Adelaide and Suburban Cricket Association
Playing Laws
1. (a) All matches arranged as defined in Sections 25-28 of the Constitution of this Association shall be played in accordance with the Laws of Cricket as laid down by the Marylebone Cricket Club and Experimental Laws as adopted by the Australian Cricket Board and recommended by the South Australian Cricket Association with exception of any Special Match Rule added for the particular benefit of this Association.
(b) Any delivery that hits the edge of the pitch without being played and before passing the striker’s wicket is a No ball and Dead. Any delivery that pitches alongside the pitch before passing the striker’s wicket will be a No ball but not dead. It can be played or score byes. A full toss just wide of the pitch may be a wide if it is beyond the batter’s reach and the batter has not at any time since the ball became live been where he could have reached it. If the batter hits a full toss that is wide of the pitch but not over waist height, it is not a No ball and the batter can be out caught or bowled etc. A very wide full toss that a batter would need to leave the pitch to play (ie no part of the batter’s bat or person grounded or raised would be on or above the pitch) is a No ball. It can still score byes. If the batter leaves the pitch to play a very wide ball it will be Dead as well as a No ball to protect fielders. For hard wickets the pitch is the concrete or the matting whichever is wider.
(c) Captains may not elect to declare an innings closed so as to create a draw or tie.
(d) Bowlers in two-day matches in Sections 4 and lower shall be limited to the bowling of fifteen (15) overs in an innings.
(e) Penalty Time as described in MCC Law 24 and 25 will be limited to 30 minutes for two-day and one-day matches. All penalty time is extinguished at the end of a day’s play.
(f) All full tosses over waist height of the striker standing upright at the popping crease are No Balls. The bowler will not be warned or face any other action for balls that slip out of the hand and pass the batsman harmlessly or slow full tosses above waist height. Quicker full tosses over waist height from a fast or slow bowler that are directed towards the body or head of the striker will incur a final warning and any repetition removal from bowling.
(g) Clubs are to encourage all adult players when batting, keeping up to the stumps or fielding less than 7 metres from the batsman unless in slips or gully to wear an appropriate cricket helmet. Clubs are to ensure all Under 18 players wear an appropriate helmet when Batting and keeping up to the stumps and that they don’t field less than 7 metres from the batsman unless in slips or gully. No one is to bat without a helmet because one is not available.
Playing Surface
2. In all matches the pitch will be turf or a concrete strip covered with artificial grass or carpet glued or pegged in place or other material approved by the Association. The minimum width of the pitch is 1.4 metres.
Boundaries
3. (a) The boundaries at each ground will be defined by markers at intervals of not more than 20 metres. Where possible a physical line should join the makers to delineate the boundary. In the absence of a physical line the actual boundary will be the straight line between the markers. The boundary must be at least one metre inside any fence, wall, tree, goalpost, drain, path, or other obstacle at the edge of the playing arena.
(b) Before the start of play umpires and opposing captains will agree on the boundary and on any fixed objects within the boundary.
The Pitch
4. (a) Each club will ensure bowling and popping creases are maintained suitably.
(b) Each club will ensure grass is tidied to the edge of concrete pitches.
(c) Each club will ensure stump-holes in concrete pitches are kept filled with suitable soil.
Sides
5. (a) Before tossing for the first innings, each Captain shall nominate his players by passing a list with their names and initials to the other Captain.
(b) At that time for a two-day match a Captain may note on the list two players who will be absent for day two and a twelfth and thirteenth players who shall replace them from the conclusion of the first day’s play. Each replaced player shall have a specific replacement. The replacement player shall take part in the match as if he were the replaced player, completing his innings or any over in progress if necessary. None of the replaced or replacement players shall take part in any other match during that round.
(c) No player other than those so named, except substitute fieldsmen, shall be allowed to participate in the match.
(d) The Covid 19 pandemic has affected cricket in ways not seen since the devastating effect of WW2. For its duration or any similar emergency that the Executive may declare, the Executive will have these special powers. To declare any match abandoned as a draw and decide which players can play in other matches. To authorise a replacement player for day2 of a 2day game or where a player must leave a 1day game for isolation. The club requesting the replacement will give details of the player who cannot continue including texts or emails. They will name the proposed replacement with their recent playing history and why they are available. The Executive will refuse a replacement where it considers it would unfairly benefit the team. It may allow a player that would otherwise be ineligible. At the Executive’s discretion a match may be forfeited where information given to executive is found to be untrue.
(e) A player must first qualify to take part in finals by playing at least four minor round matches for his Club in the current season. However, should a player not have played the necessary four matches, a permit in certain circumstances may be granted by the Executive Committee.
