Oxfordshire Cricket Association Match Rules 2011

Umpires

1.

It is the duty of Competing Clubs to register one Umpire for each division of the league in which they are competing. Registration of Umpires with the Umpires Secretary shall be made by 15 November. All appointed umpires must be capable of standing at the bowlers end.

2.

The Umpires Secretary shall appoint two umpires for each match. The Umpires Secretary will notify the home club of umpires appointed, together with their telephone numbers. The home clubwill report cases of late arrival or non attendance to the Umpires Secretary.

3.

The fees allowed for each Umpire are to be borne equally by both teams. Payment is to be made on the day of the match prior to the toss. These fees are inclusive of travelling expenses. Umpires shall also be provided with teas, both clubs bearing this expense equally.

4.

Should an umpiring commitment be covered by a rota, having been previously agreed with the Umpires Secretary, the club shall ensure that the commitment is met.

5.

For all League and Cup Matches umpires shall be paid £35.00 each. Umpires standing alone shall be paid £50.00 borne equally by both teams provided that they stand throughout the game at the bowlers end. The batting side shall provide an umpire at square leg. All League and Cup Matches £10.00 per umpire if the umpire(s) is (are) in attendance but the game is cancelled prior to the start.

Registration and Eligibility of Players

6.

1. All players must comply with the OCA Registration Rules. The Registration Secretary shall have the right to refuse or terminate the registration of any player deemed not appropriate to play in the Association’s competitions.
2. The full name, address, age group (if under the age of 20) and category of each player must be registered with the Registration Secretary. Clubs must list their players who will be selected to play in the Association’s competitions on the website by 30 April or before 1200 hours on the day preceding the Club’s first league or cup match of the season if this is earlier than 30 April. Any subsequent application to register additional players must be made on the website and the Registration Secretary will, in these circumstances, determine the first date on which a newly registered player may participate in the Association’s competitions. Failure to register players by 30 April (or earlier if appropriate) may result in a penalty being imposed against that club in accordance with Bye-law 2.
3. Contracts between clubs and players for the payment of any sum of money or other remuneration or reward, are not allowed in the OCA, except with the express written authority of the Executive. Any player wishing to be involved in the “Chance to Shine” programme must obtain a letter from the County Board confirming that the player is approved and being paid by the Board.
4. A club may not assist a third party in the payment to a player of any sum of money or other remuneration or reward, which if paid by the club to the player directly would be a breach of these rules.
5. If the Executive believes that a third party is paying any sum of money or other remuneration or reward which if paid by the club to the player directly would be a breach of these rules, the Executive can take action against the club, as if the club were in breach of these rules.
6. A Club may reimburse players for costs of travel to and from matches, these costs are not to exceed a match maximum advised annually by the Executive and these costs will be individually and clearly shown in the club’s financial records. The payment or reimbursement of airfares is not allowed.
7. The Executive reserves the right to ask for and to verify by sight any information it requires concerning a possible breach of payment rules. A breech of payment rules will be treated as an offence under these Rules.

Registration for the Association’s competitions will be considered under one of the following categories with restrictions applying as shown. These are subject to any special exemption granted in advance by the Executive.

Category 1
UK citizen (i.e. passport holder); EEA* citizen (other than a Bulgarian or Romanian national); UK resident of more than 4 years on 31 March of the season for which registration is sought.
No restriction on number per club.

Category 2
Contracted player to a First Class County.
Will not be accepted for registration.

Category 3
Overseas Player - a player who does not qualify under category 1 or category 3E.
Only accepted by special exemption granted in advance by the Executive.

Category 3E
Overseas Resident – a player who has been continuously resident** in the UK for between 6 months and 4 years ending on 31 March of the season for which registration is sought.
Unlimited number of players at the individual discretion of the Executive.

In addition, no player may be registered who has played at Minor County level or above in the previous 4 years ending on the 31 March of the season for which registration is sought without the advance approval of the Executive. The Executive shall be immediately informed of any registered player who is selected to play at Minor County level or above.

