MCA Outdoor Senior League Competition

Local Rules and Conditions of Play – 2011

PREAMBLE: The following are the official and approved rules for the Outdoor League Competition.
Everyone must become acquainted with them.

Lack of knowledge of these rules cannot be used and will not be accepted as an excuse for breaking them.
These rules are designed to simplify playing conditions, clarify any misunderstandings, if necessary and to preserve the spirit of cricket.

All matches in all divisions shall be conducted in accordance with the current M.C.C.
Laws of Cricket, the ICC Rules for one day cricket, where applicable and the MCA Local Rules and Conditions of play.
Any conditions of play not covered herein shall be decided upon within seven (7) days written notice at a duly constituted League Committee Meeting.

Start of Play
1. Play will begin at 12:00 p.m
2. The hours of play will be –
  
  Team batting first 12:00 p.m. to 3:10 p.m
  
  - [TEA INTERVAL OF 20 MINUTES]
  
  Team batting second 3:30 p.m. to 6:40 p.m.
  
  The duration of each innings will be 180 minutes of play time and additional 10 minutes
  are allocated to drinks intervals.
3. For every 8 full minutes lost prior to the start of the game due to another game in progress or to any other unforeseen circumstances
  beyond the control of the teams, both teams will have one (1) over deducted from its maximum allotted 45 overs.
  For the purpose of calculating the overs lost, the total time lost will be divided by 4 and rounded down to the nearest even number.
  
  [Example - 30 minutes lost means the number of overs is reduced by 3 for each team.]
4. For rain affected games, the Duckworth-Lewis [DL] method will apply.
  The D/L version 2.0 calculator will be used to determine the results.
  Also in D/L calculations, overs lost will be time lost divided by 4.
5. A team that is responsible for a late start shall, when batting, have one over deducted from its 45 overs for every 4 minutes that it is late.
  [Example: - 20 minutes late results in 5 overs penalty to team responsible for late start. Refer to 11 (f) re: late starts.]
1. Unless the team batting first is bowled out, 45 overs – or the allotted number of overs as in 2 (e) - must be bowled before the (tea) interval or before the innings can be considered completed.
2. There can be no declaration.
3. Captains or designates shall toss at least 15 minutes before the starting time of 12:00 p.m. [i.e. they must toss by 11:45 a.m. or earlier.]
  The captain of the side winning the toss to notify the opposing captain as soon as the toss is completed of his decision to bat or to field first shall apply.
  They must exchange team lists [using the form provided] before the toss and give a copy to the umpire(s) who will be responsible for ensuring the stats are completed and for depositing these lists in the “Black Box.”
  At least 7 players listed must be present when the toss is made no later than 11:45 a.m. or else the team without 7 players loses the toss.
  If neither team has 7 players at the time for the toss [i.e. by 11:45 a.m.] then the first team to show the umpire(s) 7 players will win the toss.
4. If by 45 minutes after the scheduled start of the day’s play
  [i.e. by 12:45 p.m. OR in the case of delays, 30 minutes after the game is due to start]
  a team does not have 7 players or fails to take the field or start the game, it will automatically lose the game.

Bowling
1. Each bowler is limited to 9 over in a normal 45-over game.
  In a shortened game i.e. fewer than 45 overs, the limit for a bowler is the total number divided by 5.
  [Example – for 37 overs, the limit is 7 overs per bowler, but 2 bowlers are allowed to bowl one additional over - i.e. 8 overs each]
2. Under-arm bowling is not allowed.
  Any such delivery will be called a “no ball.”
3. Bowling of high full pitched balls.
  
  Any delivery, other than a slow paced one, which passes or would have passed on the full above waist height of the striker standing upright at the popping crease is to be deemed dangerous and unfair, whether or not it is likely to inflict physical injury on the striker.
  
