ECCL Division One, Two and Madrid League
PART TWO
PLAYING CONDITIONS (40 OVERS)
The Laws of Cricket (2017 Code) will apply except when varied below. Where this code has been amended competition regulation has been added in brackets to help identify the change. Where the current law is quoted, either in part or full, the phrase ‘Laws 2017’ follows the text.
1. Duration of Matches
1.1 All Matches
Matches will consist of one innings per side and each innings will be limited to 40 overs.
All sides are to complete the bowling of their 40 over’s within 2 hours 40 minutes playing time.
2. Hours of Play and Intervals
Start times vary at request of participating clubs travelling long distances. Please adjust information in this section for 9.00 am or 10.00 am and 11.00 am starts. The example below is for an 11.00 am start.
2.1. Start and Cessation Times
(a) Scheduled start of play will be 11:00
(b) Scheduled finish of first innings – 13:40
(c) Interval – 45 minutes
(d) Scheduled start of second innings – 14:25
(e) Cessation of play – 17:05
2.2 Sessions of Play and Interval between Innings
There will normally be two sessions of play of 2 hours 40 minutes each, separated by an interval of 45 or a lesser time as is agreed between the Captains and the Umpires.
If the innings of the team batting first is completed within 30 minutes of the scheduled time for the interval, the interval shall take place immediately and the innings of the team batting second will commence correspondingly earlier. If the innings of the team batting first is completed more than 30 minutes prior to the scheduled interval a ten-minute break will occur and then the team batting second will commence its innings. Thereafter, the interval will occur as scheduled.
Where the innings of the side batting first is delayed or interrupted, the umpires will reduce the length of the interval. In the event of time being lost up to and including 60 minutes in aggregate, the length of the interval shall be reduced from 45 to 30 minutes. In the event of more than 60 minutes being lost in aggregate, the duration of the interval shall be agreed mutually by the umpires and both captains, subject to no interval being more than 30 minutes duration or less than 10 minutes duration. In the event of disagreement, the interval shall be of 25 minutes duration.
2.3 Interval for Drinks
Two drinks intervals (maximum 5 minutes per interval) per session shall be permitted, each taken after 15 and 30 overs have been bowled. The provision of Law 11.8 shall be strictly observed, except under conditions of extreme heat the umpires may permit extra intervals for drinks.
The time taken for drinks will not be counted as playing time and any time taken will be added onto the time allocated for the completion of the innings. Umpires must ensure that the time taken for drinks is kept to the absolute minimum.
An individual player may be given a drink either on the boundary edge or at the fall of a wicket, on the field, provided that no playing time is wasted. No drinks will be taken onto the field of play without the permission of the umpires. Any player taking drinks onto the field shall be dressed in proper cricket whites.
N.B. Scheduled start and cessation times may be varied at the discretion of the League Committee prior to the League commencing. However, any such re-scheduling should allow for all matches to commence and conclude at the same time.
3. Appointment of Umpires
The CE Umpire Representative will appoint Regional Umpire Co-ordinators for the respective Leagues. The Regional Umpire Co-ordinator will be a member of the Regional League Committee. If only one umpire is appointed or none (insufficient umpires available) clubs are to provide their own.
4. Length of innings
4.1 General regulations for uninterrupted matches
a) Each team shall have the opportunity to bat for 40 overs. If they are dismissed before the completion of these 40 overs or a result is reached, the remaining overs will not be bowled.
If the side batting first are dismissed before the completion of their 40 overs, then for all subsequent purposes they are deemed to have faced their full quota of overs.
If the team batting first are dismissed before the completion of their 40 over’s the team batting second are entitled to have the opportunity to bat for 40 over’s except as provided for in (c) below.
b) Law 41.9 (Time wasting by fielding side) will not apply in the 1st Innings and is replaced by the following:
The umpires will monitor the over rate as the innings progresses and will inform the fielding captain, at appropriate times, if the over rate is showing signs of slowing down to an unacceptable level. The umpires will take into account any circumstances that are outside the control of the fielding side when making this judgment (e.g. delays caused by the batting side: extended time taken to retrieve the ball: delays caused by serious injury (ies).)
