Bedforshire County Cricket League Handbook 2018

BEDFORDSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET LEAGUE 2018 LEAGUE HANDBOOK Affiliated to the Club Cricket Conference Sponsored by Readers

www.bedsccl.play-cricket.com

Contents League Officers 2018

2

Previous Winners

28

Chairman’s Report

3

Umpires Panel 2018

29

An Aussie’s view on the BCCL

5

Club Details 2018

30

Spirit of Cricket

7

2018 FIXTURES

38

Greene King Bedfordshire County Cricket League Constitution

8

Greene King Bedfordshire County Cricket League Playing Rules 2018 Premier and Division 1 Premier and Divisions 2 – 6

10 15

Registration

22

League Positions, Promotions & Relegation 24 BCCL Club Penalties 2018

25

BACO Guidelines for Panel Umpires

26

Pitch Marking Criteria for Panel Umpires

26

Facilities Reporting Scheme Guidelines

27

Premier Division Division 1 Division 2 Division 3 Division 4 Division 5 Division 6

38 39 40 41 42 43 44

ECB & PCA Guidance: Helmets

46

Ground, Weather & Light Guidance

48

Lightning: What should you do?

49

League Records

50

Post-Match Requirements

54

We use locally sourced barley malted just two miles from the brewery; water from the chalk wells sunk deep beneath Bury St Edmunds; hops from Kent and Worcestershire; and yeast strains descended from those used by our founder in 1799.

We have been making beer at our brewery in Bury St Edmunds since 1799 and, through constant innovation, we have taken the traditional art of brewing to new heights, producing what is arguably the finest range of cask ales in the country.

We at Greene King are very keen to support all levels of sport from our recent release of becoming the official beer of England Cricket to sponsoring a local village team, all forms of the game are supported and hugely encouraged. Greene King are therefore delighted to partner with the Bedfordshire County Cricket league to become the league sponsor for this season with a view to supporting the league and it’s clubs for years to come.

Despite the simplicity of the ingredients - barley, water, yeast and hops - it’s in the creation of the recipe that the art and skill of the master brewer lies. And here is the real secret of our success.

We can turn those basic ingredients into some of the best cask ales available today - each with its own individual flavour, aroma, colour and characteristics.

We are delighted to be able to partner with the league for the start of the season and are happy to support the clubs in any way possible throughout the season to come. The increased exposure this will give to Greene King as a brewer and a supplier of all drinks made it an obvious path to take partnering with a strong cricket league such as this one.

Mobile Edition of the Handbook

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Handbook design by: sitting-duck.org.uk • Printed by: Lion Press

1

League Officers 2017

Chairman

Andy Watts

Vice Chairman

Vacant

77 Suncote Avenue, Dunstable, LU6 1BN

07811 960350 chair@bedsleague.org.uk

07788 134073 secretary@bedsleague.org.uk

League Secretary and BACO Representative

Steve Cobb

Snowdrop Cottage, 12 Chapel Fields, Biggleswade SG18 0ND

Treasurer

Hassan Amin

37 Barnstaple Road, Bedford, MK40 3AS

07830 880666 treasurer@bedsleague.org.uk

Registration Secretary

Geoff May

1 Primrose Close, Biggleswade, SG18 8SN

01767 315572 07767 895421 registration@bedsleague.org.uk

Disciplinary Chairman

Steve Cobb

07788 134073 discipline@bedsleague.org.uk

Facilities Secretary

Steve Waterhouse

07527 014492 steve.waterhouse@btinternet.com

Results Secretary

Colin Keeley

01582 705191 07947 734621 results@bedsleague.org.uk

Fixture Secretary Ian Smith and League Welfare Officer Bedfordshire Cricket Ltd Representative (non-voting)

Ben Wallace

Groundsman Association Representative (non-voting)

Malcolm Wynn

IT Manager

Vacant

Follow the league

2

01525 841836 07880 850269 fixtures@bedsleague.org.uk

webmaster@bedsleague.org.uk

Bedfordshire County Cricket League

@bedsleague

Chairman’s Report

2017 was definitely a season to remember for all sorts of reasons, the League welcomed Caddington, Steppingley and New Bradwell to the growing membership; the Development Division had to be suspended mid-season; we introduced a new reporting tool for captains and umpires via play-cricket; we concluded a two year sponsorship deal with Greene King and we have had to pull out of the Sovereign Trophy.

Two of our new member clubs, Steppingley and New Bradwell had very successful seasons winning their respective divisions and our third new member Caddington, only played one match in the Development Division but enjoyed it so much that they will be playing in Division 6 in 2018.

Unfortunately the League Management Committee had to suspend the Development Division in 2017 due to clubs lack of adherence to the registration rules of playing 12 year olds and the lack of protection that was being given to them through the registration process. We as a League Management Committee have the duty to protect all young cricketers in their development and enjoyment in the game. Unfortunately we will be scrapping the Development Division in 2018 due to the lack of adherence of the rules and also the lack of uptake of playing matches.

At the start of the season the League introduced a new reporting tool within playcricket, the new reporting tool for captains is a simple document that can be accessed via the clubs play-cricket site and umpires can

register on to our website and will be given access to complete their reports. There were a high number of clubs that did not complete ground and umpires reports and this will hit some clubs quite hard to their pocket in fines.

I will ask you all to go back to your clubs and ask your captains to ensure this 5 minute job is completed on time in 2018. It is also very important that your club submits factual and accurate facility reports on the reporting system that we have provided, as the League do scrutinise the marks and make decisions based on your submitted marks. If you have any questions on this topic please contact the League Facilities representative.

In April, the League negotiated a new two year deal with Greene King, the sponsorship money was used to support our umpires panel with new coats and our clubs with new stumps and fielding discs. The League would like to thank Greene King for their continued support and hope that we can continue a healthy relationship going forward.

It is with regret that the League will not be entering a side into the Sovereign Trophy in 2018. The lack of player availability, home ground support and enthusiasm to play representative cricket has made the decision regrettable but an easy one. I would like to thank Ian Smith for managing the team over the past decade and also to Carl Ferguson and Sam Cherry who have captained the team, also to all the players that have represented the League. I hope that in the future the chance to play in the Sovereign Trophy and play representative cricket will be of interest to the 3

many talented players we have in this County.

The League Representative side did play one match this season, a T20 game vs the RAF at Vine Lane. The match was very memorable due to some remarkable hitting from Dunstable’s Ben Abbott who plundered 110 from only 36 balls; this included thirteen 6’s and seven 4’s. Ben was asked to retire by skipper Carl Ferguson much to the delight of the RAF bowlers, the side amassed 234 for 4 from their twenty overs. In reply the RAF scored 194-4 from their twenty overs.

The Premier Division was close affair again in 2017, at one point there were three sides vying for top spot, Southill Park, Lutonian and Dunstable. Dunstable lost two crucial games which left Southill and Lutonian fighting for the championship crown. It was Lutonian who won their last two matches to pip Southill Park by 2 points to claim the crown, congratulations to Asif Khan and his team.

The Premier Division will welcome Queens Park in 2018 after they won Division One by 43 points, Queens Park continue to show strong performances in all the divisions that they have played in and I hope that they continue that form and intensity in the Premier Division next year.

Division Two was won by Eggington Foresters who ran away with the top spot by 68 points; Division Three was wrapped up by Bedford who are slowly re-building the club and are making big strides as they will enter the Northants League again next year on Saturdays. Division Four was won by newcomers New Bradwell who won every game they played and doing so amassed 466 points; Division Five was won

by Eggington 2’s and Division Six was won by another newcomer, Steppingley, who lost only one game on their way to being champions by 95 points.

Unfortunately during the season Horton House left Division 6, and post season we have also had withdrawals from Ickleford, Stevenage, Leighton Buzzard and Eaton Socon. I hope these clubs can either rebuild or choose to reapply to the League in the future. This gives us 5 vacancies that will give a great opportunity for the many teams that would like to enter the league in 2018.

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With all the new changes to the Laws of Cricket that became live in October, Cricket East will be arranging sessions during the winter and spring for captains, I hope that you will all be sending your captains to attend as the changes will have a massive effect on games in 2018. The new laws will have an impact on us as well, but, not all the new law changes will have an effect on the lower divisions where we do not have panel umpires so our playing rules will be re-written to suit. I would like to thank Steve Cobb for the time and effort that he has spent re-writing these.

It is a thankless task but it is greatly appreciated by the management committee and I’m sure by the member clubs as well.

The umpire’s panel did a great job again in 2017 covering the Premier League, Division One and some Division Two matches. The League invited from Australia, Noel Ford, to stand in two matches during the season and our Dutch umpire Jan Hilhorst provided the opportunity for Martin Hancock and Maulik Prabhudesai to experience cricket in Bedfordshire. I would like to remind our Premier and Division One teams that your umpire’s reports are valuable to the League and BACO and your submitted reports in 2016 saw Rob Nunn awarded the Jim Cox trophy.

I sincerely thank our umpires, both panel and club, for the excellent job that they do.

Although, it has become apparent that the number of umpires on the Panel is becoming fewer and it is becoming harder to help clubs that are below Division One. I will ask you to go back to your clubs tonight and encourage your playing and non-playing members to go on the excellently ran umpires courses that BACO provide.

I am sure that you will join me in offering sympathies to Luton Town and Indians who lost Dipak Patel and Dave Bell, Flitwick who lost Dave Pateman and Mary Hardy, Waresley who lost former President Michael Banks and to Bedford who lost Peter Allen only this week.

I would like to thank Vicky Bodo who again did a fantastic job editing our handbook, also thanks to Harry Wright who composed and sent out the weekly newsletter. I hope that Harry can continue to do this during his university studies in 2018.

It is with sadness that the League loses our Disciplinary Chairman, Bob Woodward tonight who has served admirably on the committee for the past 15 years. Bob will be truly missed especially with his words of wisdom and his logical thinking, I wish Bob well in his retirement and thank him on behalf of the committee and the membership for all of his hard work.

On your behalf I thank Steve Cobb, Bob Woodward, Ian Smith, Hassan Amin, Geoff May, Colin Keeley, Malcolm Wynn and Martin Darlow our Management Committee who I am very proud to act as their Chairman.

Andy Watts Chairman Bedfordshire County Cricket League.

Post season both Robert Nunn and Dave Pike resigned their positions from the committee due to work and family life, again I thank them both for their efforts over the past few years.

An Aussie View on the BCCL As an Aussie cricket tragic who loves to be involved in the game whenever and however possible, I thought I would take the opportunity to see if I could stand in a match in Bedfordshire whilst visiting my wife’s family in Dunstable during July. During the Australian summer I umpire lower grades in the New South Wales Premier Cricket competition (previously known as Sydney Grade Cricket), and wanted to take the opportunity to expand my umpiring experience in different conditions. I have also been involved in the game at junior and youth levels as a club and representative coach, manager, selector and committee member for many years, as well as a life member of one of the largest cricket clubs in NSW. I was very fortunate to make contact with Ian Smith, who very generously arranged for me to stand in two Sunday Division 1 League matches, one at Great Brickhill, the other at Ickwell. Two beautiful, quintessentially village grounds, both containing all the charm and character one could hope for in experiencing English cricket. Smithy arranged for me to stand with Paul Barnes and Andy Watts, two thoroughly professional colleagues from whom I learnt quite a bit about umpiring in English matches, as well as comparing our various match preparations and techniques. I was presented with an ECB - ACO umpires shirt for the matches, which will take pride of place at

home. It was a bit tough, I must admit, for a born and bred Aussie to wear the Three Lions on my chest, however I am advised that the rash will disappear once the Ashes commence!

Whilst I was anticipating seaming green tops with the ball hooping about under overcast skies, unusually, the pitches were more akin to Australian conditions with dry and dusty surfaces keeping the ball low and lightning fast outfields. Quite a few LBW appeals were put forward to test me, and I can state unequivocally that English bowlers are equally as insistent as Australians that the batsman is always out when the ball hits the pads! The grounds are also very different in shape to what I usually stand on. Our ovals are utilised as Australian Football grounds during winter, so benefit from year-round usage with the same dimensions and groundsman preparations (other than the wicket square, of course). To be confronted by the shape of the Great Brickhill ground as well as the tree within the boundary at Ickwell were both very different to me!

I also had to deal with the “distractions” of the magnificent historic aircraft flying around Shuttleworth - I will always remember being “buzzed” by three R.A.F. WW2 Hurricanes whilst standing at the strikers end. I’m pretty sure that there wasn’t a stumping appeal at the time ...

5

I have only ever umpired with Kookaburra balls, so the look and feel of the Reader was something different to what I had been used to. The Reader has a lighter red varnish and feels smaller in the hand. Unfortunately in both matches a ball had to be replaced early on as the stitching split open. This added to the call on the replacement ball box, especially with the number of lost balls over the short boundary at Great Brickhill.

Technique wise there is a lot we can all learn from colleagues from different cricket regions.

In Sydney we use a checkoff system to signal to each other the number of balls remaining in an over after a no ball or wide is delivered.

Pitch handover between overs is something we work hard on, as well as when we update over rates in our books (usually after the first ball has been bowled of an over when you are standing at the striker’s end). No head movement at delivery and hand placement by our side are also techniques we work on as well.

Player communication and management are critical to Sydney umpires. It is a highly competitive in Sydney with players striving for higher grade or first class selection for NSW. Player management can be a challenge, especially during roasting hot summer afternoons. I must admit that the English players I umpired are far more “gentlemanly” than many of the more volatile characters that run around in Sydney.

6

Umpire mentoring is also a key element of our education and development. Each grade umpire is assessed by an experienced, retired colleague at least once, more often than not on 2 - 3 occasions each season. My mentor has stood in over 750 grade games, as well as ODIs and Sheffield Shield matches, so I obtain absolute quality feedback and advice throughout the season. We currently have a very healthy contingent of umpire numbers in Sydney with over 200 active members available for selection every weekend.

I would finally like to also mention the wonderful hospitality I received from the clubs.

The afternoon teas were an absolute delight, and the post-match pints most enjoyable.

Much better fayre than we often receive in Sydney - sometimes we are lucky to get a biscuit and a glass of warm water!

Thank you once again to Smithy, Paul and Andy for all everything you did to make the experiences so special for me. I hope to come back and stand again in the seasons ahead.

English cricket is alive and well with such good men involved.

If anyone is coming to Sydney for the Ashes, please get in contact with me. I’m always up for a beer and banter!

All the best Noel Ford Sydney

Spirit of Cricket: Preamble to the Laws Cricket is a game that owes much of its unique appeal to the fact that it should be played not only within its Laws but also within the Spirit of the Game. Any action which is seen to abuse this spirit causes injury to the game itself. The major responsibility for ensuring the spirit of fair play rests with the captains.

1. There are two Laws which place responsibility for the team’s conduct firmly on the captain.

RESPONSIBILITY OF CAPTAINS The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of the Game as well as within the Laws.

PLAYER’S CONDUCT In the event of a player failing to comply with instructions by an umpire, or criticising by word or action the decision of an umpire, or showing dissent, or generally behaving in a manner which might bring the game into disrepute, the umpire concerned shall in the first place 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 the umpires are the sole judges of fair and unfair play.

The umpires may intervene at any time and it is the responsibility of the captain to take action where required.