(f) A player shall not be eligible to play in a finals match in a team unless at least half of his minor round matches have been played in that team or lower teams, unless, under certain circumstances, he is granted a permit by the Executive Committee.
(g) However, where a Club has consecutive teams playing in Semi-Finals or Grand-Finals, it may interchange eligible players for any of its consecutive teams, e.g. If teams "A", "B", "C" and "E" are in the finals, there may be free movement of selection between teams "A", "B" and "C". Should team "B" not reach the Grand Final (or team "A" loses the semi-final in an "A”/”B" situation) then this Clause will cease to apply to the remaining team(s).
(h) Players who are replaced under part (b) above and their replacements shall have such games counted as one whole for finals qualification.
(i) Any player with dual registration who has played games in another association during the year needs a permit to play finals in this association. Relevant to the granting of the permit will be the number and timing of games played for each association, the grades played, the section of the anticipated finals and the reason for the dual registration.
(j) Any Club playing an ineligible player in a match will lose the match and all Premiership points from the match. The other team will win the match and be awarded points for a first innings win or retain their winning points. The Executive may also decide on additional penalties against the Captain, Players or club where the breach of the rules is negligent or deliberate. Players may be ineligible because they are not appropriately named before the toss, lack a permit or clearance under Constitution Section 30 or are unqualified for a final.
Hours of Play 2-Day Matches
6. (a) Play in all matches will commence each Saturday or Sunday at 12:30pm.
(b) Umpires and Captains are to ensure that any late start is reported to the Association Secretary with an explanation for the delay.
(c) The Club whose team is unable or refuses to commence play on time shall be fined the amount listed in Schedule "A" of the Constitution.
(d) (i) Section 1.
Stumps shall be drawn after the bowling of seventy-five (75) overs.
On day two where an outright result appears possible stumps shall be drawn after eighty (80) overs.
(ii) Sections 2 and lower.
Stumps shall be drawn after the bowling of sixty (60) overs.
On day two where an outright result appears possible stumps shall be drawn after sixty five (65) overs.
(iii) Finals
Stumps will be drawn as above for finals matches except that at the end of the first day where a result appears imminent both captains can agree to continue play for up to 7 overs. Should a result not be achieved these overs will be taken from the next day’s quota.
(e) As soon as it becomes apparent the team batting first will have to declare having faced less than twenty (20) overs the game will be abandoned as a draw.
(f) Each day the number of overs to be bowled shall be reduced by two (2) overs for each change of innings unless the change of innings occurs during the tea break. Where inclement weather delays or interrupts play, the first 30 minutes shall cause no reduction in the number of overs to be bowled but thereafter the number of overs to be bowled shall be reduced by one (1) over for each whole four-minute period lost. See SMR 7 (b)
(g) When fifteen (15) overs or less remain to be bowled on the second day of a minor round match or at any time of a final round match, where no chance of an outright result seems possible, the game may be called off with agreement by both Captains without the need to complete the overs.
(h) Should play on day one be entirely prevented by adverse weather conditions, the match shall become a one-day game to be played under Special Match Rule 8.
Declarations 2-Day Matches
7. (a) When stumps are drawn on Day one, the team which bats first shall declare its first innings closed if it has not been dismissed, except where the allocated overs have not been bowled.
(b) (i) Where the allocated overs have not been bowled on Day one, the team batting first, if not dismissed, may continue batting on the second day. First any incomplete over from Day one will be completed. The team may then continue batting for half the number of overs lost with any half over completed. Should this extra batting time be further delayed or interrupted by inclement weather best efforts will be made to divide the available overs for the match evenly between the teams. If the compulsory closure will limit the innings to less than twenty (20) overs, the game will be a draw.
(ii) The final over which results in a change of innings shall be deemed to be a completed over, irrespective of the number of fair deliveries bowled.
(c) (i) After a compulsory closure of an innings the team batting second shall also declare its innings closed after the bowling of the same number of overs. The team scoring the higher number of runs is the winner on the first innings.
(ii) Where a team batting first is dismissed or declares before a compulsory declaration is enforced the team batting second is entitled to receive at least as many overs as received by the team that batted first but may continue batting until stumps on the second day. A draw on the first innings will only result if interruptions to play prevent the team batting second receiving at least as many overs as the team batting first.
One-day Matches
8. (a) One-day matches will commence at 12:30 p.m. The time for the drawing of stumps is nominally set at 6:00 p.m. If there is no Daylight Saving the One-day match commences at 12 noon and should complete by 5:30 pm.
(b) Each team when batting, if not dismissed, shall close its Innings compulsorily after the completion of the bowling of forty (40) overs.
(c) In each innings, the scorers shall notify the Umpires by a clear signal at the end of the thirty-fifth (35th) over and the Umpires shall in turn notify the Captain of the fielding side and the batsmen that five (5) overs remain in the innings.
