Rules

NATIONAL ESPANA CRICKET (CE) LEAGUE 2015

LEAGUE COMPETITION RULES (45 OVERS)

PART ONE

A. GENERAL

A1. The Competition shall be held under the auspices of Cricket España (CE), and it is the wish of CE that all players, officials and spectators enjoy the Competition and enjoy Cricket in the way it should be played.

A2. The Competition shall be managed by the CE League Chairman and a Secretary appointed by the CE Director of Cricket. They will be responsible for the strategic management of the CE Regional Leagues and will report back to the CE Executive Committee through the CE Director of Cricket. Decisions made by the CE League Committee shall be final and binding. However, any disputes that arise must be reported to the Director of Cricket before imposing any penalties. Any club not happy with the Decision made by the League Committee, may appeal to the Chairman in writing and the Chairman will then pass this to the Director of Cricket to appoint an Independent Committee to look into the Appeal and report back to the Director of Cricket with the findings. This report and the findings will be forwarded to the League Chairman, who in turn will notify the offending clubs and this report, which will be independent of the Director of Cricket, will be final and binding. There will be no second appeal. The above procedures are required to take place within 10 days of the complaint being received by the League Chairman.

Each Region is to appoint a Chairman, a Secretary and a Membership Secretary who will be responsible for the management and day to day running of their respective Leagues. These appointments are to be made at the Regional Leagues Annual general meeting which should, whenever possible, be held in November of each year.

A3. Each Club shall be responsible for ensuring that its players and officials are familiar with Competition Rules and Playing Conditions. Team Captains are reminded that they are responsible for the conduct of both their team and individual players.

A4. Fixture lists will be issued by the Regional League Committees. The team whose name appears on the left side of the list shall be designated the ‘home team’. Unless otherwise agreed by the League Committee all games shall be played on the dates and at the venues specified.

A5. Fees to enter the the Regional Leagues are to be decided by the Regional League Committees. In addition, all players must be registered with CE at a cost of 6 Euros per person and all Clubs registered at a cost of 70 Euros per Club. (Subject to a total cost to the Club of 150 Euros). All fees must be paid by 28th February 2015. Non-payment of fees at the specified time shall attract the following excess payment:

Payments after the 28th February 2015 Excess of €30.00 (Thirty Euros)

Teams not paying their registration fees by 1st April 2015 shall be eliminated from their respective Regional League.

CE Bank details are as follows:

Account name: Asociacion Espanola de Cricket

Account Number: 2100 4453 84 0200029304

Address: Bank Caixa C/Valencia Alfas del Pi

A6. A Match Fee, agreed by each regional authority, shall be levied for each League game. This fee is to cover the cost of the match ball, official’s refreshments, ground hire and any additional administrative costs. Ideally, match fees should be paid in advance or, alternatively, immediately after the game has been played. Match fees are to be paid into the appropriate Regional Bank Account using the fixture as the Reference when paying in (e.g. Reference: Barcelona v Shaheen).

B. CLUB AND PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

B1. All clubs participating in the League must be registered with CE.

B2. All players participating in the League must be registered with their club and with CE.

Note: A player may be registered for a Number of Clubs but may only play League Cricket for one Club.

B3. All players must be registered with CE by the 28th February 2015. A player not registered with CE by the 28th February must get special dispensation from the League Committee before playing in any League game. Clubs shall give a minimum of 7 days notice before a newly registered player may play for the Club.

B4. Normally a player shall only play for one League team in the Competition. However, a transfer of a player between Clubs or Regions will be allowed as follows:

(a) Transfer between Clubs at the discretion of the Regional League Chairman.

(b) Transfer between Regions at the discretion of the Chairman of the CE

Leagues.

An application for transfer must be submitted in writing to the CE League Chairman or the Regional League Chairman for a decision. Once approved the player will be able to play league cricket for the new Club providing that the player has not represented his previous Club for more than 2/3rds of the current League fixtures. In the case of a transfer between Regions the same rule will apply but only for the play offs for the Spanish League Championships.

NOTE: The CE Leagues Chairman’s, or the Regional Leagues Chairman’s, decision shall be final and binding with no appeal.

B5. No player under the age of 15 (fifteen) years on 1st January 2015 shall participate in the Competition, unless prior approval has been obtained from the League Committee. Applications for that approval must be submitted to the League Membership Secretary at least 7 (Seven) days before the first match in which they have been selected to play.

B6. The list of registered players shall be held by the CE Membership Secretary who shall provide details of player registration and membership on request. Neither the League Chairman nor the League Committee can give Special Dispensation to any club or player without first notifying the Membership Secretary.

B7. Disciplinary Matters

Any alleged breach of the CE Code of Conduct for Players and Officials for matches played under the auspices of the ICC Development Program will be dealt with in the following manner:

(a) Disciplinary matters will be dealt with by the League Committee and the Director of Cricket will be kept Informed at all times.

