** Without Exception, ALL players MUST have completed & signed an Individual Registration Form PRIOR to participation in their first match of the season. Failure to do so, will result in that team being penalized by way of forfeit, 2 Round captain suspension & loss of 6 Fixture points irrespective of the match result.
** Teams un-financial by way of failure to pay Ground Fees, Umpire Fees OR Ball fees by Close of Play on the day the match was played will be penalized by way of forfeit & loss of 4 Fixture points irrespective of the match result.
** Approved Winter Cricket branded 4 Piece Leather Balls must be utilised throughout the 2024 competition. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture. Mid match replacement balls subject to umpire and opposition approval.
** Teams that are not named by 11pm Friday night or Teams that are Late to Coin Toss, Without giving notice to Competition Organiser will lose 2 Competition points regardless of the result.
1. Hours and Conditions of play
1.1 Hours of play
(a) Morning Session 10:30am to 1:25pm.
Lunch 1:25pm to 1:45pm.
Afternoon Session 1:45pm to 4:40pm.
(b) Where play is delayed, or interrupted, the Umpires will vary the length of the interval as
follows:
Time Lost Interval
Up to 60 minutes 25 minutes
Between 60 & 120 minutes 15 minutes
More than 120 minutes 10 minutes
(c) Should the innings of the team batting first terminate prior to 11.30 am, the innings of the
team batting second shall commence after the usual 10 minutes interval. Otherwise, the
lunch interval shall be taken immediately after the close of the innings.
At the conclusion of the lunch interval (maximum of 30 minutes), the team batting second, shall
commence its innings.
1.2 Length of Innings
Uninterrupted Match: 40 overs per team
(a) Each team shall bat for 40 (6-ball) overs, unless sooner dismissed
(b) If the team fielding first fails to bowl 40 overs by the time for the interval, the
innings of the team batting second shall be limited to the same number of overs as
they have delivered.
(c) If the team batting first is dismissed in less than 40 overs, the team batting second
shall be entitled to bat for the full 40 overs. This is subject to (d) below
(d) If the last wicket falls at, of after the time for the interval, but during an over
commenced before this time, the team batting second shall be entitled to receive
the same number of overs as they have delivered; fractions of overs count as full
overs for this purpose.
e) If the team fielding second fails to bowl the target number of overs (as defined in a,
b, c & d) by the scheduled time of cessation of play, the house of play shall be
extended until the required number of overs is bowled, a result is achieved or
weather conditions intervene.
1.3 Length of Innings
Interrupted/ delayed match
The calculation of the number of overs to be bowled shall be on the basis of 15 overs
per hour. In all calculations below, fractions of overs count as full overs
(a) For any match in which the start is delayed by weather, the compulsory closure
time shall be adjusted on a pro-rate basis to the available playing time. This means
the interval will occur midway in the time available to play. The target number of
overs shall be reduced on the basis of one over for each four (4) minutes of part
thereof, lost from the time available for the first innings.
(b) In the event of an interruption the first innings, once started, the innings target
number of overs will be reduced by the result of apportioning overs to time lost on
the same basis. The interval will be taken as originally scheduled in 1.1 or as
rearranged in 1.3 (b) – in the event that the start has already been delayed.
(c) If the team fielding first fails to bowl the target number of overs by the
scheduled time for the interval, the innings of the team batting second shall be
limited to the same number of overs as they delivered.
(d) If the team fielding second fails to bowl the target numbers of overs (as defined
in (a), (b) & (c) by the scheduled time of cessation of play, the hours of play shall
be extended until the required number of overs is bowled, a result is achieved, or
weather conditions intervene.
(e) If the team batting first is dismissed in less than maximum overs, (normally 40
overs, the team batting second shall be entitled to bat for the maximum number of
overs. The team batting second shall not bat for a greater number of overs than their
opponents, except for this case, (see (1.2 d)
(f) If the innings of the team batting second is delayed or interrupted and it is
not possible for that team to bat for the calculated number of overs, the overs to
be bowled shall be reduced on the basis of 1.3 (a)
(g) For any interrupted or delayed match, if it is not possible for each team to bat for
at least 20 overs each, then the match will be abandoned as a Draw. This does not
apply if either team is dismissed in less than 20 overs or the team batting second
achieves its target victory in less than 20 overs.
