LEAGUE MATCH BYE-LAWS

1. All matches must be played under the Revised Laws of the M.C.C., unless affected by the League Rules.

2(a). Matches shall consist of a maximum of 100 x 6 ball overs with a maximum of 50 overs for first innings. The side batting first has the right to declare its innings and use the remaining complete overs to complete the game, or if dismissed the remaining complete overs shall be used to complete the game. The side batting second shall not be permitted to declare.

2(b). Late starts due to weather and/or ground conditions, or the late arrival of players/team due to circumstances beyond their control; for every 6 minutes lost the match shall be reduced by 2 overs to a minimum of 40 overs, with the first innings allowed to a maximum of half the remaining overs.

2(c). Matches shall commence at 1:30 p.m. except matches from the third Saturday in August inclusive, which shall commence at 12:30 p.m.

3. No allowance shall be made where weather interferes with play after a match has started.

4. Any match not started by 4:30 p.m. shall be abandoned as a draw. Two points to each side.

5(a). Adjust above arrangements for a 12:30 p.m. start.

5(b). No game may be played with covering over wet or unfit surfaces, apart from the standard use of sawdust.

5(c). Clubs will be allowed the use of wicket covers at all times, both prior to the match commencing and during interruptions of play due to weather conditions.

5(d). Captains shall toss for first innings 20 minutes before the commencement of the game, after which the batting captain can request that the pitch be rolled for not more than 7 minutes.

5(e). Watering of grounds: Under no circumstances shall the pitch be watered after 9:00 p.m. on the day but one previous to the day of the match.

6. There shall be an interval of 30 minutes for tea, normally taken between the innings. If tea is taken other than between the innings, due to weather conditions, there shall be an interval of 10 minutes between innings. The Home club is responsible for providing teas for scorers, umpires and both teams. Even if there has been no play, clubs must provide teas if required.

7(a). Games must only finish at 8:00 p.m. for scheduled 1:30 p.m. start and 7:00 p.m. for 12:30 p.m. start in the event of weather interfering with the match after commencement. A minimum of 20 overs shall be bowled after 7:00 p.m. for a 1:30 p.m. START, or from 6:00 p.m. for a 12:30 p.m. START, unless a result is obtained before then (M.C.C. Laws of Cricket No. 17).

7(b). In rain-affected matches, the umpires shall give notice when the last hours play is to commence (7:00 p.m. or 6:00 p.m.). In the last hour of play, a minimum of twenty overs shall be bowled or the number required to complete the game if less than twenty. If the 20 overs are not completed after one hour, play shall continue until (a) they have been completed or (b) a result is obtained within the 20 overs. A team shall be
allowed to bowl more than twenty overs if these can be completed within the last hour. For rain interruptions during the last hour of play, one over shall be deducted for every three minutes of play lost.

7(c). In the event of any time lost for reasons other than weather at the start of either innings, the commencement of the last hour shall be deferred by the time lost.

Examples of the application of League Match Bye-Law No. 7

7(d). In the following examples, the number of overs displayed on the scoreboard at the commencement of the last hour shall be the number of overs remaining to complete the match.

Example 1

At 7:00 p.m. - 10 overs remaining
7:00 p.m. it is raining - players off the field
7:30 p.m. play recommences
Time lost = 30 minutes
Overs lost = 10
Deduct these 10 from 20 minimum
Overs still to bowl = 10

Example 2  

7:00 p.m. - play in progress
Overs remaining 20
At 8:00 p.m. 18 overs have been bowled
Play continues for a further 2 overs, unless a result is obtained.

Example 3  

7:00 p.m. - play in progress
Overs remaining = 32
At 7:50 p.m. a further 20 overs have been bowled
Play continues until 8:00 p.m. unless a result is obtained earlier.   

Example 4  

7:00 p.m. - play in progress - 15 overs remaining
7:24 p.m. - it rains and play stops
8 overs have been bowled between 7:00 p.m. and 7:24 p.m.
7:30 p.m. - play recommences, 6  minutes lost = 2 overs lost.
Overs still to be bowled = 20-8-2 = 10.

7(e). Where Umpires have issued penalty runs due to deliberate slow play they must report the matter on the Disciplinary Form they complete at the end of each match. On receiving such a report the League will, in writing, warn the club about future slow play. If the club are reported again for slow play the Captain and Chairman will be called in front of the Disciplinary Committee to explain the team's slow play. Should there then be a third offence the club will be fined the sum of £30 in respect of all three offences and £10 for any further offences.