(b) If a Decision has to go to an Appeals Committee the appropriate Committee will be appointed by the Director of Cricket and will be Independent of the League Committee.

(c) All Complaints will be heard within 10 days of the complaint being received by the League Chairman,

CE ANTI-RACISM POLICY.

This Code – one of the toughest in world sport – confirms a level of commitment from the CE and its Members to promote and encourage participation at all levels (regardless of race, colour, religion, national or ethnic origin) and to ensure that there is no discrimination in the game of Cricket. To this end all Clubs and players are to sign the ‘Code of Conduct Acceptance Form’ attached to these Rules. Team Captains are required to hold these forms for inspection when required by CE.

The Code requires CE Members to impose punishments on spectators found guilty of racial abuse, from ejection from the venue to a life ban, and deliver preventative measures at League or Friendly matches.

To assist Members with the adoption of the new Code, the ICC introduced an implementation template and check list shortly after the Code was adopted and since the start of 2007 it has begun to monitor the application of these measures around the Cricket World.

Members failing to uphold the Code face penalties if racist incidents happen at a venue under their control. These penalties range from warnings through to fines and the possible withdrawal of League status for a venue.

The CE’s commitment to ensuring the diversity of the sport is respected by its participants is also enshrined in the Code of Conduct for Players and Officials where on-field racism is considered one of the most serious acts that can be committed, with the possibility of a life ban for anyone found guilty of such an offence.

C. DRESS CODE

All items of apparel shall be consistent with the traditions of the game of cricket. Specifically, players shall adhere to the following dress code:

a. Shirts shall be mainly white or cream with a collar. The wearing of ‘T’ shirts is

not allowed. Shirts may be embellished only with the players’ club names and/or logo, and club’s official sponsors’ names.

b. Long trousers shall be white or cream. Shorts and non-white tracksuit trousers are not permitted.

c. Footwear shall be predominantly white cricket shoes or trainers. Spikes are not permitted.

d. No player should be permitted to take the field without any white clothing unless approval is given by both the Umpires and the opposing Captain.

The CE appointed umpires shall be responsible for enforcing the dress code. Non-compliance may result in the player in question being deemed ineligible to take part in the game.

NOTE: In matches of less than 25 overs coloured clothing may be permitted

D. PLAYING CONDITIONS

D1. The 2000 Code of the Laws of Cricket including the 2003 changes shall apply. Games should be played not only within the Laws but also within the spirit of the game. The major responsibility for ensuring the spirit of fair play rests with the Captains. (The Preamble – Spirit of Cricket refers)

D2. Ideally, the CE Regional Development Officer (RDO), or the CE appointed Umpires Representative for the Region, shall appoint two Umpires for each game. The Umpires shall resolve any disputes that may occur during the game and their decision shall be final and binding.

D3. Each team shall provide a Scorer for each of their games. The Scorer for the

Home Team shall be responsible for completing the official CE Scorebook. This Scorebook will be provided by the appropriate Region and lodged permanently at all playing venues. On completion of the game it shall be checked and signed by both Umpires and then handed to the Regional League Representative or RDO at the ground.

In addition, the Home Team is responsible for completing the Match Report Form (See Annex A) and posting the completed form, conventionally or electronically, to the CE Secretary within 72 hours.

D4. The Home Team is responsible for the erection and removal of sightscreens, positioning and repositioning of tables and chairs and the disposal of litter before and after the game.

D5. Each team shall submit a list of the full names (Surname and Given name) of its selected players and twelfth man, to the Umpires at least 30 (thirty) minutes before the scheduled start of play for each game.

D6. Regional Leagues shall provide two new Grade A league balls for each match. These shall be handed to the Umpire before the ‘toss’.

D7. The ‘toss’ shall take place 15 (fifteen) minutes before the designated starting time for the match. If the representative of one of the competing teams is not present at that time, the other team shall have choice of innings.

D8. No player shall bowl more than 9 overs.

D9. There shall be a time limit of 3 hours, plus any time added by the umpires, allotted for each innings. The first ball of the last over must commence within the allotted time. If the team bowling first completes less than 45 over’s in the allotted time, they shall complete their 45 over’s but will be allowed to bat for only the number of overs completed in their allotted time. If the team bowling second fails to complete their 45 over’s in their allotted time, they shall complete their 45 over’s but 6 (six) runs per over for each outstanding over shall be added to the score of the batting side. There will be no bonus points awarded to the team for wickets taken after the allotted time.

D10. Only one tactical change of wicketkeeper may take place in an innings.

E. LEAGUE STRUCTURE

E1. All Games will take place in their given Spanish Regions.

