As agreed at extraordinary AGM April 2021
Click here to see previous rules (on legacy website)

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1 - The league will be played in the divisional structure agreed at the annual AGM.

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2 - Current Laws of Cricket will apply

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3 - Games shall consist of two teams of eight players playing each other in matches of 16 x 6 ball overs. A maximum of 4 overs per bowler is permitted.
In all matches, the first half of each innings to be bowled from one end; the second half then bowled from the other end. For both innings, bowling will begin from the Nets end.

 

4 - All teams are expected to turn up in good time for a 6 p.m. start to enjoy the best opportunity of playing a full game.
No team may start a game with fewer than 5 players. 
Any team not ready to commence by 6.15 pm forfeits the toss.
Teams not ready to start by 6:30 pm will forfeit the game and be charged the full cost of hiring the pitch (see rule 8).
In April, the first two weeks of May, and the last two weeks of August:
Games are to start no later than 6.00 pm (note: changed from existing 6.15)
After 6.00 p.m. the overs must be reduced by one over for every five minutes.

For example:
Games starting after 6.00 but before 6.05 – 15 overs
Games starting after 6.05 but before 6.10 – 14 overs
Games starting after 6.10 but before 6.15 – 13 overs

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GAMES SCHEDULED TO START AFTER JUNIOR CRICKET PRACTICE
Games must start no later than 7 pm.
Any team not present (with at least 5 players) by 6:15 pm will forfeit the toss.
Teams not ready to start by 7pm will forfeit the game and be charged the full cost of hiring the pitch (see rule 8).
Number of overs to be played must be agreed by both captains (preferably in advance).

 

5 - Any player who plays for another League club and plays as a "guest" will not be able to bowl and cannot bat higher than No 5. 
Only teams who have unsuccessfully tried the Reserve Player Pool can then acquire a guest player from another team.
Players from the Reserve Player Pool can play for as many teams as they wish, but must indicate whether they wish to remain in the pool or join a team permanently after each appearance.
- A maximum of two guest players per team, per game.
- A ‘Guest’ player from the same division, or a higher division, as the team they are guesting for can only bat at No 5 or lower and must retire at 25 runs, and cannot bowl.
 

Note: Reserve Player Pool players can bat and bowl as required.

Where a club has more than one team in the league, players will be permitted to appear as a full player (and not be restricted as a "guest") in more than one of these teams, provided that they not do so in League games within the same calendar week.
To help ensure this, a club's two (or more) teams' matches should be scheduled on the same evening - wherever possible.

 

6 - Each team will provide for each game at least one umpire who is conversant with the Laws of Cricket and the Rules of the League.

 

7 - Each team will provide a scorer for the match.

 

8 - Any team failing to fulfill a fixture will forfeit the match and 3 points will be awarded to their opponents. Such non-fulfilment will be reported to the League Committee. The team forfeiting the game will also be charged the full cost of hiring the pitch. The team which misses the game because of their opponent’s forfeit will be credited with their match fee (half the cost of the pitch hire and the ball). A team that defaults on their matches three times in a season will be suspended immediately from the league.

 

9 - All players in any one team should wear matching colours, either traditional whites or any colour other than that of the ball being used (currently orange). Players are encouraged to wear trousers whilst playing. 

Teams should wear appropriate kits, as set out above, as a means of helping to ensure public awareness of the potential dangers.

Metal spiked shoes must not be worn by bowlers or batsmen.

 

10 - The team named first on the fixture list will supply the match ball. Balls will be provided by the League at the beginning of the season.

 

11 - If a team withdraws from the League during the season then the results of games played shall be void and their players shall become free agents.

 

12 - Team captains are responsible for the sporting conduct of their players.

 

13 - Three points are awarded for a win: two points for a tie; one for a "no result".

 

14 - The Cup competition shall operate on a simple knockout basis. If a cup match is tied or rained off, captains are to use their best endeavours to either:
- (a) re-arrange the fixture, 
- (b) arrange at some other agreed time prior to the next cup round to: 
            - (i) play a super over, 
            - (ii) bowl out or, as a last resort, 
            - (ii) a coin toss.

