COMPETITION RULES FOR THE ATLANTA GEORGIA CRICKET CONFERENCE

 

March 3, 2003

Rule 1 -- Duration:

a]   Each match shall consist of one inning per club, and each inning shall be limited to a maximum of forty [40] six-ball overs

b]   Play is scheduled to commence at 12:00 noon. Play may also be rescheduled in advance of the fixture to commence one hour prior to or after the scheduled start.  Play in day-night games is scheduled to commence at 3:00 pm or as scheduled by the Executive Committee

c]   Each captain shall provide the umpires with a list of players including first and last names in block letters representing the club for that match at least fifteen [15] minutes before the scheduled commencement of play. Players may be changed any time before the scheduled commencement of play. All substitutes should be clearly indicated in the list

d]   Each club shall be allowed a maximum time of 3 hours and 40 minutes to complete its quota of 40 overs

e]   Any club that has bowled the maximum number of overs to the batting club shall be entitled to play the maximum number of overs without time constraints

f]    The club batting second shall be allotted the same number of overs as the club that batted first. If the club batting first is bowled out in less than the allotted overs, the club batting second shall be entitled to the maximum allowed overs stipulated for that match

Rule 2 – Umpires:

a]   The AGCC Umpiring Coordinator and the Atlanta Cricket Umpires Association shall provide the General Body with a list of certified umpires for matches during the calendar season that corresponds with the published fixtures at least fifteen [15] days before the fixtures

b]   The AGCC Umpiring Coordinator and the Atlanta Cricket Umpires Association shall assign umpires for all official AGCC tournament matches, wherever possible. In the event that no umpire is assigned to or arrives at the venue for a specific match on the day of the fixture, each club shall provide one preferably non-playing active member to act as umpire for the match. If one club cannot provide an umpire, then the umpire(s) provided by the other club shall officiate the entire match

Rule 3 – Penalties and Delays:

a]   In case of late starts owing to inclement weather, two overs shall be deducted from the total of eighty [80] overs for every ten [10] minute loss of time. All time losses will be deducted from the total playing time of 7 hours and 20 minutes, and the time remaining shall be divided equally between the two clubs

b]   Clubs responsible for late starts shall have one over deducted from their maximum allotted overs for every five [5] minute delay. This includes clubs arriving late to the field of play, or the designated home team for the match not being able to prepare the grounds/field adequately on time.

c]   If a club has fewer than seven [7] players ready to play one hour after the scheduled start of the game, or if a club is not ready to play one hour after the scheduled start of the game, then that club is deemed to have forfeited the match, pursuant to By-law 14, Section 1[a]. A win is awarded to its opponent and points will be then awarded as stated in Competition Rule 11[b]

d]   Umpires have the sole responsibility in ensuring every club’s completion of the scheduled number of overs in the allotted time. If after two [2] warnings, in the sole opinion of the umpire, if the bowling club still indulges in delays and time-wasting tactics, the umpire is authorized to deduct one over for every five [5] minutes of estimated delay, or add time to the allotted time for the batting club as he deems fit

e]   Any club that utilizes the services of a player who had previously played for another club without authorization to transfer from the AGCC Governing Body, will automatically lose the fixture and points will be then awarded as stated in Competition Rule 11[b]

f]    All clubs and players are expected to follow the AGCC Code of Conduct specified previously in this document, failing which the umpire or any other member is authorized to initiate disciplinary complaints to the AGCC Executive Committee, as specified in the Code of Conduct document. Since the umpires are in charge of adjudicating the match, all clubs and players are expected to abide with the umpires’ rulings in a polite manner

g]   All clubs shall complete the match once the match has commenced. In the event that a club walks out of a match under protest, that club will automatically lose the fixture. All clubs should inform the umpires and the opposing captain of their intention to protest, but must complete the match once the match has commenced. All protested games should be filed in writing with the AGCC Governing Body

Rule 4 – Weather-related Match Truncation and Abandonment:

a]   The AGCC scheduled umpires for any game are the sole judges for deciding the playing conditions, including the quality and condition of the pitch, the quality and conditions of the outfield, weather conditions and lighting. In the absence of the scheduled umpires, the two opposing captains may mutually agree on playing conditions, but the prerogative for calling off play owing to lighting conditions lies with the batting club. If play is called off, wins and losses will be determined pursuant to Competition Rule 11[c]. An AGCC match officially may be called off only one [1] hour after the scheduled commencement time

b]   In the event that owing to rain, the field is not fit for play, the umpires will call off the match, which is then recorded as a “Draw.” In any case, clubs consisting of seven [7] or more players are required to show up for play – rain-outs can be determined only at the field of play, since play might be possible on some fields. However, the AGCC may call off play on any fixture in case of continuous inclement weather. Drawn matches will be awarded points as stated in Competition Rule 11[b]

c]   For a decision to be reached in any particular match, each side must have batted for a minimum of twenty [20] overs, and winners will be decided as stated in Competition Rule 11[c]. In the event that rain or poor lighting conditions prevent further play after the commencement of play and the team batting last has not completed twenty [20] overs, the match will be recorded as a “Draw” and points will be awarded as stated in Competition Rule 11[b]

d]   Once play has commenced, and there is a possibility that the match may be legally completed, the players and umpires must remain at the playing field for the scheduled time

e]   In case of inclement weather, if it becomes evident that the time remaining will not permit the minimum number of overs to be bowled, the umpires may call off the match, which is then recorded as a “Draw.” Points will be awarded as stated in Competition Rule 11[b]. Time remaining should be less than the time required for bowling the remaining overs at a rate of five [5] minutes per over, or the time required for bowling the minimum number of overs at a rate of five [5] minutes per over for a match decision to be reached

