2024 Under 12s Stage 2 Level Rules

1. Team and Player Registrations 

All players/Parents or Caregivers are to read and Sign Winter Crickets individual player registration forms before commencing in their 1st match.

All teams are to pay nominated registration fees before the date given by thetournament director.

2. Competition Rules  

Competition shall be played under CA Junior Format Stage 2 rules.

Teams consist of Nine (9) players on the field with a maximum of 11 players named who must bowl (if they are present at the game). In each innings, all players nominated must be given the opportunity to participate in the match in either batting or bowling. A team is considered all out when 8 wickets have fallen, if a team does not have a full complement of players, the batting team is able to continue batting using previously dismissed batters until all 8 wickets have been taken. The order of returning batsman will be lowest scoring batsman first.

Age Guidelines

The following age guidelines apply as at 31 August of preceding year.

• Age determination shall be the player’s age as of 31 August on the preceding Summer Season year of registration.
• Girls may play 2 years over-age in a younger division.
• Should any Club or Team be found to have played any ineligible player, the points for the match in which the ineligible player has played will not be awarded to that Team.
• Permanent player(s) transfers between teams/clubs or temporary transfers for more than one game need to be approved by the Competition Coordinator.
• Players must be minimum of 9 years old before competing in a match OR seek approval from Event Organiser.

2a. Dress Code

• Helmets: All players must wear helmets when batting. Clubs are to make helmets available to players.
• Batsmen: In accordance with Australian Cricket Well Played Guidelines players in all Division’s will wear Pads, Gloves, and Groin Protector.
• Wicketkeepers: In all Divisions are to wear helmets when keeping up at the stumps at all times as well as Groin protectors. Helmets are optional, but strongly recommended, when keeping back from the stumps.

2b. Equipment 

• Stumps 78.7cm (31”) No metal tips or ferrules (These are banned)
• No match will commence unless the correct balls are provided and used.
• Any team that does not provide correct balls so a game cannot commence will forfeit the match with the corresponding points applied, if applicable.

 2c. Scoring  

• The use of electronic scoring applications is permitted and encouraged.
• A backup hard copy scoresheet is completed by at least one of the teams.
• The application allows the export of scoresheets in hard copy
• The scorer is proficient in manually scoring
• The coaches at the end of a match agree that both manual and electronic scores match
• Scorebooks are to be supplied by teams’ own club

2d. Disputes 

• Coaches must make a written note of any incident including the names, times and details of those involved and any action taken before leaving the ground if a complaint is to be made.
• Any disagreements regarding rules interpretations that cannot be resolved immediately without affecting the flow of the game will not be discussed until an appropriate innings break or after the match.
• Under no circumstances are coaches, other adults or players that are not umpiring\playing to enter the field of play or in any other way disrupt a game in progress due to any disagreement on the conduct of the game.
• The decision of the person in the central umpire position regarding the passage of play will stand regardless of the disagreement until consensus is reached on a mutually agreeable outcome.

2e. Coaches Responsibilities 

• Except in the case of finals, and where a groundsman advises a match is unable to commence due to ground conditions, Coaches are the responsible authority at the ground during a match.
• Coaches may amend playing conditions on the day to suit conditions and player ability. Any changes must be agreed by both coaches and applied equitably for the entire match.
• All issues from any player, spectator or parent are to be dealt by the coaches away from parents and players, this includes umpiring disputes which shall also be resolved between the coaches off the field at innings breaks.
• Coaches may not reverse previous umpiring decisions but may counsel non-finals umpires that do not hold formal Level 1 Umpiring Qualifications and if necessary, replace or take the place of umpires apart from finals matches.
• All team coaches will hold a minimum of an Australian Cricket Community Coaching Qualification. The coach or another responsible person with Community Coaching Level Qualifications must be present at each match.
• The Umpire from the batting team will be the central umpire while their team is batting unless agreed otherwise with the opposition team coach (e.g. Central Umpire and Square Leg will not swap at the end of an over)

