General Match Rules

31. All matches shall be governed by MCC Laws of the game, except for certain changes adapted by this League and detailed in these rules:

 

Law 1 Nomination of players and toss for innings must be made by a player in the match.

Law 3 Nominated scorers, not compulsory.

Law 6 The pitch may not be changed, in any circumstances.

Law 10 Covers may be used if one team wishes to do so (providing covers are available).

Law 11 Players allowed a drink, providing no waste of time.

Law 16 Time taken to investigate, to be part of playing time.

Law 16 The match result can be changed by either the League Executive Committee or the League Discipline/Appeals Committees.

Law 18 Delete all references to deliberate short runs.

Law 21 For all no balls a free hit will be awarded. This will apply in both League and Cup games.

Law 21 The League will use the one day standard fielding circle marked by fielding discs 30 yards circumference wicket to wicket. Throughout the innings a minimum of four fielders plus the bowler and wicket keeper must be present in the circle at the point of bowling. Failure of four fielders and the wicket keeper and bowler in the fielding circle will cause the umpire to call No Ball.

Law 21.2 and 21.3  Bowlers with a visibly illegal bowling action will be called as no ball by the umpire and will be reported to the League for further action.

Law 22 The League shall use the ICC standard for judgement of “wide” deliveries (i.e. – all deliveries which pass outside the leg stump and pass behind the batsman on his leg side without an interception shall be called “wide”.  A strict application of off side wides shall be applied.

Law 27 The wicket-keeper must wear gloves and pads.

Law 41 All short-pitched deliveries above shoulder height in the batman’s guard position shall be called “no-ball” and a warning given. A further offence by the same bowler which is considered dangerous or repetitive by the umpire shall be called “no-ball”, five penalty runs and a final warning given.  A further offence by the same bowler shall be called “no-ball”, five penalty runs, and the bowler taken off immediately plus a code of conduct report.

Law 41 All full pitched deliveries above waist height in the batsman’s guard position shall be called “no-ball”. If the umpire considers such a delivery to be dangerous five penalty runs and a final warning will be given.  A further offence by the same bowler shall be called “no-ball”, five penalty runs, and the bowler taken off immediately.

Law 41 A deliberate fast short-pitched delivery above shoulder height in the batsman’s guard position shall be called “no-ball”, five penalty runs given and the bowler taken off immediately plus a code of conduct report.

Law 41 A deliberate fast full-pitched delivery above waist height in the batsman’s guard position shall be called “no-ball”, five penalty runs given and the bowler taken off immediately plus a code of conduct report.

Law 41 Five penalty runs against the fielding side: (a) all forms of illegal fielding; (b) deliberate changing the condition of the match ball; (c) deliberate actual or attempted distraction of either batsmen; (d) time wasting; (e) fielder (not the bowler) damaging the pitch;  (f) all repeated instances of full pitched deliveries by the same bowler, in the same innings (not deliberate).

Law 41 Five penalty runs against the batting side (subject to one warning); (a) damaging the pitch; (b) time wasting.

Law 41 Five penalty runs against all players (a) player on the field of play without permission, making contact with the match ball, whilst the ball is in play; (b) ungentlemanly conduct, dissent to the umpire, all forms of deliberate unfair play (not already specified in this rule).

Law 41 Persistent appeals for LBW being made by the fielding side other than the bowler or the wicket-keeper, shall be subject to a first warning, then a second warning, and after that 5 penalty runs.

Law 41 Fielding captain not responding to umpire(s) instruction shall be penalised five penalty runs in the first instance, and wickets removed if further ignored.

Law 41  Nobody whether attached to the batting or fielding side to enter the field without the umpires permission (whether to provide change of bat, gloves, water etc). First instance then the offending team captain will be given a first and final warning by the umpire, all subsequent instances will see 5 penalty runs given.

