STANDARD RULES FOR WCB JUNIOR 11 A SIDE COMPETITIONS 2007

The laws of cricket will apply with the following clarifications and exceptions:

•  For matches at under 14 and above the pitch length shall be 22 yards.

For under 12 and under 13 the pitch length shall be 21 yards.

For under 11 the pitch length shall be 20 yards.

For under 10 the pitch length shall be 19 yards.

•  For matches at under 14 and above the ball shall weigh 5.50 ounces.

For under 11, 12 and under 13 the ball shall weigh 4.75 ounces.

The home side shall provide a minimum of one new or re-polished ball to be used for both innings (and good quality spare balls in case the original match ball is lost during play) except for County Finals where 2 new balls will be provided by the Worcestershire Cricket Board.

•  For matches at under 14 and above the stumps shall be 28 inches above the ground and 9 inches wide.

For under 10, 11, 12 and under 13 the stumps shall be 27 inches above the ground and 8 inches wide.

•  Matches shall consist of one innings per side.

•  A match will consist of 20 six ball overs for each team unless:

•  A team is dismissed

•  A team declares its innings closed. (In the event of a team declaring its innings closed in the 1 st innings of the match no extra overs shall be given to the side batting second)

•  Because of weather conditions the match is abandoned

•  Because of weather conditions the start is delayed and the Managers agree on a shortened match. The reduction in overs should be the minimum practicable and must not reduce the match to less than a scheduled 12 overs per team.

•  If, as a result of inclement weather, one side bats for more overs than their opponents the winner shall be the team with the higher run rate per legitimate ball bowled (excluding no-balls and wides) provided that each team shall have batted for at least 12 overs. (Where the team batting first has been dismissed or declared the run rate shall be calculated based on the total scheduled overs for the innings). Matches where both teams have not completed twelve overs (except if a team or both teams have been dismissed or declared) shall be considered abandoned (See Rule 8 below)

6. No bowler shall bowl more than 4 overs in a 20 over match with pro rata reductions in a reduced match - a minimum of 5 bowlers must be used in a scheduled completed innings. (E.g. in a 12 over a side match 2 bowlers may bowl a maximum of 3 overs and 3 bowlers maximum of 2 overs). If the match suffers from interruptions due to inclement weather the allocation of overs per bowler agreed at the start of the game shall still apply in both innings.

7 If a bowler is unable to finish his (or her) over it shall be completed by another player (subject to the restrictions in 6 above) and will count as 1 full over against the replacement bowler.

8. *Matches not started or abandoned due to inclement weather shall be rearranged by the

end of the specified period shown in the fixture programme (See Rule 27)

•  The decision regarding the suitability of playing conditions will rest with independent Umpires where appointed but otherwise the decision on the fitness of the ground for play shall rest with the manager of the Home team.

•  If a team is not ready to commence play by the agreed starting time it shall forfeit the toss if required to do so by the opposition.

•  Matches may be played on Non-Turf pitches but the pitch (including the run-ups) must be safe and in good condition. The visiting Manager must be given prior notification that the match will be played on a Non-Turf pitch (OR where there are possible inclement weather conditions that the match may be played on a Non Turf pitch). No spiked footwear shall be worn on Non Turf pitches. If a home team fails to notify the visiting team that the game is to be played on a Non Turf pitch they will forfeit the game (in league matches without being awarded any points) and the visitors shall be declared the winners

•  $ The wearing of coloured clothing (modern style pyjama style) will not be allowed as it is expected long standing traditional clothing should be worn. This is to ensure it caters for the safety aspects of the law in relation to using long standing acceptable equipment and clothing within the game (i.e; whites, red ball and white sight screens)

•  *Penalty runs as introduced in the 2000 Code of the Laws of Cricket shall not, with the exceptions of penalty runs for No Balls, Wides and for striking protective helmets not in use be awarded in these competitions

Nb; As soon as a ball strikes a helmet not in use the ball becomes 'dead' but any completed runs count in addition to the penalty runs)

$ Nb; Only when independent umpires stand will the full penalty laws apply)

•  All players shall be under the age specified for each individual competition at midnight on 31 st August prior to the season of the competition.

