 26.1 Procedures for Breaches of Code of Behaviour 27. Disciplinary Panel 27.1 Disciplinary Panel Powers and Procedures 28. Appeal from Disciplinary Panel 28.1 Appeal Panel Powers and Procedures PART E - RECORDS, AWARDS & REPRESENTATIVE COMPETITIONS 29. Scoring 29.1 Provision of Scorer 30. Match reports 30.1 By Clubs 30.2 By Captains 30.3 By Umpires 31. Trophies 31.1 Conditions for Trophies 32. Representative Teams 32.1 Representative Team Selection 32.2 Replacement players Schedule 1 List of approved cricket balls 5
PART A - GENERAL 1. Introduction 1.1 Rules (a) The following shall be known as the Rules of the Darwin and Districts Cricket Competition (hereinafter called the Competition) and such rules shall be binding on all affiliated Clubs and financial members of the Competition. (b) All Rules are to be read in conjunction with the rules of cricket. Unless otherwise stated in the Rules, the Laws of Cricket take precedence and the game is played accordingly. Whilst the Rules are designed to mainly cater for conditions unique to our Competition, they are also designed to protect the integrity and spirit of the game of cricket, its governing body, members, players, umpires (officially appointed or otherwise) and spectators or supporters. (c) Codes of Behaviour are also in place to protect players, spectators and officials from incidents that may bring the game into disrepute. (d) The intention of these rules is to ensure that cricket in this Competition is played and administered in keeping with the true spirit of the game. (e) Where a matter arises which is not otherwise provided for in these Rules or the Laws of Cricket, the Committee shall have the power to determine the matter as it sees fit. 1.2 Alteration of Rules No alteration shall be made to these Rules other than by the Committee, as provided for by the Northern Territory Cricket Association Constitution. 1.3 Application of Rules These Rules shall apply equally to male and female players, officials, administrators, spectators and supporters. For the purposes of these Rules, references to he, his and him shall be deemed to include she, hers and her. 1.4 My Cricket For the purpose of these Rules all reference to MyCricket refers to: MyCricket (mycricket.cricket.com.au) means the electronic online management system. 2. Registration 2.1 Teams (a) Prior to the commencement of each season, a date for the receipt of nomination of teams to participate in the competition will be published by the DDCC Committee (hereinafter called the Committee). Nominations must be accompanied by: (i) Club affiliation fees and team nomination fees as determined by the Committee; (ii) A list of officials and delegates of the Club, with position, name, address and telephone numbers; (iii) A postal address for receipt of all recognised Committee correspondence. 6
(b) Acceptance of nominations shall be at the sole discretion of the Committee. (c) A team of an affiliated Club shall be registered with the Competition on receipt of team registration fees. No unregistered team may earn competition points. (d) A Club from within the Competition s Region shall be deemed to be affiliated with the Competition on lodgement with the Committee of the required nomination and accompanied by the affiliation fees. (e) A penalty of $250 will be incurred by a club for a new team nomination into the competition within the four week period prior to the competitions starting date. 2.2 Withdrawal from Competition Where the Committee is advised in writing by a Club that either the Club, or one of its teams, is withdrawing from the competition, points for teams drawn to play that Club or team will be allotted as though those games had been forfeited. (a) A penalty of $500 will be incurred by a club for withdrawing a team from the competition within the four week period prior to the competitions starting date. 2.3 Players (a) The team or teams of any Club shall consist of only those persons who are registered with the Competition, and persons may be registered in accordance with the following provisions: (i) Player registration fees being received by the Committee prior to the conclusion of the first competition match; (ii) All players duly registered with a Club in the preceding season shall be automatically registered with the same Club for the current season; (iii) Players not registered in the preceding season may be registered by: i. completing all details on the DDCC Player Registration Form found on the DDCC website; including Full Name and Date of Birth. If the player is under 18, the form must also be countersigned by a parent or guardian and ii. if necessary, complying with the provisions of Rule 2.4 (Clearances). iii. Lodgement and administration of player registration must be undertaken via the MyCricket system by the Club. iv. These steps must be taken before playing with a Club. (c) If a Club has two teams in one grade, the players in each team must be registered separately. Transfers between the teams must be notified on the prescribed transfer form and lodged with the match report for that match. Transfers proposed for Major Round matches must be approved by the Committee or Junior Committee prior to the major rounds. (d) Players not registered in accordance with these Rules shall result in the teams that these players represented forfeiting all match points for the match or matches concerned. 2.4 Clearances (a). An application for a transfer between DDCC clubs, whether directly from a player or through a club, shall be lodged via the clearance system MyCricket. 7