(h) If play is abandoned after 20 overs are bowled in the second innings of the match
but before a result has been achieved, the result shall be determined by comparing the
actual run rate of the team batting second with the target run rate as calculated at the
end of the first innings. These calculations shall be made to one decimal place, so that
5.1 and 5.14 are the same, but 5.15 is the same as 5.2.
1.4 Number of Overs per Bowler
(a) No Bowler shall bowl more than eight (8) overs in any innings.
(b) In a delayed or interrupted match, the maximum number of overs permitted to
each bowler (who has not at that stage used his allocated overs) will be a total of one fifth
of the nearest multiple of five great than the new innings target number of overs.
(c) In the event of a bowler breaking down and being unable to finish an over, another
bowler, legally entitled to bowl shall complete the over. For the purpose of counting the
number of overs delivered by a bowler, any part over counts as a full over by each
bowler. Such overs must be carefully annotated on each scoresheet.
1.5 No Balls
(a) Law 21.1 of the Laws of Cricket apply except that no bowler may deliver the ball
underarm
(b) Either umpire shall call and signal a No Ball in the following instances:
(i) If the ball bounces more than twice on the batting pitch or stops before
reaching the popping crease at the strikers end or does not rise.
(ii) All full pitched balls (all bowlers) above waist height.
(iii) One bouncer between shoulder & head permitted per over ONLY. Beyond that a
No-ball is to be called at the official umpire’s discretion
(iv) Field restrictions requirements are not met in accordance with Rule 7 (x).
(c) ALL No-Balls will constitute a Free Hit to the batsmen where fielding positions CANNOT
change (unless the batsmen cross ends)
Only the bowler’s end umpire shall call above the waist No-Balls. It is at the discretion of the
official umpire if he wants or accepts assistance from the square leg umpire for the
purposes of No-ball calls.
1.6 Wide Ball – Judging a Wide
Umpires are instructed to apply a very strict and consistent interpretation in regard to
this law in one-day games in order to prevent negative bowling wide of the wicket.
Leg side
– All balls that pass down the leg side of leg stump and behind the striker shall be
interpreted as negative bowling and called “Wide”.
The delivery is not a Wide if:
– The ball passes between the striker and leg stump.
Offside
A delivery shall be called “Wide” if:
– The ball passes outside the “Wide Guideline (Off Side)” with the batsman in a
“normal” batting stance.
– The ball passes wide of the return crease, regardless of the striker bringing it within
reach but failing to make contact.
– A right arm bowler bowling around the wicket to a right-hand batsman or a left
arm bowler bowling around the wicket to a left-hand batsman bowls full pitched
yorkers on the off side just within the “Wide Guideline (Off Side)”.
The delivery is not a Wide if:
– The batsman moves to the off side and brings the ball within reach so he can hit it
with a normal cricket stroke but fails to make contact despite it passing outside the
“Wide Guideline (Off Side)”.
The above provisions do not apply if the striker makes contact with the ball.
1.7 Leg Side Fielding Limitation
No more than five (5) fielders are allowed on the leg side at the instant of delivery in a
one-day game, with not more than two fielders behind the popping crease.
1.8 The Result
(a) A result can only be achieved if each side has batted for at least 20 overs, as stated.
If no result is achieved, or if no play occurs, a drawn match shall be the outcome.
(b) In matches in which a result can be achieved, and in which each team has had the
opportunity of batting for the target number of overs, the winner shall be the team
scoring the highest number of runs. If, in this case, the scores are level, the result
will be a tie and no account shall be taken of the number of wickets lost.
