MATCH RULES FOR DIVISIONAL LEAGUE

CHAMPIONSHIP COMPETITIONS FOR BOTH

1ST AND 2ND ELEVENS

1. The League shall organise first, second and third division championships

for both first and second XIs. Each Division shall consist of 12 member

clubs and there will be promotion and relegation annually between each

Division and between other Leagues as directed by these Rules.

 

2. Clubs engaged in the Divisional League Championships shall have fixtures

with all other clubs during the season with a view to playing each other

twice (weather permitting) and the respective championships shall be won

by the Club having scored the highest number of points at the end of the

season.

 

3. Subject to special conditions incorporated in these rules, all matches must

be played under the 'Laws of Cricket' as laid down by the M.C.C. at the

time. In addition, the League has, for all matches played under its auspices,

adopted the ECB Fast Bowling Directive, the ECB Safety Guidance on the

Wearing of Cricket Helmets by Young Players and ECB Guidelines for

Junior Players in Open Age Cricket.

 

4. The League shall organise annually a bulk purchase of 'Grade A' cricket

balls of a make to be decided by the Management Committee. Clubs shall

purchase these balls from the League for use in all Championship matches

and shall bowl with their own ball.

 

5. In all matches played under the auspices of the League players must appear

in traditional, predominantly white, clothing. All such clothing and all club

kit must be in a clean and presentable condition.

 

6. All matches in the Meller Braggins Cheshire Cricket League shall consist

of 90 six-ball overs play with the first innings consisting of 45 overs

maximum. All matches shall start at 1.30 p.m. prompt or at a starting time

specified in the Official Handbook or by the Management Committee.

 

7. If the innings of the side batting first is completed before the limit on that

innings is reached the side batting second shall be entitled to receive the

balance of the number of overs making up the game. The team batting first

shall not declare before 25 overs have been bowled and after such a

declaration the team batting second shall be entitled to receive the balance

of the total overs remaining (natural dismissals excepted) and may not

declare. A declared innings is a completed innings.

 

8. If the innings of the side batting first is completed part way through an

over, that over shall be deemed to have been completed. However, if, for

any reasons, a bowler is unable to complete an over, that over shall be

completed by another player. This player shall not have bowled the

previous over and may not bowl the following over. Any over commenced

and not completed for any reason at the end of an innings shall be deemed

to have been completed.

9. During both innings the scoreboard shall show the number of overs that

have elapsed.

 

10. If either competing team is not ready to commence at the scheduled time

of commencement (vide Rule 6) or after any interval or stoppage of play

(vide Rules 12 and 14) they may be reported to the Management

Committee. The Umpires should inform the captains if they intend to make

a report.

If either competing team is unable to field eleven players they shall be

reported to the Management Committee by the Fixtures and Results

Secretary. On receiving a report the Committee may at their discretion fine

the offending clubs up to a maximum of £10.00 for each offence in 1st XI

matches.

 

11. Either Captain may request the pitch to be rolled before the

commencement of a game. Such rolling to end no later than 15 minutes

before the scheduled time for commencement and in all cases, before the

'toss' has been made.

 

12. The tea interval shall normally be taken between innings and shall not

exceed 30 minutes. If tea has been taken at some other time (i.e. during a

stoppage for rain) then the interval between innings shall not count as ' -

playing time'. The 30 minutes taken for the tea interval shall not count as lost

playing time, including where tea is taken before the commencement of play.

 

13. Points will be awarded as follows:-

• To a side winning a match having batted first or lost the toss - 25

points fixed

• To a side winning a match having batted second and won the toss - 20

points fixed

• In a match resulting in a tie - 18 points to each side

• In a match resulting in a draw - 2 points to each side in addition to

bonus points earned

(In a drawn match where the scores finish equal the side who batted

first is deemed to have drawn for the purpose of awarding points and

the side who batted second are deemed to have tied)

• In an abandoned match – each side shall receive 7 points or bonus

points and draw points whichever the greater

(An abandoned match is one in which no play is possible or one in

which play is finally suspended before a positive result is achieved

and before the completion of the allocated number of overs).