3. The umpires are authorised to intervene in cases of: • Time wasting • Damaging the pitch • Dangerous or unfair bowling • Tampering with the ball • Any other action that they consider to be unfair

4. The Spirit of the Game involves RESPECT for: • Your opponents • Your own captain • The roles of the umpires • 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 • To direct abusive language towards an opponent or umpire • To indulge in cheating or any sharp practice, for instance: (a) to appeal knowing that the batsman is not out (b) to advance towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing (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 towards this. © Marylebone Cricket Club

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Greene King Bedfordshire County Cricket League Constitution 1. Title The name of the League shall be Bedfordshire County Cricket League (hereinafter called the League.) The League name may be prefaced by the name of a sponsor approved by the League Management Committee.

i) Division 5 and 6

3. Eligibility for Membership

Changing rooms, showers (in full working order) and toilets must be available close to the playing area, together with a suitable room where food can be consumed under hygienic conditions. In the absence of a score box, a scoreboard is required, visible from the pitch. Boundaries shall be clearly marked by a white line, rope or flags. A well-stocked first aid kit shall be available. A clock must be provided, visible from the pitch. Sight screens positioned at each end of the ground.

(a) New members

ii) Divisions 3 and 4

2. Object The object of the League shall be to organise and control an annual competition amongst invited Bedfordshire cricket clubs and cricket clubs with an historical claim to have played cricket against Bedfordshire clubs.

Clubs shall be eligible for membership on the invitation of the League Management Committee.

Any cricket club may apply in writing to the League Secretary requesting an invitation to membership.

Such applications are to be received at least twelve months before the start of the first season in which such Club wishes to enter the League, except for existing member Clubs wishing to enter additional teams, which must apply by 1st November of the previous year in which the additional team wishes to join. In order to be invited to join the League, Clubs must normally be able to demonstrate that they have fulfilled three years consecutive competitive cricket, immediately prior to their application, before they can be considered. Clubs must meet the criteria for maintaining membership and will be admitted to membership only at the divisional level that the standard of their facilities allows, subject to the discretion of the League Management Committee whose decision is final. All new member Clubs shall pay to the League the designated membership fee within one month of their election to membership. (b) Maintaining Membership To maintain membership of the League, all clubs must be properly constituted and be affiliated to Bedfordshire Cricket Limited. (c) Child Welfare To ensure a duty of care to all players and members, all clubs must adopt and implement the ECB ‘Safe Hands - Welfare of Young People in Cricket’ policy and any future versions of that policy. Each club must appoint a Child Welfare Officer and provide the League with that’s person’s name. (d) Facilities All clubs must have ground and other facilities acceptable to the League Management Committee, including any alternative or occasional ground used for league matches. All clubs must have a wellmaintained playing area, particularly with regard to the square. No club will be eligible for promotion to a higher division unless the minimum standards for that division are attained, or unless otherwise agreed by the League Management Committee in exceptional circumstances.

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(e) The minimum requirements for facilities will be

As above except that changing rooms and other facilities must be adjacent to the playing area. In addition, boundaries must be marked by a white line or rope, with flags where possible. iii) Division 1 and 2 As above, plus permanent sightscreens positioned at each end of the ground. A white line or rope, plus flags must mark the boundary. In addition, there must be a fully functioning score box and a telephone must be available in the pavilion. Umpires changing room must be provided (or separate area in a changing room for umpires to change in.) Pitch must be remarked between innings. iv) Premier Division As above plus bar facilities within the pavilion.

Changing rooms must be an adequate size for each team and all players’ kit. (f) Dispensations In Divisions 5 and 6 only, dispensations from the minimum standards for facilities may be granted by the League Management Committee for 3rd XI’s and lower. (g) Non-turf pitches An artificial pitch may not be used in any divisions except the Development Divisions. (h) Voluntary termination of membership Any club wishing to withdraw from the League must give written notice to the League Secretary by 1st November prior to the last season in which it participates in the League. (i) Social Media Policy Membership of the League requires all clubs to abide by the League’s Social Media Policy which states: “Players and club officials shall not make public or media comment which is derogatory or abusive to the League, member clubs, umpires or the game in general. In this instance, media shall include press, radio, television, external websites, club websites, social networking sites and club match programmes.

Any such action will be dealt with by the League as a breach of discipline in accordance with the Laws and Spirit of Cricket.”

4. Management (a) The management of the League shall be vested in a League Management Committee consisting of the Chairman, Vice Chairman, League Secretary, Treasurer, Results Secretary, Registrations Secretary, Disciplinary Chairman, Fixture Secretary, Facilities Secretary and IT Officer. (b) Representatives of Bedfordshire Cricket Ltd, Bedfordshire Association of Groundsmen and Bedfordshire Association of Cricket Officials may be co-opted as non-voting members of the League Management Committee. (c) Those wishing to stand for any committee post must submit their nomination to the League Secretary two weeks prior to the Annual General Meeting (with a proposing and seconding club.) (d) All disciplinary matters shall be dealt with either by the Disciplinary Chairman or a Disciplinary Sub-Committee and, if necessary, an Appeals Sub-Committee. The Disciplinary Chairman shall be elected at the AGM. He/she has the right to co-opt on to these committees to carry out the requirements of the League’s disciplinary rules.

5. Function of the League Management Committee (a) Meetings of the League Management Committee shall be held as necessary. At least seven days’ notice will be given. (b) A quorum shall be a majority of the voting members of the League Management Committee. (c) The League Management Committee shall be responsible for the efficient running of the League and shall control finances. The Committee shall have the power to: i) Appoint sub-committees as may be deemed necessary from time to time and delegate to each sub-committee any powers deemed necessary. The Chairman of each subcommittee shall be a member of the League Management Committee. ii) Co-opt non-voting representatives of Bedfordshire Cricket Ltd, Bedfordshire Association of Groundsmen and Bedfordshire Association of Cricket Officials. iii) Determine the membership of the League and divisional allocations. iv) Referee all disputes.

6. General Meetings (a) The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than 30th November each year. The Officers’ reports and the Statement of Accounts shall be presented at this meeting. (b) A Special General Meeting may be convened by the League Management Committee at any time or shall be convened by the League Secretary within twenty-one days on receipt of a written request signed by not less than four member clubs.

(d) Each member club shall be entitled to send more than one representative to General Meetings but only one shall be entitled to vote. (e) Clubs not represented at the AGM or an SGM will be fined £50; clubs not represented at any other General Meeting will be fined £10. All monies raised by these fines to be donated to a suitable cricketing cause or charity at the League Management Committee’s discretion.

7. Financial Year The Financial Year shall end on 30th September each year.

8. Subscription (a) Each member club shall pay an annual subscription in respect of League membership. This subscription will be agreed at the AGM to cover the following season. (b) For 2018, clubs entering three teams shall pay £150; clubs with two teams £100, and clubs with one team £50. The subscription for a team playing in the Development Division to be £25. (c) Clubs will also be invoiced for postage costs associated with the running of the umpires reporting cards and facility reporting system. (d) Subscriptions shall be due on 31st January and are payable by 1st April each year. (e) Failure to pay the Annual Subscription by 1st April will result in a penalty becoming payable in addition to the subscription; such penalty to be at a rate of 30% for each month or part thereof that the subscription is overdue and will be levied on a monthly compound basis. If the subscription and the penalty additions are not paid within two months the offending Club may not be eligible for membership in the following season. (f) Any clubs wishing to withdraw from the League must inform the League Secretary in writing prior to 1st November of the preceding year.

9. League Rules (a) Membership of the League signifies acceptance of the Constitution and Playing Rules. (b) The Constitution and Playing Rules shall be contained in the League handbook, which shall be distributed annually to all member clubs. (c) No amendment shall be made to the Constitution, Playing Rules or Constituent Members except at a General Meeting. Any proposal for an alteration to the Constitution, Playing Rules or list of Constituent Members must be made to the League Secretary no later than thirty days before the General Meeting for inclusion on the agenda, and shall take effect if supported by a majority of member clubs present. (d) The League Management Committee shall deal with any matter not covered by the Constitution or the playing regulations. The decision of the League Management Committee will be final.

(c) Fourteen days notice in writing shall be given by the League Secretary of any General Meeting, this notice to be accompanied by an agenda.

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Greene King Bedfordshire County Cricket League Playing Rules 2018 Premier Division and Division 1 only 1. Laws of Cricket

3. Timing of Matches

All league games shall be played in accordance with the Laws of Cricket as published and amended from time to time by the MCC, except as varied or amended by the Playing Rules contained in the League handbook. All league games shall be played in accordance with “the Spirit of Cricket”, and in accordance with any directives, guidelines and policies published by the national governing bodies and adopted by the League.

(a) Matches will start at 1.30pm up to and including the last Sunday in July, 1pm for the first two Sundays in August and then 12.30pm until the end of the season.

2. Match Conditions (a) Matches shall consist of forty-five overs per side. (b) Bowlers are limited to nine overs per innings in an uninterrupted match. (c) If the match is delayed prior to the start of either innings, the maximum overs per individual bowler in both innings shall be reduced at the rate of one over for every five overs by which the innings has been reduced (see table below).

Overs per innings

Maximum overs per bowler

20 – 25

5

26 – 30

6

31 – 35

7

36 – 40

8

41 – 45

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(d) At least one umpire must be present at the toss in line with the Laws of Cricket. (e) The side scoring the most runs shall be the winner. (f) No innings can be concluded by a declaration. (A declaration will be deemed to be a forfeiture of the match). (g) In an innings where the number of overs available is reduced after play has commenced, no bowler shall bowl more than one fifth of the total available overs. Where the total overs are not divisible by five, an additional over shall be allowed to the minimum number of bowlers necessary to make up the balance. In the event that a reduction in overs results in one or more bowlers having exceeded the newly calculated maximum then the umpires shall calculate the overs allowed for the remaining bowlers. A bowler who has exceeded the new maximum will be allowed to complete an incomplete over upon the resumption of play.

Examples (i) An innings is reduced to 29 overs, 4 bowlers can bowl a maximum of 6 overs and 1 bowler can bowl a maximum of 5 overs. (ii) An innings is reduced to 20 overs and a bowler has already bowled 7 overs, 1 bowler can bowl a maximum of 4 overs and 3 bowlers can bowl a maximum of 3 overs.

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(b) Teams are expected to complete the bowling of forty-five overs in two hours and forty-five minutes. (c) Any reference in these rules to the deduction or recalculation of overs is based on the duration of each over being three and a half minutes. (d) A tea interval of a maximum of thirty minutes will be taken between innings. Captains may agree to reduce or move the tea interval if the weather or other circumstances so require. (e) i) The toss shall take place at least fifteen minutes before the scheduled start of play and team cards must be given to the umpires. If only one side is present at that time, the Umpires will award them the toss. The Umpires will inform the absent side the result of the toss. ii) If, at the scheduled start time, only one side is ready to commence the game, the absent side will be deducted one point for every three and a half minutes the game is delayed. iii) Panel umpires will assist the fielding side with their over rate by standing on either the off or leg side at the striker’s end, and not swap sides during the course of an over. iv) Batsmen are reminded not to waste time and their requirement under the Laws of Cricket to cross with an incoming batsman on the field of play. v) The batting team are to be solely responsible for the moving of sightscreens once a match has commenced. Umpires are to ensure that there are no unnecessary delays in play whilst waiting for this to happen and that play continues in the absence of batting team members to move the screens. vi) For every over not bowled in that time, the batting side will be awarded 6 penalty runs at the conclusion of the last over bowled within the permitted time.

This rule shall be monitored and implemented by the umpires, who may allow additional time in exceptional circumstances (see BACO Guidance below) and their decision will be final.

4. Interruptions in Play (a) The first thirty minutes lost during a match shall not count as time lost. This time is cumulative across any number of interruptions. (b) First Innings i) In the event of a delayed start, or any break in the first innings for bad weather, the length of the

match will be reduced at a rate of two overs for each full seven minutes of play lost (i.e. one over off each innings). Once the amount of time lost means that the side batting first cannot receive twenty overs, the game will be abandoned. ii) The tea interval may be taken during a first innings interruption if available. iii) No match will start until both teams have at least seven players present at the ground. iv) If the start of a match is delayed due to insufficient players to meet the requirements of playing rule 4(b)(iii), the offending team will be deducted one over from their batting overs allocation for every three and a half minutes of playing time lost. In exceptional circumstances, the umpires (or captains where panel umpires are not appointed) may waive this deduction and their decision will be final. (c) Second Innings i) Any stoppages in the second innings will result in a reduction in the length of the innings by one over for every full three and half minutes lost. ii) The number of overs permitted to any bowler may only be set at the start of an innings. Any breaks in play resulting in a loss of overs does not mean a reduction in the maximum overs a bowler is allowed to bowl. iii) When the umpires deem the conditions fit for play, the required total will be recalculated by taking the average run rate of the team which batted first [if a side is bowled out, its run rate will assume that the side has faced the full fortyfive overs, or the number of overs available after recalculation for rain] and multiplying it by the new number of overs available to the side batting second when the innings resumes. This revised total will be multiplied by 1.05 and rounded up to the nearest whole run which will become the new target score. If on this recalculation the side batting second has already exceeded this target no further play is necessary. Once the side batting second cannot receive twenty overs the game will be abandoned as a draw.

which the game was interrupted, and comparing it with the average run rate of the team batting first. The team with the higher run rate will be the winner. Note that if the side batting first is bowled out then the number of overs shall be the full number available for the innings at the time it was completed.

5. Cancellation of Matches (a) The home side is the ground authority for all games and before the match is the sole arbiter of whether or not the ground is fit for play.

For the avoidance of doubt, a game should be considered abandoned if the start is delayed by greater than one hundred and seventy minutes. This includes the thirty minutes which are not counted by virtue of rule 4(a). (b) Matches may only be cancelled for reasons of ground fitness on the Sunday morning of the game. (c) Where panel umpires are appointed, in the event of any dispute between the captains over the fitness of the ground for play up to one hour before the scheduled start, the umpires shall be the sole arbiters as to whether the ground is fit for play, both before and after the toss. (d) Where the fitness of the ground is in doubt more than three hours before the scheduled start time, the home club must contact their opponents to see if they are happy to call off the fixture. If the opponents do not agree, the home club must get an appointed umpire (or other panel umpire) to inspect the ground to determine whether or not the match can be cancelled (Umpire to be paid £10 fee by the home club for attending ground). The umpire’s decision is final and must be communicated to the opponents by the home club.

6. Points system (a) A match won shall count twenty points to the winning side plus bonus points. (b) The losing side shall be awarded bonus points only. (c) Each side shall be awarded ten points for a cancelled or abandoned match.

Examples

(d) In the event of a tie each side shall be awarded ten points plus bonus points.

Team A score 180 in 35 overs and Team B have 35 overs available, target score is 181 to win.

(e) A match awarded by default shall count twenty points to the winning side plus bonus points.

Team A score 200 in 45 overs and there is a rain break after 10 overs of the second innings which is then reduced to 30 overs. Target score is (200 divided by 45 overs)=4.44 runs per over multiplied by 30 overs multiplied by 1.05=139.86 meaning Team B need to score 140 runs to win.

7. Bonus points

iv) If there are further stoppages during the second innings the required total will again be recalculated with further reductions in overs.

(b) Each team will be awarded one batting bonus point for scoring one hundred and fifty runs and a further batting bonus point for each additional twenty five runs up to a maximum of five batting bonus points.

v) If there is no further play possible in the second innings and the team batting second has received more than twenty overs, the winner of the game will be decided by working out the average run rate of the team batting second at the point at

(a) Each team will be awarded one bowling bonus point for every two wickets taken. If a team with less than eleven players is all out, five bowling bonus points will be awarded.

Example Team batting second score 150 runs to win in 30 overs (5 runs per over) so are awarded 5 batting bonus points.

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(c) If the team batting second exceed the required number of runs needed to win, they shall be awarded one batting bonus point for each whole run per over up to a maximum of five batting bonus points or have the number of batting bonus points awarded under playing rule 7(b) whichever is the greater. (d) When the number of overs available to the team batting first is reduced, batting bonus points for both teams will be awarded on the basis of playing rule 7(c).