(b) This transfer must be entered into the MyCricket system by the new Club. An email will be forwarded to the previous club and DDCC indicating the clearance application process has commenced. (c) If the player submits a clearance request (either by post or electronically) to his/her previous DDCC Club and that Club does not respond to this request within 14 days, the Application may be forwarded to the Permit Committee for determination. The player has the onus of proving that the required 14 days has elapsed since the formal delivery of the clearance request to the Club. (d) Any application for clearance lodged after 30 June in any year may only be resolved by the agreement of the Clubs concerned. Should the Permit Sub-Committee grant a clearance to a player under this rule, the Club with which the player was formerly registered may appeal to the Competition Committee, provided that it can produce documentary evidence of the debts to the Club. (e) A player who was registered with a Club from the past five seasons, but has neither played nor registered with a Club during the current season, shall be granted a clearance within three days by his previous Club, provided the player has no financial debts to that Club. (f) Failure to observe the provisions of these Rules will result the Club to which the player has transferred forfeiting all competition points obtained in games in which the player participated prior to advice being received by the Coordinator of the Competition that the clearance has been granted. (g) Where a Club has two teams competing in same grade, a player may be transferred from one team to the other. The player may only transfer once during the current season. A Clearance Form must be completed by the Club and duly submitted to the Coordinator of the Competition for noting. Until such advice is given, the player concerned shall not participate in competition games for his new team. (h) Clearance Granted i. The previous club must select Granted via the MyCricket system. This will become an official electronic signature of approval from the previous club. ii. After this time, DDCC must select Granted via the MyCricket system. This will become an official electronic signature of approval from DDCC. (i) Clearance Denied i. The previous club must select Denied via the MyCricket system and provide reasons as to why the Clearance has been refused. 3. Committees, Sub-committees and Panels 3.1 Sub-Committees The Competition Committee may vest any of its powers to such sub-committees and panels as it may from time to time appoint, with or without power to act. Such subcommittees shall include, but not be limited to, a Match Committee, a Permit Committee an Umpires Appointment Sub-Committee and a Disciplinary Panel. The composition and duties of these sub-committees shall be at the discretion of the Competition Committee unless otherwise provided by these rules. 8
3.2 Junior Competition There shall be a Junior Sub-Committee appointed to administer limited-age (junior) cricket within the jurisdiction of the Competition. 3.4 Umpires Appointment Sub-Committee All official umpires appointments shall be appointed to Competition s minor round fixtures by the Northern Territory Cricket Umpires Association (NTCUA), depending on availability. Where the NTCUA cannot provide official umpires, the Competition Committee has the power to appoint alternate umpires. A sub-committee shall be convened each season to appoint umpires to major round games. The Umpires Appointment Sub-Committee shall comprise two Competition Committee members, one of whom shall be the convenor, and one NTCUA representative. 3.4 Permit Sub-Committee (a) The Permit Sub-Committee shall have the power to decide all matters relating to player registration, clearances and passing from one grade to another. The Permit Sub- Committee shall report on the outcome of all cases it deals with to the Competition Committee. (b) In the event of the Permit Sub-Committee deciding not to grant registration, clearance or transfer between grades, the player, or a Club representing him, may appeal to the Competition Committee. 3.5 Disciplinary Panel 1. A Disciplinary Panel comprising a Chief Commissioner and at least five other Commissioners shall be appointed by NT Cricket and be available to determine all disciplinary reports arising from the Darwin or other affiliated competitions. 2. The Disciplinary Panel shall have the power to set procedures, conduct hearings and set penalties as it sees fit. In this regard: 1. Any report may, after due inquiry, be determined solely by the Chief Commissioner or, in his absence, a deputy nominated by him, without recourse to a formal hearing. 2. Either where the Chief Commissioner (or his appointed deputy) considers the matter to be of a complex nature, or the person subject to the report so requests, the Chief Commissioner shall convene a panel, comprising three Commissioners, to conduct a formal hearing and to decide the report. The panel will be chaired by the Chief Commissioner or, in his absence, a deputy nominated by him. 3. In considering all reports, the Commissioners shall have regard to the Cricket Australia Code of Behaviour but retain the right to apply an alternative to any penalty prescribed by the Code, where such an alternative appears more appropriate. 3. All procedures of the panel will be conducted under the Spirit of Cricket. 9
