Rules

Rules Updated for 2009 season

Any changes made at last years AGM will be in bold type

The League shall be called the Eden Valley Cricket League
The League shall be open to competition each year to such number of clubs as the Annual General Meeting shall admit and approve on payment of a combined League and League Cup subscription. This amount must be paid at the Annual General Meeting.
The League shall be governed by a Management Committee consisting of the President, Chairman, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, Hon. Fixture Secretary, Young Peoples Welfare Officer and six members, all of whom shall be elected at the AGM.
5 to form a quorum.
The Committee shall have the power to co-opt.
The Chairman shall have the casting vote.
Vice Presidents shall be eligible for election to the Committee.

Players

B: 1

i) Each club shall only be allowed to play registered players. A player’s registration shall not be deemed binding until they have made one

appearance for that club.

ii) Each club will supply a full list of registered players to the Hon. Fixture Secretary no later than the last weekend in April.

iii) a) No player shall be allowed to change clubs within the season without consent of both clubs involved and the Management Committee. No player may be transferred between clubs after the last day of July each year. b) The appropriate form will have to be submitted to the fixture secretary, signed by a committee member from either club. c) The transferring player will not be allowed to sign as a committee member. d) Agreement from the Management Committee will be required before the player can play for the other club.

iv) Any player joining a club during the season, not being a current player of any other EVCL club, shall sign the appropriate from prior to playing for the club.

(v) The forms shall be forwarded to the Hon. Fixture Secretary as soon as possible. In any case of transgression of this rule [excluding B(ii)] the Management Committee shall have the power to deduct 6 points from the offending club and award the match to their opponents and the player will be liable to suspension.

(vi) No professional cricket player shall be allowed to play in any league or cup match.

(vii) A player shall not be eligible to play on a Sunday if they have played in a higher division on the preceding Saturday, unless they have played a minimum of five matches for the a division side during the season

No player on arrival at a match shall be allowed to play if the game has commenced without prior approval of the opposing captain.
Any player banned from playing cricket during the season by any other league affiliated to the CCB will automatically be banned from playing in the Eden Valley Cricket League.
Teams must consist of a minimum of 7 (seven) players.
All teams shall endeavor to turn out in whites. Any player not in whites shall not be allowed to bowl.
In the case of Sunday fixtures any player having played in a North Lancs league fixture on the Saturday (ie - the previous day) will be ineligible.

Matches

1. Any requests for vacant dates (maximum of two dates) must be received by the Hon. Fixture Secretary by February 10th.

2. The Hon. Fixture Secretary shall prepare and submit to the clubs not later than April 1st the fixtures for the forthcoming season.

3. The season shall start no later than the first weekend in May and conclude no later than the second weekend in September.

4. All league and cup matches must be played on the date and at the venue indicated on the fixture list.

5. No matches are to be arranged without the consent of the Hon. Fixture Secretary

6 In the event of a team being unable to play a fixture on their home ground due to its unavailability as a rule of a Cup fixture then the club secretaries of the clubs involved should arrange a mutually convenient date and location, in conjunction with the Fixture Secretary, within 14 days of the situation arising. If both clubs are unable to come to an agreement then the Fixture Secretary, after representation from both sides, shall decide the date, time and location of the fixture.

7. All Premier Division matches must be played on grass wickets unless mutually agreed by both captains to play on an artificial wicket.

Laws

All matches must be played under the revised laws of the MCC, except for those set out in the following.

Conditions of Play

All fixtures shall commence at 2:00 PM and cease at 8:00 PM, except in the case of a midweek evening fixture.

3. All afternoon matches shall consist of 40 6-ball overs for each team.

Should the team batting first declare prior to the completion of their allotted overs, then such complete overs as remain shall be added to their opponents overs.
No bowler shall bowl more than 10 overs in any match.
i) In the event of bad weather or unsuitable ground conditions, the captains shall have the discretion to limit the overs to a minimum of 24 six-ball overs to be played. ii) The amount of overs to be bowled shall always be devisable by 4 and the resultant number shall be the maximum of overs allowed per bowler.
Matches not started by 4:30pm shall be counted as a draw.
In the event of the Hon. Fixture Secretary having to arrange any evening fixtures, these shall be played on one night and

ii) Consist of a maximum of 20 6-ball overs for each team.

iii) Captains shall have the discretion to limit the game to a minimum of 16 6-ball overs.

iv) Play shall commence at 6:30pm.