If the team fielding first fail to bowl the required number of overs by the scheduled time for cessation of the first session, play will continue until the required number of overs has been bowled.
Unless otherwise determined by the two Umpires the innings for the team batting second shall be limited to the same number of overs bowled by it, at the scheduled time for the cessation of the first session. The over in progress at the scheduled cessation of time shall count as a complete over.
The Umpires may increase the number of overs to be bowled by the team bowling second if they are of the opinion that events beyond the control of the team bowling first prevented them from bowling the required number of overs. This decision will be made before the start of the 2nd innings.
c) If the team batting first is all out and lose their last wicket at or after the scheduled time for the interval, the innings of the team batting second shall be limited to the same number of overs bowled to the team batting first at the scheduled time for the interval. (The over in which the last wicket falls is to count as one complete over.)
d) If the team fielding second fails to bowl 40 over’s by the scheduled cessation time the hours of play shall be extended until the required number of overs have been bowled or a result reached.
e) 6 penalty runs will be awarded to the opposing side for each complete over not bowled within the scheduled time.
The umpires will monitor the over rate as the innings progresses and will inform the fielding captain, at appropriate times, if the over rate is showing signs of slowing down to an unacceptable level.
The umpires will take into account any circumstances that are outside the control of the fielding side when making this judgment (e.g. delays caused by the batting side: extended time taken to retrieve the ball: delays caused by serious injury (ies).)
If, having taken the above action, the umpires feel that no effort is being made to rectify the situation application of Law 41.9 will be made.
In the event of overs not being bowled within the scheduled time limit, 4.1(d) will be enforced.
4.2 General regulations for delayed or interrupted matches
a) The object must always be to arrange the number of overs so that both sides have the opportunity of batting for the same number of overs.
When a recalculation of overs is necessary, this calculation will be based on:
– the total playing time remaining in the match and will be calculated using 15 overs per hour as the norm (4 mins = 1 over)
– where this calculation results in a part over – this figure will be rounded up to the next whole figure.
No re-arrangement of overs will take place until more than 60 minutes (or a figure determined by the Umpires), in aggregate, of playing time has been lost. (Hence the cessation of play during a delayed or interrupted match can be extended by1 hour.)
i) Under this clause the shortest match that can be arranged is 16 over’s per side. Any re-calculations that result in a match that would start with less than 16 over’s per side means that the only match that can take place will be that as provided for in 4.2(a)(iv) below.
ii) If, during the match, any recalculations result in BOTH sides receiving less than 16 over’s then the match is abandoned.
iii) If, during the match, any recalculations result in only one side receiving less than 18 over’s the above clauses 4.2(a)(i)(ii) do not apply, and clause 4.3(b) comes into operation.
iv) in the situation where no play is possible before 18:00 a match of 10 overs per side shall be played if ground conditions allow. (Clauses 5.3, 5.5 and 5.6 in paragraph 5 – restrictions on the placement of fielders – will not apply.)
b) If either side is dismissed before the completion of their agreed allocation of overs, it is deemed that they have faced their full quota of overs and any subsequent calculations e.g. Over Run Rate (ORR), will be based on their having faced their full quota of overs.
c) If the team batting first are dismissed before the completion of their allocated overs the team batting second are entitled to bat for their full allocation except as provided for in 4.1(c) above.
d) Even though a match may be reduced in length the principles laid out in 4.1. (b), (c), (d), and (e) above still apply. Any contravention of these Regulations will still attract the relevant penalties. The fact that a match is reduced in length does not negate the requirement that the overs have to be bowled within the laid down time limits – even though these limits will differ according to the unique circumstances surrounding a particular match.