Rule 5 – The Toss:

a]   The toss shall be done on the field of play fifteen [15] minutes before the scheduled commencement of play. The captain of the club winning the toss shall inform the umpire and the opposing captain of his decision within five [5] minutes of the completion of the toss

b]   Any club that is not available to spin the toss fifteen [15] minutes before the scheduled commencement of play shall automatically lose the toss.

c]   If one club has seven [7] or more players ready to play [15] minutes before the scheduled commencement of play and the other club does not, the club with seven [7] or more players ready to play automatically wins the toss, and the captain of that club must inform the umpires and the opposing captain of his decision at that time

Rule 6 – Intervals:

a]   Under normal circumstances, each club is allowed two [2] drinks breaks at the completion of fifteen [15] and thirty [30] overs, with each break not to exceed five [5] minutes

b]   Drinks may be brought on to the field at any time, provided that this is done between overs or at a stoppage of play, and does not interfere with the progress of play. Any unscheduled drinks breaks may be had only with the umpires’ permission

c]   There shall be an interval of not more than fifteen [15] minutes between innings. Captains may mutually agree to shorten said interval by notifying the umpires

Rule 7 – Attire:

a]   All players shall be properly dressed in the appropriate attire for play at all times

b]   Proper attire shall include long white/cream pants, white/cream shirt, and sports shoes or consistent, colored clothing

c]   Footwear with pegs or spikes that may cause damage shall not be allowed on matting surfaces

Rule 8 – Substitutions:

a]   Any active member of a club may act as a substitute for any other active member of the same club without permission from the opposing captain. All other ICC/MCC rules for substitutions apply

b]   Only active members in proper attire may act as substitutes for other active members of the same club

Rule 9 – Number of Overs per Bowler:

a]   Each bowler may bowl a maximum of eight [8] overs for a complete inning, or one-fifth [1/5] the maximum allotted overs for that inning

b]   In truncated games, where the number of allotted overs is not exactly divisible by five [5], one additional over may be bowled by the minimum number of bowlers necessary to make up the remainder of the division

c]   In the event of a bowler being unable to complete an over, another bowler may bowl the deliveries remaining for the completion of that over. Such part of an over shall count as a full over only insofar as each bowler’s limit is concerned, pursuant to Rule 9-[a]

Rule 10 – General Cricketing Equipment:

a]   The same type of new ball [make and manufacture] approved by the AGCC Governing Body shall be utilized for each inning in the match

b]   Each team shall provide or make available to the umpires at least two good used balls for each match to be used as replacements in the event of a lost ball

c]   All AGCC matches shall be played on a matting wicket, which in the opinion of both captains and umpires, is suitable for the proper conduct of the game. In the event of a disagreement, the umpires’ decision on the adequacy of the matting surface shall be final and binding

Rule 11 – Match Results:

a]   All club records and matches shall be designated as Win, Loss or Draw

b]   Points shall be awarded to clubs based on Win, Loss or Draw as 2 points, 0 points and 1 point respectively during the regular season

c]   Match winners shall be determined by the following:

§         Higher score in a completed match

§         Higher score in a match where the maximum number of scheduled overs have been bowled

§         Loss of fewer wickets where the scores are tied in a match where the maximum number of scheduled overs have been bowled

§         Higher score at the end of Twenty [20] overs where the scores and number of wickets are identical, in a match where the maximum number of scheduled overs have been bowled

§         Higher run-rate in a truncated match where each club has batted for a minimum of 20 overs

§         Loss of fewer wickets in a truncated match where each club has batted for a minimum of 20 overs and where the run-rates are equal

§         The AGCC Executive Committee, in the eventuality of a situation not covered by the above

d]   In playoff games, winners will be decided pursuant to Competition Rule 11[c] Winners advance to the next round and losers are eliminated. (Note – Tie in a Final game: In case of a Tie, the teams will share the trophy. This was voted in Sep of 2003. This rule has not gone into the rules document yet)

Rule 12 – AGCC League Standings:

a]   Ties between clubs of equal points at the end of the regular season shall be broken by:

§         Head to head matches

§         Higher cumulative net run-rate

§         Number of Wins versus the same opponents in descending order of the opponents’ standings in the League at the end of the season

