THE ESSEX LEAGUE CUP
MATCH RULES AND PLAYING CONDITIONS
1. The Essex League Cup (“the competition”) shall be controlled and administered by the Essex League Executive Committee (“the Committee”).
2. The decision of the Committee in each and every circumstance relating to the Match Rules and Playing Condition and to matches played in the competition shall be binding on all concerned.
3. All Essex League Clubs shall be eligible to participate in the competition.
4. All players in the competition must be members of their clubs at the start of the current season. If any club wishes to play a member who has joined during the season then they must obtain prior clearance from the Committee.
5. No player may represent more than one club in the competition in any season.
6. No club in the competition may play more that one overseas player in any match played in the competition (an overseas is as defined in Playing Condition 12 of the Organisation and Playing Conditions of the Essex League).
7. The draw for all the rounds of the competition shall be made by and be under the control of the Committee.
8. The club drawn at home shall be responsible for all match arrangements. Matches must be played by the appointed date set down by the Committee.
9. The Committee shall be responsible for appointing A.C. U. qualified umpires for all matches in the competition. All clubs must appoint a scorer.
10. All matches shall be played with identical new balls nominated and supplied to the home club by the committee to ensure completed uniformity. Two new balls, one for each innings, shall be used in each match.
11. In the event pf no decision being reached in a match because of inclement weather, inability to rearrange a fixture before the deadline date, or for any other reason then in the last resort the decision shall be made by the toss of a coin between the two captains when both are present. In the event of the captains not being able to be present, the tossing of a coin shall be referred to the League Executive Committee. (N.B. If both captains wish to resolve the decision of the match by another means, e.g. bowling at stumps, then such a decision will be accepted by the Committee). It is also possible to rearrange such a fixture but this must be done within 14 days of the cancelled match.
12. The captains shall agree before play begins what action shall be taken if a decision is not reached.
NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS
The result of each match must be submitted by both clubs to the Hon. Results Secretary (Michael Vandome) in the same format as for the league match results, the submission to be received by the Friday after the match day for publication in the League Results Newsletter in the following week. N.B. Please telephone the Results to Dave Evans (League Cup Administrator) 01277 221577.
PLAYING CONDITIONS
The Laws of Cricket will apply with the following special regulations:
1. All match in the competition shall be of 45 over per side.
2. All matches with the exception of the final shall start at 1.00pm.
3. If for any reason a match starts up to 15 minutes late, e.g. 1.15pm, it shall remain a match of 45 overs. In the event that the match commences more that 15 minutes late, for any reason whatsoever, then one over shall be deducted from each innings for every 6 minutes of part thereof lost.
4. No bowler shall bowl more than 9 overs nor more that one fifth of the total number of overs in the innings except where that total in not devisable by 5. If for example, the match is reduced to 41 overs, one bowler may bowl 9 overs and 4 other bowlers shall bowl 8 each.
5. Once a match has commenced based on an agreed number of overs it remains of that length and no subsequent reduction of overs may be permitted.
6. In the event of an interruption of substantial length once the match has commenced, the captains may agree to abandon that match and start a new one of reduced length. If bad weather is forecast, it is suggested that the captains and umpires agree before the match what is to happen. A match shortened by bad weather or any other reason and rearranged must constitute a minimum of 10 overs. In the event of bad weather causing matches to be abandoned, or not played at all, clubs are permitted to arrange an artificial result in a manner agreeable to both clubs.
7. If the innings of the side batting second is not completed for reasons of bad light, weather etc, the result shall be calculated by the scoring rate per completed over of that side as compared with the overall scoring rate of the side batting first. In the event that the side batting first did not bat for their full allocation of overs, their scoring rate shall be calculated on the assumption that they did bat for their full allocation.
8. Once the side batting second has received a minimum of 20 overs, it is deemed that a match has taken place and in the event of bad weather intervening, rule 7 above shall apply.
9. The side which scores the most runs shall be the winner.
i. If the scores are level the side which has lost the least wickets shall be the winner.
ii. If still equal the winner shall be the side with the highest scoring rate over the first 20 overs of the innings.
iii. If still equal the winner shall be the side losing the least number of wickets in the first 20 overs of the innings.
iv. If still equal the winner shall be the side with the highest scoring rate over the first 10 overs of its innings.
v. If still equal the winner shall be the side losing the least number of wickets in the first 10 overs of its innings.
vi. If still equal the winner shall be the side with the highest scoring rate over the first 9 overs of its innings,
if still equal the first 8 overs and so on etc.
10. At the instant of delivery at any stage in the match there must be a minimum of fielders (plus the bowler and wicket keeper) inside an area bounded by the two semi-circles centred on each middle stump (each with a radius of 30 yards) and joined by a parallel line on each side of the pitch. In the event of an infringement, the square leg umpire shall call and signal ‘no ball’. The fielding circle should be marked by painted white dots at five yard intervals, each dot to be marked by a white non-metal dish.
11. Slow Play: Assuming that the first innings of the match is not interrupted by bad weather, Serious injury, frequent lost balls or Acts of God, the following procedure will be implemented. After two hours forty five minutes play (165 minutes) the umpires will indicate to the fielding captain how many overs have been completed and this will be the number of overs the team batting second will receive. Play will then continue in the first innings until the maximum allowance of 45 overs has been bowled or the team dismissed. The umpires on the day will have sole discretion on the interpretation and implementation of this rule.
12. If covers are available then the entire pitch should be covered immediately upon rain intervening.
13. Underarm bowling is not allowed.
14. Interpretation of Wide Ball:
i. If the ball passes either side of the wicket sufficiently wide to make it virtually impossible for the striker to play a
‘normal cricket stroke’ both from where he is standing and from where he should normally be standing at the crease, the umpire should call and signal ‘wide’.
ii. If the ball passes over the head height of the striker standing upright at the crease, the umpire should call and signall 'wide', unless a no ball has been called.