The tea interval shall be of 20 minutes duration..
The home club shall be responsible for canceling fixtures due to the inclement weather or unfit ground conditions, but not before 11.00am of the match day. In all cases the visiting club must make the journey unless advised to the contrary by the home club.
It is the prerogative of the home club to decide the wicket on which a match is to be played.
i: Umpires allocated by the Management Committee will be paid £15.00 in expenses and travelling costs at 22 p per mile.
ii: Umpires fees shall be paid in full by the home club during the interval between innings. In the event of no play at which an umpire is in attendance half fees plus travelling expenses shall be paid. Any umpire standing alone shall be entitled to one and a half times the normal umpire's rate.
iii: In the event of no umpire being allocated by the Management Committee each club shall provide their own umpire. All home clubs shall provide two white umpire coats and every umpire should wear an umpire's coat when officiating. Each club shall provide their own umpire. All clubs shall provide two white umpires coats and every umpire should wear an umpires coat when officiating.

13. Ball - This must be the official League Ball the official ball as designated by the Management Committee.

League Cup

1. The draw for the competition shall take place at the Annual General Meeting.

2. All matches shall be played under the revised laws of the MCC, except those set out in the following.

3. League Rule B1-6 shall apply to this competition.

4. i A player shall not be eligible to take part in this competition if he has played three or more games in the North Lancs. League or Cumbria Cricket League during the current season, unless they have played a minimum of five Saturday EVCL league fixtures.

ii A player shall not be eligible to play on a Sunday if they have played in a higher division on the preceding Saturday, unless they have played a minimum of five matches for the lower division side during the season.

iii No player shall play for more than one side during the season.

5. A player must be a bona fide member of the club and not be a registered player in another league playing at weekends during an English cricket season.

6. The league cup is a straight knockout competition.

All matches up to and including the semi final shall be played on the ground of the first named club unless otherwise agreed.
The final should be played on a ground decided by the Management Committee.
i) Umpires shall be neutral and shall be appointed by the Management Committee

ii) In the event of both umpires not attending the match, each club will appoint their own umpire.

All matches shall consist of a maximum of 40 6-ball overs.
No bowler shall bowl more than eight overs in any match.
i) In the event of evening matches being arranged or matches being affected by weather conditions it will be permitted (on agreement of both captains)

ii) To reduce the number of overs played to a minimum of 20 overs per innings.

iii) The amount of overs to be bowled shall always be divisible by 5 and the resultant number shall be the maximum number of overs allowed per bowler.

The secretary of the home team must forward the result of the match to the Hon. Fixture Secretary. (League Rules G1-6 applies).
The Competition Secretary is the Hon. Fixture Secretary.

15. In all matches the fielding side shall provide their own ball. These must be the official ball as designated by the Management Committee.

In the event of two sides using the same ground being drawn at home then the lower placed side, at the time the situation arises, shall concede home advantage. If this ground is unavailable then the higher placed side shall concede home advantage. The Fixture secretary shall officiate to resolve any further problems
In the event of a tied match in the knockout stages the winning team will be decided by the following in the order stated;

i) the team losing the least number of wickets

ii) a bowl out of five nominated players each bowling overarm twice at three stumps. Thereafter sudden death utilizing the same nominated five players, in the same order, bowling one ball apiece.

Points

1. 8 points for a win

2. 4 points for a tie

3.i Where no conclusive decision is reached by reason of the team batting second not having reached their opponent’s total and not being completely dismissed on completion of their allotted overs under Rule D the team batting first shall receive 7 points and the team batting second 1 point.

ii If the team batting second accumulates 90% or more of their opponents runs, they gain a second batting point, and their opponents are awarded six points

4. The team batting second must accumulate 75% or more of their opponents runs in order to gain a point .If they do not do so they lose the game and their opponents are awarded the win and eight points.

5. Where no conclusive decision is reached for any other reason, or where an afternoon match does not start before 4.30pm. the match shall be counted as a draw and each team awarded three points.

Score Sheets

The competing clubs shall appoint their own scorers and the home club shall be responsible for sending full scores of the match with a complete summary of the bowlers’ analysis to the Hon. Fixture Secretary.
The score sheet must be legible and completed with all the players surnames and initials.
It must be agreed and signed by both captains as a true and accurate record of the fixture.
The score sheet must be sent by first class post or e-mail and must be received within four days of the completion of the fixture.
In the event of the match being cancelled for any reason the home club secretary must forward a match score sheet stating the reason for the match not being played.
If the rule is not complied with the home club shall be liable to have six points deducted.
Prior to the start of play the captains shall exchange a list of players with the wicket keeper clearly denoted

Averages

The minimum qualification in all Divisions for the compilation of averages shall be:

i) Batting, 8 innings and 200 runs (minimum).

ii) Bowling - 20 Wickets.

Promotion and Relegation

Championship trophies will be awarded to the club with the greatest number of points in each division.
Each team will be allotted an equal number of matches in a season
At the end of the season the two teams in the each division having the least number of points, if relevant, will be relegated to the lower division. The two teams in the division with the most points, if relevant, will be promoted to the higher division.
If new club(s) join or club(s) resign from the League it may be necessary to adjust the number of teams in a division. To reduce the number of teams in a division the third from bottom team (and so on) will be relegated. To increase the number of teams in a division the third from top (and so on) will be promoted.
In the event of two or more teams tying for a position in any division of the league, in order to decide on championship, promotion or relegation issues, the decision as to which club shall be champions, promoted or relegated shall be made on the basis of Runs For per Wicket Lost and Runs Against per Wicket Taken, the latter figure to be divided into the former figure, and the higher ratio thus calculated shall determine a higher final league position.