*The EEA means the European Economic Area and includes each of its member states as from time to time applicable. Currently the EEA comprises the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Cyprus (Greek part), Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Romania and includes each of its member states as from time to time applicable.

The Registration Secretary shall scrutinise the club’s submitted lists of players and if he has any doubt as to the validity of any player taking part in any Competition regarding eligibility, payment or otherwise, he shall have the power to call upon such player or the Club for which he plays to prove to his satisfaction that he is properly qualified according to these Rules. Failing such satisfactory proof the Registration Secretary shall disqualify such player from the Associations competitions and may remove such Club from the Competition (or take such other action as, in the circumstances, he may think necessary under these rules).

9.

Players must be genuine members of the Club. A player shall not be considered a genuine member of a club if he is in arrears with his subscription to another Club.

10.

Any player registered in the current season in any league competition outside the Oxfordshire Cricket Association shall not be allowed to participate in any of the Oxfordshire Cricket Association League or Cup Competitions, except by permission of the Registration Secretary.

11.

No player may play for more than one Club in the Association’s Leagues and Cup competitions during any one season, except with the permission of the Registration Secretary. Under no circumstances may an individual play for more than one team competing in the same Cup competition in the same season.

12.

1. All clubs with two sides will nominate 8 players of appropriate ability as their first team and record this on the website by 30 April. All clubs with three sides will nominate an additional 6 players of appropriate ability as their second team.
2. The Registration Secretary will scrutinise these nominations and advise the club concerned if he feels changes are necessary.
3. No nominated player may play below their selected level in any competition without the permission of the Registration Secretary. Other players may play in any team until they have played 7 matches (league or cup) in that level at which point they may not play below that level without the permission of the Registration Secretary. In the case of clubs with more than 2 teams matches played at a higher level shall be combined.
4. Once a player has played in a cup competition they shall not play below that level in any other cup competitions without the permission of the Registration Secretary.
5. No player may play in any round after the preliminary round of a cup competition unless they have played at least 2 league matches at that level in the season without the permission of the Registration Secretary.
6. All new player registrations must indicate the level at which that player will play.
7. Any breach of this rule will be treated as an offence and liable to penalties as set out in Bye-Law 2.

13.

Squads for cup semi-finals and finals must be recorded on the website and sent to the Registration Secretary at least 10 days before the match is due to take place. The Registration Secretary will notify club representatives of any irregularity.

Fixtures and Points

14.

1. In all competition matches the first named team shall be considered the home team and the game will be played at their normal ground as notified at the beginning of the season. A team shall have at least 7 players at the toss and commencement of the match for it to be considered valid. The commencement of the match shall be delayed if either team has less than 7 players with the offending team penalised at the rate of one over per 3 minutes with a maximum deduction of ten overs. Any team with less than 7 players 1 hour after scheduled start time (unless agreed earlier) shall be deemed to have forfeited the match in accordance with rule 16h. In this case the umpires will be paid as if the match had taken place.
2. In the event of one side or other not attending the match, that side shall be deemed to have forfeited the match 1 hour after scheduled start time (unless agreed earlier). In this case the umpires will be paid as if the match had taken place and the cost will be borne entirely by the side not attending.

15.

Where a club does not have its own ground the first named (home) team must notify the opposition captain of the venue for the match not later than 9pm on the Tuesday preceding the match. Failure to do so may result in penalties being imposed against that club in accordance with these rules. The penalty will be levied by the Fixtures Secretary. Opposition captains must notify the Fixtures Secretary if they have not been made aware of the match venue by this time.

16.