4.3 Delay to the start of, or interruption during, the 1st innings
a) Any recalculation of overs based on 4.2(a) will be divided by two and any odd over ignored. e.g. A recalculation that gives 49 overs remaining (and taking into account the 20 overs that have already been played) would give a match total of 69 overs means that the match is now one of 34 overs per side.
Where the situation arises that, having done this calculation, the side batting first have already exceeded the new innings total for each side, their innings will be terminated immediately. The side batting second will receive the balance of the overs. e.g. match reduced to 50 overs in total (25 each) but side batting first have already received 28. Side batting second will bat for 22 (50 – 28 = 22).
The target score for the side batting second will be calculated using the principles as laid down in 13.1(c) The Result. e.g. in the above – side batting first score 110 in their 28 overs giving ORR of 3.92. Target score for side batting second is 22 x 3.92 = 86.24 = 87.
b) In order to constitute a match the side batting second must have the opportunity of facing a minimum of 40% of the agreed number of overs made available to them at the start of their innings. Any subsequent recalculation of overs during the 2nd innings that results in the side batting second not having the opportunity to bat for 40% of the overs made available at the start of their innings will result in the game being abandoned as a No Result.
(For the purposes of this Regulation – where the allocated overs are an odd number the figure arrived at by taking 40% will be rounded up to the next whole figure.)
4.4 Interruption after 1st innings of 40 over’s has been completed
Where the side batting first have completed their 40 over innings the side batting second must have the opportunity to bat for 16 over’s in order to constitute a match. Recalculation of overs during the 2nd innings that results in the side batting second not having the opportunity to bat for 16 over’s will result in the game being abandoned as a No Result.
4.5 Reduced Overs Match – From Start of Play
In a reduced overs match there shall be no adjustment of the points system.
5. Restrictions on the Placement of Fielders
5.1 Two semi-circles shall be drawn on the field of play. The semi-circles have as their centre the middle stump at either end of the pitch. The radius of each of the semi-circles is 27.5m or 30 yards. The ends of each semi-circle are joined to the other by a straight line drawn on the field on the same side of the pitch. The field restriction area should be marked by continuous painted white line or ‘dots’ at 4.5 m intervals, each ‘dot’ to be covered by a white plastic or rubber (but not metal) disc measuring 18 cm in diameter. These discs will NOT be fixed to the ground by means of a nail/pin or any other dangerous, sharp object.
5.2 Throughout the whole game there must never be more than five fielders on the leg side from the instant of delivery until the striker has played at, or had the opportunity to play at, the ball.
5.3 For the first 12 over’s only two fielders are permitted to be outside the field restriction marking at the instant of delivery.
5.4 For the remaining overs, 4 fielders plus the bowler and wicket keeper must be inside the field restriction marking at the instant of delivery.
5.5 In circumstances where the number of overs for the team batting first is reduced, the number of overs in regard to the restrictions in 5.3 and 5.4 above shall be reduced proportionately in a ratio of 12:40 in accordance with the table below. Fractions are to be ignored in all calculations re the number of overs.
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Original match length of 40 over’s |
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Amended |
Fielding |
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Amended |
Fielding |
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Amended |
Fielding |
|
Amended |
Fielding |
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|
Overs |
restrictions |
|
Overs |
restrictions |
|
Overs |
restrictions |
|
Overs |
restrictions |
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|
1 |
0 |
|
13 |
3 |
|
25 |
7 |
|
37 |
11 |
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|
2 |
0 |
|
14 |
4 |
|
26 |
7 |
|
38 |
11 |
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|
3 |
0 |
|
15 |
4 |
|
27 |
8 |
|
39 |
11 |
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|
4 |
1 |
|
16 |
4 |
|
28 |
8 |
|
40 |
12 |
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5 |
1 |
|
17 |
5 |
|
29 |
8 |
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6 |
1 |
|
18 |
5 |
|
30 |
9 |
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7 |
2 |
|
19 |
5 |
|
31 |
9 |
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8 |
2 |
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20 |
6 |
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32 |
9 |
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9 |
2 |
|
21 |
6 |
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33 |
9 |
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10 |
3 |
|
22 |
6 |
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34 |
10 |
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11 |
3 |
|
23 |
6 |
|
35 |
10 |
|
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|
|
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12 |
3 |
|
24 |
7 |
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36 |
10 |
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Where the number of overs for the team batting second is reduced (including under the provisions of clauses 4.1.(b) and/or 4.1.(c) above), the aim will be to maintain the restrictions in 5.3 and 5.4 above for the same proportion of the second innings that they were maintained for the first innings (fractions to be ignored).
