Ahead of the 2020/21 Season, the South Metropolitan Cricket Association released their annual Information For Clubs and Captains that outlines many of the expectations and requirements for all players during the summer.
These rules and regulations have also been altered due to the ongoing Coronavirus or COVID-19 which has already seen a reduced and delayed start to the season.
The South Metropolitan Cricket Association (SMCA) is the governing body for the competition in which we at the Leeming Spartan Cricket Club compete and it is a requirement of all players participating in SMCA-sanctioned matches to adhere to these rules and regulations.
Please read on below to learn the important information for Clubs, Committees and Captains;
The information below should be considered along with the relevant By-Law
The information provided in this document is for the information of Club Committees and Captains.
REGISTRATION OF PLAYERS
BY-LAW 46: All clubs must list and register players, regardless of age, on MyCricket prior to such players playing for that club in any match organised by the SMCA. No late registrations will be accepted.
The minimum age for a player to qualify for registration to the SMCA is 14 years old.
In the event of any club playing an unregistered player, the match where the offence is first reported shall count as a forfeit against the club playing the unregistered player. The side not at fault is awarded forfeit points or points earned in the game, whichever is the greater. All match statistics for non-offending players will stand for Association trophies.
CLEARANCES
Any player transferring from any Association affiliated with the W.A.C.A. (Metropolitan or Country based), must provide a clearance from the club in which he last played.
It is the joint responsibility of the new Club and the player to get the clearance issue correct. The player’s details must be correct even if previous details were incorrect. Where possible player ID numbers and identification documents should be used. Players are required to inform the club they are requesting a clearance to, which club they last played for and when. All due diligence must be adhered to and any irregularities should be directed to the SMCA Administrator through the SMCA Secretary.
There is a fine and match penalty for playing a player without a clearance (see By-Law 69). The player will be suspended for 4 playing days and will not be allowed to play again until a clearance is properly issued.
Players who have not played in the past three calendar years or joining the SMCA directly from a State other than Western Australia do not need a clearance to their new club.
See By-Law 47e for the reasons a clearance can be denied by the players former club.
See By-Law 47b for junior players playing in the WACA competition and senior players who do not get selected to play in their WACA Club.
Clearances should be dealt with in a timely manner. If the clearance application is not dealt with in 7 days, the players new Club can email the SMCA Secretary asking for the clearance to be granted. This may be done without contact to the players former Club.
COVID-19 / CORONAVIRUS REQUIREMENTS
Cricket Australia had sent out COVID requirements for the 2020/21 season. Key requirements are:
- No Spitting or using body fluid (ie sweat) on the ball
- No sharing of equipment ie helmets.
- Player and umpires to provide their own drink bottles – no sharing of cups in eskies etc
- Players to provide their own afternoon tea.
- Umpires will not hold player’s hats, spectacles, jumpers.
If an SMCA match is affected by COVID (infected player etc) and the mandatory 14-day self-isolation and testing is enacted, then a match in progress would have to be abandoned and the match drawn. Clubs/teams would not be penalised, as COVID is an unprecedented situation.
See By-Law 24 for consequences of an event, or series of events, causing a season to be prematurely ended.
FORFEITS
BY-LAW 12: If any club shall not be able to play in any match arranged by the Association or field a team, such club shall forfeit the match and give notice (name of club, grade and opposition club) to the Association Secretary (0419 948 762) not later than 9pm on the Thursday preceding the date arranged for the match. The Association Secretary will then notify the opposition club of the forfeit.
If a club is unable to field a team in a grade for a fixture, then the team to forfeit will be the lowest grade run by that club.
Any club not ready to start playing within ten (10) minutes of the scheduled time will forfeit the match to the opposing team (see By-Law 4a) and be fined. See By-Law 12b.
To claim the forfeit the winning team must name a team of qualified players in MyCricket; enter the result as a forfeit with the score as 0/0 to the winning side. The losing side cannot name any players.