 

15 - A player shall not play for a side in the Cup unless they have previously represented that side in the League. In addition, Cup teams cannot field any players who have played for other Victoria Park Community Cricket League sides during the season; note that this clause does not affect eligible players who have played as a "guest" for other teams (as under Rule 5). This clause also does not affect players who are members of a Club with more than one team in the League and have played as a full player for one or more of those teams in league matches during the season. However, clubs with more than one team in the League will NOT be able to move players between their teams in the Cup tournament once the tournament has started.

 

16 - Both winning & losing teams must submit their team's full scorecard to the Deputy Results Secretary (George Watson). If any team fails to submit their scores within 24 hours after match is played, they will be sent a first warning notice by the Results Secretary (Firoz Husain). If that team still fails to submit its scores within 48 hours it will automatically be awarded zero points. (For cup games, neither teams shall progress to the next round, and a bye shall be given to the next round’s opponents). Teams will be required to submit a full scorecard. Any scorecards that are considered as being of an unacceptably poor standard by the committee will result in one warning, then one-point deduction per offence thereafter.

 

17 - In the event of rain preventing the playing of, or causing an abandonment of a match, then it will not be replayed.
Each Team will be awarded one point.
In inclement weather, consideration should be given to the prospects of the game starting at some point during the evening and the likelihood of it being possible to then conclude the game before darkness falls.
No game can be called off for rain unless both teams are present to inspect conditions on the night, except by prior mutual agreement.
If one team does not want to play, the game will not go ahead, but only if that team has at least five players on the pitch.
In the event of only one team turning up, that team will be awarded the game. 
Should there be a dispute as to whether a match should be/should have been played or not, the committee will take into consideration whether any other matches safely took place on the same evening.

 

17A - Any matches that are cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances (other than due to inclement conditions) will be treated as a No Result unless captains agree to rearrange the game outside the current schedule (with any additional cost wholly born by the two teams). Unless arrangements are made pursuant to Rule 18A, the points are to be shared as per the usual cancellation procedure.

Alternative arrangements that are available for teams are:
 

(i) to play a super over at the convenience of both teams; or
(ii) to play a rearranged fixture on a weekend, on a Bank Holiday; or on a weekday in the afternoon (to be concluded before any scheduled fixture).

Any such a fixture may be played at any suitable and mutually agreed venue.

18 - Any full-toss passing the batsman above his/her waist and any delivery which, after pitching, passes the batsman above his/her sternum (breastbone) shall be called no ball. All captains are asked to make sure that their team is aware of this regulation.

 

19 - In league and cup games a batsman shall retire on reaching 50 runs. He may return at the end of the innings, after the fall of the 6th wicket (or before, if more than one batsman has retired on 50). At the fall of the seventh wicket, the side's innings will be over.
Should it be the case that more than one batter retires, the first one to reach 50 is the first one back to resume their innings.

 

20 - In the event of two or more teams tying on points in any division, the table positions shall be based on the following criteria, in order, until a satisfactory relation is arrived at.
 

1. The result of the games between the relevant sides (in effect a mini-league)
 

2a) Top of Tables:
 

The result(s) against the team(s) who finish above them in order, and then those below them in descending order until a difference is noted.
 

2b) Bottom of Tables:
As per above, but in ascending order.
 

3. Any Titles will be shared UNLESS the teams involved wished to arrange a play off or bowl out.
 

Any unresolved promotion or relegation issues will be considered by the committee

 

21 - There are no independent umpires so disputes should be avoided. Captains should resolve between them any disputes that do arise in the

spirit of the game.
 

Trying to sort out disputes after a match is extremely time consuming and generally a fruitless exercise.
If captains feel they must bring a dispute to the attention of the committee, the procedure will be as follows:
 

1 – Contact secretary with details
 

2 – Secretary will nominate two committee members to investigate the complaint
 

3 – The two committee members will report back within seven days to the chairman with their recommendation
 

4 – Chairman will either accept the recommendation or make an alternative ruling. Secretary will inform captains concerned of the decision, which will be final and not subject to appeal.

