BARCLAYS WEALTH EVENING LEAGUE CHALLENGE

CUP, TROPHY, SHIELD, VASE & PLATE

Sponsored by Barclays International

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a) Teams in each of Divisions 1 - 5 of the Barclays Wealth Evening League will be allocated to two Pools at the beginning of the season at the discretion of the GCA Committee. Each team will play each other once within each of the Pools to confirm final Pool positions after this round of games. There will then follow a knockout phase with Quarter Finals, Semi Finals and Finals. N.B. EL1 & 2 & 5 only will move to a second Pool phase after the initial games before going to Semi Final and Final games.

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

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

In the event of a no-ball being called 1 run shall be awarded to the batting side in addition to any runs scored by the batsman

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 or her 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).

Challenge Cup and Trophy Only (EL1 & EL2);

Free Hit after a No Ball Front Foot Fault;

For each No Ball as a result of a Front Foot Fault the next delivery in that over will be a free hit for whichever baysman is at the strikers end. If the 'free hit' delivery is a No Ball or Wide then the next ball shall become the 'free hit' delivery for whichever batsman is at the strikers end. The bowlers end umpire will indicate the free hit by extending one arm in the air and moving this in a circular fashion.

For any 'free hit' the striker can be dismissed only under the circumstances that apply for a No Ball i.e. Handled the ball. Hit ball twice, Obstructing the field and Run Out.

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) Pool Matches will take place over the period from the week of 28 April to 30 May 2008 and all re-arrangements as necessary will occur in this period. The second phase of the tournament (Quarter Finals, Semi Finals and Finals) will take place from week of 28 July to 3 September 2008.

e) 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. In Divisions 1 & 2  balls must be quartered, leather and new or in very good condition. In other divisions 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.

f) All matches will consist of one innings per side each limited to a maximum of 16 overs (of 6 legitimate balls). No bowler may bowl more than 4 overs.

g) 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.

h) The team mentioned first for any match on the fixture list shall be the home side, and shall provide regulation bails. Each team shall provide a regulation ball to be used in the match and have spares available in accordance with rule e.   

i) Games shall start no later than 6.00 p.m. In the event that weather intervenes a delayed start is allowed provided the required 16 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 required to avoid clashes with other commitments, including social commitments, international sport on television, clashes with the fixtures of other club teams, Island squad practice 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 o) 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) Games played in the first phase of the season will determine Pool positions carried forward to the end of season knockout phase.

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 Pool placings. 

During the knockout phase of each competition where a match finishes with both teams having scored the same number of runs then the team losing the fewest wickets will be deemed the winner, if still tied after this then the team having scored the most runs at the end of 10 overs will be considered the winner. If still tied a bowl out will be used to produce a winner to be contested by 6 players from each side bowling a single legitimate delivery at a set of stumps.

Reference to the GCA website fixture list should be made to determine fixture details for the second phase of the competition. These will be available immediately after the week of 30 May 2008.

q)  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.

 r) 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.

 s) 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. Teams will incur the loss of 1 point in the Evening League and be fined £50 for each umpire who fails to turn up and umpire their Clubs appointed weekend fixture.

 t) 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.

 u) 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.

v) Every player must have attained 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.

FIELDING RESTRICTIONS - Divisions 1 and 2 only

 w) Restrictions on the placement of fielders;