With the Perth forecast showing a less-than-ideal day for cricket this coming Saturday the 14th November, we thought now is as good-a-time as any to help you familiarise yourself with the SMCA’s wet weather guidelines.
At the time of writing, Saturday’s forecast is listing a 70% chance of rain with a top of 19ºC and strong winds in the afternoon.
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.
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.
The SMCA By-Laws state the following;
- 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.
Weather-Affected Two-Day Matches:
First Day:
- Where play has been suspended or delayed through no fault of either team, for a period/s greater than fifteen (15) minutes on the first day of play, the Captains shall confer to agree on a compulsory declaration allowing equal batting time for both teams. (Equal batting time may extend into the second day’s play). Weather and light permitting, Captains may agree to extend the scheduled time for stumps, to make up for lost time. Where no agreement can be reached, the official umpire/s shall make the decision. The official umpire/s decision will be final.
- Teams are not required to provide a team list or toss the coin on day one until there is a possibility of play. In the event no play is possible this toss and team list shall become null and void and on day two another team list shall be submitted and a new coin toss. Players who played in any other grade on day one of the match are not eligible to play on day two, expect that one player who played in a one day only grade can play as 11B as per By Law 11c.
- Where no agreement can be reached by the captains and there are no official umpires/s the Match Day Referee shall be contacted, by phone, on match days only.
Second Day:
- Where play has been suspended or delayed through no fault of either team, for a period/s greater than fifteen (15) minutes on the second day of play, the Captains shall confer to agree on extending play up to a maximum of one hour after the scheduled time for stumps to allow equal overs for both teams. Where no agreement can be reached, the official umpire/s shall make the decision. The official umpire/s decision will be final.
- Where no agreement can be reached by the captains and there are no official umpires/s the Match Day Referee shall be contacted, by phone, on match days only, to make a decision and this decision will be conveyed to both captains and the decision shall be final.
- In games where no play is possible on the second day the following will apply:
- If a result has not been achieved, the match will be declared a draw.
- If a result has been achieved, the result will stand.
- Bonus points earned will be retained by each team.
Both Days:
- Where no play is possible on either day, average overall points for the round (if any games were played) in that grade will be granted. To claim the points, a match report with a named team must be submitted to the Association Administrator.
- Where all games in a round are not played by any club, no points will be awarded.
- Where By-Laws 19.i, 19.ii, 19.vi, 19.vii, 19.viiiix become inoperative, the game will be declared a draw.
- If a team is proven guilty of gross misconduct by breaching any or all of By-Laws (19.i through to and including 19.ix) the Protests, Disputes and Appeals Board may, in the case of a drawn game, award the game to either team.
- Any reduction to the number of overs shall be calculated using 3 1/2 minutes per over.
- Official umpires are to use discretion if penalties for slow over rates are applied.
Weather-Affected One-Day Matches:
- In the event of a match starting late or where play has been suspended or delayed through weather or other circumstances beyond the control of either team, the Captains shall confer to agree on a compulsory declaration allowing equal batting time or reduced overs for both teams subject to a minimum of twenty (20) overs be bowled to each team.
- Reduced overs to be calculated using one over for each 3½ minutes of lost time. Weather and light permitting, Captains may agree to extend the scheduled time for stumps, to make up for lost time. Where no agreement can be reached, the official umpire/s shall make the decision. The official umpire/s decision will be final. Where no agreement can be reached by the captains and there are no official umpires/s the Match Day Referee shall be contacted, by phone, on match days only, to make a decision and this decision will be conveyed to both captains and the decision shall be final.
- In all weather and other affected games covered in By-Laws (25 b & c), if the Captains agree, their wishes shall be met. Where no agreement can be reached or prevailing conditions could jeopardise the safety of any player/s, the official umpire/s shall make the decision to continue, suspend or call off play. The decision to continue, suspend or call off play can be made at any stage during the scheduled hours of play. The official umpire/s decision will be final.
- Where no agreement can be reached by the captains and there are no official umpires/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.