TEAM CAPTAIN
It is the responsibility of the captain to ensure that the match is played according to the rules and traditions of the game. The captain is responsible for ensuring that the Spirit of Cricket is always upheld by all in their team. Umpires decisions must not be questioned. Opponents must not be abused either by word or action. In such an event, and in the event of any kind of unsporting conduct by members of his team, it is the captain’s duty to intervene immediately.
The captain must ensure stumps and boundary markers are in place at least fifteen minutes before the commencement of play. If the Captain or a Deputy is not available to toss the coin fifteen (15) minutes before the scheduled start time, then that team loses the toss.
A captain must make himself reasonably available to the opposition captain and the umpire to discuss issues after the match. It is not acceptable for a captain to leave the ground before an umpire can discuss any issues after the match.
PAYMENT FOR UMPIRES
BY-LAW 60: Umpire payments will be made by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) by the Association Treasurer. Clubs will be invoiced by the Association Treasurer each week and are required to pay within seven days of receiving the invoice. Failure to pay by the due day will incur a $20 fine at the discretion of the Association Treasurer.
Umpire payments will be made by Electronic Funds Transfer in season 2020/21 – the Leeming Spartan Cricket Club will sort this prior to the games ($25 match fees still applicable)
MATCH DAY REFEREE
All captains of teams where there is no officially appointed umpire should be aware of the details for the Match Day Referee. For the 2020-21 season the Match Day Referee is Ian Hale, phone 0409 688 319. Should a captain deem it necessary to contact the Match Day Referee the opposing captain must also be available to speak with the Referee.
The Match Day Referee can receive several calls on match days. If a person cannot get through to the Match Day Referee, they are welcome to contact other members of the Executive.
UNOFFICIAL UMPIRES
There are not enough umpires to go through all the grades and therefore unofficial umpires are an important part of our game. Captains must delegate reliable players to umpire.
These players/umpires must do their best to ensure the match is played according to the rules and traditions of the game.
However, mistakes can be made, sometimes by the unofficial umpire and sometimes by the fielding team believing that someone is out when perhaps they were not. Captains do not have the right to order an unofficial umpire off the ground. All parties should be aware of the spirit of the game and work towards the well-being of our game.
MATCH DAY CHECK LIST
Both captains must complete and submit a Match Day Check List, prior to the commencement of each day’s play, using the Marsh Cricket Match Day App. Failure to do so may affect any subsequent insurance claim.
NAMING A TEAM
BY-LAW 7a Both teams shall be responsible for submitting a team list, using MyCricket, before the commencement of the match. It is expected that this list be accurate, however changes can be made until the match is made official by the SMCA Administrator.
Captains must nominate the final team on a hard copy team list before the toss for choice of innings.
Names on the team list must contain the player’s MyCricket ID number, their full first name and full surname i.e. 107567 John Smith. Captains should swap team lists with the opposition captain. Should the split player be used then 11A and 11B must be nominated.
Please remember to include player’s MyCricket ID numbers alongside their name when giving your team sheet to the other captain
No change shall be made to the listed team members once the match has been deemed “Official”. Penalty will be forfeiture of the match in which the list was changed.
PLAYING A PLAYER UNDER AN ASSUMED NAME
Playing a player under an assumed name is deemed to be a serious offence.
In the event of a club playing a player under a false name, then all games participated in by that club in that round will be forfeited. The Captain of the offending team in which the player participated is to be suspended for six playing days. The Protests Disputes and Appeals Board may deal with the player who has offended.
MYCRICKET – Results
BY-LAW 7b: The home team is responsible for submitting an in-progress score on day one of a two-day match and the full score and result at the completion of all matches, using MyCricket, by 10am on the day after each day’s play.
Other match details, player scores and confirmation (or otherwise) of the result should be submitted by both teams, using MyCricket, as soon as possible after the completion of each day’s play and no later than 8pm on the Sunday after the days play. If play was on a Sunday by 10am on the day after the match.
For the final day of a qualifying match prior to either the mid-season or end of season final the home team is responsible for submitting the full team scores and match result, using MyCricket, by 10pm on the day of play.
For all finals matches progress scores must be submitted by 10pm on the day of play.
A match should never have the result listed as abandoned. Should a match be incomplete the result is a draw.
