Nelson Cricket Association
Playing Conditions 2013/14
Senior Grade
Cancellations will be broadcast over Radio Nelson and More FM, usually
starting after the 7.00am news bulletins and continuing regularly afterwards.
Information will also be posted at nelsoncricket.org.nz as soon as it comes to
hand.
GENERAL.
All matches conducted under the jurisdiction of the Nelson Cricket Association (‘NCA’).
Unless specified, the New Zealand Cricket playing conditions for the current season will
apply (NZC playing conditions provided for all clubs and teams).
Ground Requirements.
Where the local ratings authority is not directly involved, the club on whose ground
the match is to be played shall be responsible for:
a. The proper markings of the ground and pitch, including boundary markings
and flags.
b. Ensuring the ground is in good order and fit to play (covers are compulsory
and must be used on Friday nights. Clubs will be informed by NCA if
covers to be used Thursday night.
c. Availability of serviceable amenities.
d. Clubs to ensure Council contractors mark 27.5 metre and 13.72 metre circles
for all one day and Twenty20 competitions and extend the popping crease to
the inner circle.
The home team shall ensure:
e. Regulation stumps and bails are available and in good order.
f. Lunch/Afternoon tea is provided for both teams.
g. A scoreboard is provided.
Where matches are played on neutral grounds, the team named first in the draw shall
be considered the host team.
In the event that any NCA final is to be played at a neutral venue then the team
deemed to be top qualifier shall have first choice as to dressing rooms and other
similar amenities.
The home team shall ensure drinks are available at the appropriate times.
Notification of teams.
a. Before the toss in all matches, team captains shall nominate their respective players in
writing and provide a team list to the umpires.
b. In such two day matches, players that are not available for the second day’s play must
be declared as such on the original team list before play commences on that day.
Captains do not have to name replacement players. Any number of replacements
may be made for the second day of a match. The player being replaced and his
replacement shall be bona fide members of that club (and no other in New Zealand).
The replacement player shall have full playing rights. However, both players may not
bat in the same innings. In addition any player may be replaced due to exceptional
circumstances such as family bereavement, injury or illness outside of each day’s
playing hours.
c. No player may be changed on the first day of the match, after the team nomination,
without the consent of the opposing captain.
d. No team shall have less than eight players or they will be required to default. The
defaulting team shall be liable for any travel costs incurred by the winning team.
e. At the conclusion of the match it is the captain’s responsibility to submit their
umpires report via the NCA website no later than Tuesday 3pm. NO POINTS
will be awarded to any team until it has provided their umpires report for the
relevant fixture.
f.
If a senior team or its feeder team defaults during the competition the ‘NCA senior
grade’; team is to be penalized two points in the competition.
In addition, if the senior game is played no points may be gained by that senior team.
In addition, club to be fined $150.00 (approximate ground fee charge for both teams
for a senior club game).
The toss.
Captains shall toss for choice of innings on the field of play, not earlier than 30 minutes or
later than 15 minutes before the scheduled (or rescheduled) start of play.
Note: with the obvious exception of unfit conditions, where the start of any match is delayed
through the fault of either team the time so lost shall be made up at the end of that day’s play
if so desired by the non-offending team. The amount of time lost shall be agreed with and
confirmed by the umpires before play commences.
Cricket balls.
Each team shall provide its own 4 piece, 156 gram club match or regulation cricket ball.
Kookaburra balls only to be used.
Fitness for play.
a. In ruling on the fitness of the ground, weather and light for play, common sense must
prevail at all times.
b. Official umpires are the final arbiters of playing conditions as they relate to fitness
for play, irrespective of the captains’ wishes.
c. If no official umpires are present the captains must agree on any decision to start,
continue or suspend play. If the captains cannot agree then the status quo shall
continue to apply.
Note: If at any time the condition of the ground, weather or light are so bad that there is an
obvious and foreseeable risk to the safety of any player (batsman or fielder) or umpire, so
that it would be unreasonable or dangerous for play to take place, play should be suspended
immediately or not allowed to commence or to restart.
The preamble, the spirit of cricket and captains’ responsibilities.
1. Responsibility of captains: the captains are responsible at all times for ensuring
that play is conducted within both the spirit of the game and the laws of the game.