• Bonus points will be awarded to sides losing a match and to both sides

in a drawn match or an abandoned match (subject to above

provisions):

 

Batting Bonus Points: Side Batting First Side Batting Second

at team total 110 2 points 1 point

at team total 125 4 points 2 points

at team total 140 6 points 3 points

at team total 155 8 points 4 points

at team total 170 10 points 5 points

 

Bowling Bonus Points:

at the fall of the 1st wicket Bowling side earns 1 point

at the fall of the 3rd wicket Bowling side earns 2 points

at the fall of the 5th wicket Bowling side earns 3 points

at the fall of the 7th wicket Bowling side earns 4 points

at the fall of the 9th wicket Bowling side earns 5 points

 

 

Notes:

(a) For the awarding of Bowling Bonus Points, any batsman who is

unable to commence his innings or who has retired by reason of

illness, injury or other unavoidable cause shall be considered as not

out and points will be awarded based on the number of actual wickets

taken.

(b) Should a team consist of less than 11 players, then at the completion

of their innings (declarations excepted) 10 wickets shall be considered

to have fallen for the purpose of awarding Bowling Bonus Points

except where any batsman has had to retire or has been unable to bat

for any such reason as mentioned in Note (a).

(c) In the case of a declaration, the number of wickets to have fallen will

be used for the awarding of Bowling Bonus Points.

 

14. • In the event of a delayed start on account of inclement conditions, two

overs shall be deducted from the total number to be played and one

over deducted from the maximum number allowed for the innings of

the side batting first, for every complete 7 minutes lost. No more than

40 overs can be lost in this way otherwise the provisions of Rule 7

cannot apply. The latest starting time is therefore 20 x 7 = 140 + 30

(early tea) = 170 minutes after the scheduled start (4.20 p.m. for a 1.30

p.m. start).

• After a match has commenced the limit on the first innings cannot be

reduced.

• In the event of stoppages for inclement conditions in either innings the

first aggregated 15 minutes of stoppage shall not result in any

deduction of overs. Thereafter, one over shall be deducted from the

match for every 3.5 minutes of stoppage.

• In the event of stoppages for inclement conditions, if suitable covers

are available, they should be used to cover the whole of the wicket.

• In the event of a club defaulting on a League competition fixture

Points may be awarded to their opponents at the discretion of the

League Management Committee.

 

15. In all 1st X1 matches teams are expected to bowl the 45 overs in 2 hours

and 45 minutes (17 overs per hour). This time is to include 1 drinks break

where required.

Umpires will, at the request of the fielding captain, advise the time and the

number of overs bowled at any time during either innings. Umpires will

make appropriate allowances for unavoidable stoppages caused by

weather, injuries or other extenuating circumstances and these shall be

recorded on the results sheet.

 

Where appropriate, points may be deducted by the Executive Committee

acting on such information provided by the umpires on the results sheet.

One point may be deducted from the points awarded for the match for each

over not completed in the allotted time and calculated at the rate of 17 over

per hour.

 

16. The League Championships shall be run by the Management Committee

whose duty it shall be to ensure the efficient running of the Competitions

within the framework of these rules and will:-

(a) Prepare League Fixtures each season.

(b) Prepare regularly League Championship tables and submit copies to

participating Clubs.

(c) Receive results of each match weekly and arrange publication of such

results in the press with the co-operation of Clubs.

(d) Receive and keep a Register of eligible players participating in League

Competitions in accordance with Rules 18, 19, 20 and 21.

(e) Consider and, where appropriate, impose fines for breaches of these

rules.

 

17. Divisional League Championship Trophies and Runners-up Awards (or

any other meritorious awards) shall be authorised by the Management

Committee and awarded annually on behalf of the Meller Braggins

Cheshire Cricket League.