 

32. The League shall require the following items:

a) All official fixtures must be played using a GMACL ball.  Each team to use a new ball for all scheduled 40 over matches. Should a replacement ball be required (lost or unfit for use) then if no good quality GMACL ball is available, it is for the captains to agree to allow any good quality ball to be used.

b) Each team to provide an adequate first-aid kit at all matches.  First-aid kits to be produced to the umpire(s) and placed by the scoreboard for the duration of the match.  Umpires to report teams not providing a first-aid kit on the match scoresheet.

c) Each club must insure all players against serious injury. Public liability insurance must be available for the playing venue.

d) For home fixtures the home team to provide wickets, bails, boundary markers, fielding discs for a fielding circle and scoreboard to show runs scored, wickets fallen, and overs completed, plus first innings total.  Numbers on the scoreboard must be clearly readable from all parts of the field of play.  The home side shall also provide an Umpires coat and bowlers markers.

e) All players must be in acceptable white cricket wear.  A player not in whites may be allowed to take a full part in the game (except bowling), with the consent of the opposing captain, but must field behind the facing batsman, not in a close catching position, and not as a wicket-keeper.

f) For artificial surfaces the home team must provide appropriate wickets, and the use of spiked footwear is absolutely forbidden by bowlers and batsmen. Bowlers footwear is optional on artificial surfaces. Umpires to report team/players failing to comply with this rule.

g) All team Captains to wear an armband, identifying them for the duration of the fixture.

h) ECB Directives on young players for helmets, fast bowling and child safeguarding shall apply.

i) All pitches to be inspected before the start of the playing season, if time allows.

 

33. All matches to be played on the date and venue as per the fixture list.  For matches not played, the side failing to fulfil the fixture shall forfeit the match, and the match awarded to the non-offending side (see Rules 24 and 25).  The ECB guidelines for all religious festivals shall apply when fixtures are arranged each season.  During the period of Ramadan, teams may reduce the number of overs scheduled to be played to 28 per innings for League matches and 30 per innings for Cup matches, providing both captains agree before the start of the match.  The bowler’s overs must then be reduced to seven in League matches and six in Cup matches. If scheduled matches occur on a religious festival day then all matches will be abandoned and match points shared between the teams concerned.

 

34. A minimum of eight players shall constitute a team, and the non-appearance of this minimum number on the ground ready to play by 30 minutes after scheduled start time irrespective of weather or fitness of ground shall constitute a failure to fulfil the fixture.

 

35. Neutral umpires shall be appointed by the ACO for all matches wherever possible, no priority will be given to the First Division if all matches cannot be allocated.  Umpires are required to report to the ground at least fifteen minutes before the start of each match.  Umpires to provide their own refreshments, and the umpires’ expenses are shared equally by both sides.  When only one umpire is present the umpire shall officiate at both ends of the wicket, and the captains shall agree on the choice of a square leg umpire.  Club umpires appointed under League Rule 10.j. shall be regarded as Official Umpires in all respects.  Fixtures for club umpiring shall be reviewed by the ACO during July to consider issues of promotion or relegation.  This review to be independent of the clubs.

 

36. In the event of no umpire at an official fixture, the captains shall agree to appoint umpires, and the umpires appointed will undertake the duties and responsibilities for the duration of that fixture and their decisions upon appeal shall be final.  The start time must not be delayed in these circumstances, and the umpire(s) must be paid full expenses.

 

37. All mandatory open dates must be notified at the League AGM and voted on by the member clubs.

 

38.  In all League matches each team shall bat for 40 overs, or subject to the competition rules.

39. a. A League match may be called off due to weather/ waterlogged pitch providing that the home team secretary obtains the agreement of the away team secretary by two hours prior to the scheduled start time on the day of the match.  The home team must still phone in the result.  Contact names must be provided by the home team.  If a match is called off after the stipulated time, then the home team shall be responsible for payment of the umpire(s) expenses.  A match can only be called off before the scheduled day of the fixture by either an independent groundsman, or the local authority.

b. The ACO Appointments Secretary will on Friday night prior to the weekend fixtures email to all concerned, a full list of umpires allocated to each fixture.  If the match is called off, the home secretary must contact the umpire(s) before two hours prior to the scheduled start time otherwise the fixture will stand.  The home club secretary must then confirm the postponement of the fixture to the League Match Secretary at the published email address.