2f. Ground Conditions 

• Groundsman in attendance has full control of grounds at all times and if the groundsman determines that no play is possible, then both team officials must accept this as final and play will not be permitted to start or continue.
• If no groundsman is in attendance, officials from both teams will assess the fitness of the grounds as described hereafter and make the decisions.
• All players are to be present at the normal time for start of play even if it is raining. Except that if the home team official notifies the opposing team official on the day before that play would not be possible on the day of play, then the players are not required to be present at the normal time for start of play and play is abandoned for the day.
• If, at the normal time for the start of play, both team officials agree that play is not possible for the day, then play is abandoned for the day.
• If, at the normal time for the start of play, either or both team officials believe that a delayed start of play could occur, then the teams must wait at the ground until one hour after the normal starting time of play to reassess the fitness of the grounds and the playing conditions.
• If playing conditions are such that play is possible, reasonable efforts must be made to improve the wicket and ground surfaces using tools such as brooms or squeegees to make it safe for the players. If after reasonable endeavors to improve the wicket and ground surfaces have been made and if either team official

2g. Balls

• The nominated Winter Cricket ball is to be used in all matches.
• 142 Gram 2 Piece Winter Cricket T20 to be purchased through Winter Cricket

2h. Grounds 

Grounds are to be nominated at the start of each season when filling in Team registrations forms

• Boundaries to be between 35 and 40 mtrs measured from the Batsmen’s / Strikers end crease.
• Pitch Length will be 18 Mtrs

2i. Day and Duration of play 

Where Innings will be 25 overs per side

• Games to be played on designated Saturdays between the hours of 8am to 11.15am
• Team batting 1st 8.00 am- 9.33 am
• Team batting 2nd 9.43 am 11.16 am
• Note 1: A drinks break not exceeding 3 minutes may be taken mid-way through each innings. To assist with keeping time teams should be bowling 2 overs for each 7 minutes.

Where Innings will be 20 overs per side

• Games to be played on designated Saturdays between the hours of 8am to10.25am
• Team batting 1st 8.00 am- 9.11 am
• Team batting 2nd 9.14 am – 10.25 am
• Note 1: A drinks break not exceeding 3 minutes may be taken mid-way through each innings. To assist with keeping time teams should be bowling 2 overs for each 7 minutes.

2j. Retirement of players 

• Batters may retire from 15 balls, but MUST retire at a maximum of 30 balls faced
• Retired batters can return once the other batters have been dismissed.

2k. Fielding Distances and Limits 

• 10 mtrs measured from the crease of the striking batter, unless wicket keeping, fielding in the slips or gully positions.
• The Umpire after giving no less than 2 warnings to the fielding side per innings will call a no ball if the above fielding distances are breached.
• To ensure adequate participation and rest periods the defined changeover period for wicketkeepers is to be a maximum of 13 overs per Wicket Keeper for 25 over innings matches and a maximum of 11 overs per Wicket Keeper for 20 over innings matches.

2l. Bowling restrictions 

• No bowler is to bowl their 3rd over until every bowler has bowled 2 overs.
• Max 4 overs per match with a maximum of 8 balls per over.

2m. Wides and No balls  

• LEG-SIDE: A ball which pitches outside the line of the leg-side danger area indicator (a line drawn 90 cm from the middle stump) and continues to move down the leg side, as a guide, should be called a wide.
• OFF-SIDE: A ball which passes the batsman outside the line of the off-side marker (a line drawn 120 cm from the off Stump), as a guide, should be called a wide
• Any ball that is hit by the batsman regardless of where it pitches shall not be called a wide. Any ball that bounces off the pitch shall be called a no ball including when hit by the batsman.
• Any short-pitched delivery that rises over shoulder height or an unpitched delivery that would have passed on the full above waist height of the striker (belly button not pants height) standing upright at the popping crease shall be immediately called a no ball. This is regardless of whether delivery is a slow paced one, spin or not.

2n. Weather  

• In the event of time lost after the commencement of play, the number of overs lost shall be calculated at the rate of two (2) overs for every Seven (7) minutes of playing time. Overs will only be deducted is insufficient time is available prior to the scheduled finish time to complete the full overs for the match.
• In the case of weather shortening the innings of one or both of the teams, at least 7 overs having been faced by both teams will constitute sufficient overs to calculate a result
• In the case where one side faces fewer overs than the other, straight run rate (runs scored/overs faced) will be used to calculate the winner. The team with the greater run rate will be declared the winner.
• Should any team be unable to commence play within (15) fifteen minutes of the schedule time a forfeit may be claimed by the non-offending side. The Waiting officials can only suggest an adjustment so the game can go ahead. Any decision made prior to play and agreed upon cannot be changed once game has started with the agreed adjustment.

3. Participation rules and general game etiquette. 

Player’s participation and development is to be the overriding principle observed in this Division.