5.6 In the event of infringement of any of the above fielding restrictions, the striker’s end umpire (umpire at square leg) will call and signal “No Ball”.
6. Number of Overs Per Bowler
No bowler shall bowl more than 8 over’s in an innings.
If the start of the match is delayed and the overs are reduced for both teams, no bowler may bowl more than one fifth of the total overs allowed. Where the total overs are not equally divisible by 5, one additional over shall be allowed, to as many bowler’s as is necessary, in order to make up the balance.
e.g. in a game reduced to 29 Overs per side, and using 5 bowler’s, their allocations would be: 6 – 6 – 6 – 6 – 5 = 29.
In a match where the innings of either or both sides is reduced after the start of the match, the maximum number of overs allowed per bowler shall remain as at the start of the match.
In the event of a bowler becoming ill, injured or suspended thus being unable to complete an over, the remaining balls will be bowled by another bowler. Such part of an over will count as a full over only in so far as each bowler’s limit is concerned.
7. Law 24.1 Substitutes and runners
Law 24.1 will apply with no amendments
8. Law 24.2 Fielder absent or leaving the field
Law 24.2 shall apply with no amendments
9. Law 15 Declaration and Forfeiture
Law 14 will not apply in this Competition. The captain of the batting side may not declare
his innings closed at any time during the course of a match nor can he forfeit an innings
(competition regulation).
10. Wides and No Balls
10.1 Law 22.1.1 Wide Ball – Judging a Wide
No delivery will be called wide if
– it comes into contact with the striker’s bat or person or
– is called as a No ball
For all other deliveries the following interpretation will apply:
Off side Wides
Two white lines will be painted joining the bowling and popping creases. Each line will be parallel to the Return Crease and will be 35 inches from the centre of the middle stump.
(see Appendix A).
Any delivery that passes over or outside of this line will be called wide by the umpire.
It does not matter that the striker may move thus bringing the ball into an area where he could play a normal cricket stroke – it will still be a Wide (competition regulation).
It will also be a Wide if the batsman moves away from the ball and it passes over or outside of this white line (competition regulation).
Leg side Wides
The normal Laws of Cricket shall apply to leg side wides.
Umpires are instructed to apply a consistent interpretation in regard to this Law
Umpires should try and be consistent:
– in their own interpretation
– with the interpretation of their colleagues
– with the interpretation adopted throughout the whole League.
11. Law 41.6 and 41.7 Dangerous and unfair bowling
11.1 Law 41.6 – The Bowling of Fast Short Pitched Balls
Law 41.6 shall be replaced by the following:
a. A bowler shall be limited to one fast short-pitched delivery per over.
b. A fast short-pitched delivery is defined as a ball which passes or would have passed above the shoulder height of the striker standing upright at the crease.
c. The umpire at the bowlers end shall advise the bowler and the batsman on strike when each fast short pitched delivery has been bowled.
d. In addition, a ball that passes above head height of the batsman, that prevents him from being able to hit it with his bat by means of a normal cricket stroke shall be called a wide.
e. For the avoidance of doubt any fast short pitched delivery that is called a wide under this playing condition shall also count as the allowable short pitched delivery in that over.