(c) In matches for which a result can be achieved, and in which the team batting second
has not had the opportunity to bat for the target number of overs and has neither
been dismissed of passed its opponent’s score, the result shall be decided on the
average rune rate throughout each innings, subject to:
(i) If, due to an interruption in play during the innings of the team batting second, the
target number of overs is reduced. The target number of runs required for victory
shall be the average run rate multiplied by the new target number of overs. For this
purpose, the target score is calculated to the nearest whole number, so that for
example, 199.4 become 199 but 199.5 become 200. This is subject to:
(ii) If play is abandoned in these circumstances, apply by-law 1.3 (i)
e.g.:
Using a 40 over innings: (2nd innings reduced to 20 overs)
Note: e.g.: Where the first team bats through innings.
Team batting first = 200 runs in 40 overs = 4.00
Team batting second = 102 runs in 20 overs = 5.10
Using a 40 over innings (game washed out after 25 overs in 2 innings)
Where team does not bat through innings, (all out)
Team batting first = 150 runs in 30 overs = 3.00
Team batting second = 90 runs in 25 overs = 3.60
(d) Premiership: Refer to By-Law 2 (a)
(e) Where there is no badged umpire in attendance, each captain should sign the
opposition’s scorebook at the end of the game to confirm the result.
2. Determining of finalists and semi-finalist
Order of Merit:
(a) If two (2) teams are equal on points or if more than the set number of semi-finalist
are in contention for the semi-finals by virtue of their fixture point scores, semifinalist
in order of merit will be determined by:
(i) The greater Net run rate (as outlined on PlayCricket)
(ii) Head to Head wins
(b) For a six-team grade (or larger) the four semi-finalists shall be the four (4) teams
with the highest number of fixture points / greater ladder position. (1v4) & (2v3)
3. Playing of a Semi-Final & Final
(a) Semi-Finals: In the case of a semi-final being abandoned prior to the start of play, the higher
placed team on the ladder progresses.
(b) In the case of a semi-final being a tie, the higher placed team on the ladder progresses.
(c) Finals: In the case of a final being abandoned prior to the start of play the final will be
rescheduled as per allocated spare washout days (2 spare days max)
(d) Venue: To be the designated home ground of the higher placed team UNLESS
mutually agreed upon by both captains, Event Organi ser & Venue
representatives (prior to the normal starting time of the match)
(e) Hours of Play: Same as normal fixtures. (rule 1.1(a))
(f) Eligibility – Refer to 7. (vi)
Note: In circumstance where semi-finals cannot be programmed, teams 1 & 2 will proceed direct
to the final
4. Determination of Premiers
Determination of Premiers if play takes place in the final.
(a) The team securing a win shall be declared premiers. If a match is drawn, then the team
leading on points at the end of fixtures (minor premiers) or as determined by 2. (a) Shall be
declared premiers.
(b) If the result of the final is a tie, then joint premiers shall be declared.
5. Premiership points score
In deciding premierships, points shall count as follows.
Win 6 points
Draw or Tie 3 points
Loss 0 points
No bonus points shall apply to games.
Note: In the event of a forfeit, the team receiving the forfeit shall receive the maximum number of
points awarded in that grade for that fixture and as its run rate for that fixture the maximum rate
achieved in that grade for that fixture.
(a) If for any reason the result of a game is declared void by the Executive, the result is not
automatically reversed, except at the discretion of the Executive
6. Awards – Eligibility
Batting Aggregate Award:
(a) To be considered for a Winter Cricket competition batting award, a player must have
physically participated in five (5) fixtures in that season (or listed in the teams 12 names
within PlayCricket for any abandoned matches). In addition, the player must have scored
at least 120 runs.
Bowling Most Wickets Award:
(b) To be considered for a Winter Cricket competition bowling award, a player must have
physically participated in five (5) fixtures in that season (or listed in the teams 12 names
within PlayCricket for any abandoned matches).In addition, the player must have bowled
at least 192 balls.
(c) In the event of a team withdrawing from, or failing to complete the season’s program of
matches, no player in that team shall be eligible for an award
(d) No player in any club shall be eligible for an award, if at the end of the season that club is
indebted to Winter Cricket or any club affiliated with Winter Cricket
7. Miscellaneous
(i) Players under 18 while batting must wear full protection including helmet at all times to all bowlers.