Players conduct – in the event of a player failing to comply with instructions
given by an umpire, or criticising by word or action the decisions of an umpire,
showing dissent, or generally behaving in a manner which might bring the game
into disrepute, the umpire concerned shall in the first instance report the matter to
the other umpire and to the player’s captain, and instruct the latter to take action.
2. Fair and unfair play: according to the Laws of Cricket the umpires are the sole
arbiters of fair and unfair play. The umpires may intervene at any time and it is
the responsibility of the captains to take action where such action is reasonably
required of them.
3. The umpires are authorised to intervene in cases of:
 time wasting;
 damaging the pitch;
 dangerous and/or unfair bowling;
 tampering with the ball; and
 any other action they deem unfair and against the spirit of cricket.
4. The spirit of the game involves respect for:
 your opponents;
 your own captain and players;
 the role of the umpires; and
 the game’s traditional values.
5. It is against the spirit of the game to:
 dispute an umpire’s decision by word, action or gesture;
 direct abusive language towards an opponent or umpire;
 indulge in cheating or any sharp practice, for example:
(a) to appeal knowing the batsman is not out;
(b) to advance towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when
appealing; or
(c) to seek to distract an opponent either verbally or by harassment with
persistent clapping or unnecessary noise under the guise of
enthusiasm and motivation of one’s own side.
6. Violence: there is no place for any act of violence on the field of play.
7. Players: captains and umpires together set the tone for the conduct of a cricket
match. Every player is expected to make an important contribution to this at all
times, both on and off the field of play.
Code of conduct.
The “Code of Conduct” as defined in the New Zealand Cricket Playing Conditions for the
current season, together with any other existing Laws of the game that may also be
applicable, shall apply in all grades of cricket under the jurisdiction of the NCA.
Penalty runs.
In the absence of official umpires the awarding of five (5) penalty runs will be restricted to
laws 41.2, Illegally Fielding The Ball and 41.3, Ball Striking Fielding Team’s Helmet.
Clothing.
All senior two-day matches must be played in conventional cricketing whites. Any deviation
from playing attire that fits this description must receive prior approval from the NCA
Management Committee before the club concerned may wear such clothing in a senior twoday match.
In senior one day and Twenty20 competitions all players must wear coloured clothing which
accords with the recognised uniform of the club they represent. This rule also extends to
batsmen wearing coloured pads as white balls will be used. In the event of any dispute
regarding the suitability of clothing or pads in such fixtures, the official umpires shall be
empowered to make any ruling they consider best reflects the intent underpinning the
relevant playing conditions
Alcohol.
No alcohol shall be permitted on council grounds as per TDC and NCC by laws.
No alcohol will be consumed during hours of play by cricket teams in any grade of NCA
competitions.
Senior two-day championship matches
Hours of play.
1st session
2nd session
3rd session
11.00am to 1.30pm (2hr 30m) (lunch)
2pm to 4.10pm (2hr 10m) (tea)
4.25pm to 6.35pm (2hr 10m)
a.
Where an innings is concluded within 15 minutes of a scheduled interval the interval
shall be taken immediately. The interval shall also include the 10 minutes provided
for in the rules for a change of innings.
b.
If at the time of any scheduled break between sessions there is one wicket to fall in an
innings, the umpires shall allow play to continue for a period not exceeding 15
minutes or until such time as the innings is concluded, whichever is the earlier.
c.
No play on day one of scheduled fixtures: if no play is possible on the first day of a
match FOR ALL FIXTURES then day two of the fixture shall be limited to a contest
for first innings points only – ie teams shall be limited to one innings each, and no
outright points will be available. There is no limit to the amount of time or overs that
a team may bat, and normal competition rules shall continue to apply in every other
respect (including relevant bonus points). If play is possible on day one at any venue,
ALL fixtures may then play for outright points, with the option of first innings points
being forfeited and first innings bonus points carried over to the second innings. Both
Captains must agree for this to take place.
Overs per day.
In senior two-day matches play on each day shall continue until the completion of a
minimum of 110 overs or until such time as the scheduled cessation time is reached,
whichever is the later.
Three overs shall be deducted for each change of innings, unless the change coincides with a
scheduled interval between sessions of play.