  A slow delivery which passes or would have passed on the full above shoulder height of the striker standing upright at the popping crease is to be deemed dangerous and unfair, whether or not it is likely to inflict physical injury on the striker.
4. The Bowling of Fast Short Pitched Balls
  
  A bowler shall be limited to one fast short-pitched delivery per over.
  Any additional similar delivery in the same over shall be called a no ball.
  A fast short-pitched delivery is defined as a ball which passes or would have passed above the shoulder height of the striker standing upright at the crease
  The umpire at the bowlers end shall advise the bowler and the batsman on strike when each fast short pitched delivery has been bowled.
  
  In addition, for the purpose of this regulation and subject to clause below, a ball that passes above head height of the batsman, that prevents him from being able to hit it with his bat by means of a normal cricket stroke shall be called a wide.
  
  For the avoidance of doubt any fast short pitched delivery that is called a wide under this playing condition shall also count as the allowable short pitched delivery in that over.
  
  In the event of a bowler bowling more than one fast short-pitched delivery in an over as defined in clause above, the umpire at the bowlers end shall call and signal no ball on each occasion.
  A differential signal shall be used to signify a fast short pitched delivery.
  The umpire shall call and signal ‘no ball’ and then tap the head with the other hand.
  
  If a bowler delivers a second fast short pitched ball in an over, the umpire, after the call of no ball and when the ball is dead, shall caution the bowler.
  This caution shall apply throughout the innings.
  
  If there is a second instance of the bowler being no balled in the innings
  For bowling more than one fast short pitched delivery in an over, the umpire
  Shall advise the bowler that this is his final warning for the innings.
  
  Should there be any further instance by the same bowler in that innings, the umpire shall call and signal no ball and when the ball is dead direct the captain to take the bowler off forthwith.
  The bowler thus taken off shall not be allowed to bowl again in that innings.
5. Free Hit after a foot-fault no ball
  
  Following a no ball called for a foot fault (Law 24.5) shall be a free hit for whichever batsman is facing it.
  If the delivery for the free hit is not a legitimate delivery (any kind of no ball or a wide ball) then the next delivery will become a free hit for whichever batsman is facing it.
  
  For any free hit, the striker can be dismissed only under the circumstances that apply for a no ball, even if the delivery for the free hit is called wide ball.
  Field changes are not permitted for free hit deliveries unless there is a change of striker .
  
  The umpires will signal a free hit by (after the normal No Ball signal) extending one arm straight upwards and moving it in a circular motion.
6. Only balls issued by the MCA for the current competition can be used in League matches.
7. A “no-ball” and a “wide” will be 1 run (scored as extras) in addition to any run(s) scored.
  It must also be re-bowled.
8. Any ball struck by a batsman that touches any tree or part of a tree branch that is within the field of play will result in four (4) runs to the batting team.
9. Any ball passing behind the batsman and outside the leg wicket will be called a wide no matter where it is pitched. This rule is similar to the ICC limited over rule for a wide delivery

Fielding Restrictions

Restrictions on the placement of fieldsmen

At the instant of delivery, there may not be more than 5 fieldsmen on the leg side.
In addition to the restriction contained in clause above, further fielding restrictions shall apply to certain overs in each innings.
The nature of such fielding restrictions and the overs during which they shall apply (hereinafter referred to as the Powerplay Overs) are set out in the following paragraphs.

The following fielding restrictions shall apply:

Two semi-circles shall be drawn on the field of play.
The semi-circles shall have as their centre the middle stump at either end of the pitch.
The radius of each of the semi-circles shall be 30 yards (27.43 metres).
The semi-circles shall be linked by two parallel straight lines drawn on the field.
(Refer attached appendix 5).
The fielding restriction areas should be marked by continuous painted white lines or ‘dots’ at 5 yard (4.57 metres) intervals, each ‘dot’ to be covered by a white plastic or rubber (but not metal) disc measuring 7 inches (18 cm) in diameter.
During the first block of Powerplay Overs (as set out below), only two fieldsmen shall be permitted outside this fielding restriction area at the instant of delivery.
During the second and third Powerplay blocks only three fieldsmen shall be permitted outside the fielding restriction area at the instant of delivery.