4. The Disciplinary Panel shall have the power to hear any case that it believes falls within the scope of its role and to amend a charge where it considers such action to be appropriate in the circumstances. 5. The Disciplinary Panel is not a legal tribunal and no person or Club appearing before the Disciplinary Panel shall have legal representation. However, the Disciplinary Panel shall have the power to allow advocates who are not legal representatives to appear in support of persons who appear before it. 6. The decisions of the Disciplinary Panel shall apply only to the Competition. However, where the Disciplinary Panel believes the conduct of the charged person is sufficiently serious, it may refer this information to any other association or club with which that person subsequently becomes involved if such involvement would occur within the period of the penalty handed down. 7. In the event of an appeal against a determination by either the Chief Commissioner or his deputy or a hearing panel, the appeal may be heard and determined by a panel of up to three Commissioners, appointed by the CEO of NT Cricket and not previously involved in the matter. 4. Fees 4.1 Summary of Fees (a) All affiliated Clubs have the following financial obligations to the Competition: (i) Club Affiliation Fee (Rule 2) (ii) Umpires' Fees (iii) Team Nomination Fee (Rule 2) (iv) Ground Fees (v) Fines (Rule 4.3) (vi) Players Registration Fees (Rule 2) These obligations are due and payable (unless otherwise stated in 4.3), no later than 28 days after issue of invoice by the Competition. Clubs which fail to meet their obligations under this Rule may be subject to action by the Committee. The Committee shall have discretion over the application of this rule.. (b) Without specific consent of the Committee, teams representing a Club will be ineligible to earn competition points, until such time as liabilities under this Rule are extinguished. (c) A Club that has failed to meet its obligations under this Rule shall not be eligible to compete in the Competition s major rounds unless those liabilities are finally extinguished. The final time for these liabilities to be extinguished shall be prior to the close of the Competition President s meeting held immediately prior to the first major round fixture. 4.2 Ground Fees (a) Where Clubs are playing on their own grounds, the Committee may exempt the Clubs from all or part of the ground fees which would otherwise have applied. (b) Teams will be ineligible to play in the major rounds unless all their minor round ground fees have been paid or an appropriate arrangement has been made with the Committee. 10
4.3 Fines If a fine incurred by a player or Club is not paid within 30 days of the date on which the fine was imposed, the Club concerned shall not receive any match or bonus points in any match, nor compete in any major round fixture, until the fine is paid. PART B: THE COMPETITION 5. Grades 5.1 Grading of Players Teams competing in the premiership competitions of the Competition shall be divided into grades, and will be subject to these Rules: (a) No person shall play in more than one open age team in any one round. This shall also apply to major round matches even though such rounds may not be played on or over the same period. (b) No player shall be allowed to transfer to any lower grade after he has played a total of more than 12 playing days in any one higher grade, (or combination of higher grades), without the approval of the Committee or its designation. (c) No player shall be permitted to downgrade more than one grade, from the previous grade in which that player participated, without prior approval from the Permit Sub- Committee. (d) Failure to comply with this Rule shall result in the forfeiture by the offending team of all competition points gained in the match or matches in which the offending player participated. (e) Applications for downgrading are to be made in writing and lodged with the Cricket Manager by 5 pm on the Tuesday prior to the commencement of the match. Any approval given under this Rule shall become null and void should the Player concerned subsequently play in a higher grade. 5.2 Eligibility for Major Rounds (a) In order to be eligible to play in the major round of any open-age grade, a player must, unless Rule 5.2(b) is invoked, have played in at least six playing days of that grade, or lower grades, during that season, with the Club concerned. For the purpose of this Rule, a player named as twelfth man on a match report shall be deemed not to have participated in that match (except where that player is one of the 12 playing members of an A-grade, one-day, minor round game). (b) A Club may seek approval from the Permit Sub-Committee to have players who have qualified under 5.2(a) downgraded for major round matches. Approval must be sought in writing to the Permit Committee by 4 pm on the Thursday before the round commences. (c) Any playing days a player may have played in representative fixtures during the course of the domestic season (such as Calder Shield) will not be considered as eligible playing days towards the six playing days stated in 5.2(a). (d) A Club may downgrade players, regardless of their eligibility, if that Club has two or more teams in consecutive grades playing during that particular major round. A player may only drop one grade under this Rule (for example, from Premier -grade to B-grade where the Club has teams in both grades of the major round). Any Club wishing to 11