If a team did not commence a first innings (forfeits and rain effected matches) a score of 0/0 should be placed in the result, with the player scores left blank but saved. This ensures players have days played added to their season statistics and qualification for finals.
Where there is an issue with player ID (including clearances), Clubs may submit a dispute to the Association Secretary. There is no time limit on this. The Association Executive will then investigate the matter(s) and if a breach is found to have occurred, appropriate penalties will be applied in accordance with the relevant By Laws.
SCOREBOOKS
Captains should appoint capable people to score. Scorebooks are to contain the batsman’s full name in the batting column ie John Smith and bowler’s full name in the bowling column ie James Smith. There are no exceptions on this requirement. The 11 players must be listed in the scoresheet for the match; regardless if they bat or bowl. If the split player option is in place, then this includes players deemed as 11A and 11B.
After each innings, and the end of the match, captains should ensure that the batting, bowling and sundries figures entered in the scorebooks tally correctly and the scores are correct.
Each scorebook should be signed by both captains after each days play with the result added at the end of the match.
Online scoring is permitted. Only one user can score online for each match. Teams scoring online must have a backup plan in case of technology failure.
From season 2021-2022, online scoring will be mandatory in all First and Second Grade matches. Clubs are encouraged to use season 2020-2021 to train their scorers.
FIELDING RESTRICTIONS
In one-day matches played in two-day grades fielding restrictions are applicable. At the instant of delivery there may be no more than five fieldsmen outside the Fielding Restriction Area and no more than five fieldsmen on the leg (on) side. The restriction area shall be in a circle 27.43 metres from the stumps at each end – The ends of each semi-circle are joined to the other end on the same side of the pitch by a straight line drawn on the field.
There are no fielding restrictions in the one-day only grades.
WET WEATHER GUIDELINES – no official umpire
In short; the SMCA By-Laws covers the rules in relation to weather-affected matches. Where no official umpire is at the match the captains should discuss the situation keeping in mind the condition of the ground, equipment and safety of the players.
Issues that may particularly influence the captain’s decision are extreme weather such as lightning, player safety, the condition of the ball as well as what may be happening if there are adjoining grounds with matches being played. Captains should consider the spirit of the game and not use the conditions to try and contrive a result against what the conditions may dictate.
It is important to remember the By-Laws, which states;
Where the captains can reach no agreement and there are no official umpire/s the match day referee shall be contacted to make a decision and this decision will be conveyed to both captains and the decision shall be final.
If there is no play on the first day of a two-day match a new coin toss and team list shall be submitted on day two even if there was a coin toss and team list submitted on day one.
A one-day match is subject to a minimum of twenty (20) overs bowled to each team before a result can be achieved. Should captains agree to play a match that does not involve 20 overs bowled to each team then the result shall be a draw.
EXTREME WEATHER GUIDELINES
Covered in By-Law 2 and 56a. These general considerations apply to the SMCA Competition:
In exceptionally hot weather, Law 56a may be modified so that drinks breaks may be scheduled as frequently as required subject to the overall minimum period of play between two drinks breaks, or between a drinks break and the start or conclusion of an off-the-field interval, being 35 minutes. No team drinks shall be taken on the field within 30 minutes of the scheduled time for stumps.
The welfare of players and umpires is paramount.
The primary responsibility for ensuring the safety of individual participants are the individual players and Clubs.
Individuals have a responsibility to withdraw from participating if their particular circumstances place them at an unacceptable level of risk. Clubs also have a responsibility in this regard.
On days of extreme heat players, umpires and officials should be aware of the possible risks and carefully monitor all players and umpires. If any show signs of distress from the heat, swift and appropriate action should be taken.
Special attention should be given to junior players, as they are more susceptible to heat injury and may have played in junior matches on the same day.
Ensure there are sufficient shaded areas at grounds for both players and spectators where possible.
Should captains agree that the heat is too extreme for play then the match can be delayed or abandoned. Where the captains can reach no agreement and there are no official umpire/s the match day referee shall be contacted to decide and this decision will be conveyed to both captains and the decision shall be final.