Each Club shall play home and away matches in accordance with the published fixtures unless otherwise rearranged. Points awarded will be as follows:

1. The winning team shall be awarded 20 points plus any bonus points.
2. Teams shall be awarded bowling points to a maximum of 5 as follows:
   1. 1st point for second wicket
   2. 2nd point for fourth wicket
   3. 3rd point for sixth wicket
   4. 4th point for eighth wicket
   5. 5th point for final wicket (even if not the tenth or in the event of a declaration)
3. Teams shall be awarded batting points to a maximum of 5 as follows:
   1. 1st point for 70 runs
   2. 2nd point for 110 runs
   3. 3rd point for 145 runs
   4. 4th point for 175 runs
   5. 5th point for 200 runs
4. If the team batting second wins the game it gains an additional batting point for every two wickets that remain standing. The total batting points may not exceed 5.
5. In the event of a tie both teams shall be awarded 10 points plus any bonus points.
6. In the event of a game not starting due to weather or unforeseen circumstances both teams shall be awarded 5 points.
7. In the event of a game being abandoned after the start due to weather or unforeseen circumstances both teams shall be awarded 5 points + bonus points.
8. Where a team concedes a game, in addition to the administrative penalty defined in the Bye-Laws, they shall be deducted 20 points and the opposing team, shall, in addition to the 20 points for a win, be awarded the full batting points and bowling points. However, where no matches start in a division on any day only five points shall be awarded although the 20 point penalty shall still apply. If a team already assured of promotion or relegation concedes a fixture causing a change in league positions such that another side is promoted or relegated a playoff match between the sides affected will be scheduled on a following weekend.

Under no circumstances may clubs play a match for double points.

If a match is abandoned or cancelled because of bad weather there will be no re-arrangement

17.

Under no circumstances will any league or cup match be played as a combined fixture in order to obtain a dual result.

18.

In the event of any League division being divided into sections the leading teams of each section shall play semi-finals, if necessary, a final match to decide the championships of that particular division.

19.

In the event of two or more clubs being equal on points, the following shall be used in order until a winner is reached:

1. the team with most wins
2. the team with least games lost
3. the team with most ties
4. the team with the greater runs scored per wickets lost over the whole season for all matches in that division.

20.

Whether all players are present or not matches played prior to 15th August will commence at 2.00pm. Matches played on 15th August and thereafter to commence at 1.30pm.

21.

Captains must have provided the umpires with all their players' names and ID numbers on the result sheet and names on the team card and must have tossed for innings 15 minutes before the start time. No match will start until this has been done and the umpires have signed a completed result sheet. Overs will be deducted from the side(s) who fail to complete the card and sheet by this time at the rate of one over per 3 minutes with a maximum deduction of ten overs.

The Umpires will enforce this rule and will report cases of late compliance with this rule to the Umpires Secretary and to the Media and Results Secretary.

22.

Fixtures shall not be changed from the published fixtures list without prior permission from the Fixtures Secretary.

1. In exceptional circumstances league fixtures may be rearranged by mutual consent, and with the agreement of the Fixtures Secretary, provided that the Fixtures Secretary is notified and gives his consent not later than 12 noon on the Sunday preceding the date of the fixture. All fixtures to be rearranged must have an agreed date for consent to the Fixtures Secretary within 14 days of the original date. The Fixtures Secretary must notify the General Secretary, the Umpires Secretary, the Registration Secretary and the Media and Results Secretary.
2. In cup competitions the Cups Secretary must be informed and give his consent to any mutually agreed rearrangement. He will notify the General Secretary, the Umpires Secretary, the Registration Secretary, the Media and Results Secretary and the Fixtures Secretary.

23.

1. In the event of a club being unable to fulfil all league and cup fixtures on any day, the playing of the more senior fixture (s) shall take preference. It is the responsibility of the home side to speak to the Umpires and Fixtures Secretaries and record on the website immediately a fixture is conceded. Answer phone messages, faxes, e-mails or text messages will not be considered sufficient. If the Umpires Secretary cannot be spoken to, the home side must telephone both umpires as recorded on the website.
2. Where there is more than one fixture on a particular day, the senior sides(s) must not willfully have fewer players than the junior side(s).

24.