downgrade a player further than one grade must seek separate approval from the Permit Sub-Committee under 5.2(b). A player downgraded under this Rule will be considered to be eligible for further major round matches in that grade or higher. If a player is promoted and that team is subsequently eliminated from the finals, then 5.2(b) will be invoked. 5.3 Substitution of Players Clubs may interchange one player for another in a team during a two day home and away match, subject to the following conditions: i) This rule also does not apply to semi finals and finals matches in any grades. ii) There is a limit of one set of interchange players in A grade, 2 sets of interchange players in B grade and 3 sets of interchange players in C Grade. Rule 5.1 also applies to each interchange player. iii) The interchange players must be named on the team sheet prior to the toss and must show who is to play on day 1 and who is to play on day 2. Players must also be entered as interchange players in MyCricket. Once named as an interchange, a player cannot participate in the game on their respective other day of play other than as a substitute fielder. iv) Neither interchange player can play in any other match during the two day match in which they have been named as an interchange player, except where the other match is a match in the junior competition. v) Each interchange player can bat in any innings of the match. If the interchange player is not out at the end of day 1, the day 2 interchange player will commence batting on day 2 in place of the not out batsman, however should a player be dismissed in an innings the other player cannot commence batting in that innings. Each player may bowl in the same innings if it takes place over two days but only one interchange player from each set can bowl on any given playing day. vi) For the purposes of eligibility and qualifications for semi finals and finals matches, each interchange player shall be considered to have played one playing day each. 6. Grounds and Practise Nets 6.1 Allocation of Grounds and Practise Nets Applications may be made with nominations of teams each season for the allocation of grounds and practise nets. The allocation of grounds and nets shall be at the discretion of the Committee which shall give first consideration to the Club (if any) occupying that ground in the preceding season. 7. Minor Round 12
7.1 Competition Draw The Committee shall make the competition draw and allocate grounds for matches as it sees fit. 7.2 Percentage Throughout the season, a premiership list shall be kept by the Committee of each grade in order of points gained. In the event of two or more teams having an equal number of points, their position on the premiership list shall be determined according to percentage.. The formula for determining percentage shall be as follows: The number of runs per wicket scored by a team being taken as a percentage of the number of runs per wicket scored against that team. NOTE: This applies to all senior grades. 7.3 Premiership Points (a) Match Points The following points system shall be applied to all Minor Round Games to decide the Minor Premiership List: Outright win if leading on first innings 10 points Outright win if behind on first innings 6 points 1st innings win (two-day game) 6 points 1st innings tie (two-day game) 3 points 1st innings win (one-day game) 4 points 1st innings lead but beaten outright 4 points Outright win after tie on first innings 7 points Outright tie 5 points Outright loss after tie on first innings 3 points Tied game (one-day game) 2 points Win by forfeit (two-day game) 10 points Win by forfeit (one-day game) 4 points No result (two-day game) 3 points No result (one-day game) 2 points First Innings or outright loss 0 points Loss by forfeit 0 points Abandoned Match 0 points Abandoned Match (under rule 18.1) half match points Note: Where a forfeit is recorded in any grade, no points will be allocated to that Club's lower teams competing in that round on that day. For the intentions of this Rule, Saturday and Sunday competitions are deemed to be separate competitions. (b) Standard Match Penalty Points Match Report not produced 2 match points Umpires report not produced 0.25 match points Playing unregistered/ineligible player All competition points 13
Non attainment of overs required Premier grade 6 runs per over BCDE grades 0.25 match points per over Non-conforming clothing 0.25 match points per item Note: It is possible for a team to record negative points in respect of a given match. (c) Premier -grade One-day Games: Bonus Points In the A-grade competition only, the following additional point allocations will apply: 1 bonus match point will be awarded to any team that achieves victory with a run rate 1.25 times that of the opposition or greater (ie. total of 5 points for the game). A team s run rate will be calculated by reference to the number of runs scored divided by the number of overs faced. Where a side is all out, the number of overs to be used in the above calculation is the maximum number of overs that the side was otherwise eligible to face (ie in a match where all overs are available and the side is bowled out, the number of overs used for calculation of the run rate shall be 50 the number they were eligible to receive). (d) Performance Points Two-day Games Only (i) In two-day matches in Premier, B and C grades, the following additional performance points will apply, in either innings of the game: 0.01 points per run scored by the batting team. 0.2 points per wicket taken by the fielding team. (ii) In the event of a forfeit, the winning team shall be credited with performance points calculated by averaging the performance points of each of the winning teams for that grade in that round. Such points shall be in addition to the 10 match points awarded. 7.4 Bye Team Where the competition allows for a club to have a bye in any grade in any round of matches eg Team A has a bye but Teams B & C field teams, the team fielded by Team A in the previous round of matches will constitute Team A s bye team for the bye round. Should Team B be the bye team the same rule shall apply. Clubs may request through the DDCC Match Committee to select a player who is listed in Team A s bye team to play in a lower grade eg Team B. If approval is granted in this case, Team A shall still be required to nominate a player to substitute in their respective bye team. A maximum of one player maybe approved. Penalty for not seeking downgrading approval or playing in excess of one player in the lower grade will be the loss of all competition points for team playing non-approved players. Furthermore should the clubs next team down play players selected because of the above team playing non-approved players, it will also lose all it s competition points for that round of matches. Eg If Team A has bye, Team B plays some of Team A s 14