INJURED BATSMEN – Runner
The SMCA allows for the use of a runner. A runner can only be used if the batsman becomes injured or ill during the match.
- The runner must be a member of the batting side, but not the twelfth man.
- He must already have batted in the innings, if possible.
- The runner must wear all the external protective equipment worn by the batsman and must carry a bat.
If either the injured batsman or his runner is out of his ground, the batsman is liable to be run out or stumped.
BOWLER BREAKS THE NON-STRIKER WICKET
The umpire is to call ‘No ball’ whenever a bowler breaks the non-striker’s wicket during the act of delivery.
WIDE BALL – LEG SIDE
In one-day matches any delivery that passes outside the leg stump and behind the striker shall be called a “wide”. By-Law 27c
DANGEROUS AND UNFAIR BOWLING – ONE-DAY MATCH – BY-LAW 28
A bowler shall be limited to one fast short-pitched delivery per over.
Short pitched ball: If a ball passes, or would have passed above the shoulder height of the striker standing upright at the crease.
Not Pitching Deliveries: Any delivery, which passes or would have passed, without pitching, 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.
On each occasion, the umpire at the bowler’s end will call and signal “no ball”.
Wide balls: if the ball bowled hits the edge or wider than the edge of the prepared playing surface, the umpire at the bowler’s end will call and signal “no ball”.
DANGEROUS AND UNFAIR BOWLING – TWO-DAY MATCH – BY-LAW 18
A bowler shall be limited to two fast short-pitched balls per over.
Short pitched ball: A bowler shall be limited to two fast short pitched balls per over. A fast short pitched ball is defined as a ball which passes, or would have passed clearly above the shoulder of the striker standing upright at the crease.
Not Pitching Deliveries: Any delivery, which passes or would have passed, without pitching, 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.
On each occasion, the umpire at the bowler’s end will call and signal “no ball”.
Wide balls: if the ball bowled hits the edge or wider than the edge of the prepared playing surface, the umpire at the bowler’s end will call and signal “no ball”.
PROTESTS AND DISPUTES BOARD (P&D)
BY-LAW 62: P&D’s are usually held on Tuesdays at 7:00pm. Players and Clubs should be aware that the P&D is generally only interested in the incident in question. Evidence from earlier in the match, earlier in the season or from years past is usually irrelevant.
All parties involved in the P&D must treat all others with respect and accept evidence and decisions without adverse comments.
Should a player be reported and a P&D convened, the player’s captain is required to attend the P&D along with the player/s involved.
CAUTIONS (Official umpires only)
BY-LAW 64: Official umpires may issue a caution to any player who has committed a minor breach of the code of conduct, spirit of cricket or the playing rules of the SMCA. The umpire shall request the player to sign the Player Caution Form to signify his notification of the caution. Refusal to sign the Player Caution Form will invoke an immediate four (4) playing date suspension on the player cautioned and the offending player’s team captain.
PRESCRIBED PENALTIES (Official umpires only)
BY-LAW 65: Any player offered a Prescribed Penalty by an official umpire may elect to accept the penalty for the offence which that player is reported. Should a player wish the matter to be heard by the P&D, notification should be made to the Association by contacting the Association Secretary (0419 948 762 or secretary@smcacricket.com) prior to 9.00pm on the day of play in which the player was offered the penalty. A lack of notification to the Association by the deadline will invoke the penalty for the offence, which that player was reported for.
The umpire shall request the player, team captain or club official to sign the Prescribed Penalty Form to signify his notification that the penalty has been offered. Signing the form is not an admission of guilt. Refusal to sign the form shall result in the matter being referred to the P&D.
QUESTIONING FINE/PENALTY/SUSPENSION BY-LAW 69
Any appeal to a fine/penalty/suspension imposed on items listed in By-Law 69 must be submitted by email to the P&D through the SMCA Secretary. The P&D will consider the appeal and give their decision, by email, to the SMCA Secretary. Any appeal made must be submitted within 24 hours of the notification of fine. The decision of the P&D shall be final.