 

18. To be eligible to participate in the League Championship a player must:

(a) Unless solely playing for second elevens, be a bona fide and fully paid

up member of the Club which he represents and

(b) Have (unless born in the United Kingdom) been ordinarily resident in

the United Kingdom since the 1st November of the preceding year and

provided that it shall in any event in relation to any appropriate player

be the duty of all member clubs to ensure that the requirements of

any government department from time to time in force are complied

with and if they are not then even if the prior requirements of this

subparagraph (b) have been complied with such player shall be

deemed to be ineligible. Provided that each club may from time to

time register with the League not more than one overseas player who

does not comply with the aforesaid requirements as to residence (but

who must in all other respects comply with the requirements of this

Rule) and provided further that all overseas players must be specially

registered as such with the League. In this context an 'overseas player'

shall mean any player not qualified to play for England by virtue of

the Regulations governing the Qualification and Registration of

Cricketers current at the date of the written application.

(c) Not be a professional player within the meaning of paragraph 12 of the

Constitution of the League.

(d) Where applicable have in all respects complied with the provisions of

Rule 20.

(e) Unless solely playing for second elevens, must not currently be

playing for any other club in any other Saturday League Association

or Competition - provided that this requirement shall not prevent

members returning from full time education representing their club in

League championship matches. Clubs must enquire of each

prospective new member if he is registered with another member club

or with a club in another League before registering him for League

competitions.

(f) An overseas player shall not be eligible to participate in the League

Championships if, since the 1st day of May in the year preceding the

year during which his application to so participate is made, he shall

have played first class cricket as defined from time to time by the

International Cricket Conference.

The League Management have the right at any time to require evidence

and to determine any dispute regarding a player's eligibility for registration

or to continue to be registered.

 

19. Member-Clubs must submit to the Fixtures and Results Secretary in

writing, a formal list of players they intend to register for League

Championship matches, not later than 1st April.

Further registrations may be made by:

(a) written submission to the Fixtures and Results Secretary, to be

received prior to the player's first appearance in the League

Championship.

(b) telephone to the Fixtures and Results Secretary. This form of

registration applies to one appearance only and written confirmation is

necessary before any further appearances may be made.

(c) emergency registration. In the event of an emergency, temporary

registration may be effected, with the agreement of the opposing

captain, by both captains initialling the Result Sheet next to the

player's name. This form of registration applies to one appearance

only and written confirmation is necessary before any further

appearance may be made.

No new player may be registered for the final two fixtures of the season.

If it shall be found that a player registered in accordance with subparagraph

(a) or (b) or (c) was at the time of such registration ineligible to

play in the League Championship the club concerned shall be deemed to

have played an ineligible player.

If a player becomes registered for more than one Club at the

commencement of a season, he will be deemed to be a player with the Club

with whom he was last registered and must apply for a transfer (vide Rule

20) to re-register as a player elsewhere.

If a Club plays an eligible unregistered player they will have 2 points

deducted for each separate offence from their total of Championship points

for the team for which he played.

Nothing in this Rule 19 contained shall require the registration of players

playing solely for second elevens.

In the case of any dispute the Management Committee shall have the right

to seek evidence of any player's membership of the Club registering him

for the League Competitions.

20. If a Club wishes to register a prospective member who is required to be

registered under these Rules who is either registered with another member

Club or who is a member of a Club within another League, consent must

be received from his previous Club, in writing, indicating that he is no

longer playing for them and that he has no outstanding commitments,

either monetary or otherwise, to that Club. A copy of this letter must be

forwarded to the Fixtures and Results Secretary together with the written

application for the player's registration. Providing such consent has been

received by the Fixtures and Results Secretary, registration can be granted

with immediate effect pending ratification by the Management Committee.