To this end and to further the skill levels considering differing abilities coaches must bat and bowl their more capable players at the top of the order and their developing players at the bottom of the order.

The more capable and developing players must be rotated each match within their half of the order to ensure participation.

For example, a team with four capable batsmen must bat at positions 1 to 4 and be rotated within those positions each match so one isn’t opening all the time. Similarly bottom order batsmen must be rotated within positions 6 to 9. This also applies to more capable and developing bowlers in the bowling order selection.

A minimum of 5 players must be available on each team before a match can commence.

3a. Batting 

• Batters who are dismissed must leave the wicket immediately.
• No Batter shall bat again retired or “Dismissed” until all batsmen have batted at least once.
• Batters must return in strict order of retirement
• Batters may retire from 15 balls, but MUST retire at a maximum of 30 balls faced
• The innings will be closed at the fall of the 8th wicket

3b. Bowling 

• Bowling is performed from one end.
• Balls shall be allowed to bounce twice without being called a No Ball. A third bounce will be called a No Ball.
• All players must bowl a minimum of 2 overs (Including Wicket Keepers) before any player bowls their third over. (Unless a player is injured and unable to bowl)
• An over shall consist of (6) fair balls to a maximum of 8 balls per over. (No more than 2 wides or No balls to be re-bowled)
• Any front foot no ball will result in a free hit next ball for the on-strike Batter
• If the following ball is a wide or no ball the ball needs to be re bowled and the free hit remains 

3c. Fielding 

• Rotation of fielders is recommended to ensure all players experience all positions.
• Coaches should work out rotational system for fielding enabling the bowling order to set up the fielding positions. The player bowling the next over should be fielding at mid-off.
• To ensure adequate participation and rest periods the defined changeover period for wicketkeepers is to be a maximum of 13 overs per Wicket Keeper.

3d. LBW 

• The first time a player is given “out” LBW, it is to be treated as a warning (wicket does not count). If the next LBW is appealed and deemed “out”, the batsman is dismissed

3e. Results and Scoring  

• Results including players scores need to be entered within 48 hours from the end of the game.
• 4 Points system for PlayCricket
  Match Win = 3 points
  Match Loss = 1 Point
  Abandoned Match = 0 points
  Match Drawn/Tie = 2 points
  Bye = 3 points 
• Winning on a forfeit will result in 3 points and 0 Points for team declaring the forfeit.

5. Finals 

• Finals will be played on the designated finals weekend, or in the case of a total washout, be moved to the Alternate weekend at the discretion of the Competition coordinator.
• Finals regarding ladder position will be decided once the number of teams entered has been finalised, e.g 4 teams will be top 2. 8 Teams finals will be Top 4.
• Players are not eligible to play in a final unless they have played a minimum of 5 games during the season for that team.

6. Fees 

Registration Fee for this competition will be $150 per Side.

7. Laws of Cricket 

Unless otherwise stipulated in these playing regulations the normal laws of cricket apply (MCC)

ALL FORMS OF ALCHOHOL ARE NOT PERMITTED IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN THE MATCH AS A SPECTATOR/COACH/SCORER. 

8. Child Protection strategies and procedures. 

All children who participate in Winter Cricket organised activities have a right to feel and be safe. Winter Cricket is committed to ensuring that the safety, welfare and wellbeing of children participating in our activities is maintained at all times. Winter Cricket is committed to ensuring the continued emotional and skills development through the provision of coaching programs and training for District clubs.

• All volunteers (coaches, managers and scorers) involved with junior players must hold a Suitability Card before they take any role, unless exempt under the Commission for Children and Young People Guardian Act 2000. (A parent involved with a team who has a child in that team is exempt).
• Each Club\Association will maintain a register of all suitability card holders in a secure place.
• All volunteers involved with the management and development of young cricketers must follow the code of conduct appropriate to the position held (e.g., coach)
• All volunteers are made aware of the appropriate policies and position descriptions.
• All volunteers of the Competition must ensure that the following areas are handled in an appropriate manner –
  • Collect and register players’ medical and indemnity details according to the Privacy Act 1998.
  • use of language
  • physical contact
  • relationships
  • discipline
  • bullying, and
  • general behaviour
• Where volunteers are given responsibility for representative teams, wherever possible, there will be more than one person with each group of children.
• If there are girls in the group, every effort will be made to ensure that a female supervisor is available.
• Volunteer team officials are to insist that all children are picked up by their parents or guardians.
• Volunteer team officials will be advised to never leave a child alone.
• In training situations, ensure that after dark there is adequate lighting.
• Ensure that toilets and change room facilities are safe.
• Do not take a child into a vehicle unless you have express permission from the child’s parent or guardian. This permission should be on file for reference.
• When training or playing competitively undertake all precautions to ensure the safety of the child.
• Should any abnormal occurrence be observed, an incident report must be completed and provided to the Club President (or his representative), within 24 hours of the incident occurring.
• Winter Cricket should satisfy itself that affiliated clubs are aware of their responsibilities under the Commission for Children and Young People Guardian Act 2000.