Cup replays:

1. Cup replays and cup games postponed shall be played on the Sunday, eight days after the original date or by mutual agreement on any day prior to that Sunday (except Saturday). Airey, Telegraph, Steve Dixon Memorial, Osberton Radiators and Keith Crump Centenary Cup games are to have preference over all league fixtures.
2. Saturday re-plays will only be permitted if the weather is such on Sundays between rounds that the game has not been decided by the Saturday scheduled for the next round. In this case the undecided match will take place on that Saturday and the matches originally scheduled for that day shall be played as clause (a). Matches not completed shall be played on the ground as in the original draw.
3. Cup games which have been abandoned due to bad light or weather shall be considered void and replayed.
4. In the event of a tie, in all cup competitions, the team who has lost the least wickets shall be the winners. In the event of wickets being equal the game shall be replayed.

25.

Any team unable to fulfil a published fixture should inform the other team by 12 noon on the Sunday preceding the date of the fixture. Failure to do so will result in the offending team being considered to have lost the match and may result in penalties being imposed against that club in accordance with these rules. The Fixtures Secretary will decide of the award of points, if any, should any fixture remain unfulfilled. In principle, it is the responsibility of the home team to ensure a fixture takes place yet the burden lies with the away team to accommodate any reasonable request for rearrangement.

26.

Any away club cancelling a game less than 24 hours before a match may be liable for the full cost of their teas to the home club. Failure to reimburse the home team within 2 weeks of the fixture may incur additional penalties being imposed against that club in accordance with these rules. This additional penalty will be levied by the Fixtures Secretary.

27.

In the event of bad weather games may only be cancelled by telephoning directly to the visiting club contact. Answer phone messages, faxes, e-mails or text messages will not be considered sufficient. The Umpires Secretary, the Media and Results Secretary the Registration Secretary and the Fixtures Secretary must also be informed at the same time. The cancellation must also be recorded on the website immediately.

28.

In the event of a delay to the start of a match occasioned by the late arrival of one of the two teams, any consequent reduction in overs stipulated by the umpires will be applied solely to the innings of the team which has, in their opinion, been responsible for the late start. If the toss is delayed, the reduction in overs will start at the time scheduled for the toss. The number of overs lost will be calculated in accordance with these rules.

29.

The maximum charge for teas to the visiting team will be £40.00.

Conduct of the Game

30.

The laws governing the game of cricket will operate.

31.

Both teams shall provide a ball for each match. These balls shall be handed to the umpires before the toss of innings. All games will be played using traditional leather ball. No synthetic or part synthetic (e.g. plastic injected) substitutes will be accepted.

32.

Matches will be decided on a single innings each.

33.

Each innings will not exceed 45 overs.

1. In the event of a delayed start or interruption due to weather conditions the umpires (or the captains where no umpires are present) may reduce the number of overs per innings providing that the side batting first has not completed more than 35 overs. In the event of an interruption subsequent to the side batting first having completed more than 35 overs, there shall be no reduction in the number of overs from the number scheduled at the start (i.e. 45 overs or as reduced by reason of an earlier interruption or delayed start). Where the side batting first has completed its innings, every possible effort must be made to achieve a result; play should be resumed as soon as possible after an interruption to the second innings whenever conditions become playable. Players must remain ready to resume play until the umpires, or captains if no umpires attend, decide if further play is possible. If, after an appropriate period of time, the conditions do not improve, the game should be abandoned.
2. Any reduction in overs shall be calculated at the rate of 20 overs per hour.
3. The number of overs per innings shall not be less than 35.
4. An innings should, in normal circumstances, be completed within 2 hours 45 minutes. Any overs remaining un-bowled after that time will incur a penalty of 6 runs per over against the fielding side. The innings will be completed except where the team batting second is awarded penalty runs under this rule such that they have won the game. Umpires are to report all incidents to the Umpires Secretary and Media and Results Secretary.

34.

There will be a 20 minutes allowance for tea. Where tea is taken away from the ground Umpires will allow what they consider a reasonable extension. If a tea interval is not taken there will be a ten minute interval between innings.

35.

No bowler shall bowl more than 12 overs in any league or cup match. The limit will not be reduced in the event of the number of overs per innings being reduced.

36.