(d) The team scoring the higher number of runs shall win on the first innings.
(e) (i) In matches where the start of play is delayed or the innings of the team batting first is interrupted by inclement weather the number of overs to be bowled before invoking the compulsory closure shall be decreased by one (1) over for each whole eight (8) minute period lost. When the number of overs available for the innings is less than twenty (20) overs the match will be abandoned as a draw.
(ii) In matches where there is an interruption during the innings of the team batting second, the match will be a draw unless either side can force a win by 6:30 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. if there is no Daylight Saving.
(f) Bowlers in one-day matches shall be limited to eight (8) overs in each innings. If before the match begins overs are reduced by a late start, Captains or the appointed Umpire(s) will set limitations so at least five bowlers will be needed and will share the overs as evenly as possible. Some bowler’s limitation may be 1 over less than others.
(g) A first innings result is an end to the match.
Excessively Hot Weather
9. Play will be abandoned on any day where the forecast maximum temperature as provided by the Bureau of Meteorology and broadcast by radio stations for the Adelaide City region at 5:00 p.m. the night before is 40 degrees or higher.
Tea
10 (a) A Match of seventy five (75) overs each day.
A scheduled tea break of fifteen (15) minutes will be taken two and a half hours after the commencement of play.
(b) A Match of sixty (60) overs each day.
A scheduled tea break of fifteen (15) minutes will be taken two hours after the commencement of play.
(c) One-day Matches.
A scheduled tea break of fifteen (15) minutes will be taken between innings.
(d) Umpires and Captains may agree to take tea after a set number of overs. If they do references in MCC Law 11 (Intervals) to 30 minutes shall become 7 overs and to 3 minutes 1 over.
Players' Attire
11 (a) Each player shall be dressed in correct Cricket attire and no player shall bat or bowl for his team until his dress conforms to this Match Rule. Each player must wear a shirt, trousers or shorts, socks and sports shoes. Players may wear a sweater, hat, club cap or helmet. Apart from the club cap or helmet all are to be white or cream. Approval will be granted by the Executive for a club shirt to be worn with side panels or collars showing club colours and small signs identifying the club or sponsors on the chest or sleeves or across the shoulder blades. Clubs may have a player’s number up to 30 cm high printed on the back under the shoulder blades. Designs must be submitted to the executive for approval. Players are encouraged to wear mostly white shoes however participation will not be limited just because of the colour of shoes.
(b) Any Club fielding a player not correctly attired as described in the aforesaid Clause shall be fined, and the amount of such fine is listed in Schedule "A" of the Constitution.
(c) The Umpire(s) and Captains shall be responsible for reporting any breach of this rule to the Association Secretary.
Premiership Points Table
12 (a) The Premiership Points Table is listed in Schedule "B" of the Constitution and the four teams leading on points in each Section at the completion of the minor round of matches shall compete in a final round of matches to decide the Premiership winners of each Section.
Semi-finals - 1 v 4; 2 v 3
Final - Winners of the Semi-finals.
(b) Teams that the Executive allow to enter the competition after the first round shall only score points for byes or forfeits after they have played. If a team pulls out of a section during the season, teams that have beaten that team outright in 2-day games will lose their outright points and score points for a win on first innings.
(c) In the event of two or more teams scoring an equal number of points at the end of the minor round, their final positions on the Premiership Table shall be determined by performances.
(d) The performance of each team shall be determined by dividing the average number of runs scored by a team per wicket lost by the average number of runs scored against the team per wicket taken. The higher quotient is the better performance.
(e) The final positions of all teams below fourth place in each Section shall be as at the end of the minor round of matches.
(f) In the event of no play taking place on the day or days allotted for the semi-final or final matches, or of a result not being achieved within the times allowed, or of a tie occurring, the team finishing higher on the Premiership Points Table at the end of the minor round of matches shall be declared the winner of the semi-final or final for that particular Section.
Scorebook and Match Reports
13. (a) All teams will have a squad selected online in the manner advised by the Executive by the night before the first day of play.
(b) Accurate neat scoring is essential for Club and Association records. Teams are encouraged to have a dedicated scorer but generally the batting side is responsible for scoring. Clubs are encouraged to use live scoring but even if an innings is live scored the opposition must receive a legible, completed scorebook. At the end of the match the books, or the live scoring and book can be compared. Umpires and Captains can sign the books as evidence of correctness.
(c) During the minor round, after Day1 of a 2day match teams will enter scores online as advised by the Executive before 12 noon Sunday.
(d) During the minor round, after the completion of a match teams will enter the result and scores online as advised by the Executive before 12 noon Sunday.