8. Fixtures and Timing (a) Fixtures will be set by the League Fixture Secretary and cannot be re-arranged once set. (b) Umpires and Captains should ensure that play commences on time at the start of the match and after any intervals.

9. Cricket Balls & Kit (a) The ball supplier chosen by the League for 2018 is Readers who will provide Sovereign Imperial Crown balls. (b) A new ball must be used at the start of each innings.

Both balls will be provided by the home team and will be identical. The captain of the away team may choose which ball his team bowls with.

(c) In the event of a cancelled match, the home team has to notify the League. Failure to report the result or the full names of the umpires will result in the League imposing a £10 fine on the offending club. (d) All fines levied by the League will be published on a weekly basis, together with the League tables. Any club that believes there are grounds to dispute any fine levied must do so within six days of publication.

Otherwise the fine will be added to the Club’s Statement of Account and will become payable at the end of the season when there will be no further opportunity to dispute the fine. (e) Any player correctly registered on Play-Cricket and time-stamped prior to 11am on the day of the match will be eligible to play that day.

12. Refusal to Play Clubs refusing to fulfil engagements and/or obligations shall be dealt with as the League Management Committee decides.

13. Pitches

(c) The home side must ensure that an adequate supply of suitable spare balls is available.

(a) The pitch may be completely covered at any time; this includes any interruption of play.

(d) A team may wear coloured clothing; all players in the team must wear the same kit and it must not clash with a red cricket ball. (Umpires to adjudicate, if necessary, and their decision is final).

(b) The League recommends that suitable covers be made available and used where appropriate.

10. Umpires and Scorers (a) Umpires will be appointed for all fixtures from the Bedfordshire Association of Cricket Officials Panel.

Travelling expenses of £35 must be paid to each umpire before the start of the game. This fee will increase to £40 if paid after the game (each club to pay one of the umpires). (b) If only one panel umpire stands a fee of £50 to be paid (£25 from each club). (c) Panel umpires will file an online report on playing behaviour and club facilities. (d) Each club must submit an online report card on the two umpires within two days (failure to do so will result in a £10 fine). (e) If an umpire travels to, or commences travel to, the ground then the full travelling expenses must be paid. (f) Each team must provide a scorer for the duration of the match, failure to do so will result in a five point penalty. Panel umpires must report any absence of a scorer.

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(b) All scorecards are to be recorded on the Play-Cricket website by the home team no later than 11pm of the Tuesday following the match. Failure to comply with this rule will incur a £10 fine.

14. Unable to Raise a Side (a) In the event of a club being unable to fulfil a fixture, thirty points will be awarded to the non-offending team and ten points will be deducted from the offending team. (b) Any club that fails to honour two League fixtures during the course of a season may be expelled from the League by the League Management Committee. (c) In the event of a club not being able to field the requisite number of teams, that club must honour the higher team’s fixture. If on that particular day it is a ‘double header’ between two clubs, the club with two elevens may request the remaining fixture to be played at home. (d) Where the club that fails to raise a side only has one team, the return match will be played at the nonoffending club’s ground (if that is the wish of the non-offending club). If the offending club is unable to fulfil the return match the points deduction will be doubled.

15. Discipline

11. Reporting of Match Results

The League will conduct its disciplinary procedures in accordance with the principles adopted by Bedfordshire Cricket Ltd, augmented by the following:

(a) Results shall be reported to the League by the home club who shall enter the result on Play-Cricket on the day of the match. Failure to report the result on the day of the match will incur a £10 fine.

(a) All clubs and their members are subject to The English Cricket Board’s Disciplinary Rules, Code of Conduct and Guidelines on the Conduct of Hearing and Appeals.

(b) Clubs may not select players who are subject to a ban imposed by the League or Bedfordshire Cricket Ltd for any game during the period of that ban.

The League shall inform clubs of any such bans as soon as possible. A breach of this requirement renders the club liable to the League’s disciplinary procedures. The League’s disciplinary process will be guided by the English Cricket Board’s “Sentencing Guidelines-Recreational Game” (October 2000) or any subsequent edition and “Directive 2.6-Fixed Penalties”. (c) Any club, player or member shall have the right of appeal against a decision of the League Management Committee or its nominated members or sub-committee. Within seven days of receiving the decision, a written notice of appeal, setting out full and detailed grounds of appeal, must be sent to the League Secretary, together with a fee of £50 (players) or £150 (clubs) payable to the League. Any penalty or punishment imposed will be suspended, pending the full hearing or abandonment of the appeal. (d) An independent appeal panel will hear the appeal in accordance with the conditions set out in the ECB Guidelines on the Conduct of Hearing & Appeals. (e) If the appeal is successful the fee will be refunded.

16. Interpretation of Wide Ball and No Ball (a) If the ball passes either side of the wicket sufficiently wide to make it virtually impossible for the striker to play a normal cricket stroke, both from where they are standing and from where they would normally be standing at the crease, the umpire should call and signal a wide.

For the avoidance of doubt, the leg side is defined by the batsman’s stance when the bowler starts his /her run-up irrespective of any attempted switch-hit or reverse sweep. (b) i) Umpires are instructed to apply a very strict and consistent interpretation in regard to this Law in order to prevent negative bowling wide of the wicket. ii) A leg side wide shall be called if, irrespective of where the ball pitches, it passes outside the line of the batsman and the leg stump, despite his movement. iii) For additional clarity, a ball that passes between the batsman and the leg stump shall not be considered a wide. If a ball is hit by the batsman or if the ball hits any part of his equipment, it shall not be called a wide irrespective of where it pitched or where it would have passed.

of the additional 17” crease and the striker has not brought the delivery within reach of a normal cricket stroke. (vi) MCC Law 41.6.1 shall be replaced with: A bowler shall be limited to one fast short pitched ball per over. The umpire at the bowler’s end shall make it clear to both the bowler and the batsmen when such a delivery has been bowled.

This ruling shall apply even if the striker has made contact with the ball with his bat, person or equipment. A short pitched ball is defined as one that passes or would have passed over shoulder height of the striker standing upright at the crease. It is unfair if this limit is exceeded and the bowler’s end umpire shall call and signal a no ball on each such occasion. In addition, the umpires shall adopt the procedures of MCC Law 41.6.3 and Law 41.6.4 in respect of warnings.

17. Fielding Circles (a) At the instant of delivery, a minimum of five fielders plus the bowler and wicket-keeper must be within an area bounded by two semi-circles, centred on each middle stump, each with a radius of thirty yards, and joined by a parallel line on each side of the pitch. In the event of infringement, the striker’s end umpire will call and signal ‘no ball’ and when the ball is dead the bowler’s end umpire will repeat the signal to the scorers. (b) The fielding circles will be marked with either painted white dots or marking discs at ten yard intervals. It is the responsibility of the home team to ensure that the markings are in place prior to the start of the game. (c) Throughout the innings, at the instant of delivery, there may be a maximum of five fielders on the leg side. In the event of an infringement, either umpire may call and signal no ball and when the ball is dead the bowler’s end umpire will repeat the signal to the scorers.

18. Fast Bowling Directive The League fully supports the ECB Fast Bowling Directive, governing the number of overs that may be bowled in one spell and one innings by young quick bowlers, and these guidelines must be observed in all Divisions of this League.

19. Helmets In line with ECB guidance the wearing of helmets by all players under the age of eighteen, when batting or when standing up keeping wicket, is compulsory in all League games.

iv) Any delivery, irrespective of pace, that passes or would have passed the batsman above waist height in a normal stance on the popping crease will be called a no ball by either umpire.

20. Teas

v) An additional crease marking shall be made 17” inside and parallel with each return crease, joining the popping and bowling creases. Please note that the crease is the inside edge of each new crease marking. An offside wide shall be called if, in the umpire’s opinion, the delivery has passed outside

(b) Other than c) below there will be no charge to the away club for the provision of teas.

(a) It is the responsibility of the home side to provide a tea of a good standard.

(c) If an away club concedes on the day of the match, the away club must pay £70 to the home club to cover the cost of teas and inconvenience.

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21. Power Plays

22. Free Hits

(a) In addition to the restriction contained in Playing Rule 17 above, further fielding restrictions shall apply to certain overs in each innings. The nature of such fielding restrictions and the overs during which they shall apply (hereinafter referred to as the Power Play Overs) are set out in the following paragraphs.

(a) Any delivery following a no ball shall be a ‘free hit’ for whichever batsman is facing it.

(b) During the first ten overs of an uninterrupted innings (First Power Play): A minimum of seven fielders plus the bowler and wicketkeeper must be within the fielding circle (as defined in playing rule 17) at the instant of delivery. During the last five overs of an uninterrupted innings (Second Power Play): A minimum of four fielders plus the bowler and wicketkeeper must be within the fielding circle (as defined by playing rule 17) at the instant of delivery.

(c) For any ‘free hit’, the striker can be dismissed only under the circumstances that apply for a no ball, even if the delivery for the ‘free hit’ is called a wide ball.

(c) In circumstances when the number of overs of the batting team is reduced, the number of Power Play Overs shall be reduced in accordance with the table below. For the sake of clarity, it should be noted that the table shall apply to both the first and second innings of the match: Innings Duration

First Powerplay

Batting Powerplay

Powerplay Total

20-21

4

3

7

22-24

5

3

8

25-28

6

3

9

29-31

6

4

10

32-34

7

4

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(d) Field changes are not permitted for ‘free hit’ deliveries unless there is a change of striker, save for a fielder within 15 yards of the striker who may retreat to a distance of 15 yards. (e) The umpires will signal a ‘free hit’ after the normal no ball signal by extending one arm straight upwards and moving it in a circular motion.

23. Facility and Umpire Reporting A facilities reporting scheme will be operated throughout the League. The objective of this is to aid the continued improvement of standards throughout the League for the benefit of all clubs and the enhanced status of the League. To achieve this, with the assistance of the Bedfordshire Cricket Limited, we are able to offer guidance on methods of obtaining technical advice and the raising of funds via grants and loans. (a) Facility reporting will be the responsibility of the panel umpires. If no panel umpires appointed, the visiting captain must complete the report. (b) Both teams are required to mark both umpires, whether panel appointments or club appointments.

35-38

8

4

12

24. MCC Law 42

39-41

8

5

13

42-44

9

5

14

45

10

5

15

Any player, in the opinion of the umpires, committing a Level 3 offence will be suspended from the match for ten overs irrespective of whether the number of overs have been reduced in accordance with thee playing regulations.

(d) Each block of Power Play Overs must commence at the start of an over. (e) If play is interrupted during Power Play Overs and, on resumption, the total number of Power Play Overs has already been exceeded then the fielding restrictions will be lifted immediately. Note that this is the only circumstance under which the Power Play status can be changed during an over. (f) If following an interruption whilst Power Play Overs are not in progress it is found on resumption that the recalculated number of Power Play Overs remaining equals or exceeds the number of overs to be bowled in the innings, then the Power Play Overs will commence at the start of the next over. (g) At the commencement of each discretionary block of Power Play Overs, the umpire shall signal such commencement to the scorers by rotating his arm in a large circle.

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(b) If the delivery for the ‘free hit’ is not a legitimate delivery (any kind of no ball or a wide ball) then the next delivery will become a ‘free hit’ for whichever batsman is facing it.

(h) In the event of an infringement of any of the above fielding restrictions, the striker’s end umpire shall call and signal ‘no ball’ and the bowler’s end umpire will confirm the signal to the scorers when the ball becomes dead.

25. MCC Law 41.3.4 If, in the opinion of the umpires, the condition of the match ball has been unfairly changed, the umpires shall not ask the opposing team whether they wish to the ball to be replaced. The umpires shall change the ball and keep the unfairly changed ball as evidence to accompany their report to the League. All other aspects of Law 41.3 shall apply.

26. Supplementary For any breach of a playing rule where no sanction is specified in that rule, the League Management Committee may impose any sanction it deems appropriate.

Greene King Bedfordshire County Cricket League Playing Rules 2018 Divisions 2 to 6 inclusive 1. Laws of Cricket All league games shall be played in accordance with the Laws of Cricket as published and amended from time to time by the MCC, except as varied or amended by the Playing Rules contained in the League handbook. All league games shall be played in accordance with “the Spirit of Cricket”, and in accordance with any directives, guidelines and policies published by the national governing bodies and adopted by the League.

2. Match Conditions (a) Division 2 matches shall consist of forty-five overs per side. (b) Matches in all other Divisions shall consist of forty overs per side. (c) Bowlers are limited to nine overs per innings in Division 2. In all other divisions, bowlers are limited to a maximum of eight overs per innings. (d) For Division 2 matches only If the match is delayed prior to the start of either innings, the maximum overs per individual bowler in both innings shall be reduced at the rate of one over for every five overs by which the innings has been reduced (see table below).

For Divisions 3 to 6 matches If the match is delayed prior to the start of either innings, the maximum overs per individual bowler in both innings shall be reduced at the rate of one over for every four overs by which the innings has been reduced (see table below).

Overs per innings (Division 2)

Maximum overs per bowler

Overs per innings (Divisions 3–6)

Maximum overs per bowler

20 – 25

5

20 – 24

4

26 – 30

6

25 – 28

5

31 – 35

7

29 – 32

6

36 – 40

8

33 – 36

7

41 – 45

9

37 – 40

8

(e) At least one umpire must be present at the toss in line with the Laws of Cricket. (f) The side scoring the most runs shall be the winner. (g) No innings can be concluded by a declaration. (A declaration will be deemed to be a forfeiture of the match). (h) In an innings where the number of overs available is reduced after play has commenced, no bowler shall bowl more than one fifth of the total available overs. Where the total overs are not divisible by five, an additional over shall be allowed to the minimum number of bowlers necessary to make up the balance. In the event that a reduction in overs results in one or more bowlers having exceeded the newly

calculated maximum then the umpires shall calculate the overs allowed for the remaining bowlers. A bowler who has exceeded the new maximum will be allowed to complete an incomplete over upon the resumption of play.

Examples (i) An innings is reduced to 29 overs, 4 bowlers can bowl a maximum of 6 overs and 1 bowler can bowl a maximum of 5 overs. (ii) An innings is reduced to 20 overs and a bowler has already bowled 7 overs, 1 bowler can bowl a maximum of 4 overs and 3 bowlers can bowl a maximum of 3 overs.

3. Timing of Matches (a) For Division 2 matches only Matches in Division 2 will start at 1.30pm up to and including the last Sunday in July, 1pm for the first two Sundays in August and then 12.30pm until the end of the season.

For Divisions 3 to 6 matches All other matches will start, promptly at 2pm to the end of July, from 1.30pm for the first two Sunday’s of August, and at 1pm from the third Sunday to the end of the League Season. (b) For Division 2 matches only Teams are expected to complete the bowling of forty-five overs in two hours and forty-five minutes.

For Divisions 3 to 6 matches Teams in all other Divisions are expected to complete the bowling of forty overs in two hours and thirty minutes. (c) Any reference in these rules to the deduction or recalculation of overs is based on the duration of each over being three and a half minutes for all Divisions. (d) A tea interval of a maximum of thirty minutes will be taken between innings. Captains may agree to reduce or move the tea interval if the weather or other circumstances so require. (e) For Division 2 matches only i) The toss shall take place at least fifteen minutes before the scheduled start of play and team cards must be given to the umpires.