E2. The CE League Champions for 2015 will be decided as follows:

(a) The Regions taking part to decide the Champions for 2013 will be:

(i) Costa Blanca

(ii) Barcelona

(iii) Costa Del Sol

(iv) Lanzarote

(b) The Spanish Champions will be decided by a play off between each of the

Regional League winners.

NB: ELIGIBILITY: To take part in the League Finals players must have participated in at least 50% of their respective League matches. However, if a club feels it has cause for special dispensation then a case is to be submitted to the Director of Cricket for consideration at least 21 days before the finals are due to take place.

F. MATCH AND LEAGUE RESULTS

F1. 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. (See CE League Playing Conditions (45 Over’s) Part Two 13.1.b). A win with maximum batting and bowling bonus points will secure 20 points.

In the event of a No Result game, each team shall be awarded 10 points. Any bonus points accrued at the time of abandonment shall not count.

F2. If any team fails to fulfil a fixture on the fixed dates on the fixture list, 18 points shall be awarded to the opposing team. In addition, the offending team will be deducted 18 points.

F3. If at any stage in a game a team refuses to play when instructed to do so by the Umpires, 18 points shall be awarded to the other team.

F4. 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 18 points will be deducted from both sides.

F5. In order to commence a Match a side must have a minimum of 6 players available in order to start the fixture.

F6. Playing a non CE registered player shall incur a 10 point deduction.

F7. The Home Team failing to send Match Report Form to Secretary within 72 hours shall incur a 4 point deduction.

F8. Any team not available to start the match at the appointed time will lose one over 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 45 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 40 overs instead of stipulated 45 overs. The opposition will be entitled to bat for the full 45 overs.

F9.. Batting bonus points will be awarded as follows:

a. 1 (one) point for the first 75 runs scored then an additional 1 point for every 50 runs scored subject to a maximum of 5 points i.e. a total of 275 runs scored.

b. Additionally, when the side batting second and winning the game has to score less than 275 runs, additional points shall be awarded based on the following table.

F10. In addition to batting bonus points, Bowling bonus points will be awarded as follows:

a. 1 (one) point for every 2 wickets taken to a maximum of 5 points.

F11. The team qualifying for the Regional Finals 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 qualify for the Regional Finals. In the event of a tie in the number of games won, the team with the higher (or highest) Net Run Rate shall qualify. Net Run Rate (NRR) is calculated as follows:

NRR = Runs scored x Wickets taken divided by Runs conceded x Wickets lost

G. MEDIA COVERAGE

G1. The Home Team shall be responsible for completing the Match Report Form and sending it to the CE Secretary within 72 hours of the match being completed by post (Correos) or by electronic mail.

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PLAYING CONDITIONS (45 OVERS)

PART TWO

The Laws of Cricket 2000 Code 2nd Edition – 2003 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 2003’ 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 45 overs.

All sides are to complete the bowling of their 45 over’s within 3 hours 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 9.00am or 10.00 am and 11.00 am starts. The example below is for a 12.30 pm start.

2.1. Start and Cessation Times

(a) Scheduled start of play will be 12:30

(b) Scheduled finish of first innings – 15:30

(c) Interval – 45 minutes

(d) Scheduled start of second innings – 16:15

(e) Cessation of play – 19:15

2.2 Sessions of Play and Interval between Innings

There will normally be two sessions of play of 3 hours each, separated by an interval of 45 minutes from 15:30 to 16:15.

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 30 to 15 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 15.9 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 45 overs. If they are dismissed before the completion of these 45 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 45 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 45 over’s the team batting second are entitled to have the opportunity to bat for 45 over’s except as provided for in (c) below.

b) Law 42.9 (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 45 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) Law 42.9 will apply in the 2nd Innings.

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 42.9 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 18 over’s per side. Any re-calculations that result in a match that would start with less than 18 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 18 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 45 over’s has been completed

a) Where the side batting first have completed their 45 over innings the side batting second must have the opportunity to bat for 18 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 18 over’s will result in the game being abandoned as a No Result.

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 13 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 Two inner circles shall be drawn on the field of play. The circles have as their centres the centre point of the popping crease at either end of the pitch. The radius of each of the circles is 15 yards (13.72 metres). The field restriction area should be marked by ‘dots’. The segment of the circles reserved for the slip positions shall not be demarcated. (The final mark of the 15 yard radius shall be a line placed at an angle of 45 degrees, measured from the popping crease at a point level with the middle stump). In the first 13 over’s there must be a minimum of two stationary fielders within the 15 yards restriction of the striker at the instant of delivery. The two stationary fielders may be permitted to stand deeper than 15 yards (in the non-demarcated area) provided only that they are standing in slip, leg slip and gully positions.

5.6 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 5.4 and 5.5 above shall be reduced proportionately in a ratio of 13:45 in accordance with the table below. Fractions are to be ignored in all calculations re the number of overs.

Original match length of 45 over’s