BARCLAYS WEALTH 20 OVER EVENING LEAGUE RULES (EL3 – EL5 ONLY)

a) The result of the match shall be decided over one innings per team.

b) Points shall be awarded as follows:

Win - 2 points

Level Scores - 1 Point each team. 

c) The standard rules of cricket shall apply save as follows:

No Ball

A ONE run penalty will awarded for every No ball. Any runs scored from this delivery will be added to this ONE run penalty.  A ball that passes above shoulder height to the batsman standing in his or her usual stance shall be deemed a no-ball.  A ball that passes above waist height to the batsman (irrespective of speed) standing in his usual stance having not pitched shall be deemed a no-ball. In both of the above cases the no-ball will be called by the bowlers end umpire (strikers end umpire may indicate to the bowlers end umpire).

Wides

A wide shall not be called if the ball comes into contact with the strikers bat or person or is called a No Ball. Where possible wickets will be marked with lines running parallel to the Return Crease and will be 35" from the centre stump. Any ball passing over or outside the offside line will be called a wide by the umpire. Umpires are to be strict on wides passing down the leg side. A ball will be judged as a wide if it passes the striker behind his legs when standing in a normal guard position. If the striker moves across to the off side and the ball passes behind his legs, the umpire will have to imagine the profile of the striker standing in a normal stance and only provided that the ball would have passed behind this profile will the umpire call a wide. If the ball would have hit this profile then no wide will be called. A ONE run penalty will be awarded for every Wide ball. Any runs scored will be added to this ONE run penalty. ALL runs scored will be scored as wides. 

d) Matches will take place over the period from the week of 2 June to 18 July 2008 (EL5) and 2 June to 1 August 2008 (EL3&EL4) and all re-arrangements as necessary will occur in this period.

e) All matches will consist of one innings per side each limited to a maximum of 20 overs (of 6 legitimate balls). No bowler may bowl more than 5 overs

f) All matches should start at 18.00. 

g) The bowling side may use yellow, white or red balls by agreement between the captains, the decision of which must be made and advised to the umpires prior to the start of each innings. To accommodate any change in conditions, different coloured balls may be used for each innings, but the same colour once selected must be used throughout each innings. In the absence of agreement between the captains, white balls must be used. Non-quartered, leather balls may be used but balls must be new or in good condition at the start of each innings. The ball must be submitted prior to the start of each innings to the umpires for inspection. The ball may be referred by either side for re-inspection by the umpires if it is suspected that its condition has deteriorated to such an extent as to render it unsuitable for continued use. Any replacement of a damaged or lost ball must also be inspected by the umpires prior to use. The umpires will be the sole arbiters as to the appropriateness of the quality and condition of the ball. It is the responsibility of all clubs to have available reasonable supplies of appropriate balls (including replacements for lost or damaged balls) for use during the match. If a team fails to provide an appropriate ball, the opposing team may if they wish claim the match by default. It follows therefore that teams are strongly advised to ensure they have a supply of white balls available to avoid this possibility. In the event that a ball is lost or otherwise requires replacement during an innings it shall be replaced with a ball of the same colour and be in a similar condition.

h) All teams shall have available 2 purpose designed cricket helmets available for use by any player.  The committee strongly recommends the use of helmets to all players whilst batting or fielding close enough to the batsman to be vulnerable to a firmly struck stroke.  Teams are reminded that all players below the age of 18 are obliged to wear a purpose designed cricket helmets whilst batting and keeping wicket if standing up to the stumps.

i) In the event that weather intervenes a delayed start is allowed provided the required 20 overs can still be accomodated. If weather does not allow a game to be started, or forces an abandonment of a game already commenced the home side should advise the GCA Committee immediately in order that a re-arrangement can be made. From time to time the committee may require games to start earlier to facilitate completion at the very start or end of the season. This revised time will be advised at the time of scheduling of the fixtures and must be complied with.

j) In the event of a match not being played from causes over which neither side has control the Evening League Secretary shall arrange another date for the game to be played and advise the teams with reasonable notice.  The decision that conditions do not allow a fixture to be fulfilled shall be made at the allocated ground.  Any side failing to attend the ground regardless of weather conditions may be deemed to have forfeited the match and the points awarded to the attending side.  In the event that neither side attends the ground both sides will be deemed to have forfeited the match and no points will be awarded and neither shall the fixture be rearranged.