9. Etiquette

Toss of the coin 

• The home team captain should always have a coin for the toss
• The home team captain tosses the coin, the opposition captain calls
• The toss of the coin should be out on the pitch to be played upon
• Captains should always shake hands prior and after the toss.

Entering the playing field for commencement of play 

Bowling 

• Do not practice on the pitch before starting your over.
• Always tell the umpire your bowling action (e.g. right arm over the wicket) before you start bowling.
• Always make sure that the batsmen, wicket keeper, umpire and fielders are ready before you start your run-up
• Always warn the non-facing batsman if he is out of his crease before you enter your delivery stride. You are perfectly entitled to stump his wicket if you have warned him once
• Do not run in front of the umpire after you have delivered the ball. Not only will you damage the pitch, but it will also prevent him seeing whether the batsman is out LBW, and when in doubt umpires will always favor the batsman.
• Always accept the umpire’s decision
• If questioning the umpire on a point, do it calmly and politely – accept his response
• Umpires are always the first to enter the playing field
• The fielding side then takes the field, led by their captain.
• The two batsmen enter after the fielding team.

Fielding 

• Always clap opposing batsman on to the field. 
• Always clap the last pair of batsmen off the field at the end of their innings, walking off behind them
• Do not waste time between each ball of an over – throw the ball back to the bowler underarm via the fielders quickly and accurately.
• Change quickly between overs, not wasting time deciding who should bowl and who should be fielding where.
• When chasing a ball to the boundary always signal four runs by raising your arm as soon as the ball has crossed the line.
• Acknowledge 50 or 100 runs scored by a batsman.

Batting 

• Always support your team-mates when they are batting and clap them in when they have finished their innings. Do not shout advice from the boundary, it will distract, not help, them.
• Do not wander off, play football or other games. Watch the play when you are waiting to bat as you will learn a lot from observing e.g. what the bowling is like, who are the best and worst fielders, etc.
• Help to keep the scoreboard ticking over – updating it at the end of each over will help your batsmen keep tabs on the current run rate.
• Do not pester the scorers. It is difficult enough for them to concentrate without the distraction of being asked the score
• Always clap the opposing side back in at the end of the game before helping to clear up the ground. It you have been batting yourself, walk off first together with your partner then clap the opposition with your team mates
• Always accept the umpire’s decision
• If questioning the umpire on a point, do it calmly and politely – accept his response

During play 

• The batting team should sit together on the sidelines, where shade is available (except where individuals may be warming up in preparation for batting)
• Under no circumstances is a player or any other person to leave or re-enter the field of play without notifying the umpire apart from rotational fielding changes with teams of more than 9 players.

Leaving the field 

• The batsmen are always first to leave the playing field
• The fielding team follows the batsmen.

Sledging 

• Winter Cricket Junior competition does not tolerate sledging of any kind.
• Any attempt by the fielding team to verbally put a batsman off his/her game needs to be within the spirit of cricket and enforced by the captain of the team
• The umpire will provide a minimum of two warnings to the team captain and player(s) involved should sledging occur. On third warning the player(s) concerned will be asked to leave the field for 15 minutes with no substitutes allowed.
• Any further incidents will result in the player being sat out for the remainder of that day and a report made that players club by the umpire.

General 

• Always follow your team manager’s and captain’s instruction without argument.
  Examples of bad behaviour:
  • Challenging the batting order;
  • Congregating around the captain and asking to bowl the next over;
  • Refusing to bowl uphill and/or into the wind;
  • Showing disinterest/not concentrating while fielding;
• Arrive in plenty of time before a home game i.e. 30 minutes before the start, to help with match preparations and also stay behind to help put away kit/equipment and boundary markers/flags.
• Bad language will not be tolerated on or off the cricket pitch.
• The captains should always shake hands with the opposing skipper and with the umpires, thanking them for the game.
• Take care of all cricket equipment and facilities.