$(Nb; Girls are allowed to play one year above the specified age in each competition., eg; An under 14 girl can play in an under 13 boys team. This applies to all organised league and KO competitions except recognised ECB National KO Competitions at Under 13 and 15 levels.

•  All players must be paid-up bona fide members of the participating club and preferably play their entire junior cricket exclusively for that club. A player may play for different clubs at different age groups but must be a paid-up bona fide member of each club. This situation is only permissible where the player's original club does not provide cricket at all the age groups that the player is eligible for and competent to play. The recruitment of other players is not allowed. Where a club enters two sides in any competition a player shall play for only one side. Each competition organiser has the authority to vary this rule (other than in the National KO competitions at under 13 & under 15 where a player can only play for one team in a season irrespective of any location change) in exceptional circumstances.(e.g. a player moving house mid season from Netherton to Broadway).

Nb; Any player who joins a new club in any close season cannot play for his new club if a particular age final is held over to the early part of the following seaqson

•  Where it is ascertained that Rules 14 or 15 have been broken the following penalties shall apply:

a) To the team :

•  In a Cup match : The team, who, knowingly or not, includes a player who has played for another team in the same competition or is ineligible in age (unless in a non national competition where prior permission has been granted by the competition organiser-see rule 15) shall be excluded from the competition and the match awarded to their opponents.

ii) In a League match : The team, who, knowingly or not, includes a player who

has played for another team in the same competition or is ineligible in age

may have the points gained in any game in which the offending player has

participated deducted or may be excluded from the competition for the

season.

•  To the player:

The player who has played for two or more teams in any WCB competition (except as allowed under rule 15) shall be suspended from playing in any junior competition run by the WCB for a maximum of 2 weeks whilst investigations are being carried out.

Once the investigations have been concluded the player may be suspended for an additional period which cannot exceed the current playing season.

The decisions over the application of this rule will be taken by the individual competition organiser except where the player concerned has played at more than one age group when the decision will be taken by the Chair of the WCB Youth Competitions sub-committee.

Any appeal is to the Chair of the WCB Youth Development Committee whose decision is final.

17. A substitute may field subject to the approval of the Umpires but may not bowl or keep wicket. However, a substitute who fields at the start of the game and for 50% of the scheduled overs of an innings shall not be replaced and is deemed a playing team member and may only bat and bowl. The substitute must conform to rules 14 & 15.

18. Players in the under 13 age group and younger shall not be allowed to field nearer than 11 yards measured from the middle stump, irrespective of whether or not a helmet is worn.

Players in the under 14 and under 15 age groups shall not be allowed to field nearer than 8 yards measured as above, irrespective of whether or not a helmet is worn.

A player in an under 16 to under 18 age group , who has not reached the age of 18 must wear a helmet and, for boys, a 'box' if fielding within 6 yards of the bat, except behind the wicket on the offside .

•  All players under the age of 18 must wear a helmet in all competitions when batting and standing up to the stumps when keeping wicket unless prior written consent has been given by a parent or guardian. The Umpires must be provided with a team sheet before the start of the match identifying any player who has parental consent not to wear a helmet. (If no team sheet is provided batsmen and wicketkeepers when standing up to the stumps must wear helmets.)

•  In all competitions up to and including the under 13 age group when a batsman reaches or passes the personal total of 30 runs he must 'retire' and will not be allowed to return. A batsman at the crease can continue his innings beyond 30 if his retirement would end the innings before the agreed number of overs have been bowled . (i.e; when the 10 th wicket pair are at the crease)

This rule will also apply in the under 14 and under 15 age group competitions but

the personal total for this age group will be 50 (not 30).

•  The conduct of players and officials is expected to be in accordance with 'The Spirit of Cricket' as detailed in the Laws of Cricket (2000 Code) and ECB rules and guidance. The WCB Youth Development Committee will deal with any conduct not in accordance with these requirements. The captain is in charge once the fielding team takes the field and there shall be no overt coaching from umpires, managers, etc. from within or outside the field of play. If such coaching is attempted the opposition manager should immediately discuss the breach of this rule with the offending team's manager and attempt to resolve the problem Any unresolved situations should be reported to the competition organiser.