If only one side is present at that time, the Umpires will award them the toss. The Umpires will inform the absent side the result of the toss. ii) If, at the scheduled start time, only one side is ready to commence the game, the absent side will be deducted one point for every three and a half minutes the game is delayed. iii) Panel umpires will assist the fielding side with their over rate by standing on either the off or leg side at the striker’s end, and not swap sides 15

during the course of an over. iv) Batsmen are reminded not to waste time and their requirement under the Laws of Cricket to cross with an incoming batsman on the field of play. v) The batting team are to be solely responsible for the moving of sightscreens once a match has commenced. Umpires are to ensure that there are no unnecessary delays in play whilst waiting for this to happen and that play continues in the absence of batting team members to move the screens. vi) For every over not bowled in that time, the batting side will be awarded six penalty runs at the conclusion of the last over bowled within the permitted time.

This rule shall be monitored and implemented by the umpires, who may allow additional time in exceptional circumstances (see BACO Guidance below) and their decision will be final. Both the home side and the umpires will be responsible for the reporting of all penalty points awarded.

For Divisions 3 to 6 matches vii) A team not available to toss fifteen minutes before the scheduled start of play shall be considered to have forfeited the toss. viii) The side batting second shall receive the same number of overs as it itself bowled in the first two hours and thirty minutes from the start of the game. The side batting first shall, however, receive its full entitlement of forty overs. The bowling side cannot regain ‘lost’ overs by bowling out the batting side after the two hours and thirty minutes has elapsed. This rule shall be monitored and implemented by the umpires, who have the sole authority to extend the allowance of two hours and thirty minutes if they decree that circumstances demand such an extension (e.g., drinks intervals, lost balls, etc).

4. Interruptions in Play (a) The first thirty minutes lost during a match shall not count as time lost. This time is cumulative across any number of interruptions. (b) First Innings i) In the event of a delayed start, or any break in the first innings for bad weather, the length of the match will be reduced at a rate of two overs for each full seven minutes of play lost (i.e. one over off each innings). Once the amount of time lost means that the side batting first cannot receive twenty overs, the game will be abandoned. ii) The tea interval may be taken during a first innings interruption if available. iii) No match will start until both teams have at least seven players present at the ground. iv) If the start of a match is delayed due to insufficient

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players to meet the requirements of playing rule 4(b)(iii), the offending team will be deducted one over from their batting overs allocation for every three and a half minutes of playing time lost. In exceptional circumstances, the umpires (or captains where panel umpires are not appointed) may waive this deduction and their decision will be final. (c) Second Innings i) Any stoppages in the second innings will result in a reduction in the length of the innings by one over for every full three and half minutes lost. ii) The number of overs permitted to any bowler may only be set at the start of an innings. Any breaks in play resulting in a loss of overs does not mean a reduction in the maximum overs a bowler is allowed to bowl. iii) When the umpires deem the conditions fit for play, the required total will be recalculated by taking the average run rate of the team which batted first [if a side is bowled out, its run rate will assume that the side has faced the full forty overs (forty-five in Division 2), or the number of overs available after recalculation for rain] and multiplying it by the new number of overs available to the side batting second when the innings resumes. This revised total will be multiplied by 1.05 and rounded up to the nearest whole run which will become the new target score. If on this recalculation the side batting second has already exceeded this target no further play is necessary. Once the side batting second cannot receive twenty overs the game will be abandoned as a draw.

Examples Team A score 180 in 35 overs and Team B have 35 overs available, target score is 181 to win.

Team A score 200 in 45 overs and there is a rain break after 10 overs of the second innings which is then reduced to 30 overs. Target score is (200 divided by 45 overs)=4.44 runs per over multiplied by 30 overs multiplied by 1.05=139.86 meaning Team B need to score 140 runs to win. iv) If there are further stoppages during the second innings the required total will again be recalculated with further reductions in overs. v) If there is no further play possible in the second innings and the team batting second has received more than twenty overs, the winner of the game will be decided by working out the average run rate of the team batting second at the point at which the game was interrupted, and comparing it with the average run rate of the team batting first. The team with the higher run rate will be the winner. Note that if the side batting first is bowled out then the number of overs shall be the full number available for the innings at the time it was completed.

5. Cancellation of Matches (a) The home side is the ground authority for all games and before the match is the sole arbiter of whether or not the ground is fit for play For the avoidance of doubt, a game should be considered abandoned if the start is delayed by greater than one hundred and thirty-five minutes (one hundred and seventy minutes in Division 2). This includes the thirty minutes which are not counted by virtue of rule 4(a). (b) Matches may only be cancelled for reasons of ground fitness on the Sunday morning of the game. (c) For Division 2 matches only Where panel umpires are appointed, in the event of any dispute between the captains over the fitness of the ground for play up to one hour before the scheduled start, the umpires shall be the sole arbiters as to whether the ground is fit for play, both before and after the toss. (d) For Division 2 matches only Where the fitness of the ground is in doubt more than three hours before the scheduled start time, the home club must contact their opponents to see if they are happy to call off the fixture. If the opponents do not agree, the home club must get an appointed umpire (or other panel umpire) to inspect the ground to determine whether or not the match can be cancelled (Umpire to be paid £10 fee by the home club for attending ground). The umpire’s decision is final and must be communicated to the opponents by the home club.

6. Points system (a) A match won shall count twenty points to the winning side plus bonus points. (b) The losing side shall be awarded bonus points only. (c) Each side shall be awarded ten points for a cancelled or abandoned match. (d) In the event of a tie each side shall be awarded ten points plus bonus points. (e) A match awarded by default shall count twenty points to the winning side plus bonus points.

7. Bonus points (a) Each team will be awarded one bowling bonus point for every two wickets taken. If a team with less than eleven players is all out, five bowling bonus points will be awarded. (b) Each team will be awarded one batting bonus point for scoring one hundred and fifty runs (Division 2) or one hundred and twenty-five runs (Divisions 3 to 6), and a further batting bonus point for each additional twenty five runs up to a maximum of five batting bonus points. (c) If the team batting second exceed the required number of runs needed to win, they shall be awarded one batting bonus point for each whole run per over up to a maximum of five batting bonus points or have

the number of batting bonus points awarded under playing rule 7(b) whichever is the greater.

Example Team batting second score 150 runs to win in 30 overs (5 runs per over) so are awarded 5 batting bonus points. (d) When the number of overs available to the team batting first is reduced, batting bonus points for both teams will be awarded on the basis of playing rule 7(c).

8. Fixtures and Timing (a) Fixtures will be set by the League Fixture Secretary and cannot be re-arranged once set. (b) Umpires and Captains should ensure that play commences on time at the start of the match and after any intervals.

9. Cricket Balls and Kit (a) The ball supplier chosen by the League for 2018 is Readers who will provide Sovereign Imperial Crown balls. (b) A new ball must be used at the start of each innings.

Both balls will be provided by the home team and will be identical. The captain of the away team may choose which ball his team bowls with. (c) The home side must ensure that an adequate supply of suitable spare balls is available. (d) A team may wear coloured clothing; all players in the team must wear the same kit and it must not clash with a red cricket ball. (Umpires to adjudicate, if necessary, and their decision is final).

10. Umpires and Scorers For Division 2 matches only (a) Clubs may request a panel umpire to stand in their fixtures; this can either be done en bloc (if a club will have no umpire for the whole season) or only for particular dates. Panel umpires must be paid travelling expenses at the same rate as above. (b) If a club fails to provide an umpire for the whole match (including when a requested panel appointment cannot be made) the club will be deducted five points. If, in the week prior to the match, a previously appointed panel umpire has to withdraw or is withdrawn from standing in the match no points deduction will be made. (c) Umpires appointed to stand in Division 2 fixtures are encouraged to have passed either the Association of Cricket Umpires & Scorers GL6 course or the ECB Association of Cricket Officials Level 1 course.

For all other matches (d) Teams in all divisions are strongly encouraged to provide umpires. (e) Where players are required to stand as an umpire, only as a last resort should players aged under eighteen umpire any part of a match unless qualified as an umpire or by agreement between both captains.

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Where possible, anyone aged under eighteen who is asked to umpire should stand only at the striker’s end with an adult at the bowler’s end. (f) All teams are encouraged to provide a scorer for the duration of the match.

10. Umpires and Scorers For Division 2 matches only (a) Clubs may request a panel umpire to stand in their fixtures; this can either be done en bloc (if a club will have no umpire for the whole season) or only for particular dates. Panel umpires must be paid travelling expenses at the same rate as above. (b) If a club fails to provide an umpire for the whole match (including when a requested panel appointment cannot be made) the club will be deducted five points. If, in the week prior to the match, a previously appointed panel umpire has to withdraw or is withdrawn from standing in the match no points deduction will be made. (c) Umpires appointed to stand in Division 2 fixtures are encouraged to have passed either the Association of Cricket Umpires & Scorers GL6 course or the ECB Association of Cricket Officials Level 1 course.

For all other matches (d) Teams in all divisions are strongly encouraged to provide umpires. (e) Where players are required to stand as an umpire, only as a last resort should players aged under eighteen umpire any part of a match unless qualified as an umpire or by agreement between both captains.

Where possible, anyone aged under eighteen who is asked to umpire should stand only at the striker’s end with an adult at the bowler’s end. (f) All teams are encouraged to provide a scorer for the duration of the match.

11. Reporting of Match Results (a) Results shall be reported to the League by the home club who shall enter the result on Play-Cricket on the day of the match. Failure to report the result on the day of the match will incur a £10 fine. (b) All scorecards are to be recorded on the Play-Cricket website by the home team no later than 11pm of the Tuesday following the match. Failure to comply with this rule will incur a £10 fine. (c) Additionally, for Division 2 matches only, it is the duty of both teams to report on the failure of a club to provide an umpire. (d) All scorecards are to be recorded on the Play-Cricket website by the home team no later than 11pm of the Tuesday following the match. Failure to comply with this rule will incur a £10 fine. (e) In the event of a cancelled match, the home team has to notify the League. Failure to report the result or the full names of the umpires will result in the League imposing a £10 fine on the offending club.

Also a five point deduction will be imposed on any club that has failed to provide an umpire for the

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duration of the match. (f) All fines levied by the League will be published on a weekly basis, together with the League tables. Any club that believes there are grounds to dispute any fine levied must do so within six days of publication.

Otherwise the fine will be added to the Club’s Statement of Account and will become payable at the end of the season when there will be no further opportunity to dispute the fine. (g) Any player correctly registered on Play-Cricket and time-stamped prior to 11am on the day of the match will be eligible to play that day.

12. Refusal to Play Clubs refusing to fulfil engagements and/or obligations shall be dealt with as the League Management Committee decides.

13. Pitches (a) The pitch may be completely covered at any time; this includes any interruption of play. (b) The League recommends that suitable covers be made available and used where appropriate.

14. Unable to Raise a Side (a) In the event of a club being unable to fulfil a fixture, thirty points will be awarded to the non-offending team and ten points will be deducted from the offending team. (b) Any club that fails to honour two League fixtures during the course of a season may be expelled from the League by the League Management Committee. (c) In the event of a club not being able to field the requisite number of teams, that club must honour the higher team’s fixture. If on that particular day it is a ‘double header’ between two clubs, the club with two elevens may request the remaining fixture to be played at home. (d) Where the club that fails to raise a side only has one team, the return match will be played at the nonoffending club’s ground (if that is the wish of the non-offending club). If the offending club is unable to fulfil the return match the points deduction will be doubled.

15. Discipline The League will conduct its disciplinary procedures in accordance with the principles adopted by Bedfordshire Cricket Ltd, augmented by the following: (a) All clubs and their members are subject to The English Cricket Board’s Disciplinary Rules, Code of Conduct and Guidelines on the Conduct of Hearing and Appeals. (b) Clubs may not select players who are subject to a ban imposed by the League or Bedfordshire Cricket Ltd for any game during the period of that ban.

The League shall inform clubs of any such bans as soon as possible. A breach of this requirement renders the club liable to the League’s disciplinary

procedures. The League’s disciplinary process will be guided by the English Cricket Board’s “Sentencing Guidelines-Recreational Game” (October 2000) or any subsequent edition and “Directive 2.6-Fixed Penalties”. (c) Any club, player or member shall have the right of appeal against a decision of the League Management Committee or its nominated members or sub-committee. Within seven days of receiving the decision, a written notice of appeal, setting out full and detailed grounds of appeal, must be sent to the League Secretary, together with a fee of £50 (players) or £150 (clubs) payable to the League. Any penalty or punishment imposed will be suspended, pending the full hearing or abandonment of the appeal. (d) An independent appeal panel will hear the appeal in accordance with the conditions set out in the ECB Guidelines on the Conduct of Hearing & Appeals.

called if, in the umpire’s opinion, the delivery has passed outside of the additional 17” crease and the striker has not brought the delivery within reach of a normal cricket stroke. (vi) MCC Law 41.6.1 shall be replaced with: A bowler shall be limited to one fast short pitched ball per over. The umpire at the bowler’s end shall make it clear to both the bowler and the batsmen when such a delivery has been bowled. This ruling shall apply even if the striker has made contact with the ball with his bat, person or equipment.

A short pitched ball is defined as one that passes or would have passed over shoulder height of the striker standing upright at the crease. It is unfair if this limit is exceeded and the bowler’s end umpire shall call and signal a no ball on each such occasion. In addition, the umpires shall adopt the procedures of MCC Law 41.6.3 and Law 41.6.4 in respect of warnings.

(e) If the appeal is successful the fee will be refunded.

17. Fielding Circles

16. Interpretation of Wide Ball and No Ball

For Division 2 matches only

(a) In all Divisions

(a) At the instant of delivery, a minimum of five fielders plus the bowler and wicket-keeper must be within an area bounded by two semi-circles, centred on each middle stump, each with a radius of thirty yards, and joined by a parallel line on each side of the pitch. In the event of infringement, the striker’s end umpire will call and signal ‘no ball’ and when the ball is dead the bowler’s end umpire will repeat the signal to the scorers.

If the ball passes either side of the wicket sufficiently wide to make it virtually impossible for the striker to play a normal cricket stroke, both from where they are standing and from where they would normally be standing at the crease, the umpire should call and signal a wide. Umpires are encouraged to prevent negative bowling and should signal a wide ball in the case of persistent leg-side bowling. For the avoidance of doubt, the leg side is defined by the batsman’s stance when the bowler starts his /her run-up irrespective of any attempted switch-hit or reverse sweep. (b) For Division 2 matches only i) Umpires are instructed to apply a very strict and consistent interpretation in regard to this Law in order to prevent negative bowling wide of the wicket. ii) A leg side wide shall be called if, irrespective of where the ball pitches, it passes outside the line of the batsman and the leg stump, despite his movement. iii) For additional clarity, a ball that passes between the batsman and the leg stump shall not be considered a wide. If a ball is hit by the batsman or if the ball hits any part of his equipment, it shall not be called a wide irrespective of where it pitched or where it would have passed. iv) Any delivery, irrespective of pace, that passes or would have passed the batsman above waist height in a normal stance on the popping crease will be called a no ball by either umpire. v) An additional crease marking shall be made 17” inside and parallel with each return crease, joining the popping and bowling creases. Please note that the crease is the inside edge of each new crease marking. An offside wide shall be

(b) The fielding circles will be marked with either painted white dots or marking discs at ten yard intervals. It is the responsibility of the home team to ensure that the markings are in place prior to the start of the game. (c) Throughout the innings, at the instant of delivery, there may be a maximum of five fielders on the leg side. In the event of an infringement, either umpire may call and signal no ball and when the ball is dead the bowler’s end umpire will repeat the signal to the scorers.

18. Fast Bowling Directive The League fully supports the ECB Fast Bowling Directive, governing the number of overs that may be bowled in one spell and one innings by young quick bowlers, and these guidelines must be observed in all Divisions of this League.