The Evening League Secretary shall inform clubs and umpires of the date of rescheduled matches by email to their official email contact address.  Rescheduled fixtures will be on the next available date at an appropriate ground.  Every effort will be made to provide dates within a week of the date of the rescheduled fixture and to give at least one weeks notice of the rescheduled date.  Games will not normally be rescheduled onto dates previously requested to be kept clear by clubs or onto public holidays, and dates of existing fixtures will obviously be avoided.  The Secretary will also seek to avoid teams having fixtures on consecutive evenings.  However, the Secretary is not obliged to avoid clashes with other commitments, including social commitments, international sport on television, clashes with the fixtures of other club teams etc.  Clubs are advised to ensure that the Secretary is aware of any unsuitable dates before the start of the season to avoid disappointment.  Rescheduled matches will nearly always involve the teams involved in fulfilling 2 fixtures during the week of the rescheduled match.

k) In the event of a match being abandoned for any reason over which neither side has any control after a game has commenced, such a match shall be void and the Evening League Secretary shall arrange another date for the match to be played and advise the teams with reasonable notice.

l) A team unable to fulfil a fixture shall inform the Evening League Secretary, the opposing team and the appointed umpires not less than 48 hours prior to that fixture.  Failure to provide such notice will render the team liable to sanctions under rule n) below.  If full notice is given the Evening League Secretary may at his discretion set a new date for the fixture or order the forfeiture of the match by the defaulting team depending on circumstances.  Either side may refer such decision to the committee for review if they feel an inappropriate decision has been made.  Rescheduling of a fixture shall only be permitted in the most unusual and extreme circumstances.

m) Any matches played by a team that subsequently scratches from a league shall not count in the league table.

n) See General Rules (17) relating to all competitions regarding sanctions for not fulfilling a fixture.

Fines and point deductions will not be levied in extreme circumstances beyond the reasonable control of a club or it members. In extreme circumstances and with the agreement of the opposing team, the committee may allow a rescheduling of a match if a convenient date is available.

o) Promotion and relegation between all the Divisions shall be entirely at the discretion of the Committee.  In normal circumstances two teams shall be promoted (finishing first and second in their Division) and relegated (finishing bottom and second bottom) between Divisions 2 and 5.  In the event of teams finishing tied in these positions then net run rate (total runs scored divided by overs faced/ divided by total runs conceded divided by overs bowled) will be used to decide final league placings.  No Club shall have two teams in one Division.  A team shall be denied promotion where this means they would join a fellow Club side in the Division above. In such an event they shall be replaced by the team finishing immediately below them in their Division and, able to be promoted. No club finishing lower than fourth place shall be promoted.  A team that is relegated to a Division below where a fellow Club side remains will enforce the relegation of the lower club side to the next Division below.   New teams shall commence to play in the lowest Division.

p) The home team shall be responsible for opening and closing the pavilion/score hut and shall put out and bring in the boundary flags.  The winning captain shall be responsible for depositing the completed scorecard at KGV or the Guernsey Press Offices at Braye Road by 9.30 p.m. on the evening of the match, and posted on the GCA website in the Fixtures and Results section.

q) All players shall wear standard white cricket gear unless the team chooses to wear coloured clothing.  All teams have the option to wear coloured clothing. However if a team has chosen this option then all players shall wear kit identical in colour and design. If teams abuse this option the GCA reserves the right to remove the option from the offending team for the remainder of that season.

r) Teams failing to supply umpires will incur one penalty point and be fined £25 per missing umpire. Teams will be deducted one league point after incurring two penalty points and a further one league point for every subsequent penalty point incurred thereafter.

s) A player who arrives late for a match may take part in all aspects of the game, provided that they arrive and are able to take the field prior to the completion of the first innings. Should a player arrive after the completion of the first innings, then that player can take no part in the match.

t) All players under the age of 18 shall be subject to the safety guidelines as laid down by the ECB.  Any player who appears to be under 18 will be required by the umpires to comply with these guidelines unless some satisfactory proof of age is provided.

u) Every player must have attained (or will attain) the age of 14 by the 31^st August of the year in question to participate in the Evening League that year.  Umpires will not allow any player to participate who appears to be younger than this unless some satisfactory evidence of their age is produced.  Players who will not be 14 by August 31^st in that year may only take part with the written approval of an Island Cricket Development Officer, which must be shown to the umpires prior to the start of play.

UMPIRES AND THEIR DUTIES IN THE EVENING LEAGUE

Umpires appointed to officiate in all competitions under the auspices of the GCA shall:

1. Conduct the match according to the Laws of Cricket and the Rules of the Association.

2. Ensure the matches start at the appointed time.

a) Approve the match balls.

b) Ensure timely conduct of the match by both batting and fielding teams.

3. Before play commences, should the Captains disagree, decide if the weather and/or circumstances permit play. Thereafter the Umpires shall decide if the weather or circumstances permit the continuation of play.

4. Ensure that the score is kept on a league scorecard and that the names of ALL participating players are entered in the scorecard prior to the commencement of the second innings and that all details are properly completed, including the identity of any catchers and/or stumpers.

5. See that the stumps are put out and returned to their place of storage at the end of the match.

6. Check the scorecard at the end of each innings as giving a good and accurate record of scores and players; after the first innings, determine the score required to win by the team batting second; at the end of the match determine the winning team; add any relevant comments concerning the match (e.g. failure to field 11 players, misconduct, failure to observe the GCA Code of Conduct, infringement of Match Rules); and sign the scorecard as a true record.  Any damage occurring during the game must be recorded in the scorecard.

7. The name of any player infringing Match Rules or the Code of Conduct shall be reported to the Committee to take the appropriate action.