REPORTS (Not by an umpire)
In the case of reports by anyone other than an appointed SMCA Umpire every effort should be made to advise the reported person or their captain at the ground. The report should then be made to the Association Secretary, through the club committee, by e-mail or text message, prior to 10.00pm on the day of play in which the player was reported. The Secretary shall then provide access to the club submitting the report to log in to the SMCA Web Site so the report can be submitted on-line.
DROPPING PLAYERS TO A LOWER GRADE
BY-LAW 11: In all qualifying matches, no player can drop more than one grade at a time within their Club structure other than a player promoted to a higher grade who can return to their original grade provided it is in the next fixture that the player plays in.
A club with three or more two-day grade teams may drop players from their lowest two-day grade team to any of their one-day only grade teams. A club with two (2) or one (1) two-day grade team(s) can only drop players from their lowest two-day grade team to their highest one-day grade team.
During qualifying matches, all one-day grades will collectively be deemed as one grade.
SPLIT PLAYER OPTION – See By-Law 11B for full details
Teams may name, prior to the coin toss; two players (11A and 11B) to split the duties of a regular player in two-day qualifying matches.
Neither player plays in any other grade on either of the two fixtured playing days; except a player who last played in a one day only grade who can play in a one day only grade on the other day.
Only player 11A can participate on day one, with player 11B only participating on day two. Only one of the split players may bat in each innings. Bowling and fielding, including wicket keeping is unrestricted.
This rule is intended to allow players playing in two-day fixtures to play only one day of a two-day fixture. The intention is not for a player who is playing in the two-day competition to play on the other day in a one-day grade only fixture.
The team must advise the umpire and opposition captain the name of the two players – 11A for week one and 11B for week two – prior to the coin toss. Should there be no official SMCA appointed umpire then the opposition captain must be advised of the name of the two players prior to the coin toss and a text message be sent to the SMCA prior to the commencement of the match advising of the Grade, the Club and the name of the 11A player (playing first week) and the 11B player (playing second week).
QUALIFICATION FOR END OF SEASON FINALS
BY-LAW 41: Note that qualification is on days played and not matches played. This By-Law has been amended for the 2020-21 season due to the shortened season.
A player must be named in the team 11 in at least four (4) days of fixtured matches with his club to be eligible for finals. T20 matches do not count for the qualifying period. Being names as a substitute (12th Man) does not count as match played.
Should a Club have three or more teams then the qualifying period for the Clubs lowest one- day grade may be between three (3) and four (4) days in that grade provided that player has played no days in any other grade.
No player shall play in a lower grade final unless he has played the majority of days in that grade or lower. For the purpose of this rule the term “majority” means more than half.
Players are eligible to play in the grade determined by the By-Laws regardless of where they played their last qualifying match.
To ascertain which grade a player qualifies to play in for End of Season Final it is recommended to count the number of days a player has played from the beginning of the season to the last qualifying match. Firstly this total must be more than 4. Then starting from the lowest grade played add the total number until the tally reaches more than half of the total days played. This is the grade where a player qualifies.
To avoid major disappointment to Clubs and players, each Club needs to manage their players and consider the consequences when moving players through the grades.
There are no permits in any finals; if a player does not qualify that player cannot play.
In all finals Clubs are encouraged to submit any players whose qualification may not be certain to the Association Administrator for a ruling as to eligibility. A ruling made by the Administrator under this rule shall be binding and final on all parties.
PROMOTION/RELEGATION FOR THE 2021/22 SEASON
First and Second Grade: The team that finishes last in First Grade will be relegated to Second Grade and the team that finishes on top of Second Grade at the end of the regular season will be promoted to First Grade.
Second Grade: The team that finishes last in Second Grade will be relegated to Fourth Grade. However, if Kardinya Lakes finish in the top two of Third Grade they will be promoted to Second Grade. The eligible team that finishes on top in Forth Grade will only be promoted to Second Grade if Kardinya Lakes does not finish in the top two of Third Grade.
QUALIFYING FOR BATTING AND BOWLING AWARDS
Bylaw 73 and 74: This By-Law has been amended for the 2020/21 season due to the shortened season.
The playing day qualification for Association batting and bowling trophies is 8 playing days.