19. Helmets In line with ECB guidance the wearing of helmets by all players under the age of eighteen, when batting or when standing up keeping wicket, is compulsory in all League games.

20. Teas (a) It is the responsibility of the home side to provide a tea of a good standard. (b) Other than c) below there will be no charge to the away club for the provision of teas.

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(c) If an away club concedes on the day of the match, the away club must pay £70 to the home club to cover the cost of teas and inconvenience.

21. Power Plays For Division 2 matches only (a) In addition to the restriction contained in Playing Rule 17 above, further fielding restrictions shall apply to certain overs in each innings. The nature of such fielding restrictions and the overs during which they shall apply (hereinafter referred to as the Power Play Overs) are set out in the following paragraphs. (b) During the first ten overs of an uninterrupted innings (First Power Play): A minimum of seven fielders plus the bowler and wicketkeeper must be within the fielding circle (as defined in playing rule 17) at the instant of delivery.

During the last five overs of an uninterrupted innings (Second Power Play): A minimum of four fielders plus the bowler and wicketkeeper must be within the fielding circle (as defined by playing rule 17) at the instant of delivery. (c) In circumstances when the number of overs of the batting team is reduced, the number of Power Play Overs shall be reduced in accordance with the table below. For the sake of clarity, it should be noted that the table shall apply to both the first and second innings of the match: Innings Duration

First Powerplay

Batting Powerplay

Powerplay Total

20-21

4

3

7

22-24

5

3

8

25-28

6

3

9

29-31

6

4

10

32-34

7

4

11

35-38

8

4

12

39-41

8

5

13

42-44

9

5

14

45

10

5

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(d) Each block of Power Play Overs must commence at the start of an over. (e) If play is interrupted during Power Play Overs and, on resumption, the total number of Power Play Overs has already been exceeded then the fielding restrictions will be lifted immediately. Note that this is the only circumstance under which the Power Play status can be changed during an over. (f) If following an interruption whilst Power Play Overs are not in progress it is found on resumption that the recalculated number of Power Play Overs remaining equals or exceeds the number of overs to be bowled in the innings, then the Power Play Overs will commence at the start of the next over.

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(g) At the commencement of each discretionary block of Power Play Overs, the umpire shall signal such commencement to the scorers by rotating his arm in a large circle. (h) In the event of an infringement of any of the above fielding restrictions, the striker’s end umpire shall call and signal ‘no ball’ and the bowler’s end umpire will confirm the signal to the scorers when the ball becomes dead.

22. Free Hits For Division 2 matches only (a) Any delivery following a no ball shall be a ‘free hit’ for whichever batsman is facing it. (b) If the delivery for the ‘free hit’ is not a legitimate delivery (any kind of no ball or a wide ball) then the next delivery will become a ‘free hit’ for whichever batsman is facing it. (c) For any ‘free hit’, the striker can be dismissed only under the circumstances that apply for a no ball, even if the delivery for the ‘free hit’ is called a wide ball. (d) Field changes are not permitted for ‘free hit’ deliveries unless there is a change of striker, save for a fielder within 15 yards of the striker who may retreat to a distance of 15 yards. (e) The umpires will signal a ‘free hit’ after the normal no ball signal by extending one arm straight upwards and moving it in a circular motion.

23. Amendments to the Laws of Cricket (a) Law 42 will not apply to Divisions 2 to 6 inclusive. (b) Law 21.7 that states: The umpire shall call and signal No ball if a ball which he/she considers to have been delivered, without having previously touched bat or person of the striker, bounces more than once or rolls along the ground before it reaches the popping crease Shall be replaced with: The umpire shall call and signal No ball if a ball which he/she considers to have been delivered, without having previously touched bat or person of the striker, bounces more than twice or rolls along the ground before it reaches the popping crease (c) For Divisions 4 to 6 only Law 41.7.1 which states: 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. If the bowler bowls such a delivery the umpire shall immediately call and signal No ball. When the ball is dead, the umpire shall caution the bowler, indicating that this is a first and final warning. The umpire shall also inform the other umpire, the captain of the fielding side and the batsmen of what has occurred.

This caution shall apply to that bowler throughout the innings.

Shall be replaced with: Any delivery, other than a slow 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. If the bowler bowls such a delivery the umpire shall immediately call and signal No Ball. When the ball is dead, the umpire shall caution the bowler, indicating that this is a first warning. The umpire shall also inform the other umpire, the captain of the fielding side and the batsmen of what has occurred. This caution shall apply to that bowler throughout the innings. If such a delivery is repeated, the umpire shall immediately call and signal No Ball and, when the ball is dead, the umpire shall caution the bowler indicating that this is a final warning. The umpire shall also inform the other umpire, the captain of the fielding side and the batsmen of what has occurred. This final warning shall apply to that bowler throughout the innings.

Any slow delivery, which passes or would have passed, without pitching, above waist height of the striker standing upright at the popping crease, is deemed to be dangerous and unfair if it is likely to inflict physical injury on the striker. If the bowler bowls such a delivery the umpire shall immediately call and signal No Ball. When the ball is dead, the umpire shall caution the bowler, indicating that this is a first warning. The umpire shall also inform the other umpire, the captain of the fielding side and the batsmen of what has occurred. This caution shall apply to that bowler throughout the innings.

If such a delivery is repeated, the umpire shall immediately call and signal No Ball and, when the ball is dead, the umpire shall caution the bowler indicating that this is a final warning. The umpire shall also inform the other umpire, the captain of the fielding side and the batsmen of what has occurred. This final warning shall apply to that bowler throughout the innings.

Law 41.7.2 which states: Should there be any further such delivery by the same bowler in that innings, the umpire shall call and signal No ball and when the ball is dead, direct the captain of the fielding side to suspend the bowler immediately from bowling Shall be replaced with: Should there be any further such delivery, after receiving a final warning, by the same bowler in that innings, the umpire shall call and signal No ball and when the ball is dead, direct the captain of the fielding side to suspend the bowler immediately from bowling (d) For Divisions 3 to 6 only No penalty runs shall be awarded other than those under Law 28.3 (Protective helmets belonging to the fielding side).

24. Supplementary For any breach of a playing rule where no sanction is specified in that rule, the League Management Committee may impose any sanction it deems appropriate.

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Registration Qualified Players, Registration of Players and Team Cards a) No player shall receive any payment or payment in kind for playing for a club. (b) Clubs are to ensure that all players (forenames and surname) are registered with the League on the Play-Cricket website. Any new member clubs are to ensure that a list is submitted to the Play-Cricket web site by 11am on the Sunday of their first match. (c) It is the responsibility of the club to ensure that those registered intend to play for that club and that those players on that list who have previously played in the League for another club have been correctly transferred in line with transfer regulations below. (d) To play in the League, all players must be registered under one or more of the following categories, with restrictions applying as shown, subject to any special exemptions granted in advance by the League Management Committee: i) Category 1 – UK Citizen (i.e. passport holder); EU citizen; UK resident of more than four years No restriction on number per team ii) Category 1a - Under 13 (based on their age as at midnight on 31st August in the previous year) Any player in the Under 13 age group and younger must have explicit written consent from a parent or guardian before participating in League fixtures (all registrations to be complete on the League registration form for Under 13s). Please note that no player Under 12 (based on their age as at midnight on 31st August in the previous year) shall be allowed to play in the League iii) Category 2 - Contracted player to a first class county One per team unless they have been a playing member for the club for more than two years. iv) Category 3 - Overseas Player (resident in the UK for less than two years) An overseas player may only be registered on completion of the League’s overseas registration form, production of the picture page of the player’s passport and their visa (in line with Governments “Points Based Managed Migration” system).

One per team v) Category 3E - Overseas Resident (A player who has been continuously resident in UK for between two and four years) One per team (e) In the event of there being no Category 3 player in the team, two Category 3E players shall be allowed.

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(f) A player shall not be deemed to be continuously resident if he has been out of this country for longer than thirty-five days consecutively, or seventy days in total during the previous twenty-four months. (g) No club may select a player who has played test cricket (other than for England) in the previous twenty-four months. (h) All players governed by Category 2, 3 or 3E must be registered in writing with the League no less than seven days before the first match in which they appear. (i) All players governed by Category 1a to be registered on the League Registration Form for Under 13s. (j) Prior to the commencement of a League fixture, teams are required to exchange team cards that must be completed with the full name (i.e., forename & surname) of each player. Matches must not commence until team cards have been exchanged or given to the panel umpires. (k) In the Premier and Division 1 the panel umpires will retain the team cards and post to the Registration Secretary; in all other divisions the home side will post the team cards to the Registration Secretary to be received no later than the Friday following the match. Failure to comply with this rule will incur a £10 fine. (l) If a club wishes to register a new Category 1 player on the day of the game, their name must be entered on the Play-Cricket website by 11am on the Sunday of their first match. A player cannot be transferred in this manner. (m) Failure to submit a list of registered players via the Play-Cricket website will result in the Club being fined £25. (If registration has not been received in time for the first fixture then this will result in this fine being repeated). (n) Any player who takes part in a league match and is not registered on the League’s Play-Cricket website in accordance with registration deadlines, or is incorrectly registered, will be deemed ineligible for that match. The penalties incurred by the team will be: Bona-fide club member ineligible player

10pts deduction per

Non club member 10pts deduction per ineligible player plus all points gained in the match The decision as to whether a player is a bona-fide club member will be assessed by the League Management Committee on a case-by-case basis but it is likely that a playing history of at least two seasons with the club would be required to meet this requirement. (o) Any player found to be registered in the wrong category will be regarded as unregistered and a points fine determined by the League will be levied.

(p) All non-Category 1 players must be removed from the Play-Cricket web site at end of the season and will be required to be re-registered. (q) A player that registers for one club in the Development Division may also register for a separate adult team for a different club. (r) Under 16s Any player falling within the under 16 age group will be permitted to register for more than one club to increase their opportunity to play cricket. (s) Over 50’s Any player falling within the over 50 age group will be permitted to play for any club in Divisions 4 – 6 inclusive without formal registration for that club to increase their opportunity to play cricket.

Transfers and Selection (a) Out of season With the agreement of both clubs, a player may transfer from one club to another (the transfer will be viewed as allowed by the League if his/her name has been removed from the online list of registered players by the club the player is leaving). A club is entitled to ask for financial debts to be cleared prior to granting a transfer request. (b) During the playing season

(c) No transfers will be allowed after 30th June of each season. (d) No new players may be registered to play in the Premier, Division 1and Division 2 matches from midnight on August 1st of each season. (e) It shall be understood that higher team players shall not be selected for a lower team. In the event that a club believes the spirit of this playing rule has been breached, that club may report the matter to the League Management Committee who will seek a justification from the opposition club regarding team selection for that particular match. The League Management Committee reserve the right to take appropriate action in such circumstances, based on the evidence, including the deduction of points where appropriate. (f) After 31st July of each season, no player will be permitted to play for a lower XI than the XI for which they have played most matches. In the event that they have played an equal number of matches for more than one XI they will be considered to be a player for the higher XI. (g) An Under 18 who plays for a club whose only team in the League is in the Development Division can transfer to a club in the main League structure.

Once he has played in the main structure he cannot transfer back to the Development Division.

With the agreement of both clubs and the League Management Committee, a player may transfer from one club to another, but for his new club he is not allowed to play against any club he has already played against (any team).

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League Positions, Promotion and Relegation League Positions The aggregate number of points scored shall determine league positions. In the event of clubs finishing with the same number of points at the end of the season, league positions will be determined as follows: i) The team that has won the most games. ii) The team that has lost the fewest games. iii) The team with the most bonus points. iv) The team that won the game(s) between the two clubs (this rule is only intended for use when two teams are tied). v) The team with the most points after their first ten games. vi) Repeat v) with nine games. vii) Repeat v) with eight games sequentially down to one game until a determination is reached. viii) Teams to be separated by the drawing of lots.

Promotion and Relegation (a) The top team in Division 1 at the end of the season will be promoted to the Premier Division, the bottom team in the Premier Division will be relegated to Division 1. (b) The top two teams in Division 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 at the end of the season will be promoted to the division immediately above and the bottom two teams in Division 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 will be relegated to the division immediately below for the following season. (c) It is not permissible for two teams from the same club to compete in the same division; if this situation occurs, the following rules apply: i) If a club’s team wins promotion into a division that it already has a team in then it will not be promoted (the next highest positioned team in the League will be promoted instead).

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ii) If a club’s team is relegated into a division that it already has a team in then the lower team will also be relegated to allow the higher team’s relegation.

Where a higher team is due to be relegated into the lowest division but already has a lower team in that Division, then the higher team will not be relegated and a side from the lowest division will not be promoted. (d) Promotion Criteria based on facilities i) The result of each team’s facility marks will have a bearing on the team’s ability to be either promoted or, in extreme cases, to remain in their current Division or in the League itself. ii) The Constitution sets out the minimum facilities required in each division. As a general rule, a side will only be considered for promotion if it attains an overall average mark in excess of 6.5 out of 10 for promotion into the Premier Division and 6.0 out of 10 for all divisions thereafter. iii) Clubs failing to meet the marking criteria can expect an inspection of their facilities before promotion (probably with conditions attached) can be confirmed. iv) Clubs have the right of appeal (in writing) if there have been significant variation in the level of marks awarded or if, for the ensuring season, the club has specific and finalized arrangements for the necessary improvements. The League Management Committee will be able to exercise discretion but its decision will be final.

BCCL - Club Penalties 2018 The following table provides a list of the standard penalties that will be applied. All penalties applied are subject to appeal.

Offence Non - Membership Compliance

Level Constitutional violation

Non Club attendance at AGM or SGM Non Club attendance at any General meeting Non result reporting by 10pm after match Failure to add scorecard to play cricket by 11pm on Tuesday after match Failure of home team to report a cancelled match Failure to report full names of umpires Failure to provide an umpire

Constitutional violation Constitutional violation All divisions

Playing unregistered bona-fide member of the club Playing unregistered non bonafide member of the club Failure to submit a list of registered players via the play-cricket website.

Playing incorrectly registered players - bona fide members of the club Playing incorrectly registered players - non bona fide members of the club Playing player under false name Playing ineligible juniors in adult matches Failure to provide a team sheet at toss Return of team cards to registration secretary

Penalty For each month payment late penalty of additional 30% of fee, if not paid after two months club may not be eligible for membership in following year. £50 on each occasion £10 on each occasion 5 point deduction each occasion

All divisions

£10 fine on each occasion

All divisions

£10 fine on each occasion

All divisions

£10 fine on each occasion

Subject to league rules All divisions

5 point deduction

All divisions All divisions

10 points per player + those gained in match each occasion £25 fine ( see league rules)

All divisions

10 points per player each occasion

All divisions

10 points per player + those gained in match each occasion

All divisions All divisions

Disciplinary action Disciplinary action

All divisions

League duty of care requirement BCCL reserve right to take retrospective action £10 fine on each occasion

Divisions 2 - 6

10 points per player each occasion

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BACO Guidance for Panel Umpires BACO are issuing the following guidance on how to interpret whether to make time allowances. This will ensure a consistent approach, which clubs have specifically requested, and give the clubs a clear indication of the stance adopted by BACO panel umpires. The wording makes it clear that the 2 hours and 45 minutes applies equally to both innings of the match and that it is 2 hours and 45 minutes actual time, not playing time. There will be occasions when exceptional circumstances apply, however, BACO believe it would be beneficial to clarify when allowances should or shouldn’t be made. These lists are indicative only, not exhaustive, and umpires are requested to apply the same principles to other situations arising during a match.

