1.
Except as specified in the playing conditions, the Laws of Cricket (Code
2000) will apply.
Fixtures
2.
The scheduled fixtures and normal starting times will be as printed
in the HKCA Rules Handbook or as circulated by League & Cup Committee
during the season.
Postponement
of Matches
3.
a) Postponement of competition matches and changes of venue will not
be normally permitted, and requests for blank dates and other particular
arrangements must be made before the season commences except as provided
for in the rules for knock-out competitions. In extraordinary circumstances,
requests may be made to the Match And Disciplinary Committee (MDC) whose
decision shall be final.
b) If Saturday or Sunday League matches are affected by adverse weather
conditions to the extent that a result cannot be achieved, the points
for that match will be evenly split between the teams. In the event
of disagreement, the matter shall be referred to the MDC whose decision
will be final.
Ground,
Weather and Light
4.
Before the Toss has taken place, the decision with regard to the fitness
of the ground will rest with the authority responsible for the maintenance
of the ground, or in the absence of the ground authority, Umpires appointed
by HKCA, or in their absence, the team captains. Once the Toss has taken
place:
a) The Umpires appointed by HKCA shall be sole judges of the fitness
of the ground, weather and light for play. However, before deciding
not to start, or to suspend, or not to resume play after an interval
or stoppage, the Umpires shall establish whether both Captains (the
batsmen at the wicket may deputise for their Captain) wish to commence
or to continue in the prevailing conditions; if so, their wishes shall
be met. In addition, if during play the Umpires decide that the light
is unfit, only the batting side shall have the option of continuing
play. If, after agreeing to continue to play in unfit conditions either
Captain subsequently wishes play to be suspended, he may appeal to the
Umpires, who shall uphold the appeal only if, in their opinion, conditions
have deteriorated since the arrangement to continue was made.
b) After any suspension of play, the Umpires, unaccompanied by any of
the players or officials, shall, on their own initiative, carry out
an inspection immediately the conditions improve, and shall continue
to inspect at intervals.
c) Immediately the Umpires decide that play is possible, they shall
call upon the players to resume the game.
d) In the event that no official Umpires are present it will be the
responsibility of the two Captains at all times to decide on the fitness
of the prevailing conditions for play to proceed. If the two Captains
are unable to agree, the teams shall remain at the ground for one hour
after the scheduled start, at which point the home Captain will decide
on the suitability for play.
Note: For Saturday League games, see Saturday League Rule 3.
Disputes
5.
All disputes during a match shall be determined by the Umpires appointed
by HKCA or in their absence, by the team captains. If they disagree
the existing state of affairs shall continue. Rulings given by the MDC
on any disputes brought before them shall be final.
Match
And Disciplinary Committee (MDC)
6.
A Match Disciplinary Committee shall be elected annually by the HKCA
League & Cup Committee and shall consist of three members elected
by the League & Cup Committee. This committee shall be the authority
within the HKCA (subject to the authority of the Executive Committee)
for all decisions regarding the playing of an HKCA league match, cup
fixture, Summer 8’s or representative match or tour. The MDC is
empowered to make retrospective decisions on any of the above and impose
whatever sanctions it deems appropriate.
Registration
and Eligibility of Players
7.
a) Individual membership of the HKCA is available in the following categories:-
- Life
Member
- Ordinary
Member
- Junior
Member
b)
Prior to the start of the league season, each team is required to register
a minimum of 11 players and pay the requisite individual membership
and team fees. The names and addresses of all players to be registered
must be submitted at this time.
c) Should the said individual and team membership fees not be made by
the team prior to the commencement of the season, consideration will
be given to removing the team from the League or Cup competitions for
the current season. Any matches played prior to payment of the membership
fee may be declared null and void. The MDC may award full points to
the non-offending team.
d) Playing a non-registered player may result in the deduction of league
points. However, an individual may play a maximum of 3 games in the
League/Cup without being required to be registered. The MDC shall be
the final authority.
e) No non-member of the HKCA shall be chosen to represent any Association
side in representative games. It shall be the responsibility of the
Chairman of Selectors to ensure that all representative players are
members of the HKCA.
Transfer
of Players
8.