Rule 13 – Definition of Cumulative Net Run-Rate:

a]   Net Run-Rate for any club in a match is defined as the difference between the average number of runs scored per over for a club and the average number of runs scored per over against that club

b]   In the event of any club in any match being all out in less than its scheduled full quota of overs, calculation of the Net Run-Rate shall be based on the full quota of overs to which the club would have been entitled to, and not on the actual number of overs in which the team was dismissed

c]   Cumulative Run-Rate for any club is defined as the total of the individual match-based Net Run-Rate, summed over all matches played by that club

Rule 14 – Umpires’ Report

a]   Umpires shall prepare and submit a match report in writing to the Vice-president or Statistical Officer within seven [7] days of any match that they officiated. In the absence of umpires, the captain of the designated “Home” team shall prepare and submit to the Vice-president or Statistical Officer a match result card within seven [7] days of a match. All submissions may be made using regular or electronic mail

b]   The umpires’ report shall contain the following:

§         Details of Club and Venue

§         Field and Pitch Conditions before match commencement

§         Match commencement time and time that stumps were drawn

§         Delayed match commencement time and circumstances/reasons for delay

§         Match Result

§         Field and Pitch Conditions after match completion/abandonment

§         AGCC Rules of Conduct violations, if any

c]   The Umpiring Coordinator and Executive Committee together are authorized to discipline any umpire that does not submit Umpires’ reports. Such measures may include reprimands, suspensions or removal from the list of AGCC certified umpires for that calendar season

Rule 15 – Reports of Matches and Score Sheets:

a]   All clubs shall prepare and submit to the Vice-president or Statistical Officer the match summary scores sheet within ten [10] days after every completed match. Submissions may be made through regular or electronic mail

b]   The Executive Committee shall provide each team with a hard-copy template and an electronic template for reporting the match summary scores sheet

c]   Clubs that submit incomplete match summary scores sheets, or do not submit match summary scores sheets at all shall be subject to a monetary penalty that will be determined annually by the Executive Committee

Rule 16 – Score Book

a]   Standard cricket score sheets shall be used to record all games under the jurisdiction of the association and shall show in full detail the batting and bowling performance for each AGCC match up to the official time for drawing stumps. The score sheet must include provision for noting the total number of runs after each over

b]   Only score sheets of AGCC matches that bear the signatures of the umpire(s) or the opposing captain in the absence of umpires will be deemed valid for AGCC purposes and proceedings. The AGCC Governing Body reserves the right to inspect any score sheets of any club during the calendar season

c]   All valid score sheets shall be recorded by officials of each club until after the subsequent Annual General Meeting

Rule 17 – Protests and Complaints

a]   All protests and complaints that members may wish to bring before the Governing Body should be submitted to the Secretary in writing within seven [7] days of the incident

b]   Full details of the incident(s) shall be set forth showing the nature of the protest or complaint, including the names and addresses of witnesses or other persons who have a personal knowledge of the matter and are willing and able to give evidence, either personally or in writing to the AGCC General Body. The AGCC General Body shall resolve the matter then or refer it to the Disciplinary Committee

c]   Should member clubs walk off the playing field in protest, they will be deemed to have lost the fixture, irrespective of the results following the investigation of the protest or complaint

Rule 18 – Playing Environment:

a]   All AGCC clubs must ensure that their players and guests maintain a clean environment at all cricket venues. Umpires shall verify this requirement is met with both captains. In the event of a violation of this rule, umpires must report the circumstances to the General Body for appropriate action along with their report

b]   All designated “Home” teams must ensure that all equipment borrowed or located at the venue is returned or replaced in the appropriate locations respectively. At the very minimum, clubs are expected to leave the venue in the same or better condition as prior to usage

Rule 19 – Fielding Restrictions:

Fielding restrictions must be ratified annually by the AGCC Executive Committee prior to the commencement of the competition.

a]   30 – yard boundary measures:

i]    With the middle stump as center, a semi-circle of 30 yards radius on either end shall be marked. The two ends of the semi-circle shall be joined by straight lines on either side and parallel to the length of the pitch to form the 30 – yard boundary

ii]    The 30 – yard boundary may be marked with chalk, foam-core, rubber or paper plates at 5-yard intervals and must be clearly visible from the umpires’ stations

b]   Fielding Restrictions for Complete Games:

i]    At no stage in the game can the number of fielders on the leg-side be greater than 5 [five] at the instant of delivery of the ball

ii]    In the first 12 [twelve] overs of a 40 [forty] over game, only 2 [two] players may be positioned outside the 30-yard limit. The remaining 9 [nine] players must be within the 30-yard limit at the instant of delivery of the ball during the first 12 overs

Iii]   In the first 12 [twelve] overs, at least two fielders must be stationary, in catching positions

iv]   From over 13 [thirteen] till the completion of the innings, only 5 [five] players may be positioned outside the 30-yard limit

c]   Over Limits in Shortened Games based on the list below:

  Overs                   Limit for Fielding Restriction

========================================

     40                                        12

  37 - 39                                    11

  34 - 36                                    10

  30 - 33                                    9

  27 - 29                                    8

  24 - 26                                    7

  20 - 23                                    6

  15 - 19                                    5

d]   Umpires’ Responsibilities:

The umpires shall ensure all the above rules are met. Any infringement of any of the above rules must result in that delivery being called a no-ball