 

21. Except where there shall have a breach of the provisions of Rule 18(c)

where the penalty of expulsion from the League as provided for by

paragraph 11 of the Constitution of the League shall apply any Club

proved to have played an ineligible player in League Championship

matches shall on the first occasion be fined £10.00 and have 10 points

deducted; on the second occasion shall be fined £20.00 and have 20 points

deducted and should a third or subsequent offence be proven the club shall

be fined £30.00, have 30 points deducted and may be expelled from the

League. Provided that if the points gained by an offending club in any

relevant match shall exceed the numbers of points deductible as aforesaid

such club shall have deducted that greater number of points.

 

22. The Captain (or Vice-Captain) of the home team shall represent his Club

on the question of the "fitness of ground for play". Home Clubs shall have

the ultimate right to make decisions upon the fitness of their ground, but if

the opposing team Captain (or Vice-Captain) insists, he can insist that both

teams assemble at the venue for a late inspection to be made.

 

23. The Management Committee shall set up a League Panel of Umpires. The

Panel will appoint Umpires for as many First and Second XI

Championship matches as possible and in these matches, once the toss has

been made, the Umpires shall be the sole judges of the fitness of the

ground, weather and light for play. For all other First XI and Second XI

Championship matches participating Clubs should attend the fixture with

an Umpire. The sum to be paid by Clubs to Umpires appointed by the

League Panel of Umpires, to cover their expenses, shall be fixed at each

Annual General Meeting for the following year.

 

24. Competing Clubs should appoint their own scorer for each Championship

Match and home Clubs will be responsible for posting to the Fixtures and

Results Secretary, on Official Sheets provided, the score-sheet, match

result, times of start and finish of each innings and whether or not the

competing Clubs have provided an Umpire and Scorer.

Score-sheets should be submitted even if matches are cancelled or

abandoned. All sheets must arrive not later than the Tuesday following the

match except in the case of matches played on the Saturday of Bank

Holiday weekends when they must arrive not later than the Wednesday

following the match.

Failure to meet this deadline will result in a fine of £10.00 for each offence.

Submission of an incomplete sheet will result in a fine of £10.00 for each

offence.

 

25. Home Clubs will be responsible, immediately after the conclusion of First

XI Championship Matches and no later then 8.30 p.m. for telephoning the

match result to the Fixtures and Results Secretary who will ensure these

are published in the press. Failure to comply with this Rule will result in a

fine of £10.00 for each offence.

 

26. At the conclusion of each season the Clubs finishing first and second

respectively in the First Division shall be promoted to the Cheshire County

League and the two Clubs finishing bottom of that League shall be

relegated to the First Division of the League. The two Clubs finishing

bottom of the First Division shall be relegated to the Second Division and

the two Clubs finishing first and second of that Division shall be promoted

to the First Division. No club maybe promoted to Division One of the

league without Clubmark accreditation. The two Clubs finishing bottom of

the Second Division shall be relegated to the Third Division and the two

Clubs finishing first and second of that Division shall be promoted to the

Second Division. The two Clubs finishing bottom of the Third Division

shall be relegated to the Cheshire Cricket Alliance and the two Clubs

finishing first and second in that League shall be promoted to the Third

Division provided that promotion to any League in accordance with these

provisions shall be subject to that League's ground criteria in force at the

relevant time being met and if they are not met or if for any other reason

promotion to or relegation from other Leagues shall not prove possible in

any season the Management Committee, or (in an emergency) the

Executive Committee, may make such other arrangements in relation to

these matters as shall be deemed appropriate.

 

27. In the event of sides finishing equal on points in the League

Championships (all Divisions) preference in respect of promotion or

relegation will be given to the side(s) gaining most wins in the relevant

Championship, then if still equal the side(s) suffering fewest defeats, then

if still equal the points gained in the matches between the sides in the

relevant championship shall be taken into consideration. If the sides are

still equal lots shall be drawn to determine which team plays in the higher

division the following season.