 

22 - Tied cup games: If in the cup & only in the cup if a match is tied with scores level, then whoever has lost least wickets is declared the winner. If this is equal, then a bowl out will take place. Five players will each bowl 2 balls at unguarded stumps. If the scores are still the level then the 6th player, then 7th & 8th if required. Then the 1st again etc until a winner is determined. NB if conditions are not condusive ie too dark, then the same sides may come back to do this on another date but BEFORE the next round match is due & this can take place in the nets.

 

23 - Declarations are permissible as an alternative to reducing overs from the start.

 

24 - Appropriate arrangements must be made to ensure that under 18s playing in the league are safeguarded according to current legislation.

 

25 - If teams start a game with a side which includes one or more substitutes, this must be declared in advance (for example, if a player is late arriving). Substitutes cannot bat, bowl or keep wicket.

 

26 - Teams must respect the trophies they have won & ensure they are looked after. The trophies must be returned by the AGM after which they will be engraved at the league’s expense and then returned to the teams. The teams will finally return the trophies in time for them to be presented to their new winners at the deciding games of the season. Failure of any team to ensure this could result in their expulsion. 

 

27 - Teams must exchange a list of the full names of their eight players at the beginning of each game, to aid scoring and the compilation of league batting and bowling averages. 

 

28 - Stumps and Scoreboards: Stumps and scoreboard are provided by the League. They should be collected, and returned, from the lock-up container next to the changing block.
Each team should collect their stumps; the 'home' team should also collect the scoreboard. Teams must provide their own bails. 
Each team will be provided with a key for the container. If teams lose their key, they should contact the Secretary to arrange for a replacement (at their cost).

 

29 - Requests for un-affiliated umpire:
A registered umpire to be paid £20 per match for any match they are requested to umpire.
Requesting captain pays; opposition captain chooses from list of registered umpires.
If both captains make the request – they share cost.
Requests have to be submitted by 7 days prior to match (except in the case of cup matches that might arise within a week’s notice. 

 

30 - Pitch 1 Boundaries
Pitch one is the one by the old pavilion/changing rooms.
On Pitch 1, the boundary line is at the tarmac path - except for where the boundary is otherwise marked on the grass. Between the two points where the marked boundary reaches the path, the edge of the tarmac path adjoining the ground is the boundary.
However, there are trees growing inside this line. If a ball hits one of these trees - having bounced before impact - a boundary FOUR is to be scored and the ball is immediately dead.
If the ball hits a tree on the full - a SIX is to be scored and the ball is immediately dead. It is not possible to be caught off the trees.

 

31 - Injuries
All injuries should be reported to the League Secretary.

 

32 - If the committee considers a team or player to have brought the League into disrepute; eg; A formal complaint being received from other teams or committee member, LBTH, or a member of the public, regarding unlawful actions or actions that transgress the park bye-laws, by an individual associated with the league, it may result in disciplinary action - ranging from a warning to expulsion from the league. 

The sanctions available to the committee include, but are not limited to:
An official warning
Suspension for a period of time or matches at the Committee's discretion
Expulsion from the league for a period of 5 years (re-admittance to approved by the Committee)

Single incidents by players and/or teams will result in a warning.  Persistent and/or serious breaches will result in in more serious sanction. Disrepute examples might include, but are not limited to:
Transgression of park bye laws (eg: Mopeds brought on to the park)
Violence
Racist or homophobic language

 

33
(i) Every team shall provide to the League, the name, telephone number and email address, for at least two people that can be contacted regarding fixtures and any other League business. It is the responsibility of the captain of each team to ensure that this information is kept up to date. 
(ii) Emails from the League shall be acknowledged or responded to, if required, within 48 hours.
(iii) Emails will be deemed received on the date upon which they are sent.

 

 

 

 

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