•  Weeks specified for matches in all competitions are deemed to start on a Sunday.

•  The Winning Team shall be the team scoring the most runs irrespective of the number of wickets falling

•  >< *@ In all league matches 4 points will be awarded for a win, 2 to each team for a tie. No points will be awarded to either team if a match is not played unless there are exceptional circumstances when the competition organiser after consultation with both parties,  may award each team 2 points.

25. Should any team fail to honour a league fixture for any reason their opponents will be given FOUR POINTS unless they have given the officials of their opponents THREE CLEAR DAYS notice that they are unable to play the scheduled fixture. Where a team considers that their opponents are deliberately trying to avoid playing a fixture (e.g. so that the opponents can progress to the K.O. stages of a League competition) the matter should be immediately referred to the Competition organiser. He will then either stipulate a date on which the game must be played or award FOUR points to the non-offending team. (See Rule 27 below). This Rule does not apply in the cases of matches that cannot be played because of the condition of the ground. Any team who fails to honour more than ONE fixture when conditions are fit for play will be excluded from the Competition for that year. Any matches they have played will be declared void and any points gained by their opponents will be discounted.

26. *All K.O. matches and semi finals of league competitions MUST be played on the date or within the time period specified by the individual competition organiser. If a match has not been played as programmed the organiser will decide which team (if any) goes through to the next round or, in exceptional circumstances determine a date on which the game is to be played.

27.* Both teams are responsible for notifying the competition organiser of the result of

each match within 3 days of completion and within the time period specified by the competition organiser together with details of the scores. The notification must be by the method and within the time period required by the appropriate competition organiser (e-mail, fax, in writing or by telephone). E -mail will normally be the preferred option.

Please Note; No results will be accepted after 3 days following the last date for the scheduled completion of all fixtures.

•  *In the event of any dispute the decision of the individual competition organiser shall be final & binding. If the dispute relates to more than one competition the Chair of the Competitions Sub Committee will make the decision in conjunction with the organisers of the competitions concerned .

•  Each League winner will be the team with the highest number of points. In the event of teams ending on the same number of points the league winner will be the team with the most wins . If two or more teams are level on the number of wins then league positions shall be determined by the result of the match between the two teams. If this match was a tie or abandoned the League winner shall be determined by calculating the average runs per wickets lost in completed matches, the winner being the team with the highest average.

30. Where a KO follows the Leagues entry into the KO stage will be determined as follows:

a) If between 5 and 8 leagues there will be a play off or quarter-final stage for some or all league winners

b) If 4 leagues all league winners will go forward to the semi-finals.

c) If 3 leagues all the league winners together with the runner- up with the best average

results will go forward to the semi finals.

d) If 2 leagues league winners and runners up will go forward to the semi-finals.

31. In KO matches (including KO stages following League competitions) the team scoring the most runs shall be the winner. Where both teams score the same number of runs, the winner shall be the team losing the fewest wickets. If both teams have lost the same number of wickets, the winner shall be the team with the highest score at the end of the 19 th over (then if equal the 18 th , 17 th , 16 th etc.)

32. If inclement weather prevents a KO tie being played within the designated period 5 nominated players bowling overarm (see Law 24.1(b)) alternately at the wickets from the bowler's end shall decide the tie. If the number of hits is equal the same 5 players shall be nominated to bowl alternatively in a 'sudden death' bowl-out, until a winner has been achieved. If a bowl out is not possible the match will be decided by the toss of a coin. In these situations the competition organiser should be contacted before the bowl out or toss takes place .

33. *Each competition organiser in conjunction with the Chair of the Competitions Sub Committee will arrange the date and a ground for the competition Final (and a reserve date and venue) prior to the start of the season.

34. *In arranging and rearranging matches the national under 13 and under 15 competition matches shall take priority over all other competitions. The second priority shall be WCB and MCCC organised cup competitions. WCB and MCCC league competitions shall then take priority over any local competitions.