Two inner circles shall be drawn on the field of play.
The circles shall have as their centres the centrepoint of the popping crease at either end of the pitch.
The radius of each of the circles shall be 15 yards (13.72 metres).
These fielding restriction areas should be marked by ‘dots’.
The segment of the circles reserved for the slip positions shall not be demarcated (refer attached appendix 5).
During the initial block of Powerplay Overs (in an uninterrupted innings, the first 9), there must be a minimum of two stationary fieldsmen within the applicable fielding restriction area measured from the striker’s end at the instant of delivery.
When a fast bowler is bowling the two stationary fieldsmen may be permitted to stand deeper than 15 yards (13.72 metres) (in the undemarcated area) provided only that they are standing in slip, leg slip or gully positions.
During the non Powerplay Overs, no more than 5 fieldsmen shall be permitted outside the fielding restriction area referred to in clause above.
Subject to the provisions below, the Powerplay Overs shall apply for 18 overs per innings to be taken as follows:

The first block of Powerplay Overs (block of 9 overs for an uninterrupted match) shall be at the commencement of the innings.
For the remaining second and third block of Powerplay Overs (blocks of 5 and 4 overs for an uninterrupted match), one block(5overs) shall be taken at the discretion of the fielding captain and the other(4Overs) at the discretion of either of the batsmen at the wicket.
A batsman must nominate his team’s Powerplay no later than the moment at which the umpire reaches the stumps at the bowler’s end for the start of the next over.
The fielding captain may nominate his team’s Powerplay any time prior to the commencement of the over. The umpire who will stand at the bowler’s end for the commencement of a Powerplay block shall determine which side first made the request.
Once a side has nominated a Powerplay, the decision can notbe reversed.
Should either team choose not to exercise their discretion, their Powerplay Overs will automatically commence at the latest available point in the innings (i.e. in an uninterrupted innings, one unclaimed Powerplay will begin at the start of the 41st over).

In circumstances when the number of overs of the batting team is reduced, the number of Powerplay Overs shall be reduced in accordance with the table below.
For the sake of clarity, it should be noted that the table shall apply to both the 1st and 2nd innings of the match

Innings duration	First powerplay	Fielding Powerplay	Batting Powerplay	Powerplay Total
20-21	4	2	2	8
22-23	5	2	2	9
24-26	5	3	2	10
27-28	6	3	2	11
29-31	6	3	3	12
32-33	7	3	3	13
34-36	7	4	3	14
37-38	8	4	3	15
39-41	8	4	4	16
42-43	9	4	4	17
44-45	9	5	4	18

1. Unless a team has lost all of its wickets, a minimum of 20 overs must be bowled in order to ensure a decision.
2. If due to bad weather, the team batting second does not receive their allotted minimum number of overs, [i.e. 20] – and a result has not been reached, the game will be abandoned.
3. If the team batting second has received their minimum 20 overs, and bad weather (rain) stops [or interrupts] play, the game will be decided using the Duckworth-Lewis method of determining the result in a rain affected game.
  [This means par (for an abandoned game) or target (for a rain affected game) scores are calculated and a decision made.]
1. The points awarded in a league game will be as follows
  Win - 8 points; Loss - 0 points; Tie – 4 points Abandon matches -4 points.
2. In the event of a tied game, [i.e. - scores are identical at the conclusion of the game] the points will be divided equally.

If two or more teams have the same number of points [tied on points] at the end of the season, the team with the highest net run rate shall be declared the winner.

Except on very hot days [i.e. 26 C and above] only one water break shall be taken.
It will last for 5 minutes and must be taken on the field of play after the 22^nd or 23^rd over at the discretion of the fielding team.
The batting team will serve the water with the fielding team’s water bottles, which will have been made available prior to the innings.
If the batting team fails to do so, 1 over will be deducted from their innings for every extra 5 minutes (or part thereof) that the water break takes.
On very hot days 2 water breaks may be taken [on the field] at the end of the 15^th and 30^th overs respectively.
This must be agreed upon before the game starts.
The umpires will use their discretion to determine water breaks when the humidity is very high.