Exceptional circumstances Injury to players, injury to umpires, frequent lost balls, umpires leaving the field for medical or other reasons, additional drinks intervals at the umpires’ discretion due to weather conditions.

NOT exceptional circumstances Moving sight-screens (other than the first instance if fielders move the screen until members of the batting side arrive), frequent field changes, drying the ball in damp conditions, drinks/kit changes for the batting side, occasional lost balls .

BACO would also like to remind umpires of the following provisions available within the Laws of Cricket: Law 41 (9)

Timewasting by the fielding side

Law 41 (10) Batsman wasting time Finally umpires are reminded that batsmen should cross on the outfield at the fall of a wicket; captains should be reminded of this at the toss. In the event that this does not happen, the provisions of timed out will apply on appeal or the umpires have the option of utilising Law 41(10).

It is the responsibility of the home team to ensure that an adequate supply of suitable spare balls is made available to the umpires prior to the start of the match. Ideally, these should be kept in the score box to ensure that a lost ball can be replaced without undue delay. Please ensure that you remind clubs of this requirement at the toss.

Pitch Marking Criteria for Panel Umpires The marking of the pitch should be a joint discussion between the umpires who should assess the pitch against each of the four separate categories.

Pitch marking is not designed to be punitive, the guidelines below are set nationally by ECB in order to raise the standards of club pitches and enable intervention where assistance is needed by clubs in improving their facilities. The relative skill of

the bowlers should be taken into consideration, remembering a good quality spinner can often turn the ball on any surface similarly a good seam bowler can seam the ball on any surface and pitches should not be marked down for that. Whilst not an ideal mark, when spinners are not used in a match a mark of three should be awarded for the ‘turn’ category.

BCCL Pitch Marking Guidance

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Pitch/Grading Criteria

Uneveness of Bounce

Seam Movement

Carry & Bounce

Turn

Very Good

None

None

Good

None/very little

5

Good

Little

Little

Just lacking

Little

4

Average

Occasional

Occasional

Lacking

Occasional

3

Below Average

More than occasional

More than occasional

Minimal

More than occasional

2

Poor

Excessive

Excessive

Very minimal

Excessive

1

Unfit

Dangerous

Unreasonable

Unreasonable

Unreasonable

0

Mark

Facilities Reporting Scheme Guidelines Objectives

2. Outfield

The continued improvement of standards throughout the League for the benefit of all clubs and to enhance the status of the League. To achieve this, we are able to offer guidance on methods of obtaining technical advice and the raising of funds via grants and loans.

(a) Basic: adequately mown to provide reasonably true fielding surface. Properly maintained and repaired so that it is free from stones, holes and other hazards.

Reasonably flat (slight slopes and undulations not to be penalised.)

Notification of Facilities Marks

(b) Additional: finely mown, free from grass cuttings and rolled to provide a fast and true surface. Flat and spacious. Well grassed over entire area.

A Club perceived to have problems with any facility will be advised approximately halfway through the season of its own results compared with the average for the division, which should enable clubs to start to take action on necessary improvements. At the end of the season full details on a club-by-club basis will be made available.

Marks below six These represent areas where there may be a shortfall where probable remedial action or extra effort is required.

Marks of six and below must be accompanied by helpful comments on the reporting card and in exceptional cases comments should be emailed the League Facilities Secretary, Steve Waterhouse, at steve.waterhouse@ btinternet.com.

Marks between eight and ten inclusive For achieving ‘additional’ standard, described below, or making an outstanding and obvious effort.

1. Pitch For Premier and Division 1 matches only (a) The marking of pitches is based on the ECB guidelines which may be found on earlier in this handbook.

Pitches will be marked on Unevenness of Bounce, Seam Movement, Carry and/or Bounce and Turn.

For Division 2 matches only (b) Basic: properly prepared (mown and rolled) to a width of ten feet. Properly and clearly marked to conform to MCC Regulations and Recommendations (i.e. fivefoot and one-foot lines.) Be of reasonable, consistent bounce throughout the match and not affording excessive spin or movement off the seam. Adequate set of stumps and bails to be provided together with bowling markers (not left to umpires to provide).

Sawdust and cloths available during wet conditions. (b) Additional: pitch ends to be cleaned up between innings and necessary re-marking to be done. Pitch to offer reasonable pace throughout the match. 1st XI matches to be located in central area of the square.

The whole square to be closely and evenly mown and old pitch-ends repaired to give as true a fielding surface as possible. Stumps and bails to be properly matched sets and in good condition. Heavy set of bails to be available for windy conditions.

3. Sightscreen (a) Basic: one provided at each end of the ground.

Adequate size (width and height), in good repair and of acceptable white/light coloured façade. Easily moved and in position before commencement of play. (no sightscreen = no points; a sightscreen at one end of the ground only = four points maximum.) (b) Additional: very large if single variety or two (split) screens at each end. Clean and in really good condition giving excellent sighting for batsmen.

4. Boundaries (a) Basic: marked with rope or line. Adequate number of flags or markers. Straight and uniform within contours of ground. At least fifty yards from centre of the pitch. (b) Additional: numerous and prominent markers or flags. Separately mown to give added prominence.

Reasonably equidistant in relation to siting of pitch on square 5. Scorers’ facilities and scoreboard (a) Basic: main total to be clear. Overs, wickets and firstinnings score also to be clearly displayed and easily changed. Seating and table for scorers, clean and tidy and providing adequate protection from the elements. A clock, visible from the pitch. (b) Additional: flip-over numbers or lights. Facility for recording individual batsmen. Light or other clear method of acknowledging signals from umpires.

Large, clear clock suitably positioned.

Online Facility Reporting All facility reports are logged online at the League’s Play-Cricket website

27

Previous Winners Yr

Premier

Division 1

Division 2

Division 3 Bedford

Division 5

Division 6

2017

Lutonian

Queens Park Westfield Eggington Foresters

New Bradwell

Eggington Foresters 2

Steppingley

2016

Dunstable Town

Potton Town

Queens Park Westfield Harrold

Kempston Sports

Eversholt 2

Langford 2XI

2015

Dunstable Town

Langford

Great Brickhill

Bedford

Queens Park Westfield

Egginton Foresters II

2014

Luton T & Indians Eversholt

Langford

Luton T & Indians 3XI Great Brickill

Biddenham

2013

Lutonian

Clifton

Waresley

Ickleford

Clifton 2XI

Great Brickhill

2012

Flitwick

Sharnbrook

Luton T & Indians 2XI

Ampthill Town 2XI

Ickleford

2011

Ampthill Town

Ickwell

Clifton

Luton T & Indians 3XI Pilgrims Oakley

Ickleford

2010

Flitwick

Henlow

Eggington Foresters

Clifton

Aspley Guise

2009

Leighton Buzzard Biggleswade Town

Waresley

Luton T & Indians 2XI Eggington Foresters 2XI

2008

Vauxhall Motors

Southill Park

Potton Town

Waresley

Kempston Sports

2007

Vauxhall Motors

Leighton Buzzard

Caldecote

Blunham

Eggington Foresters 2XI

2006

Dunstable Town

Clifton

Henlow

Caldecote

Sharnbrook 2XI

2005

Bedford Town

Ickwell

Vauxhall Motors 2XI

Henlow

Flitwick 2XI

2nd XI Div 1

2nd XI Div 2

3rd XI Div

2004

Bedford Town

Dunstable Town

Dunstable Town

Ickwell

Ampthill Town

2003

Clifton

Kempston Hammers

Luton T & Indians

Bromham Nomads

Ampthill Town

2002

Luton Town

Sharnbrook

Luton Town

Biggleswade Town

Dunstable Town

2001

Vauxhall Motors

Cope Argus

Vauxhall Motors

Luton Town

Ampthill Town

2000

Vauxhall Motors

Biggleswade Town

Dunstable Town

Cutler Hammer

1999

Vauxhall Motors

Clifton

Dunstable Town

Ampthill Town

1998

Flitwick

Bedford Town

1997

Flitwick

Flitwick

1996

Eversholt

Ampthill Town

1995

Luton Town

Cutler Hammer

1994

Luton Town

Ampthill Town

1993

Luton Town

Luton Town

2015

Geoff May

1992

Bedford Town

Flitwick

2016

Robert Nunn

1991

Luton Town

Eversholt

2017

Steve Cobb

Harrold 2XI

Harrold

JIM COX TROPHY – BEST UMPIRE

DAVID FAILL TROPHY WINNERS

28

Division 4

IAN SMITH TROPHY WINNERS

2003

Dunstable Town

2011

Luton T & Indians

2012

Potton Town

2004

Ampthill Town

2012

Flitwick

2013

Luton T & Indians II

2005

Ampthill Town

2013

Leighton Buzzard

2014

Dunstable Town II

2006

Dunstable Town

2014

Flitwick

2015

Luton T & Indians II

2007

Luton T & Indians

2015

Southill Park

2016

Great Brickhill

2008

Flitwick

2016

Southill Park

2017

Biggleswade Town

2009

Southill Park

2017

Flitwick

2010

Flitwick

Umpires Panel 2017 Haroon Afridi

07958 196391

Peter Laughlin

01954 210982

07850 702498

Phil Anderson

07469 652363

Geoff May

01767 315572

07767 895421

Paul Barnes

01234 364595

07754 093888

Malcolm Rose

01908 316636

07546 897654

Geoff Blackmore

01462 892623

07747 042567

Steve McKinley

01234 305334

07821 640152

Steve Cobb

01767 316332

07788 134073

Linsard Miller

Trevor Cooper

01234 712664

07821 690800 (Wife’s)

John Medlock

01462 817383

07796 326673

Adrian Dell

01582 614010

07908 450080

Ralph Morris

01582 707193

07968 409247

Martin Field

01604 409320

07738 259347

Kingsley Simmons

01462 700489

07743 117786

Norman Gillam

01234 713883

07594 440572

Steve Searle

01908 503017

07910 226671

Peter Gurney

01767 681211

07919 241096

John Sweedy

01923 404163

07854 374597

Jan Hilhorst

01438 718751

+31 (0)6 224 63 159

Geoff Swinden

01767 631231

07710 273220

Gerry Ingham

01767 681283

07743 826809

Ray Ward

01908 370057

07836 330858

David Inwood

01234 752250

07902 076757

Steve Waterhouse

01582 674490

07527 014492

07956 431150

Jerry Lake

01707 322354

07758 774641

Andy Watts

07811 960350

Ian Letting

01525 875105

07802 247549

Hemal Wijesuriya

07801 763542

All panel umpires appointed by the League will be entitled to a match expenses of ÂŁ35

Post-Match Umpire Reports

Umpire & Scorer Training

All Match, Facility & Pitch reports are logged online at www.bedsccl.play-cricket.com

The Bedfordshire Association of Cricket Officials (BACO) organise training courses for prospective and current Umpires and Scorers in your Club. Even if you do not intend to neither umpire nor score on a regular basis, these courses will help extend your knowledge of the game.

If you would like to take a course during the 2013/14 close season then contact Paul Barnes on 01234 344150 or Paul.Barnes780@ntlworld.com

In order to complete your reports you first need to become a member and register to the BCCL Play-Cricket website.

Any comments relevant to the game are welcome. In exceptional cases a letter or email may be sent to the League Secretary.