f. In the event of a bowler bowling more than one fast short-pitched delivery in an over, the umpire at the bowlers end shall call and signal no ball on each occasion. A differential signal shall be used to signify a fast short pitched delivery. The umpire shall call and signal ‘no ball’ and then tap the head with the other hand.
g. If a bowler delivers a second fast short pitched ball in an over, the umpire, after the call of no ball and when the ball is dead, shall caution the bowler, inform the other umpire, the captain of the fielding side and the batsmen at the wicket of what has occurred. This caution shall apply throughout the innings.
h. If there is a second instance of the bowler being no balled in the innings for bowling more than one fast short pitched delivery in an over, the umpire shall advise the bowler that this is his final warning for the innings.
i. Should there be any further instance by the same bowler in that innings, the umpire shall call and signal no ball and when the ball is dead direct the captain to take the bowler off forthwith. If necessary, the over shall be completed by another bowler, who shall neither have bowled the previous over, or part thereof, nor be allowed to bowl the next over, or part thereof.
j. The bowler thus taken off shall not be allowed to bowl again in that innings.
k. The umpire will report the occurrence to the other umpire, the batsmen at the wicket and as soon as possible to the captain of the batting side.
l. The umpires will then report the matter to the ECCL League Committee who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain and the bowler concerned (refer also to Law 41.1 Fair and Unfair Play – Responsibility of the Captains).
11.2 Law 41.7 Bowling of dangerous and unfair non-pitching deliveries
Law 41.7 shall be replaced by the following:
a. Any delivery, other than a slow paced one, which passes or would have passed on the full above waist height of the striker standing upright at the crease is deemed dangerous and unfair, whether or not is it likely to inflict physical injury on the striker.
b. A slow delivery, which passes or would have passed on the full above shoulder height of the striker standing upright at the crease, is to be deemed dangerous and unfair, whether or not it is likely to inflict physical injury on the striker.
c. In the event of a bowler bowling a high full pitched ball (beamer), the umpire at the bowler’s end shall, in the first instance, call and signal no ball and when the ball is dead, caution the bowler and issue a first and final warning. The umpire shall inform the other umpire, the captain of the fielding side and the batsmen at the wicket of what has occurred.
d. Should there be any further instance by the same bowler in that innings, the umpire shall call and signal no ball and when the ball is dead direct the captain to take the bowler off forthwith. If necessary, the over shall be completed by another bowler, who shall neither have bowled the previous over, or part thereof, nor be allowed to bowl the next over, or part thereof.
e. The bowler thus taken off shall not be allowed to bowl again in that innings.
f. The umpire will report the occurrence to the other umpire, the batsman at the wicket and as soon as possible to the captain of the batting side.
g. The umpires will then report the matter to the ECCL League Committee who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain and the bowler concerned (refer also to Law 41.1 Fair and Unfair Play – Responsibility of the Captains).
11.3 Foot Fault No Ball
A foot fault no ball will result in the next ball being a free hit.
Captains may only change the field placements if the batsmen have changed ends. If the next ball is not a legal ball (i.e. wide or no ball) the free hit is carried forward until such time as a legal ball is bowled.
This law will be enforced with the proviso that the criteria in 11.2 above will apply when judging the legality of the full pitch delivery (competition regulation).
12. The Ball
The Regional League will provide 2 new balls for each match.
The Regional League will provide a selection of replacement balls at all playing venues.
A new ball will be used at the start of each innings
The umpires will decide if and when a ball becomes unfit for use. They will be the sole judges of both when it should be replaced and the selection of the replacement. They will inform the fielding captain and batsmen at the crease of their decision.
The Umpires will forward a report to the League Committee of any ball tampering during any league game. The Umpires will inform both Captains (and the player concerned if identified) at the time of the incident and the ball will be replaced.
- 13. Law 42 Players Conduct
Players Conduct shall be covered by the CE Code of Conduct and disciplinary matters shall be resolved in accordance with the procedures outlined in the document.