1. Teams are expected to be in position to bowl the first ball of the last of their allotted overs (i.e. 45 overs) within their allotted playing time (i.e. 3 hours and 10 minutes).
  In the event of a team failing to do so, the full quota of overs will be completed AND the batting side shall be credited with six (6) runs for every whole over that has not been bowled by the scheduled or re-scheduled cessation time.
  This will apply to both innings of the match.
  
  If the side BATTING second is credited with runs in this way and this consequently takes their score past that of the side batting first then the match shall be deemed to be won by the side batting second.
  
  All penalties in this regard shall be imposed immediately the ball becomes dead after the scheduled or re-scheduled time for the cessation time for the innings even if this time is during an over.
  However the penalty runs shall be considered to be awarded at the instant of the last delivery.
  
  If the innings is interrupted the over rate penalty will apply based on the re-scheduled cessation time for that innings…. The umpire shall inform the fielding captain when taking the field for the first time and on every subsequent occasion if play is interrupted, the scheduled cessation time for that innings.
2. The following applies in the case of late starts
  1. If the team batting first is responsible for the late start – say 20 minutes – it will receive 45 – 4 = 41 overs and, if there is no interruption, the fielding team will be required to bowl these 41 overs by 3:10 p.m.
  2. If the team fielding first is responsible for the late start, - say 20 minutes – it must still bowl 45 overs by 3:10pm (and thus [according to 10 a.] will still get penalized runs if they don’t finish in time), but will be limited, when batting to 45 minus 4 overs – i.e. 41 overs.
3. Fielder absent from field of play
  1. If a fielder is absent from the field for more than 8 minutes, other than for illness or injury, he will not be allowed to bowl after his return until he has been on the field for the length of time that he was absent.
  2. If a declared player on the fielding team [who does not start the game] arrives at any time and takes the field during the batting [i.e. opponents’] team’s innings, he will be allowed to bat at anytime i.e. anywhere in the batting order when his team bats.
    If he fails to take the field however, [i.e. - he does not field] he will not be allowed to bat until at least 5 wickets have fallen.
  3. If at the start of play, the fielding team does not have all its listed players, then that team is allowed to use substitutes providing that those substitutes are not listed on the roster of other teams playing at the same time.
    Teams should not rely on substitutes to get their games started.
    Substitutes will not be part of the minimum 7 players required to start a game.
    The substitute must be registered with the Manitoba Cricket Association.
Players (including substitutes) must wear acceptable cricket apparel – whites, cream, and flannel – and proper footwear.
The umpires shall be the sole judges of proper cricket apparel.

Single spiked, cloverleaf or any other metal spiked boots are prohibited on the pitch for batting or bowling.

1. Players cannot switch to another club after the season has started. In exceptional cases if it is necessary to switch clubs during the season, an “M.C.A. - Transfer Form” must be filed with and approved by the League Committee.
  If a request is denied, final appeal may be made to the M.C.A. Executive Committee.
2. Only players with permission from the MCA [i.e. UNRESTRICTED PLAYERS] will be allowed to play for a second team.
  Once that player plays for a second team he cannot change teams and play for a third team.
3. Any player who has not reached his 18th birthday by May 1 of the current year is considered a junior and will be allowed to play for any number of teams, unless they have played for the Provincial Under-25 team, in which case they can only play for 1 team per division.
1. All players must be registered with a local club
2. Of the fees paid by each club, $225 will be used for registration fee to cover a maximum of 15 players per club.
  A club that exceeds the 15 player registration limit must pay an additional $30.00 for every player above the 15-player limit.
3. Registering players during the season can only be done by filing an “MCA Registration Form” by Wednesday before the weekend of play.
  This form must be filed at the cricket office at 200 Main Street or must be given with payment to the League Chairman, or a member of the Executive.
4. A team shall not play any member of a touring team in the MCA League Competition.
  [A touring team is any visiting team.]
5. A team shall not play more than one out-of-province player in any League game.
6. A team shall not play an elite out-of-province player in any League game.
  [An elite player is anyone who represented his province or country (i.e. played in competition nationally or internationally) in the last 8 years.]
7. Non-registered persons will not be allowed on the field of play.