players without approval, which forces some of Team B s previous week team to Team C, both Team B and C will lose all competition points for that round of matches. 8. Major Rounds Senior Grades 8.1 Final Four In each of the grades, the four teams leading on competition points (the sum of match points and performance points) at the completion of the minor round of matches shall compete in the finals to decide the premiership, as follows: Semi Finals: (a) 1 v 4 (b) 2 v 3 Grand Final: Winner (a) v Winner (b) Above applies to Premier BC and Womens grades D & E grades (permissible when grade has ten teams or more) Elimination Finals: (a) 3 v 6 (b) 4 v 5 Semi Finals: (a) 1 v W (4 v 5) (b) 2 v W (3v6) Grand Final: Winner (a) v Winner (b) 8.2 Major Round Grounds Major round matches shall be played on grounds as allocated by the Committee and matting used for these matches will be the best available at the discretion of the two Captains. 8.3 Major Round Dates The dates of all major round matches to be determined by the Committee prior to the start of the season and notified to all Clubs. 8.4 Major Round Draw or Tie In the event of a draw or tie, the team finishing higher on the premiership table at the end of the minor rounds will be declared the winner. 8.5 Rescheduling of Major Rounds In the event of a major round fixture being unable to be commenced on either day due to extraordinary events, the Committee shall have the discretion to re-allocate the match or the remainder of the match. 15
9. Match Result 9.1 Drawn Matches A match shall be considered to be drawn if the Captains agree that its completion cannot be achieved because of rain or the state of the ground. This Rule must be read with Rules 18.2, and should in no way limit the obligations of the Umpires under those Rules. Where no Umpires are present, and Captains are unable to agree, the provisions of Rules 20.7, 21.6 and 22.6 shall apply in senior grades. 9.2 Forfeited Matches (a) In the event of a forfeit, a list of players selected to play shall be forwarded, within 24 hours of the scheduled completion of the match, to the Secretary of the Competition by the team receiving the forfeit, and these players shall be deemed to have taken part in the match. (b) Should any Club have to forfeit a game for any reason, then the team to be forfeited will be from the lowest grade on that day. If Clubs failure to comply with this Rule, the Committee will declare all matches played by that Club s teams competing in lower grades to be forfeited and all points to be awarded to the opposing teams. (c) Penalty for teams forfeiting a match is $200. 9.3 Abandoned Matches A match shall be deemed to be abandoned if neither team has at least eight members present and ready to take the field 30 minutes past the scheduled starting time of the first day of the match. Refer By-Law 18 for abandoned games due to adverse weather conditions. 10. Umpires 10.1 Appointment of Official Umpires Dependent upon availability, at least one official Umpire will be appointed to matches. 10.2 One Official Umpire Available Where only one Official Umpire is available, he shall umpire at the bowling end for the duration of the match. The Captain of the batting side shall provide a person to umpire, and that person shall stand at square leg for the duration of the innings. 10.3 Official Umpire to Rule on No Balls 16
Where an umpire has been provided by the batting side, only the Official Umpire will call and signal "No Ball" as required by Rules 20.5, 20.8, 21.7, 22.8 and 22.9. 10.4 No Official Umpire Available Where there is no Official Umpire, the batting side shall provide two umpires during its innings unless otherwise agreed by the Captains. In all instances where playing sides provide Umpires, it is incumbent on the Captains to impress on players (or others) acting as Umpires, the need to be impartial and coaching and unnecessary comments are to be avoided. 10.5 Official Umpire to Provide Advice Where there is only one Official Umpire, that umpire may at any time advise the squareleg umpire on interpretation of Law, if necessary. The Official Umpire may also intervene on matters relating to the conduct of the square-leg Umpire. 10.6 Umpires' Report by Captain In a match where there is an Official Umpire, the Captains of both teams shall submit an Umpires' Report at the end of the match along with the Match Report. The penalty for non-compliance is deduction of penalty points for that game, as per rule 7.3. Umpires Reports submitted on any but the standard format agreed to by the Committee shall be deemed to have NOT been received. PART C: PLAYING CONDITIONS 11. Laws of Cricket 11.1 Games to be Played within Spirit and Laws of Cricket All matches shall be played in accordance with the spirit and Laws of Cricket as recognised by the Australian Cricket Board, unless otherwise provided for in these Rules. GENERAL PLAYING CONDITIONS 12. General Conditions of Playing Time 12.1 Laws 16 and 17 to Apply 17