14. Match and League Results
a) When there is no interruption after play has commenced and when both sides have had the opportunity, subject to the provisions of 4.1 (c) above, of batting for the same agreed number of overs, the team scoring the higher number of runs shall be the winner.
b) For each game, 10 points shall be awarded to the winning team. In the event of a tie, the team losing the least number of wickets shall be the winner. In the event that the number of wickets lost are equal then 5 points shall be awarded to both teams along with the accrued bonus points. A win with maximum batting and bowling bonus points will secure 20 points.
c) If any team fails to fulfil a fixture on the fixed dates on the fixture list, 20 points shall be awarded to the opposing team. In addition, the offending team will be deducted 20 points.
d) If at any stage in a game a team refuses to play when instructed to do so by the Umpires, 20 points shall be awarded to the other team.
e) If at any stage in a game both teams refuse to play when instructed to do so by the Umpires, no points shall be awarded to either team and 20 points will be deducted from both sides.
f) In order to commence a Match a side must have a minimum of 6 players available in order to start the fixture
g) Playing a non CE registered player shall incur a 10 point deduction.
h) The Home Team failing to send Match Report Form to Secretary within 72 hours shall incur a 4 point deduction.
i) Prior to implementing the rule below the umpires shall obtain reasons for the late arrival of a team and take into account exceptional circumstances.
Any team not available to start the match at the appointed time will lose one over for every completed 4 minutes until such time as they are available to commence the match. The opposition will, however, be entitled to bat for the full 40 overs. I.e. if a team arrives 20 minutes late then that team will lose 5 overs (20 divided by 4) and will only be permitted to bat for 35 overs instead of stipulated 40 overs. The opposition will be entitled to bat for the full 40 overs.
j) Batting bonus points will be awarded as follows:
i) 1 (one) point for the first 50 runs scored then an additional 1 point for every 50 runs scored subject to a maximum of 5 points i.e. a total of 250 runs scored.
ii) Additionally, when the side batting second and winning the game has to score less than 250 runs, additional points shall be awarded based on the following table.
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Runs |
Points |
Wickets Remaining Bonus Points |
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10 wkts |
9/8 wkts |
7/6 wkts |
5/4 wkts |
3/2 wkts |
|
0 – 49 |
0 |
5 pts |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
50- 99 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
100-149 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
151-200 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
201-250 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
251 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 pts |
k) In addition to batting bonus points, bowling bonus points will be awarded as follows:
(i) 1 (one) point for every 2 wickets taken to a maximum of 5 points.
l)The League Champions shall be the team with the highest number of points. In the event of a tie in the number of points between two or more teams in the League, the team that has won the most games shall be the League champions. In the event of a tie in the number of games won the team who has won the head to head matches will qualify. If the head to head games are equal then the team which has secured the most bonus points throughout the season will be declared League Champions. If the bonus points are equal then a playoff match will be arranged to decide the League winners.
o) if a match is abandoned before it has been played to a conclusion, and the team batting second has received its minimum number of allotted overs (as laid down in 4 above), the result shall be decided by over run rate. The side with the higher ORR will be the winner.
If the ORR is the same the side losing the lesser number of wickets in the first 20 overs of each innings will be the winner. If this is still equal a count back system will apply until a winner is found. i.e. side losing the lesser number of wickets in the 19thover – counting back until an over is reached whereby the number of wickets lost differs.
p) All matches, in which both teams have not had the opportunity of batting for the minimum number of overs as laid down in 4 above, shall be decided by 13.1(q)
q) In the event of it not being possible to achieve a result with the above, the match will be recorded as:
i) in a League match – No Result (10 points to each team)
ii) In a Play off match – the winner will be the team who has the best Net Run Rate, of the two teams, going into the match.
Dates given in the league program for all matches will be strictly adhered to by all clubs.
THIS DOCUMENT SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH DIVISION ONE, DIVISION TWO AND MADRID LEAGUE COMPETITION RULES PART ONE AND CE CODE OF CONDUCT.