A player shall not, without the prior permission of the MDC, play for
more than one team in the same competition. Applications for transfer
must be submitted in writing to the Chairman of the MDC at least 72
hours before the transfer is required to take effect. This must be accompanied
by the written approval of the Captain of the player’s previous
team. Breaches of this rule will be referred to the MDC who may impose
appropriate sanctions including, the deduction of league points or removal
of the offending team from the Cup competition.
The
Ball
9.
Home teams shall supply identical HKCA approved balls for the match.
Only one new ball shall be used in each innings. In the Saturday competitions,
balls will be HKCA recognised Platypus 2 piece yellow balls. In the
Sunday League Competition, balls will be HKCA recognised Platypus 4
piece red balls. In the Sunday Cup competitions, balls may be 2 or 4
piece, subject to the approval of both Captains. In all competitions,
from December 1st 2000, only balls sporting the HKCA logo will be permitted
to be used. Breaches of this Rule should be brought to the attention
of the MDC for appropriate action.
Overs
and Fielding
10.
a) Should a bowler become incapacitated, another bowler may complete
the over. A part of an over counts as a complete over for the purpose
of calculating how many overs a bowler has bowled in matches where bowlers
are subject to restrictions on the number of overs they may bowl. A
part of an over does not count as a complete over for any other purposes
(eg total number of overs bowled by the team; statistical purposes).
b) It shall be the responsibility of the Captain of the fielding side
to ensure that no bowler exceeds any permitted number of overs.
c) All teams are required to bowl at an average rate of 16 overs per
hour. Umpires and/or Captains may refer any rate less than 16 overs
per hour to the MDC, who may take any action deemed appropriate.
d) At no time will more than 5 fielders be permitted to field on the
leg side during a match.
Match
Result Cards
11.
a) A match result card for each match shall be submitted to the HKCA
office by the winning team or, in the event of a tie or a No Result,
the home team. These result cards shall be sent by fax to the HKCA office:
Fax-2577 8486.
b) The full names of all players taking part in a match must be entered
on the match result card. This includes any match started but abandoned
as No Result due to adverse weather conditions. Such a match counts
as a game for registration purposes. In matches where a team plays less
than 11 men, the word "ABSENT" shall be written on the match
results card in the corresponding location.
c) In a match started but abandoned as No Result due to adverse weather
conditions, players’ individual batting, bowling and fielding figures
count towards their season’s averages, and, if applicable, should
be shown on the Match Result Card.
d) Failure to submit a Result Card by noon on the first Monday after
a game may result in the deduction of league points. The HKCA office
will bring breaches of this rule to the attention of the MDC who will
decide on the appropriate action.
Dangerous
Bowling
12.
In all HKCA competitions, dangerous or intimidatory bowling, & the
bowling of full pitch deliveries, shall be determined by the umpires
in accordance with the Laws of Cricket (2000 Code).
Hours
of Play
1.
All matches shall commence at 10.30 hrs latest or as near as possible
to that time depending on field usage and shall be of maximum 100 overs
duration and of 50 overs innings per team.
Periods
of play
2.
10.30 - 11.30 or 17 overs first session
11.35 - 12.35 or 34 overs second session
12.40 - 13.40 50 overs third session (or over in progress at that time)
13.40 - 14.10 Lunch
14.10 - 15.10 or 17 overs second innings 1st session
15.15 - 16.15 or 34 overs second innings 2nd session
16.20 - end second innings last session
Playing
Rules
3.
a) Games to commence as shown above but may commence earlier, should
both captains and umpires agree.
b) There will be a maximum of 50 overs allowed in both innings. A lunch
break will take place at 13.40 hrs or immediately after conclusion of
the first innings and shall be of 30 minutes duration.
c) It is the responsibility of the side bowling first to endeavour to
complete the full allocation of overs for the first innings inside the
designated time. If the side bowling first has not completed the allotted
overs by the designated time, rule 4 shall apply :
4.
a) Unless there has been "Good Cause" (see (c) below) the
team
batting first shall be permitted to complete their full allocation of
overs, even if this takes time past the designated lunch break. All
runs scored shall count towards their final total. Lunch will then be
taken, although Captains & Umpires may agree to adjust the duration
of the interval.
b) The team batting second will then only be entitled to receive the
number of overs which they had delivered at the time that the luncheon
break was originally scheduled. This number of overs includes any over
which had commenced at the time of the scheduled break.
c) The umpires shall be responsible for keeping time pertinent to this
rule. In addition, the umpires shall make allowance for legitimate losses
of time which have prevented the bowling team from delivering all allotted
overs within the scheduled time. Examples of such "good cause"
include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
- Injury to players of either side
- Inability to locate & retrieve a ball struck over the boundary
line or fence. A maximum of 2 minutes will be allowed for this, after
which the bowling side must produce a replacement ball for use.