Umpires are responsible for depositing the score sheets in the “Black Box” at the end of a game.
The score sheets must be completely filled out with the players’ complete names listed on it.
Both captains and both umpires must sign the sheets.

In the event that any club finds it necessary to default [i.e. not play] a match, that team will be fined $100.00.
This fine must be paid by the Wednesday following the defaulted game. [delete “before Wednesday of the next scheduled game.”]
Failure to pay will result in immediate suspension.
Games missed due to suspension will be deemed to be forfeited.

As a safety measure and for insurance purposes, players are asked not to practice in the vicinity of spectators and players.
Practice in front of the pavilion at any time is not allowed.

One new ball as supplied by the League will be used per innings.

Any MCA member(s) using inappropriate [e.g. foul, abusive, threatening] language on or off the field of play to an opponent, teammate, umpire or MCA official, or whose behaviour is, or borders on unsportsmanlike conduct, may be suspended from the day‘s game following consultation between the umpires and captains in the game.
Such conduct or behaviour may be brought to the attention of the Disciplinary Committee/Adjudicator in writing for further disciplinary action. This rule extends to other MCA members in the cricket area.
[NOTE: - If the League fails to formulate a Disciplinary Committee (or appoint an Adjudicator) within 14 days of any complaint, the MCA Executive would have to act to expedite matters.]
The Manitoba Association of Cricket Umpires [M.A.C.U.] will be responsible for the scheduling of all umpires for League play.

Teams listed FIRST in each week’s schedule are considered HOME teams; those listed SECOND are AWAY teams.
The HOME team is responsible for the laying of the matting, placing of the flags (boundary markers), and any other duties necessary to get the game started.
The AWAY team is responsible for all post-game activities – putting away matting, covering pitch, flags, discs, scoreboard, etc.
BOTH TEAMS are responsible for leaving the playing area (i.e. in and around pavilion, field, nets, and bushes) clean and tidy.
If a team is found to have not carried out these duties, they will be assessed a fine of $50.

Generally there will be a promotion of one team from the first division to the Premiere division, and from the 2nd division to the first. Also a relegation of one team from the premiere division to the first division and from the first division to the 2nd.
The understanding is clear that the WINNER of the first division shall be promoted to the premiere and the winner of the 2nd division shall be promoted to the first in the following year.
The last placed team in the premiere division will be relegated to the first, and the last placed team in the first division will be relegated to the 2nd division.
These decisions will be based on the final league standing.

The markings for wide deliveries will be as follows:
- On the OFF side - 35 inches from the centre stump

Inter – Provincial and /or Representative matches.

If a club has two (2) or more of its members selected to represent Manitoba or Canada [playing, officiating or coaching] and this results in their absence from a regular scheduled League game, such game shall be rescheduled.

Clubs are reminded that use of the pitches/grounds at the Assiniboine Cricket Park is by agreement between the City Parks Board and MCA.
Any club(s) playing unscheduled or ‘friendly’ matches on these grounds MUST obtain prior approval from the MCA.
Practice – Teams must pick up practice mats from the practice pitches after each use, and clean up any other practice equipment.
Any team that fails to do so will be assessed a fee of $50.00 and will be suspended from League play until the fine is paid to the MCA.

Any point not dealt with in these rules will be dealt with by the League, or by the Executive Committee.

Revised 20 May ,2011

By Chairman of umpires