(ii) Players to be named in PlayCricket Friday night (a MAXIMUM of 13 players per
game to be listed in PlayCricket) with 12 players playable with 2 being Super Subs
and MUST be noted/advised to opposition Captain prior to match commencing. i.e.
1 bowls but doesn’t bat, and one bats but doesn’t bowl
(iii) A player arriving late to a game is allowed to bowl/bat straight away
(iv) A player who leaves the field for greater than 15 minutes, after a match
commences, cannot bowl/bat until they have been back on the field/play has recommenced
for the amount of time that they were off it.
Super subs are excluded from this condition.
(v) Replacement Players unnamed on Friday night in PlayCricket but looking to fill in/replace a player on match day must be approved by the Official Umpire AND is to be loaded into PlayCricket along with Individual Registration Form completed prior to participation in the match (if they are already not there/done so for insurance purposes)
(vi) To qualify for Saturday semi-finals/finals a player must have at least physically played/participated in 5 matches. All players are to be listed on PlayCricket as a record of their participation. Players outside this qualification must be submitted to the Event Organiser for review consideration.
To qualify for Sunday finals all players must be named or at least played in 3 or more rounds to qualify for semi finals. Any selections outside of this must be formally approved by Competition Manager.
(vii) Players uniforms to be either coloured (excluding Predominantly Pink or Predominantly white when a respective coloured ball is used for that match) and MUST be predominantly consistent throughout that team for that match OR approval sought from umpire & opposition captain.
(viii) ALL players must wear spikes when playing on the Turf wicket (batters, bowlers AND fielders)
(ix) Per season, players shall not play for multiple clubs or teams within the competition
without formal approval from PlayCricket and Event Organiser. Players may play
for the same club up to as many as 3 games in a higher grade, before requiring
Event Organiser clearance to then play in the same clubs lower grade.
Subsequently, to be eligible to qualify for Semi Finals or Finals; a player MUST
have physically played a minimum of 4 games or more in that grade OR lower
(with total required physical minimum games played to be 5 for that club)
(x) Clubs with multiple teams in a single grade cannot swap players between teams without permission from the Competition Manager.
(xi) Fielding restrictions:
Power Play:
1-8 overs ONLY 2 fielders permitted outside the inner circle
9-32 overs 4 fielders permitted outside the inner circle
33-40 overs 5 fielders permitted outside the inner circle
No more than 2 fielder behind square leg at any one point
Numbers exceeding the above will be deemed a No-ball
xii) It is strongly recommended all batsmen when batting, and Wicket Keepers Keeping up to the stumps, and fielders within 5mtrs of the batsmen utilise a helmet for their safety and protection. Participants who opt not to do so, understand and do so at their own risk.
These rules shall take effect from Effective 28th April 2019 – They are to be read
in addition to and in conjunction with the MCC Laws-of-Cricket-2017-Code-Final & Updates to
Laws of Cricket v4.1 2nd Edition.
8. Grading of teams and players
A) 1st Grade, our premier grade, there is no player limitations for this grade. Open to all levels of players.
B) 2nd Grade, no 1st or 2nd grade QCA Premier players or Equivalent. Limit of 2 LDCA 1st grade players without prior approval from competition manager. All GC district 1st grade players playing in 2nd grade must be approved by competition manager.
If you are unsure of grading for a particular player contact Competition Manager. If these rules are not adhered to, it will be automatic forfeit and lost of fixture points.
9. WICKET FEES POLICY – WET WEATHER:
Turf Wicket Fees are payable on all days where ANY play is possible. Where wet weather prevents a start of play that day, (ie: where Winter Cricket or the Ground Authority/Club or Winter Cricket) or the Officiating Umpire, deems that play cannot commence, then wicket fees are not payable for that day. Synthetic Wicket Fees are payable on all days where a minimum of 10 overs of play has completed. Umpire Fees are payable on all days where a minimum of 10 overs of play has completed.