If play is suspended, the minimum number of overs to be bowled for the remainder of the day
shall be calculated on whichever of the following two bases produces the greater number of
overs. Either:
(a) One over for each 3.75 minutes of playing time remaining from the revised
commencement time to the scheduled time for the close of play; or
(b) The minimum number of overs agreed for the day, less the number of overs
already bowled and less any allowances for the suspension of play.
Note: where an innings ends during the course of an over, the partially concluded
over shall count as one full over. Where play is suspended during an over, that over
must be completed when play resumes and is in addition to the minimum number of
overs to be completed.
Over rates.
For the allotted overs to be bowled within the standard hours of play teams are required to
average 16 overs per hour in the field over the course of a full day’s play. The same
principle applies to situations where the time available for play is reduced for any allowable
reason on a pro-rata basis.
In order to achieve the required over rate umpires and captains are expected to work
together to manage the situation in a common sense manner. A “common sense manner”
means that all persons will base their views on a reasonable interpretation of all the relevant
circumstances affecting over rates on any given day.
If, however, the umpires consider that any member or members of a fielding or batting side is
acting in a way that deliberately frustrates the attempts of the umpires and the opposition to
progress the match at a reasonable rate, then the umpires shall take steps to ensure the
offending side is aware of the specific nature of their concerns.
If the umpires continue to be of the opinion that their concerns are not being adequately
addressed then they shall issue a formal warning to the captain of the offending team,
placing that person on notice that failure by him to take reasonable steps to rectify the
situation will result in the captain and any other player or person being placed on report for
conduct contrary to the rules or prejudicial to the interests of cricket.
Only one warning is to be given by the umpires. If they consider that the captain of the
offending team or any person under his control has subsequently failed to take steps
reasonably required of them then the umpires shall inform the captain and any other affected
person of their intention to cite them for misconduct.
In every situation where the umpires invoke their powers under this rule it is considered
appropriate that the captain of the offending team will be the primary person to be cited for
misconduct. If, however, the umpires consider other persons to be materially culpable then
those persons shall also be cited for misconduct.
Where any person is cited for misconduct under this rule the umpires will be required to
compile a comprehensive written report pursuant to Rules 6 and 7 of the NCA Playing
Conditions for consideration by the Management Committee under the relevant By-Laws.
Last hour of the match.
A minimum of 16 overs shall be completed in the last hour of a match (subject to
conforming with requirements to complete the minimum allotted overs for the day).
Where 16 overs or less remain to be bowled at 5.30pm the last hour shall commence at
5.30pm. Play is to continue until 6.30pm or until the required overs have been completed,
whichever is the later, unless all umpires and captains agree otherwise.
If more than 16 overs remain to be bowled at 5.30pm, play shall continue until the point
where 16 overs remain to be bowled for the day. The last hour of the match shall apply from
that time.
Except where all umpires and captains agree otherwise, play shall continue until the 16
overs have been completed or until one hour has elapsed, whichever is the later. In both
instances all persons should be aware that it is possible for more than 16 overs to be bowled
before the cessation time under this rule has been reached.
Overs per innings.
There shall be no limit on the number of overs to be bowled in the first innings of either team.
Similarly, there shall be no restriction on the number of overs that a team may bat in any
innings of a match. However, bonus points will no longer be available to a batting team once
it has completed 70 overs in its first innings.
Points.
Competition points shall be awarded for each match as follows:
Outright win
First innings win
No first innings result
Abandoned match
Outright loss with first innings lead
Tie on first innings
Tie on first innings but outright win
Outright tie
Win by default
First innings lead on first day
Team defaulting
10 additional
5
3 each
3 each
5
5
15
3 each
21
3
-12
Bonus points (first innings only):
Batting: 3 points available, as follows – 1st at 200 runs, 2nd at 225
runs, 3rd at 250 runs (all within 70 overs).
Bowling: 3 points available, as follows – 1st at 5 wickets, 2nd at 7
wickets, 3rd at 9 wickets (no restriction on overs).
Maximum points available per game: 24
Defaults.
Any team defaulting a match shall forfeit 12 competition points. The defaulting team shall
also forfeit any points it may have earned in the match it defaults, including bonus points.
Under Rule 2(D) of the General Playing Conditions the defaulting team shall also be liable
for any reasonable travel costs incurred by the winning team.