In OCA matches, clubs must adhere to:

1. the ECB fast bowling directives for young players
2. the ECB guidance on the wearing of cricket helmets by young players
3. the ECB regulations on minimum fielding distances for young players.

The captain shall be responsible for indicating those players affected on the result card and confirming restrictions with the umpires.

4. In OCA Matches the pitch may be covered during the match.
5. Certain Law changes regarding the awarding of penalty runs implemented in "The Laws of Cricket" 2000 code shall not be adopted within the rules of OCA. The exclusions are as follows:
   1. Law 18.5(b) - Deliberate short runs
   2. Law 42.3 - The match ball changing its condition
   3. Law 42.4 - Deliberate attempt to distract the striker
   4. Law 42.5 - Deliberate distraction or obstruction of batsmen
   5. Law 42.9 - Time wasting by the fielding side
   6. Law 42.10 - Batsmen wasting time
   7. Law 42.13 - Fielder damaging the pitch
   8. Law 42.14 - Batsmen damaging the pitch
   9. Law 42.16 - Batsmen stealing a run

Note: In the case of any infringements of the above laws, umpires shall adopt the procedure of warnings as the laws prescribe and report the incident to the Umpires Secretary who shall take such action as is considered appropriate.

37.

For cup matches only an inner fielding ring shall be marked at 30 yards radius from centre of stump with a line parallel with the wicket. A minimum of four fielders plus wicket keeper and bowler shall remain inside the ring at all times. For the first 15 overs a maximum of only 2 fielders allowed outside the ring. In the case of infringement the square-leg umpire shall call and signal no ball.

Reporting

38.

Both sides shall grade the umpires on a scale of 1-3, where 3 is Good, 2 is Acceptable and 1 is Poor. If a grade of ‘1’ is given the Umpires Secretary may request a written report from the captain as to why a poor assessment has been given.

39.

The home side shall be responsible for submitting results (complete with umpires grading) and match reports in accordance with current Bye-Laws. Failure to comply with current Bye-Laws may result in penalties being imposed against that club in accordance with these rules.

40.

The away side shall be responsible for a ground assessment in accordance with current Bye-Laws. Failure to comply with current Bye-Laws may result in penalties being imposed against that club in accordance with these rules.

Player Behaviour, Disciplinary Procedures, Protests and Appeals

41.

Member clubs are responsible for the behaviour of their officials and players and for ensuring that they understand the Laws of Cricket, the ECB Code of Conduct and Spirit of Cricket, these Rules and any other relevant regulations.

42.

The highest standards of behaviour both on and off the field shall be observed in keeping with the dignity and best sporting traditions of the game. In particular:

1. intimidation, aggressive behaviour and deliberate distraction of opponents is unacceptable
2. foul or abusive language on or off the field is unacceptable
3. dissent at umpiring decisions is unacceptable.

43.

A disciplinary offence occurs when:

1. any player, official, club member or representative acts at any time in a manner that prejudices the good name or interests of cricket, or breaches the ECB Code of Conduct and Spirit of Cricket
2. any club fails properly to control or discipline its players, officials or members, or acts in a manner that prejudices the good name or interests of cricket, or breaches the ECB Code of Conduct and Spirit of Cricket
3. any club fields an ineligible player
4. any club fails to fulfil a fixture
5. any of these Rules requiring specific action in defined time-scales are breached
6. any of these Rules are breached to the detriment of the aims of the Association.

Clubs attention is drawn to the ECB Code of Conduct and to the range of penalties contained therein. The OCA Executive reserves the right to use the full range of these sanctions including expelling a player from the league and subsequent refusal to allow re-registration.

44.

Should an umpire report a player’s conduct as laid down in Law 42 of The Laws of Cricket the report will be made to the Umpires Secretary and copied to the General Secretary. Other alleged offences shall be reported to the appropriate Officer of the Association and where there is any doubt as to the appropriate Officer to whom the report should be addressed it shall be to the General Secretary.

45.

Players must use natural willow coloured bats in all league and cup matches.

46.

There shall be no smoking on the field of play for the duration of the match.