Spectators

The home club shall be responsible for the conduct of their spectators attending the matches on their ground.
If such spectators shall create a disturbance, or interfere with the game or the players, or any umpire or official engaged therein, or insult or intimidate any such players, umpires or officials, any aggrieved party may report the matter to the Management Committee, who may enquire into the circumstances and inflict such fine on, or order the suspension of the League matches on the grounds of the offending clubs as they deem just.

Disputes and Appeals

The Management Committee shall adjudicate in all matters disputed in connection with the affairs of the Eden Valley Cricket League.
Protests in writing only accompanied by a fee of £15.00 in each case must be made to the Hon. Secretary within 7 days of the cause of the protest/appeal, such fees to be returned if the protest/appeal is sustained.
All disputes will be heard by a disputes sub-committee of the Management Committee. This will comprise of four members including the Chairman and Secretary. No one may sit on the sub-committee and vote if they are a representative of the club(s) involved in the dispute. The Chairman will have the casting vote if needed.
The Management Committee shall be empowered to impose fines (up to a maximum of £15.00 in each case) on any player or club not complying with the Rules or Constitution of the Eden Valley Cricket League.
The Management Committee shall be enforced to order any offending club to pay all expenses of the meeting or any subsequent meeting held on appeal.
The Management Committee once it has considered all the relevant evidence which must be presented in person by a nominated representative(s) of the club(s) concerned at the appropriate meeting shall decide. Its decision will be binding subject to the right of appeal.
Any player and/or club found guilty of conduct which brings the Eden Valley Cricket League or its running into disrepute may be fined, suspended or have points deducted by the Management Committee.
Any player or club found by the Management Committee to have committed an offence or upon a penalty having been imposed shall have the right of appeal.
Notice of appeal, setting out the grounds, must be given in writing to the Hon. Secretary within seven days of the decision of the Management Committee. This must be accompanied by a fee of £15.00 in each case. Such fees will be returned if the appeal is sustained.
All appeals will be heard by an appeals sub-committee of the Management Committee. This will comprise of four members including the Chairman and Secretary. The remaining two members will not have sat on the disputes sub-committee. In addition, three representatives of Eden Valley League Clubs, but not of any club(s) involved in the protest/appeal will be invited to sit on the appeals sub-committee.
The Management Committee will invite two of the three representatives whilst the offending club/player will invite the other representative. All members will be empowered to vote. The Chairman will have the casting vote if needed.

Penalties

Any club failing to fulfil any of their fixtures as printed in the official fixture list shall forfeit a sum not exceeding £15 and also have six points deducted for each offence and the match shall be awarded to their opponents.
All fines levied by the Management Committee during the season must be paid by 31st October of the current season. Failure to do so will result in suspension from the League and a necessary application will be required for re-election to the following AGM.

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting shall be held on the second Monday in October each year, and each club shall be entitled to vote.
Any specified notice of motion from a member club or any application for membership of the league must be made in writing and received by the Hon. League Secretary not later than 15 September.
Fourteen days notice of the AGM shall be given to each member club secretary by the Hon. League Secretary. The notice convening the meeting shall specify notices of motion submitted by the Management Committee or any club as well as application of membership.
No new rules shall be made, or existing rules altered or repealed, except by a majority of two thirds of those present and voting.
The meeting shall receive annual reports from the Young Peoples Welfare Officer, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Fixture Secretary and Hon. League Treasurer, the latter also providing a statement of accounts duly audited for the financial year commencing on the first day of October and ending on the last day of September
The meeting shall appoint the officers and the Management Committee and they shall hold office until the next Annual General Meeting.
Any club failing to attend the Annual General Meeting hall be fined £25.

Extraordinary General Meeting

An extraordinary General Meeting may be called at any time pursuant to a resolution of the Management Committee or at the request of five clubs.
At least ten days notice of any such meeting specifying the business to be transacted and at the time and place of the meetings shall be sent to each club.
Five to form a quorum.

Trophies

Badges and trophies will be awarded to the champions.
All trophies are the property of the Eden Valley Cricket League.
The holder shall enter into a proper agreement for the safe keeping of the trophies and will be liable for their insurance against loss or theft together with their return by 15th September to the engravers nominated by the Management Committee.
Any club in default of this rule will be held responsible for any costs incurred therein (this applies to all trophies).
A fine of £1.00 per day for each day overdue will be enforced.

Interpretation

The Eden Valley Cricket League Management Committee is the sole interpreter of these rules, and from their decisions there shall be no appeal, neither at law or otherwise.