The provisions of Law 16 (Intervals) and Law 17 (Cessation of Play) of the Laws of Cricket will apply unless expressly over-ridden. 12.2 Play May Continue After Result Where a first innings result has been reached, other than in a one-day game, the match will continue until the scheduled time for drawing of stumps, unless both captains agree that no further result can be achieved. Play may then be terminated in minor round matches. Players performances and teams performance points in all matches will be recognised at Competition level irrespective of whether a result was achieved at an earlier time. 12.3 Interval Not to be Taken If, on any day of a match, play has not commenced 30 minutes prior to a scheduled interval, such interval shall not be taken. 12.4 Additional Drinks May be Taken In hot weather, it shall be permissible with the prior approval of the umpires, or if no official umpire is in attendance, by prior agreement of the Captains, for drinks to be taken twice in any session. Rule 12.6 (d) will still apply. 12.5 Play to Continue If, for any reason other than time lost due to pitch, ground, weather or light conditions, play does not begin at the time appointed for the commencement of each day's play, or the resumption after any interval, the umpires shall order play to continue beyond the normal time for drawing stumps on the day on which the loss of time occurred up to the extent of such time lost. 12.6 Official Umpires Sole Judges of Time (a) The umpires are the sole judges of time under these Rules, and the umpires shall advise both Captains prior to the commencement of play whether they are taking time by the clock (if any) on the grounds or by their watches. In the absence of an official umpire, the Captains shall agree on the time prior to the commencement of each day s play and shall agree on the time of commencement (when the first ball is bowled). (b) Every endeavor shall be made to commence matches promptly at the scheduled time. Umpires must advise the captains five minutes before commencement of play that they are about to take up their positions on the field. (c) The time available for the bowling team to complete the number of overs necessary to avoid the imposition of penalty points shall be increased by the total of all time lost for such stoppages due to exceptional circumstances which, in the opinion of the umpires, are beyond the normal control of the fielding team. (d) Official Umpires shall, throughout each innings, keep a record of all time lost under this Rule, including unfair or unnecessary time wasted by the batting team. Time lost due to drink breaks, incoming batsmen at the fall of wickets (unless excessive), and other short interruptions of a nature frequently experienced shall not be considered "exceptional circumstances". 18
(e) The Official Umpires shall note the time at which penalties are to be calculated, and notify the captains and scorers of all penalties following the completion of the innings, with the number of overs incurring a penalty being noted in both the Scorer's and Umpire s Match Report Forms. 12.7 Duty Team (a) For each match played under these Rules, the Committee shall nominate a Duty Team. It shall be the sole responsibility of the Duty Team to ensure: necessary ground equipment (mats, wickets) is available, in good condition and set out for play. [Refer 17.3 re: Type of Stumps] drinks are provided at intervals and drink breaks. These drinks shall be, at least, iced water in cups or glasses. A minimum of 15 cups or glasses shall be provided to cater for all members of the fielding team, batsmen and umpires. (b) Should a team which is nominated as Duty Team not have the necessary ground equipment and implements of the game ready and set out for play 30 minutes after the scheduled commencement of play in a one-day match, or on day one of a two-day match, that team shall be liable to a fine of $100. (c) Umpires shall, where the necessary ground equipment and implements of the game are made available within the 30 minutes, order play to continue beyond the normal time for drawing stumps on that day, for a period equal to that time lost. 12.8 Batsman Injured Runners (a) A runner for a player when batting is not permitted. (b) The umpire has no discretion to allow a runner for any situation. 13. Late Starting and Forfeits 13.1 Late Starting If, within 15 minutes after the scheduled start of a match, a team has not at least eight players present and the required equipment and implements of the game, and ready to take the field, the opposition team shall be awarded the toss, and the offending side shall be penalized one match point. 13.2 Forfeit Due to Lateness If a team, whether at the start of the first or any subsequent day s play, has not at least eight players present, or does not have the required equipment and implements of the game, within 30 minutes of the scheduled start of play, that team shall forfeit the match and shall be fined $200, and penalized three match points. 14. Other Conditions of Play 14.1 The Toss 19
The Captains shall toss for the choice of innings on the field of play not earlier than 30 minutes, nor later than fifteen 15 minutes before the scheduled or any rescheduled commencement of play. 14.2 Exchange of Team Lists Captains of both teams shall exchange team lists prior to the toss, and provide such lists to the umpire/s. 14.3 Underarm Bowling If a bowler bowls underarm, the Umpire shall call and signal No Ball". 14.4 Matting Pitches Dead Ball and No Ball 14.1 (a) On matting pitches, a ball landing outside the width of matting, shall be called and signalled No Ball by either Umpire. (b) On two-piece matting pitches, where a ball pitches between the mats, or on the centre mat ends, the ball shall be called a Dead Ball by either umpire. The ball shall be re-bowled. 14.5 Declarations No team batting second shall close its first innings at the same score as that of its opponent's first innings, but otherwise a team may declare its innings closed at any stage of the match. 