- Delays caused by the batting team e.g changes of equipment.
Note that in instances of inclement weather, Rule 7 below shall apply,
NOT the provisions of "Good Cause".
d) During the innings, the umpires will inform the Captain of the fielding
side, & both batsmen, when they are making a judgement of "Good
Cause", and advise the number of whole minutes they have allowed
for this. All "Good Cause" minutes will be totalled over the
course of the innings. For every 3 minutes, or part thereof, of the
total "Good Cause" minutes, the bowling side will be given
relief from 1 of the overs required to be bowled prior to the scheduled
lunch break.
e) The Captain of the fielding side may appeal for "Good Cause",
but the umpire’s decision is final. Such appeals should not be
incessant or capricious.
f) The umpires will make all calculations related to this rule known
to both captains, at the completion of the over underway at the time
of the originally scheduled lunch break. In the event of dispute, the
official umpire’s decision shall be final. If no official umpire
is present, both Captains must agree, and any disputes arising in this
situation should be referred to the MDC at the completion of the game.
g) Late commencement of the game will not normally be considered "Good
Cause" unless the delay is the fault of the batting side. It is
the responsibility of both sides to be ready to deliver the first ball
of the first innings at the appointed start time.
Please
see the following example for clarification :
In a 50 over a side game, lunch was originally scheduled at 1.40 pm.
At exactly 1.40pm, the team bowling first had completed 47 overs, and
had bowled 2 balls of the 48th. At the end of that over, the score is
6 wickets for 160. There was no "Good Cause" (see below) for
this other than slow over rate. The batting side is then allowed to
complete their full 50 overs, and finishes at 8/200 runs. Lunch is then
taken. The side batting second must score a total 201 runs to win the
game, and will have only 48 overs available to do so.
If there had been 2 injuries, each of 2 minutes duration, (total 4 minutes)
during the innings, this would provide "Good Cause" for a
total of 2 overs (1 x 3 minutes, plus 1 x part 3 minutes). Consequently,
the bowling side need only deliver 48 overs inside the time before lunch
is scheduled. As they had done so, then the innings closes and lunch
is taken. The score at the end of the 48th over (6 for 160) is the total
to beat. The Team batting second has 48 overs to reach 161 for a win
i.e there is no penalty.
h) In the second innings, sides who bowl their overs slower than the
required 16 overs per hour may be reported to the MDC by the Umpires
and/or the Captains, who may impose penalties including deduction of
points on the offending team.
5.
There will be a limitation of 15 overs on the number of overs each bowler
may bowl per innings subject to the existing laws of cricket regarding
a bowler becoming incapacitated.
6.
Previous provisions allowing the side batting first to declare after
25 overs are repealed. There will be no provision for declarations.
Procedures
in Weather, Light or Unforeseen Delay Restricted Matches
7.
a) To constitute a game, the side batting second must receive a minimum
of 15 overs unless dismissed in less than 15 overs or if the opposition
total is reached in less than 15 overs.
b) During the first innings, for every full 6 minutes lost, the total
number of overs in the Match shall be reduced by 2, and the maximum
number of overs in the first innings reduced by one.
c) In the second innings, for every full 3 minutes lost, the second
innings shall be reduced by one over. Under these circumstances and
in order to calculate a result, the first innings total shall be divided
by the actual number of balls delivered and the higher run rate shall
decide the winner. Bonus points shall of course count to the loser.
Points
8.
Competition Points will be awarded as follows :
Walkover = 20 points for a walkover.
Win = 10 points plus batting & bowling bonus points.
Loss = Batting & bowling bonus points only
Tie = 5 points for each side, plus batting & bowling bonus points
No Result = 10 points each.