29

Club Details 2018 AMPTHILL TOWN Ground

The Park, Woburn Road, Ampthill, MK45 2HX

Dev. XI Ground

Marston C.C., Bedford Road, Marston, MK43 0LB

Secretary

Andy Roberts

07724 429276

1st XI Captain

Daniel Bennett

07817 125314

2nd XI Captain

Justin Brooke

07807 721810

3rd XI Captain

Graeme Presswell

07946 863262

League Rep

Joey Evans

07736 517791

ASPLEY GUISE Ground

The Common, West Hill, Aspley Guise, MK17 8DX

Secretary

Geoffrey White

01525 384420

1st XI Captain

James Carr

07758 268919

League Rep

Richard Armstrong

07961 801860

Ground

The Bury, Church Lane, Goldington, Bedford MK41 0UZ

01234 210968

Secretary

Tom Carr

07792 831699

1st XI Captain

Dom Mawdsley

07435 129806

2nd XI Contact

Tom Carr

07792 831699

League Rep

Tom Carr

07792 831699

BEDFORD

BIDDENHAM Ground

Deep Spinney, Biddenham, MK40 4QP

Secretary

Richard Fone

07818 678697

1st XI Contact

Will Lowerson

07533 807353

League Rep

Richard Fone

07818 678697

BIGGLESWADE TOWN

30

Ground

The Cricket Field, Fairfield Road, Biggleswade, SG18 0AA

Secretary

Nick Birch

01767 318801

1st XI Captain

Conor Smith

07956 857855

2nd XI Captain

Matt Twigg

01767 691860

League Rep

Gary Waghorn

07891 262344

BLUNHAM Ground

70 Barford Road, Blunham, MK44 3ND

2nd Ground

Roxton Playing Field, Park Lane, Roxton, MK44 3ER

Secretary

Talitha Heaps

07572 862871

1st XI Captain

Martin Sadler

07711 028082

2nd XI Captain

George Hutson

07816 525832

League Rep

Martin Sadler

07711 028082

CADDINGTON Ground

Manor Road, Caddington, LU1 4HH

Secretary 1st XI Captain

CG1

League Rep

Alan Crump

07747 642595

Dale Skeath

07971 809188

Carl Beddard

07876 753439

CALDECOTE Ground

Harvey Close, Upper Caldecote, SG18 9BQ

Secretary

Cherry Sizer

01767 315543

1st XI Captain

Jason Welch

07826 846627

League Rep

Jason Welch

07826 846627

CLIFTON Ground

Claybridge Ground, Stanford Lane, Clifton, SG17 5EU

Secretary

Rob Davidson

07376 490434

1st XI Captain

Lewis Bridger

07842 998589

League Rep

Rick Monaghan

07392 086899

COPLE Ground

Grange Lane, Cople, MK44 3TT

Secretary

Brian Ebbs

01234 838659

1st XI Captain

Robert Draper

07827 089705

2nd XI Captain

Glen Monks

07808 914550

League Rep

Kevin Draper

07730 553455

DUNSTABLE TOWN Ground

Lancot Park, Totternhoe, Dunstable, LU6 1QP

Secretary

Andy Boocock

07703 485494

1st XI Captain

Matt Woodcock

07583 978894

2nd XI Captain

Dean Woods

07837 412726

3rd XI Captain

Harry Wright

07528 262997

League Rep

Matt Woodcock

07583 978894 31

EATON BRAY Ground

The Rye Gardens, The Rye, Eaton Bray, LU6 2BQ

Secretary

Gary Smith

07580 189952

1st XI Captain

Paul Harris

07920 459420

League Rep

Paul Harris

07920 459420

EGGINGTON FORESTERS Ground

Mill Road, Stanbridge, Eggington, LU7 9HX

Secretary

Waseem Yaseen

07426 499479

1st XI Captain

Adnan Yousuf

07931 286100

2nd XI Captain

Amjad Ali

07984 937574

League Rep

Waseem Yaseen

07426 499479

ELSTOW Ground

The Warren, Wilstead Road, Elstow, Bedford, MK42 9YD

Secretary

Ian Russell

07947 484208

1st XI Captain

Cain Hamilton-Boyle

07903 745789

League Rep

Phil Johnson

07751 692678

EVERSHOLT Ground

Recreation Ground, Church End, Eversholt, MK17 9DT

Secretary

Menish Parmar

07711 640231

1st XI Captain

James Garratt

07891 152536

2nd XI Captain

Tom Sibley

07775 441037

League Rep

James Garratt

07891 152536

Ground

The Hardy Vale, Westoning Road, MK45 5AA

01525 715100

3rd. XI Ground

Marston Recreation Ground, Marston, Beds

Secretary

Mrs. Lyn Alder

01234 766750

1st XI Captain

Harry Thurstance

07800 521259

2nd XI Captain

Sean Nicklin

07974 696673

3rd XI Captain

Jeremy Jones

07450 002944

League Rep

Andrew Summerfield

07851 041867

FLITWICK

32

GREAT BRICKHILL Ground

Horsepond, Great Brickhill, MK17 9BA

01525 261434

Secretary

Lee Morgan

07812 073427

1st XI Captain

Andrew Mitchell

07880 329867

2nd XI Captain

Mike Wagg

07775 244419

League Rep

Andrew Mitchell

07880 329867

Ground

The Pavilion, Carlton Road, Harrold, MK43 7DT

01234 720898

Secretary

Robert Latham

01234 720898

1st XI Captain

Kieran Fowler

07500 893530

2nd XI Captain

Rick Davis

07778 544244

League Rep

Will Spencer

07843 056205

Ground

Higham Gobian Road, Hexton, SG5 3HP

01582 486417

Secretary

Angela Smylie

07958 733447

1st XI Captain

David Smith

07808 538853

League Rep

David Smith

07808 538853

Ground

Ickwell Green, Ickwell SG18 9EE

01767 627493

Secretary

Paul Hirst

07939 209761

1st XI Captain

Millin Gandhi

07939 275190

2nd XI Captain

Darren Williams

07765 890241

League Rep

Paul Hirst

07939 209761

HARROLD

HEXTON

ICKWELL

KEMPSTON HAMMERS Ground

Kempston Hammers Sports & Social Club, Kempston, MK42 7BN

Secretary

Dominic Pasquariello

07851 584074

1st XI Captain

Nigel Thorn

01234 828976

2nd XI Captain

Saubat Ali

07805 044189

League Rep

Nigel Thorn

01234 828976

33

LANGFORD Ground

Mill Lane, Langford, SG18 9QB

01462 700387

Secretary

Bernard Morse

07885 778228

1st XI Captain

Jordan Cleghorn

07878 245720

2nd XI Captain

Tom Roberts

07535 434134

League Rep

Jordan Cleghorn

07878 245720

LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY Ground

Whitethorn Lane, Letchworth, SG6 2DN

2nd Ground

Fairfield Park Kingsley Avenue, Letchworth, SG5 4FX

01462 684530

Secretary

Harry Aitkenhead

07770 885105

1st XI Captain

Adrian Wilson

07925 076996

League Rep

Dan Heydon

07930 245163

LUTON TOWN & INDIANS Ground

Wardown Park, Old Bedford Road,Luton, LU2 7NX

Second Ground

Lancaster Avenue, Luton, LU2 7AD

01582 727855

Secretary

Ashvin Patel

07711 151025

1st XI Captain

Haroon Afridi

07958 196391

2nd XI Captain

Rickesh Patel

07508 933594

3rd XI Captain

Raj Tailor

07988 873060

4th XI Captain

Shailesh Patel

07917 584920

League Rep

Krunal Kalani

07969 635538

Ground

Lower Wardown Park, New Bedford Road, Luton, LU2 7HA

01582 727855

2nd Ground

Leighton Buzzard Cricket Club & Caddington Cricket Club

Secretary

Avesh Odedra

07939 025347

1st XI Captain

Ahtzaz Ahmed

07916 535335

2nd XI Captain

Avesh Odedra

07508 933594

3rd XI Captain

tbc

07939 025347

League Rep

Asif Khan

07956 333911

Ground

Bradville, Milton Keynes, MK13 7AD

01908 313835

Secretary

Janette Chapman

07927 499996

1st XI Captain

Chris King

07505 899215

League Rep

Chris Timms

07875 715425

LUTONIAN

NEW BRADWELL

34

OFFLEY & STOPSLEY Ground

Kings Walden Road, Great Offley, SG5 3DS

Secretary

Matthew Taylor

07964 453283

1st XI Captain

Darren Lunney

07765 577879

League Rep

Darren Lunney

07765 577879

POTTON Ground

The Hollow, Biggleswade Road, SG19 2LX

Secretary

Robert Bage

01767 260453

1st XI Captain

Stephen Williams

07910 455642

League Rep

Sean Stevens

07725 974334

PRESTON Ground

The Cricket Ground, Preston, Near Hitchin, SG4 7TZ

Secretary

David Norman

01462 420849

1st XI Captain

Peter Murrell

07941 862068

League Rep

Matt Burleigh

07795 054537

QUEEN’S PARK WESTFIELD Ground

Allens Park, Ford End Road, Bedford, MK40 4HL

07812 206365

Secretary

Hassan Yousaf

07805 509489

1st XI Captain

Madaser Yousaf

07595 850795

2nd. XI Captain

Naeem Aslam

07737 173580

2nd. XI Captain

Asad Beg

07790 587671

4th XI Captain

Tariq Iqbal

07812 206365

League Rep

Tariq Iqbal

07812 206365

SANDY Ground

Recreation Ground, Engayne Avenue, Sandy, SG19 1BN

Secretary

Brian Taylor

01767 680943

1st XI Captain

Chester Ringsell

07775 298204

League Rep

Peter Gurney

07919 241096

Ground

Southill Park, Southill Estate, nr Biggleswade, SG18 9LJ

07760 171467

Secretary

Sam Rose

07725 515543

1st XI Captain

George Darlow

07530 122306

2nd XI Captain

Sam Rose

07725 515543

League Rep

Martin Darlow

07760 171467

SOUTHILL PARK

35

STEPPINGLEY Ground

Rectory Road, Steppingley, MK45 5AT

Secretary

Gary Brown

07508 832123

1st XI Captain

Pierce O’Mahoney

07983 436961

League Rep

Gary Brown

07508 832123

Ground

Ditchmore Lane, Stevenage, SG1 3LJ

01438 351075

Secretary

John Northall

07773 796490

1st XI Captain

Mo Islam

07949 333499

League Rep

Martin Nevill

01462 628344

Ground

Waresley Park, off Manor Farm Road, Waresley, SG19 3BX

07988 724214

Secretary

Phil Masdin

07988 724214

1st XI Captain

Pete Colebrook

07511 414817

League Rep

Nick Irish

01767 654854

Ground

Osborne Street, Wolverton, Bucks, MK12 5HH

01908 313866

Secretary

Suzanne Keech

07803 367395

1st XI Captains

Mujtba Ahmed

07456 512646

Hasnat Tanveer

07412 987543

Mujtba Ahmed

07456 512646

STEVENAGE

WARESLEY

WOLVERTON

League Rep

36

The UK’s No.1 Cricket Ball Supplier Contact: league@alfredreader.co.uk / 01622 812 230