14.6 Follow-on A team batting first leading by the number of runs designated below shall have the option of requiring the opposition team to follow-on in the following circumstances: three or more day match -- 150 runs two-day match 100 runs one-day or all day match 75 runs 14.7 Overs All games shall consist of six-ball overs. 14.8 New Ball In Premier, B and C Grades, a new ball shall be available to the fielding team at the commencement of the 81 st over of a given innings. 14.9 Completed Innings Batsman Absent In the event of a wicket falling and all remaining batsmen being unavailable (through injury or absence), the innings shall not be regarded as terminated until and unless such batsmen have actually been required to commence their innings (for example, if the ninth wicket falls on the last ball of the match, the innings is not regarded as complete even if the last batsman is absent). 20
14.10 Juniors Playing Senior Cricket 14.10.1 Maximum Overs for Medium and Pace Bowlers (a) Definitions (i) Bowling Type: Bowlers of medium pace or faster (as determined by the umpires and broadly defined as one to whom the wicket-keeper would normally stand back, or one who is not considered a slow bowler). The umpires shall immediately notify the captains of both sides of each bowler who they determine should be treated differently to this broad definition. (ii) Players Age: The player s age shall be determined as their age on 01 January in the year of the current season in which they are participating. (ie. Under-19 players will be 17 or 18 on 01 January; Under-17 players will be 15 or 16 on 01 January etc.) and the appropriate bowling limitations shall apply for the entire season. (b) Notification The team captain must indicate to the umpires on the team sheet each player to whom this playing condition applies and indicate their age. (c) Bowling Limitations Bowling limitations apply at the following ages: (i) Under-19: A maximum spell of eight (8) consecutive overs. A maximum daily allocation of twenty (20) overs. Exception. In A-grade one-day games, where a maximum of 10 consecutive overs may be bowled (ii) Under-17: A maximum spell of six (6) consecutive overs. A maximum daily allocation of sixteen (16) overs. (iii) Under-15: A maximum spell of five (5) consecutive overs. A maximum daily allocation of ten (10) overs. (iv) Under-14: A maximum spell of four (4) consecutive overs. A maximum daily allocation of eight (8) overs. The daily allocation of overs should include any overs bowled on that same day in any Competition scheduled junior fixture. (d) Length of Break (i) The break between spells is to be a minimum of 60 minutes (including the lunch and tea interval and any unscheduled breaks in play). (ii) A bowler who has bowled a spell of less than the maximum spell permitted for their age (defined in 14.10(a)(ii) above) may resume bowling prior to the completion of the necessary break, but this will be considered an extension of the same spell and the maximum spell limit for that age of player shall still apply. Following the completion of the extended spell, the normal break of 60 minutes between spells will apply and the break within the spell is disregarded. (iii) If a change of innings occurs, and a bowler commences bowling in the new innings within 60 minutes of bowling in the previous innings, this will be considered an extension of the same spell and the maximum spell limit and daily limits for that age of player shall still apply. 21
(iv) If any interval or interruption in play results in an over not being completed, then that part of the over bowled after the break shall constitute one over for the purposes of calculating the bowler s spell and daily limits. If this over is completed at the start of a new day s play, the over shall be considered the first over of a new spell for that bowler and the first over of the new daily limits. (e) Change of Bowling Type Where a bowler changes between medium pace (or faster) and slow bowling during a day s play: (i) if the bowler begins with medium pace (or faster), the bowler is subject to the playing condition throughout the day. (ii) if the bowler begins with slow bowling and changes to medium pace (or faster), the playing condition applies from the time of the change, and all overs of slow bowling bowled prior to the change shall not be taken into account in either the current spell or the daily limit. (f) Management (i) It is the responsibility of the fielding captain to ensure that this playing condition is upheld. (ii) If the umpires become aware of breaches of this playing condition, when the ball is dead, they shall direct the captain to take the bowler off forthwith. If applicable, the over shall be completed by another bowler who shall have neither bowled the previous over nor be allowed to bowl the next over. (iii) Should a dispute or uncertainty regarding the application of this playing condition occur during play, the umpires shall make the final decision on its application based on information available from the scorers or other sources. (iv) A breach of this playing condition in the first instance will require a written explanation from said club/captain as to why this rule was breached. (v) If playing condition is breached on a second occasion by the club, the captain of the day and junior player in match two will receive an automatic penalty of one match suspension. (vi) The above penalty will apply to season to season. 14.10.2 Helmets (a) Batsmen and close to the wicket fielders must wear an approved helmet complete with face grill and side protection whilst occupying the batting crease or fielding in such position. (b) Responsibility for enforcing this Rule rests with the Captains of the teams. Official umpires have no role to play in the enforcement of these by-laws. 14.10.3 Parental Approval to play Seniors Clubs wishing to play juniors aged 13 and under must comply with the following procedure. Clubs shall seek written approval from player s parents or guardian. Such approval shall be held by the club, with a copy of the approval being forwarded to Grade Cricket Coordinator. Penalty for non-compliance of above will result in the team playing the junior losing all competition points for that match. 15. Dress 22