35. All WCB County Finals and subsequent rounds of the ECB national under 15 competition will be played with a fielding circle. At the instant of delivery a minimum of 4 fielders (plus the bowler and the wicketkeeper) must be within an area bounded by two semi circles centred on each middle stump at a radius of 30 yards and joined by parallel lines. In the event of an infringement the umpire will call and signal 'no ball'. Markings to be of plastic or rubber (NOT metal).

36. Wicketkeepers shall not bowl and cannot be changed unless injured or become ill during the game. Players who have kept wicket during the game shall not bowl and players who have bowled shall not become the replacement wicketkeeper in case of injury or illness

37. $All clubs entering junior competitions organised through the Worcestershire Cricket Board structure must have paid the associated affiliation fee as advised below;

Focus Club ........................£75

Affiliated Club with a Junior Section ........................£60

Affiliated Club ........................£40

Secondary Affiliated Club ........................£40

The Worcestershire Cricket Board is responsible for the collation of all associated affiliation fees and definitions of each affiliation can be downloaded from the WCB web-site; www.thewcb.org.uk

38. All junior competition entry fees for all competitions entered must be paid by the 1 st . January) prior to the seasons' matches commencing. Clubs from outside the county boundaries entering Worcestershire Cricket Board competitions must pay the full WCB affiliation fee for a Secondary Affiliated Club as well as the entry fees for the appropriate competitions .

39. To enter the Worcestershire rounds of the National under 13 and under 15 K.O. competitions the prime affiliation of any club (both senior and junior) must be with Worcestershire.

40. In all matches each team should provide an umpire who should be a minimum of 18 years of age. For competition finals the organiser in conjunction with the Chair of the Competitions Sub Committee will arrange with the Worcestershire Cricket Umpires & Scorers Association for the appointment of two independent umpires.

41. Clubs will be held responsible for the safe keeping of perpetual trophies and the return of them to the competition organiser before the following season's finals. They must ensure they have adequate insurance in respect of the trophies. The winners shall engrave the trophy with the year and their name before its return.

42. Clubs who enter WCB Junior Competitions must ensure a duty of care to all members of the Club by adopting and implementing the ECB 'Safe Hands - Welfare of Young People in Cricket' Policy and any future versions of the Policy. This duty of care must be incorporated into the club's constitution.

43. Clubs who enter WCB Junior Competitions must ensure that all club members will be subject to the regulations of the Club's constitution and by joining the Club will be deemed to accept these regulations and the Club's code of Conduct.

44. Clubs who enter any competition and subsequently withdraw before the scheduled

commencement of the competition are not entitled to a refund of their entry fee. If a club does not withdraw at this stage and then fails to play the majority of its scheduled matches or fails to comply with other requirements of the competition (e.g. failing to adhere to cut off dates; providing inadequate contact information) it is considered that the club is bringing the competition into disrepute as well as causing significant inconvenience to its scheduled opponents. In these circumstances the club will be required to provide a written explanation for its failure to the competition organiser. The Competitions sub committee may require a cash bond of £50 per appropriate age group team to be paid by the club to ensure the acceptance of that age group team in their competition(s) in the following season. (e.g. if the under 14 team defaults a bond may be required for the under 15 team in the following season, but if the under 15 team defaults a bond may be required for the under 15 team in the following season as WCB does not administer the under 16 competitions. The bond will be returned at the end of the season provided that the appropriate team honours its fixtures to the final satisfaction of the Competitions Committee.

45. Clubs must use their best endeavours to comply with any requests from parents or

guardians regarding the restriction of taking videos or photographs of children in their care. On match days team managers are required to inform their counterpart of any restrictions regarding the videoing or photographing of their players

$ A copy of these rules and regulations can be downloaded from the Worcestershire Cricket Board web-site at; www.thewcb.org.uk

GRW 30-10-2003 (Revised 29-09-2004 * and 02-12-2004 # and 23-12-2005@ and 28-11-2006 & SRL/DR $ Revised 11-10-2007.