A team winning by default shall be awarded Maximum 21 points.
Re-grades.
Any player who plays in three Senior matches (including 2 day comp, 50 over one day
comp or 20/20 matches) shall be required to apply for a re-grade to return to or commence
playing in a lower level of competition. Re-grades must be submitted to the NCA re-grade
committee no later than 11am of the Thursday before the match in question. NCA re-grade
committee to have a ruling by 5pm that Thursday.
Two-day final.
The championship final shall be contested by the two top qualifiers from the round-robin
competition. Where two teams are tied for a qualifying position on points, the team which
earned the most points in the game between the two tied sides shall qualify ahead of the other
team. If the teams were tied in that game the team with the best runs-per-wicket differential
for the round-robin competition shall qualify ahead of the other team.
If more than two teams are tied for a qualifying position, the team with the most points from
the matches between the tied sides shall qualify ahead of the other teams. If teams are still
unable to be separated, the team with the best runs-per-wicket differential over the roundrobin competition shall qualify ahead of the other teams.
The match itself shall be contested over two days and normal playing conditions shall apply.
The final may be decided by a win on the first innings. In the absence of either an outright
result or a result on the first innings the top qualifier shall be declared the winner of two-day
competition.
The final of the 2 day competition will be played at Saxton Oval. If Oval is unavailable then
the final will be played at the top qualifiers home ground.
In the event that the match cannot be played at the top qualifier’s home ground Rule 1(D) of
the General Playing Conditions shall apply.
Senior one-day championship matches.
General conditions.
Each innings will be limited to 50 six-ball overs, and each innings shall be completed
within 3 hours and 30 minutes.
A minimum of 20 overs per team is required to constitute a match. If this cannot be achieved
then the match shall be declared a no result.
Matches shall be of one day’s scheduled duration. Unless previously provided for by the
NCA Management Committee the start time for all senior one-day matches shall be 11am.
Result where innings for team batting second is interrupted.
Where the innings of a team batting second is interrupted or otherwise unable to be
completed, the Duckworth/Lewis method shall be applied to determine the winner.
Hours of Play.
Standard hours of play shall be 11am to the end of the first innings. Unless the umpires and
captains all agree otherwise an interval of 30 minutes shall then be had for tea.
Where there is a delayed start to the match the following calculations shall apply at the
discretion of the umpires:
Delayed start
times
Overs per
team
Bowling
time
Fielding
restrictions
Overs per
bowler
12.00pm
12.30pm
1.00pm
1.30pm
2.00pm
2.30pm
3.00pm
3.15pm
46
42
38
34
30
26
22
20
3.00 hrs
2.45 hrs
2.30 hrs
2.15 hrs
2.00 hrs
1.45 hrs
1.30 hrs
1.20 hrs
13 overs
12 overs
11 overs
10 overs
9 overs
7 overs
6 overs
6 overs
1x10 4x9
2x9 3x8
3x8 2x7
4x7 1x6
5x6
4x5 1x4
2x5 3x4
5x4
3.45pm shall be the latest starting time. Ten minutes between innings applies in all matches
where play is suspended. The objective should always be to reallocate the number of overs
so that both teams have an opportunity to bat for the same number of overs. Calculations for
the number of overs to be bowled should always be at the rate of four (4) minutes per over for
the time remaining in the match.
Points.
Win
Win by default
Tie
No result
Bonus Point
Loss
Loss by default
4 points
4 points
2 points each
2 points each
1 point
0 points
-4 points
Bonus point: A team that achieves a run rate of 1.25 times
that of the opposition shall be awarded one bonus point. A
team’s run rate is calculated by reference to the runs scored in
an innings divided by the number of overs faced.
Where a side is all out, the number of overs used is the
maximum number of overs that side was eligible to face.
Where matches are shortened and targets revised using the
Duckworth/Lewis method, bonus run rates and defensive
targets are derived as a function of the revised target score and
maximum overs.
Senior Twenty20 championship matches.
Unless otherwise advised by the NCA Management Committee, the rules for all senior
Twenty20 fixtures shall be the same as those set out in the NZC Playing Conditions at the
start of the season.
1.
Points:
Win
Win by default
Tie
No result
Loss
Loss by default
4 points
4 points
2 points each
2 points each
0 points
-4 points