(e) After a final, teams will enter the result and scores online as advised by the Executive before 12 noon Monday.
(f) Any Club whose team fails to name a team, fails to provide a legible, completed scorebook or fails to enter results and scores as provided in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) above shall be fined as listed in Schedule “A” of the Constitution. Any results or scores which remain incomplete for a further month after they are due will cause the club to be fined again. An extra fine will be imposed each month until scores and results are satisfactorily entered.
Official Reports
14. (a) After each match a Captain Report is to be completed for each team that played, in the manner advised by the Executive. It will contain an assessment of any appointed umpires, a ground assessment, optional comments on club umpires and Spirit of Cricket points for the opposition, and maybe Wicket-Keeping and Fielding Votes. Captain report is due the day after the match.
(b) Each Club Secretary shall forward a Club Report for publication on the Association Website, and such Club Report shall be delivered as advised by the Executive not later than the July meeting in each year.
(c) Any Club, which fails to submit a required Captain Report or Club Report within the time as provided in the foregoing clauses, shall be fined and the amounts of such fines are listed in Schedule “A” of the Constitution. Any Reports, which remain outstanding for a further month after they are due, will cause the club to be fined again. An extra fine will be imposed each month until reports are satisfactorily submitted.
Forfeits
15. (a) A Club must forfeit a match when its team is unable to take the field with at least seven (7) players at the expiry of thirty (30) minutes after the scheduled time for the commencement of play.
(b) A Captain may forfeit a match before the expiry of the aforesaid thirty (30) minutes if he is satisfied he cannot possibly have the required minimum number of seven (7) players in attendance.
(c) A Club may also give prior notice of forfeit for one of its teams by notice, either written or verbal, to the Association Secretary.
(d) In addition to giving such prior notice of forfeit(s) to the Association Secretary, the Club must also advise such prior notice to the Secretary or Captain of the opposing team(s) and the Umpire(s) appointed to such match(es).
(e) Where an Official Umpire has been appointed to a match in which a team has forfeited, such team is also responsible for the payment of the Umpiring Fee should such Umpire not be re-appointed to another match that day.
(f) If a Club is unable to field one or more teams, then the team(s) forfeiting shall be the lower or lowest graded team(s) of that Club.
(g) Any Club whose team forfeits a match shall be fined and the amount of such fine is listed in Schedule "A" of the Constitution.
(h) In addition, the Executive Committee may set any extra penalty for such forfeit(s) as it sees fit.
(i) A team that forfeits cannot name any players for that round. A team receiving a forfeit must name their side and enter the result of the match as instructed in Special Match Rule 13.
Fines
16. All fines imposed for any infringement of the foregoing Special Match Rules are subject to the provisions of Section 32 of the Constitution.
Schedule "A"
Subscription and Nomination Fees | ||
Section 24(a) | Annual Club Subscription, (per Team) | $ 160.00 |
Section 24 (b) | Nomination Fee for a New Club (includes Annual Subscription for one team) | $ 200.00 |
Section 24 (d) | Payment after 31st October – (Per Club) | $ 60.00 |
Fines | ||
Section 18 | Meeting Non-attendance (per Club) | $20.00 |
Section 29(b) | Non-registration of Player (per Player) | $10.00 |
Rule 6(c) | Late Starting of Match (per Team) | $20.00 |
Rule 11(b) | Incorrect Playing Attire (per Player) | $5.00 |
Rule 13 (f) | Team not selected (per team) | $20.00 |
Rule 13 (f) | Scores or results not entered on website (per team) | $20.00 |
Rule 13 (f) | Illegible or incomplete Scorebook | $20.00 |
Rule 14 (c) | Captains Report not submitted | $10.00 |
Rule 14 (c) | Club Report not received (per Club) | $20.00 |
Rule 15 (g) | Forfeit of Match (per Team) | $50.00 |
Section 26 (e) | Withdrawal of team | $250.00 |
Schedule "B"
From Special Match Rule 12 (b) | Points |
|---|---|
Outright win after a lead on the first innings | 11 |
Outright win after a tie on the first innings | 9 |
Outright win after a loss on the first innings | 6 |
Outright loss after a lead on the first innings | 6 |
Outright loss after a tie on the first innings | 3 |
Outright loss after a loss on the first innings | Nil |
Win on the first innings | 6 |
Loss on the first Innings | 1 |
* Tie on the first innings | (each team) 3 |
* Tie on a completed match with lead on the 1st innings | 9 |
* Tie on a completed match with tie on the 1st innings | (each team) 6 |
* Tie on a completed match with loss on the 1st innings | 3 |
+ Drawn match | (each team) 3 |
Team forfeiting match | Nil |
Team receiving forfeit | 6 |
Bye | 6 |