7(f). If Umpires have not issued penalty runs because of specific instances of deliberate slow play but the innings has taken longer than 3 hours 10 minutes to complete and there are no extenuating circumstances the matter should be reported to the League on the Disciplinary Form. Umpires can only take this course of action when they have specifically warned the offending team during the course of the innings. On receipt of such a report the League will warn the club in writing about future slow play. If the team incur a second instance of exceeding 3 hours 10 minutes action will continue as in 7(e) above. Every attempt should be made to bowl a minimum of 17 overs per hour.

8. Scoring of points:-
5 points are awarded to the side scoring most runs and bowling out the opposition.
4 points are awarded to the side scoring most runs but not bowling out the opposition.
3 points are awarded to each side in the event of a tie (each side scoring the same number of runs, irrespective of wickets lost).
2 points are awarded to each side for an abandoned game or a game in which a definite result is not obtained due to weather conditions.
1 point is awarded to a team batting second who lose but achieve 75% of their opponents score without being all out.
0 points shall be awarded for an outright loss.

9. The club scoring the most points at the end of the season shall be considered the League Champions for that year. In the event of two or more clubs at the head of the table scoring the same number of points, the club having the most outright wins shall be considered the League Champions. If clubs are still level, then the club with the most points gained in the fixtures between the tied clubs shall be considered to be the League Champions. If clubs are still level, the title shall be shared.

10. Prompt starts are expected at all times and a fine of £25 shall be imposed for a late start in circumstances where the Umpires consider that the circumstances were not beyond the control of the offending players/team, unless the Management Committee shall excuse the offending team on reasonable grounds.

11. A fine, with a minimum of £10 for first teams per player and £5 for 2nd teams per player, shall be imposed on any club not playing a full team, unless the Management Committee shall excuse them on reasonable grounds.

12. The competing clubs shall appoint scorers, and the home club shall be held responsible for sending an official scoresheet to the Assistant Secretary, to arrive within three days. This must show clearly the result of the match and names of players of both teams (Captains to see that a complete list of each team is shown), and time of starting at the delivery of the first ball. Reason for any late start must be stated. A fine of £5 shall be imposed for results not received in 3 postal days and a fine of £3 shall be imposed for incomplete score sheets. The League Assistant Secretary shall report all cases of default. Clubs not appointing a scorer for 1st and 2nd XI fixtures shall incur a fine of £5.

13. Each club must, after each match, complete the Umpire's Report Form in accordance with the instructions printed thereon. A fine of £5 per report shall be imposed for all reports not received, or incomplete, by the Umpire's Hon. Secretary at the next Management Committee meeting after the matches concerned. All fines and accounts must be paid through the League Treasurer by 30th September.

14. All cricket balls used in any League or any other game under the jurisdiction of the League shall be of a make and type previously approved by the League Management Committee. All orders for cricket balls must be made through the League. Clubs shall provide their own spare ball, whether playing at Home or Away.

15. Prior to the arrangement of fixtures by the Management Committee, no fixtures whatsoever shall be arranged by any individual club. Only League, Cup or matches arranged by the Management Committee shall be played on Saturdays and on those Sundays specified by the Management Committee.

16. Any club protesting against the result of any League or Cup match must lodge with the League Secretary a duplicate notice in writing within seven days of the match, stating grounds of complaint. Secretary to send a copy to the Club.

17. In all cases of appeal to the Management Committee, representatives of the clubs concerned shall not be allowed to vote, and shall leave the room during the discussion of the appeal if requested.

18. At the discretion of the Management Committee if any Club for whatever reason is unable to fulfill its Senior League and Cup fixtures during any season, it may be disqualified, and all matches played irrespective of the result shall be declared void.

19. Any trophies offered for competition shall be held until 31st August of the following year by the club scoring the highest number of points as defined in League Match Bye-Law No. 9. The respective holder shall be responsible for their safety and return to the League Secretary.

20. Prize money will be decided annually at the Annual General Meeting.

21(a). To qualify for League Prizes, and inclusion in the League handbook, player’s averages, which will include performances in either Walkden Cup or Hulme Trophy, must be submitted to the Assistant Secretary by the date given in the League timetable.

21(b). The qualification for the League Averages which shall be in a minimum of 12 matches shall be as follows:-

  Batting - 400 Runs.
  Bowling - 30 Wickets.
  Wicketkeeping - 15 Victims.
  Fielding - 10 Outfield catches.

21(c). Averages of overseas players will not be included with the amateur’s averages, but will be listed in the League handbook along with the Professional's averages.

22. Where sightscreens are inside the boundary marking (i.e. wholly or partly within the field of play), all clubs shall provide a white board to be placed across the front of the sightscreen wheels. This will signify the boundary line and any ball pitching behind the line and within the extremities of the sightscreen will count six runs.