Batting
Bonus Points
9.
Batting Bonus Points shall be attributable to sides as follows:
a) For the team batting 1st, & the team batting 2nd (if it ultimately
loses the game) :
- One (1) bonus point for reaching each of
160, 190, 220, 250 & 280 runs (max. 5 points).
- The above points thresholds relate to a first innings of 50 overs.
If a match is of reduced duration due to weather or other factors, bonus
points shall be scored on a pro-rata basis i.e divide the thresholds
above by the number of overs available. In calculating this, truncate
all part runs.
e.g
In a 44 over per side match, points would be :
1 point at 140 runs ( 160 / 50 x 44 = 140.8, truncated to 140), plus
1 point at 167 runs ( 190 / 50 x 44 = 167.2, trunc. to 167), plus
1 point at 193 runs ( 220 / 50 x 44 = 193.6, trunc. to 193), plus
1 point at 220 runs ( 250 / 50 x 44 = 220.0, trunc. to 250), plus
1 point at 246 runs ( 280 / 50 x 44 = 246.4, trunc. to 246)
b)
Team batting 2nd (if it ultimately wins the game).
- Points are calculated based on the speed that the side batting second
passes the first innings score, inside a certain number of "Target
Overs". The calculation for this is based on run rates derived
from the batting thresholds in a) above, as follows :
-
5 bonus points based on a rate of 5.60 runs per over or higher.
- 4 bonus points based on a rate of 5.00 runs or better
- 3 bonus points for a rate of 4.40 runs or better
- 2 bonus points for a rate of 3.80 runs or better
- 1 bonus point for a rate of 3.20 runs or better
- 0 bonus points if they pass the total slower than this.
-
Points are actually scored by reaching the "Target Score (the 1st
innings total + 1 run) within the "Target Overs", NOT by raw
run rate alone.
- To calculate the "Target Over", divide the "Target
Score" by the run rates given above.
- All part overs are truncated (i.e ignore the decimal points to the
next lowest whole over).
See
the following example :
The team batting first scored 149. "Target Score" is therefore
150 runs for the team batting second (149 plus 1 run).
- To score 5 points, the team batting second must pass the 1st innings
score within 26 completed overs.
(Calculation = 150 / 5.60 = 26.785, truncated to 26 overs).
- 4 points = Must reach the Target of 150 within 30 completed overs
(150 / 5.00 = 30.000000. Truncated to 30)
- 3 points = Must reach the Target of 150 within 34 completed overs
(150 / 4.40 = 34.090909. Truncated to 34)
etc etc.
- If the side batting second reaches 150 in 30 completed overs, they
would score 4 points. If they reach 150 in 30 overs & 1 ball, they
would score 3.
- If chasing a very small target, it may occur that, after truncating
overs, the same target over applies for different points. In this case,
the team that reaches the target in this time shall receive the highest
applicable points.
- The points are not cumulative i.e the side only scores the
maximum attributable points.
Note
: Captains of both sides should calculate the number of points earned
by each team & include them on the score sheet submitted to the
HKCA after each game. These will be verified by the HKCA by checking
the information on the scoresheet. The HKCA determination will be final.
Therefore, it is important to clearly indicate on the score sheet which
over the team batting second scored the target runs, if they won the
game. This should be done in the remarks section of the form as follows
:
Team
(e.g LSW), batting second, scored the target of (e.g 150) runs in (e.g
) 26 overs, equals (e.g 5) batting bonus points.
Bowling
Bonus Points
10.
Bowling Bonus Points are attributable to both sides as follows :
One
point for 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 wickets including players deemed "retired
out" (maximum 5 points).
Fielding
Circles
11.
A fielding circle shall be drawn or otherwise marked with disks by the
home side in each game. Such fielding circle shall be 25 metres in diameter
measured from the base of both centre stumps.
Four
fielders, the bowler and the wicket keeper shall remain within the fielding
circle at the point of delivery of the ball by the bowler throughout
the game. The square leg umpire shall monitor the position of the above
players and should any fielder or fielders be outside the fielding circle
at the point of deliver, he shall call and signal "No Ball".
Said "No Ball" shall be construed and scored under the Laws
of Cricket.