15.1 General Dress Conditions (a) All players and paid official Umpires participating in matches arranged by the Committee shall be properly attired. (b) Players shirts, trousers, socks and footwear shall be totally white. Tennis shoes and white shoes with markings will be deemed as acceptable footwear. Cream clothing (shirts, trousers and socks) shall be deemed white. Caps worn during all scheduled Competition fixtures shall be those of the Club the player is registered with. Floppy hats shall be white or respective Club colours. It is permissible to relax this Rule in D-grade and E-grade with the exception of major round fixtures (Rule 15.3). (c) All players who bowl on turf wickets in Premier-grade and B-grade shall wear spikes while bowling. C-grade, D-grade and E-grade players are strongly urged/recommended to wear spikes when bowling on turf pitches. (d) Players representing the Committee shall not wear caps other than the official caps issued by the Committee and must wear long trousers. (e) Paid official Umpires shall wear blue or white shirt with collar, black or navy shorts or long trousers, white socks (if shorts worn), and white shoes and white hat. (f) In all scheduled one-day fixtures, affiliated Clubs shall be allowed to wear approved coloured clothing. The clothing must be approved by the Competition Committee, and shall be worn in an identical fashion in that grade. Sponsors logos will be allowed as per this Rule, apart from the back of the shirt where any Committee approved logo(s) may be displayed. Failure to wear identical clothing in that grade will incur a penalty of 0.25 match points per item of clothing. (g) Garments such as long sleeved skins may be worn by players, if supported by a medical certificate. Medical certificate shall be handed to umpires prior to commencement of match. The garment shall be the same colour as the playing shirt, if short sleeved shirt is worn, or alternatively, a long sleeved playing shirt to cover the garment if garment colour is different to playing shirt. Penalty of 0.25 points per player will apply if this rule is not adhered to. 15.2 Exceptions to Dress Conditions With the consent of the Committee, Club logos and sponsors logos, or a combination of both, may be permitted on shirt pockets or sleeves of players uniforms. Each logo shall be no larger than pocket size. Up to a maximum of four different logos positions are permissible as follows: Club logo on left hand breast of shirt Logo on right hand breast of shirt Up to two logos on right sleeve must both fit into pocket size Up to two logos on left sleeve, must both fit into pocket size An additional logo can be added to the lower half of the front or back of 2 day playing uniform, but shall not be both. All sponsors logos must be presented to the Committee for approval prior to Clubs having logos printed. Each Club must advise the Committee prior to each season commencing, of that Club s logos for the coming season, regardless of whether those logos were approved for the previous season. Official umpires will penalise respective teams under Rule 15.4, for the use of non-approved logos. 15.3 Lower Grades 23
Players in B-grade, C-grade, D-grade and E-grade may wear white shorts instead of trousers. 15.4 Enforcement of Dress Rules Umpires and Captains shall include a report of offences against dress regulations in their matches. Each offending player named shall incur that team a penalty of 0.25 match points. In the event of the offence occurring during a major round fixture, a penalty of $10 shall be applied for each individual piece of clothing which does not comply. 16. Ground and Pitch Preparation 16.1 Playing Area to be Marked Any ground shall have the scoring boundary defined by cones, or similar markers, placed at intervals of not more than 20 metres. A required minimum distance of 2.50 metres inside the perimeter fencing or advertising signs shall apply. It is recommended that the playing area be approximately 150 metres long and 130 metres wide. 16.2 Preparation of the Pitch During minor round matches, the pitch may be swept, watered, mown and/or rolled prior to play on each day allotted for play. In major round matches, any work carried out after play commences on the first day shall be at the direction of the Umpires after consultation with the Curator. 16.3 Covers Covers may be used on all pitches and surroundings where Competition matches are scheduled. Wherever possible, the pitch, the surrounding area and the bowler's run-ups shall be entirely protected against rain up to the commencement of play, and for the duration of the match. If players are forced from the field due to rain, the duty team must cover the pitch. 17. Implements of the Game 17.1 Balls Schedule 1 of these Rules lists cricket balls currently approved for use by this Competition. Only four-piece leather cricket balls may be used in all Premier-grade, B- grade and C-grade matches. White, four-piece leather cricket balls shall be used in A- grade one-day fixtures. 17.2 Custody of the Ball in Use The ball in use in all incomplete innings shall, at the fall of each wicket, at every break in play and at the termination of the day s play (except at the conclusion of the match), be 24