Tied
Matches
12.
A tie occurs when the scores are level at the conclusion of the game.
Walkover
13.
At the discretion of the MDC, a WALKOVER shall be granted to a team
whose opposition is unable to raise a side.
League
Champions
14.
At the conclusion of the season, if the top teams have the same number
of points, the following will be the order of precedence for deciding
the League Champions:
1. Team with most outright wins
2. Team with fewest lost matches
Should all the above be identical, then the Championship will be shared.
Short-Pitched
and Wide Bowling
15.
In the Sunday League competition, either umpire shall call and signal
NO BALL for any short pitched ball passing or having hit his bat or
person, which would have passed the batsman in his normal batting stance
above head high.
16.
Umpires shall strictly enforce the Wide Law, especially on legside deliveries.
Scoring
of Runs from Wides & No Balls
17.
In the Sunday League, if an umpire adjudges a wide or no-ball for any
reason under the Laws of Cricket or HKCA Rules, any runs scored from
that delivery shall be counted in the total in addition to scoring one
run for that wide or no-ball.
For
example,
- If two (2) runs are struck from a no-ball, the batsman is credited
with the two (2) runs, plus sundries with an additional one (1) no-ball,
for a total of three (3) runs scored. Three (3) no-balls are recorded
against the bowler’s analysis.
- If a bye is run from a delivery after the call of wide, sundries are
credited with one (1) bye and one (1) wide, for a total of (two) 2 runs
scored. The bowler’s analysis is credited with one (1) wide.
Entrants
and Eligibility
1.
a) The top 8 teams from the Sunday league of the HKCA are eligible to
enter teams for the Sunday Cup competition. Entries will be called for
by the League & Cup Committee. The League & Cup Committee may
also invite other teams to enter the Sunday Cup Competition.
b) Teams must notify the HKCA of the names of their players before the
draw is made for the first round. No transfers or additions will be
allowed without the prior approval of the MDC.
c) All players must be holders of a valid Hong Kong ID card.
Draw
2.
The draw for each separate round of matches will be made by 3 members
of the League & Cup Committee or MDC appointed by the Chairman.
Venues
3.
All matches until the final will be played on the home ground of the
first named team, where possible.
Match
Conditions
4.
a) The Sunday Cup competition will be on a straight knockout basis.
b) Each match will consist of one innings of a maximum of 50 overs per
side. Matches will commence at 1030 hrs. Lunch will be taken between
innings, and a 10 minute drinks interval will be available after 25
overs in each innings, at the request of either Captain or of the Umpires.
c) No bowler may bowl more than ten overs. In the event of a bowler
becoming incapacitated, Competition General Rule 10 (a) will apply.
d) At the moment of delivery of the ball, there shall be a minimum of
4 fielders, plus bowler and wicketkeeper, within a fielding "circle"
of 25 metres.
e) Where possible the MDC will reschedule a fixture abandoned as No
Result due to inclement weather. Where this is not possible, the match
will be decided by the toss of a coin.
f) If the start or progress of a match is delayed, the number of overs
per innings (50) will be reduced by one over for every cumulative six
minutes’ delay, subject to a minimum of 15 overs being bowled.
Result
5.
a) The team scoring the higher number of runs in the allocated number
of overs shall be deemed the winner.
b) In the event of tied scores, the team losing fewer wickets will be
the winner.
c) If both teams have scored the same number of runs and have lost the
same number of wickets, the winner will be the team with the overall
faster scoring rate, where the number of overs bowled is unequal.
d) If both teams have scored the same number of runs, lost the same
number of wickets and bowled the same number of overs, the winner will
be the team with the faster scoring rate at the end of 20 overs and,
if still identical, at the end of 10 covers.
e) If the team batting second has not received 15 overs the match will
be abandoned as No Result, provided the team batting second was not
all out in the 15 overs. If the match is abandoned, Rule 4 e) above
will apply.
Match
Balls
6.
The attention of Team Captains is drawn to Competition General Rule
9.
Match
Expenses
7.
In all rounds, expenses incurred by the home team will be shared by
both teams.
Short-Pitched
and Wide Bowling.
8.
See Sunday League Rules 15, 16 and 17.