www.readerscricket.com 37

2018 Fixtures PREMIER DIVISION MAY – 1.30 STARTS

6

13

20

27

JULY

Queen’s Park

v

Ampthill Town

Queen’s Park

v

Dunstable Town

Flitwick

v

Dunstable Town

Southill Park

v

Luton Town & Indians

Eversholt

v

Lutonian

Flitwick

v

Langford

v

Queen’s Park

Luton Town & Indians v

Lutonian

Southill Park

v

Langford

Dunstable Town

1

v

Queen’s Park

Lutonian

Luton Town & Indians v

Southill Park

Luton Town & Indians v

Dunstable Town

Lutonian

v

Eversholt

Southill Park

v

Flitwick

Langford

v

Flitwick

Eversholt

v

Ampthill Town

8

Queen’s Park

v

Southill Park

Ampthill Town

v

Queen’s Park

Dunstable Town

v

Eversholt

Dunstable Town

v

Flitwick

Luton Town & Indians v

Langford

Lutonian

v

Luton Town & Indians

Ampthill Town

v

Lutonian

Langford

v

Southill Park

15

Langford

v

Queen’s Park

Flitwick

v

Queen’s Park

Dunstable Town

v

Ampthill Town

Dunstable Town

v

Lutonian

Flitwick

v

Luton Town & Indians

Southill Park

v

Ampthill Town

Southill Park

v

Eversholt

Langford

v

Eversholt

Queen’s Park

v

Langford

Ampthill Town

v

Dunstable Town

22

JUNE Luton Town & Indians v 3

10

16

24

38

Queen’s Park

Southill Park

v

Lutonian

Eversholt

v

Flitwick

29

Luton Town & Indians v

Flitwick

Eversholt

v

Southill Park

Ampthill Town

v

Langford

AUGUST – 1PM STARTS

Queen’s Park

v

Eversholt

Southill Park

v

Queen’s Park

Dunstable Town

v

Langford

Eversholt

v

Dunstable Town

Langford

v

Luton Town & Indians

Luton Town & Indians v

Ampthill Town

5

Flitwick

v

Lutonian

Lutonian

v

Ampthill Town

Dunstable Town

v

Southill Park

Southill Park

v

Dunstable Town

Eversholt

v

Luton Town & Indians

Lutonian

v

Langford

12

Luton Town & Indians v

Eversholt

Langford

v

Lutonian

Ampthill Town

v

Flitwick

Flitwick

v

Ampthill Town

Queen’s Park

v

Luton Town & Indians

Lutonian

v

Southill Park

Eversholt

v

Queen’s Park

Flitwick

v

Eversholt

Langford

v

Dunstable Town

Langford

v

Ampthill Town

Ampthill Town

v

Luton Town & Indians

Lutonian

v

Flitwick

12.30 PM STARTS

19

26

Queen’s Park

v

Lutonian

SEPTEMBER

Dunstable Town

v

Luton Town & Indians

Queen’s Park

v

Flitwick

Flitwick

v

Southill Park

Lutonian

v

Dunstable Town

Ampthill Town

v

Eversholt

Ampthill Town

v

Southill Park

Eversholt

v

Langford

Biggleswade Town

v

Ickwell

2

DIVISION 1 MAY - 1.30 STARTS

6

13

20

27

Preston

v

Biggleswade Town

Lutonian II

v

Eggington Foresters

Ickwell

v

Great Brickhill

Cople

v

Potton Town

Biggleswade Town

v

Cople

v

Great Brickhill

v

Cople

Eggington Foresters

v

Harrold

Preston

v

Potton Town

Lutonian II

Lutonian II

v

Biggleswade Town

Ickwell

Ickwell

v

Cople

24

JULY

1

Great Brickhill

v

Harrold

Harrold

v

Great Brickhill

Eggington Foresters

v

Potton Town

Potton Town

v

Eggington Foresters

Biggleswade Town

v

Cople

Great Brickhill

v

Biggleswade Town

Lutonian II

v

Harrold

Ickwell

v

Lutonian II

Ickwell

v

Potton Town

Cople

v

Eggington Foresters

Great Brickhill

v

Preston

Harrold

v

Preston

Potton Town

v

Biggleswade Town

Biggleswade Town

v

Preston

Preston

v

Lutonian II

Eggington Foresters

v

Lutonian II

Eggington Foresters

v

Ickwell

Great Brickhill

v

Ickwell

Cople

v

Harrold

Potton Town

v

Cople

Eggington Foresters

v

Biggleswade Town

Ickwell

v

Biggleswade Town

Lutonian II

v

Great Brickhill

Cople

v

Great Brickhill

Cople

v

Preston

Harrold

v

Eggington Foresters

Harrold

v

Potton Town

8

15

JUNE

3

10

17

22

Potton Town

v

Preston

Biggleswade Town

v

Potton Town

Biggleswade Town

v

Harrold

Lutonian II

v

Preston

Lutonian II

v

Potton Town

Ickwell

v

Eggington Foresters

Ickwell

v

Preston

Harrold

v

Cople

Cople

v

Biggleswade Town

Harrold

v

Lutonian II

Potton Town

v

Ickwell

Preston

v

Great Brickhill

Great Brickhill

v

Eggington Foresters

Cople

v

Lutonian II

Harrold

v

Ickwell

Potton Town

v

Great Brickhill

Preston

v

Eggington Foresters

29

AUGUST – IPM STARTS

5

39

12

Lutonian II

v

Cople

Ickwell

v

Harrold

Great Brickhill

v

Potton Town

Eggington Foresters

v

Preston

Biggleswade Town 26

12.30 PM STARTS

19

v

Great Brickhill

Lutonian II

v

Ickwell

Eggington Foresters

v

Cople

Preston

v

Harrold

SEPTEMBER

Harrold

v

Biggleswade Town

Biggleswade Town

v

Eggington Foresters

Potton Town

v

Lutonian II

Great Brickhill

v

Lutonian II

Preston

v

Ickwell

Preston

v

Cople

Eggington Foresters

v

Great Brickhill

Potton Town

v

Harrold

2

DIVISION 2 MAY - 1.30PM STARTS 6

13

20

27

JULY

Kempston Hammers

v

New Bradwell

10

17

24

40

v

New Bradwell Blunham

Bedford

v

Bedford

v

Blunham

v

Caldecote

Luton Town & Indians II

v

Biddenham

New Bradwell

v

Dunstable Town II

New Bradwell

v

Luton Town & Indians II

Blunham

v

Bedford

Dunstable Town II

v

Bedford

Biddenham

v

Luton Town & Indians II

Biddenham

v

Kempston Hammers

Blunham

v

New Bradwell

New Bradwell

v

Kempston Hammers

Biddenham

v

Dunstable Town II

Luton Town & Indians II

v

Bedford

Bedford

v

Caldecote

Caldecote

v

Blunham

Kempston Hammers

v

Luton Town & Indians II

Luton Town & Indians II

v

Dunstable Town II

New Bradwell

v

Caldecote

Blunham

v

Kempston Hammers

Kempston Hammers

v

Dunstable Town II

Biddenham

v

Caldecote

Biddenham

v

Blunham

Caldecote

v

New Bradwell

Dunstable Town II

v

Kempston Hammers

Bedford

v

New Bradwell

Blunham

v

Biddenham

Blunham

v

Luton Town & Indians II

Caldecote

v

Kempston Hammers

New Bradwell

v

Blunham

Dunstable Town II

v

Biddenham

Caldecote

v

Bedford

JUNE 3

Dunstable Town II

Luton Town & Indians II

1

8

15

22

29

New Bradwell

v

Biddenham

Caldecote

v

Dunstable Town II

AUGUST 1pm STARTS

5

Bedford

v

Kempston Hammers

Luton Town & Indians II

v

Kempston Hammers

Blunham

v

Dunstable Town II

Dunstable Town II

v

Blunham

Biddenham

v

Bedford

Bedford

v

Biddenham

Luton Town & Indians II

v

Caldecote

Caldecote

v

Luton Town & Indians II

New Bradwell

v

Bedford

Luton Town & Indians II

v

Blunham

Kempston Hammers

v

Caldecote

12

12.30 PM STARTS 19

26

SEPTEMBER

Biddenham

v

New Bradwell

Dunstable Town II

v

Luton Town & Indians II

Dunstable Town II

v

Caldecote

Kempston Hammers

v

Blunham

Kempston Hammers

v

Bedford

Caldecote

v

Biddenham

Luton Town & Indians II

v

New Bradwell

Bedford

v

Dunstable Town II

Kempston Hammers

v

Biddenham

Clifton

v

Letchworth Garden City

Ickwell II

v

Sandy

Waresley

v

Eversholt II

DIVISION 3 MAY - 2PM STARTS

6

13

20

27

Ampthill Town II

v

Queen’s Park II

Clifton

v

Flitwick II

17

Eversholt II

v

Ickwell II

Ampthill Town II

v

Flitwick II

Letchworth Garden City

v

Waresley

Ickwell II

v

Queen’s Park II

Queen’s Park II

v

Clifton

Eversholt II

v

Letchworth Garden City

Ickwell II

v

Letchworth Garden City

Sandy

v

Flitwick II

Eversholt II

v

Sandy

Ampthill Town II

v

Waresley

Flitwick II

v

Waresley

Letchworth Garden City

v

Queen’s Park II

Clifton

v

Queen’s Park II

Sandy

v

Clifton

Letchworth Garden City

v

Ickwell II

Waresley

v

Ickwell II

Sandy

v

Eversholt II

Eversholt II

v

Ampthill Town II

Waresley

v

Flitwick II

Queen’s Park II

v

Waresley

Queen’s Park II

v

Eversholt II

Ampthill Town II

v

Clifton

Clifton

v

Ickwell II

Ickwell II

v

Flitwick II

Flitwick II

v

Letchworth Garden City

Letchworth Garden City

v

Sandy

Ampthill Town II

v

Sandy

Queen’s Park II

v

Ampthill Town II

Queen’s Park II

v

Ickwell II

Flitwick II

v

Clifton

Letchworth Garden City

v

Eversholt II

Ickwell II

v

Eversholt II

Flitwick II

v

Sandy

Waresley

v

Letchworth Garden City

24

JULY

1

8

JUNE

3

10

15

Waresley

v

Ampthill Town II

Queen’s Park II

v

Flitwick II

Sandy

v

Queen’s Park II

Eversholt II

v

Clifton

Waresley

v

Clifton

Ampthill Town II

v

Letchworth Garden City

Ampthill Town II

v

Ickwell II

Sandy

v

Waresley

Eversholt II

v

Flitwick II

Waresley

v

Queen’s Park II

Clifton

v

Ampthill Town II

Flitwick II

v

Ickwell II

Sandy

v

Letchworth Garden City

22

29

41

AUGUST 1.30pm STARTS

5

12

Eversholt II

v

Queen’s Park II

Ickwell II

v

Clifton

Letchworth Garden City

v

Flitwick II

Sandy

v

Ampthill Town II

Queen’s Park II

v

Letchworth Garden City

Clifton

v

Sandy

Ickwell II

v

Waresley

Ampthill Town II

v

Eversholt II

Letchworth Garden City

v

Clifton

Flitwick II

v

Queen’s Park II

Sandy

v

Ickwell II

Clifton

v

Eversholt II

Letchworth Garden City

v

Ampthill Town II

Waresley

v

Sandy

Eversholt II

v

Waresley

Flitwick II

v

Ampthill Town II

Queen’s Park II

v

Sandy

Clifton

v

Waresley

Ickwell II

v

Ampthill Town II

Flitwick II

v

Eversholt II

26

SEPTEMBER

2

1PM STARTS

19

DIVISION 4 MAY - 2PM STARTS

6

13

20

27

Kempston Hammers II

42

v

Biggleswade Town II

Steppingley

v

Hexton

v

Eggington Foresters II

v

Hexton

Kempston Hammers II

v

Luton Town & Indians III

Elstow

v

Luton Town & Indians III

Eggington Foresters II

v

Elstow

Steppingley

v

Southill Park II

Southill Park II

v

Hexton

Hexton

v

Biggleswade Town II

Offley & Stopsley

v

Luton Town & Indians III

10

17

Southill Park II

v

Luton Town & Indians III

Steppingley

v

Elstow

Offley & Stopsley

v

Elstow

Eggington Foresters II

v

Kempston Hammers II

Steppingley

v

Eggington Foresters II

Luton Town & Indians III

v

Biggleswade Town II

Southill Park II

v

Biggleswade Town II

Southill Park II

v

Elstow

Hexton

v

Offley & Stopsley

Luton Town & Indians III

v

Steppingley

Elstow

v

Kempston Hammers II

Biggleswade Town II

v

Steppingley

Hexton

v

Kempston Hammers II

Luton Town & Indians III

v

Eggington Foresters II

Offley & Stopsley

v

Southill Park II

24

Biggleswade Town II

v

Luton Town & Indians III

Elstow

v

Southill Park II

Eggington Foresters II

v

Offley & Stopsley

Kempston Hammers II

v

Steppingley

Offley & Stopsley

v

Eggington Foresters II

Steppingley

v

Kempston Hammers II

Biggleswade Town II

v

Hexton

Luton Town & Indians III

v

Southill Park II

Elstow

v

Offley & Stopsley

JULY

1

JUNE

3

Offley & Stopsley

Biggleswade Town II

8

Eggington Foresters II

v

Steppingley

Biggleswade Town II

v

Elstow

Hexton

v

Luton Town & Indians III

Eggington Foresters II

v

Southill Park II

Kempston Hammers II

v

Offley & Stopsley

15

22

29

Kempston Hammers II

v

Biggleswade Town II

Hexton

v

Eggington Foresters II

Biggleswade Town II

v

Offley & Stopsley

Luton Town & Indians III

v

Elstow

Hexton

v

Steppingley

19

Southill Park II

v

Steppingley

Luton Town & Indians III

v

Kempston Hammers II

Biggleswade Town II

v

Eggington Foresters II

Elstow

v

Eggington Foresters II

Elstow

v

Hexton

Elstow

v

Biggleswade Town II

Kempston Hammers II

v

Southill Park II

Luton Town & Indians III

v

Hexton

26

Offley & Stopsley

v

Steppingley

Steppingley

v

Biggleswade Town II

Kempston Hammers II

v

Hexton

Eggington Foresters II

v

Luton Town & Indians III

Southill Park II

v

Offley & Stopsley

12

Southill Park II

v

Eggington Foresters II

Offley & Stopsley

v

Kempston Hammers II

Eggington Foresters II

v

Biggleswade Town II

Hexton

v

Elstow

Southill Park II

v

Kempston Hammers II

Steppingley

v

Offley & Stopsley

Stevenage

v

Queen’s Park III

Aspley Guise

v

Dunstable Town III

Bedford II

v

Flitwick III

Harrold II

v

Cople II

SEPTEMBER 1.30pm STARTS

2

AUGUST 1.30pm STARTS

5

1PM STARTS

Biggleswade Town II

v

Southill Park II

Offley & Stopsley

v

Hexton

Steppingley

v

Luton Town & Indians III

Kempston Hammers II

v

Elstow

Hexton

v

Southill Park II

Luton Town & Indians III

v

Offley & Stopsley

Elstow

v

Steppingley

Kempston Hammers II

v

Eggington Foresters II

DIVISION 5 MAY – 2pm STARTS

6

13

20

Queen’s Park III

v

Aspley Guise

Dunstable Town III

v

Flitwick III

Great Brickhill II

v

Bedford II

Stevenage

v

Cople II

Dunstable Town III

v

Queen’s Park III

Queen’s Park III

v

Bedford II

Bedford II

v

Cople II

Great Brickhill II

v

Cople II

Harrold II

v

Great Brickhill II

Flitwick III

v

Harrold II

Flitwick III

v

Stevenage

Stevenage

v

Aspley Guise

Cople II

v

Queen’s Park III

Harrold II

v

Queen’s Park III

Harrold II

v

Dunstable Town III

Dunstable Town III

v

Stevenage

Stevenage

v

Bedford II

Aspley Guise

v

Bedford II

Aspley Guise

v

Great Brickhill II

Flitwick III

v

Great Brickhill II

27

JUNE

3

10

43

17

24

Dunstable Town III

v

Cople II

Queen’s Park III

v

Stevenage

Bedford II

v

Harrold II

Dunstable Town III

v

Aspley Guise

Great Brickhill II

v

Stevenage

Flitwick III

v

Bedford II

Flitwick III

v

Aspley Guise

Cople II

v

Harrold II

Bedford II

v

Queen’s Park III

AUGUST – 1.30pm STARTS

Cople II

v

Great Brickhill II

Queen’s Park III

v

Cople II

Harrold II

v

Flitwick III

Dunstable Town III

v

Harrold II

Aspley Guise

v

Stevenage

Bedford II

v

Stevenage

Queen’s Park III

v

Dunstable Town III

Cople II

v

Bedford II

Great Brickhill II

v

Harrold II

29

5

JULY

1

8

15

22

12

Great Brickhill II

v

Aspley Guise

Cople II

v

Dunstable Town III

Harrold II

v

Bedford II

Stevenage

v

Great Brickhill II

Aspley Guise

v

Flitwick III

Stevenage

v

Flitwick III

Queen’s Park III

v

Great Brickhill II

Bedford II

v

Dunstable Town III

Queen’s Park III

v

Harrold II

Flitwick III

v

Cople II

Stevenage

v

Dunstable Town III

Aspley Guise

v

Harrold II

Bedford II

v

Aspley Guise

Aspley Guise

v

Queen’s Park III

Great Brickhill II

v

Flitwick III

Flitwick III

v

Dunstable Town III

Great Brickhill II

v

Queen’s Park III

Bedford II

v

Great Brickhill II

Dunstable Town III

v

Bedford II

Cople II

v

Flitwick III

Harrold II

v

Aspley Guise

Flitwick III

v

Queen’s Park III

Dunstable Town III

v

Great Brickhill II

Cople II

v

Aspley Guise

Harrold II

v

Stevenage

Queen’s Park IV

v

Blunham II

Lutonian III

v

Wolverton

1PM STARTS

19

26

Cople II

v

Stevenage

Queen’s Park III

v

Flitwick III

Great Brickhill II

v

Dunstable Town III

Aspley Guise

v

Cople II

Stevenage

v

Harrold II

SEPTEMBER

2

DIVISION 6 MAY – 2pm STARTS Ampthill Town III 6

13

44

v

Queen’s Park IV

20

Lutonian III

v

Eaton Bray

Langford II

v

Luton Town & Indians IV

Luton Town & Indians IV

v

Caddington

Ampthill Town III

v

Caddington

Langford II

v

Blunham II

Queen’s Park IV

v

Langford II

Queen’s Park IV

v

Lutonian III

Ampthill Town III

v

Lutonian III

Luton Town & Indians IV

v

Blunham II

Eaton Bray

v

Luton Town & Indians IV

Caddington

v

Wolverton

Blunham II

v

Wolverton

Eaton Bray

v

Langford II

27

JUNE

3

10

17

24

Luton Town & Indians IV

v

Queen’s Park IV

Caddington

v

Blunham II

Wolverton

v

Eaton Bray

8

15

v

Queen’s Park IV

Lutonian III

v

Caddington

Ampthill Town III

v

Blunham II

Wolverton

v

Langford II

Langford II

v

Ampthill Town III

Langford II

v

Queen’s Park IV

Queen’s Park IV

v

Wolverton

Lutonian III

v

Ampthill Town III

Langford II

v

Lutonian III

Luton Town & Indians IV

v

Eaton Bray

Luton Town & Indians IV

v

Ampthill Town III

Wolverton

v

Blunham II

Blunham II

v

Queen’s Park IV

Wolverton

v

Lutonian III

Luton Town & Indians IV

v

Langford II

Caddington

v

Eaton Bray

Lutonian III

v

Blunham II

Luton Town & Indians IV

v

Wolverton

Langford II

v

Caddington

29

AUGUST – 1.30pm STARTS

5

Eaton Bray

v

Ampthill Town III

Caddington

v

Ampthill Town III

Queen’s Park IV

v

Luton Town & Indians IV

Blunham II

v

Lutonian III

Blunham II

v

Caddington

Wolverton

v

Luton Town & Indians IV

Eaton Bray

v

Wolverton

Caddington

v

Langford II

Ampthill Town III

v

Langford II

Ampthill Town III

v

Eaton Bray

JULY

1

22

Eaton Bray

12

1PM STARTS Lutonian III

v

Queen’s Park IV

Wolverton

v

Queen’s Park IV

Blunham II

v

Luton Town & Indians IV

Lutonian III

v

Langford II

Wolverton

v

Caddington

Ampthill Town III

v

Luton Town & Indians IV

Langford II

v

Eaton Bray

Eaton Bray

v

Caddington

Caddington

v

Queen’s Park IV

Queen’s Park IV

v

Caddington

Luton Town & Indians IV

v

Lutonian III

Lutonian III

v

Luton Town & Indians IV

Eaton Bray

v

Blunham II

Blunham II

v

Eaton Bray

Wolverton

v

Ampthill Town III

Ampthill Town III

v

Wolverton

Queen’s Park IV

v

Ampthill Town III

Eaton Bray

v

Lutonian III

Queen’s Park IV

v

Eaton Bray

Caddington

v

Luton Town & Indians IV

Caddington

v

Lutonian III

Blunham II

v

Langford II

Blunham II

v

Ampthill Town III

Langford II

v

Wolverton

19

26

SEPTEMBER

2

45

ECB and PCA GUIDANCE: HEAD PROTECTORS/HELMETS The ECB and PCA strongly encourage all cricket clubs and cricketers to review their existing head protector equipment. In this Guidance Note, references to “head protectors” means helmets with a faceguard or grille.

The design and manufacture of cricket head protectors is now governed by British Standard BS7928:2013, which has been adopted by the ICC as the international standard. The standard ECB/PCA playing contract for professional cricketers also specifies that any helmet provided to a player by his employer club must meet this safety standard.

Note that BS7928:2013 specifies different tests for helmets to be used in senior and junior cricket, reflecting the smaller ball size used in the latter.

The helmets listed below are those for which evidence has been provided to the ECB by the relevant manufacturer that the standard has been met and the appropriate authority to display a “CE quality mark” granted.

That list distinguishes between helmets which are approved for use in senior and junior cricket, and also includes some helmets which have been approved for use at both levels.

1. Key Features of the New Safety Specification The key features of the new specification, BS7928:2013, are: • it now includes a facial contact projectile test that assesses for penetration of the ball through the faceguard, and contact of the faceguard onto the face, using realistic ball impact speeds and conditions.

• head protectors have been tested separately against men’s and junior sized cricket balls (a five-and-a-half ounce ball and a four-and-threequarter ounce ball, respectively).

2. Women’s cricket There was neither a pre-existing specific women’s head protector nor is there any BSi specification for women’s cricket head protectors.

However, as the size of the standard women’s cricket ball is between the standard men’s and junior’s balls, it is recommended that women use head protectors which have been tested against both the men’s and junior sized ball or at least against the junior size ball (because the smaller ball could potentially get through the gap above the faceguard on a men’s head protector).

3. Junior cricket Since 2000, the ECB has published safety guidance regarding the wearing of head protectors by all cricketers under the age of 18. The ECB’s current guidance is that all cricketers under the age of 18 must wear a head protector whilst batting in matches or practice sessions. The ECB also now strongly recommends that junior players use head protectors which have been tested against the junior sized ball.

Wicketkeepers under the age of 18 should wear a head protector with a faceguard, or a wicketkeeper face protector, at all times when standing up to the stumps.

Any individual taking responsibility for any player(s) under the age of 18 should take reasonable steps to ensure this guidance is followed at all times. No parental consent to the non-wearing of a head protector should be accepted.

4. Risk of injury Whilst the ECB and PCA consider that head protectors are an essential part of a cricketer’s kit to mitigate the risk of death, injury or disability, it must be remembered that wearing a head protector cannot entirely eliminate that risk. The new specification makes head protectors safer than before, but cannot eliminate the risk of injury.

5. Things to look out for in purchasing a new head protector The ECB and PCA has issued this guidance in order to heighten understanding, so that informed decisions as to which head protectors to purchase and use can be made by all cricketers.

Head protectors that have been tested against and comply with the new specification will be clearly labelled “ BS7928:2013” and will contain clear labelling setting out whether the head protector has been tested against (i) a men’s standard ball size of 5 ½ ounces, (ii) a junior standard ball size of 4 ¾ ounces, or (iii) both men’s and junior size balls.

For a list of head protectors that have met BS7928:13 as of 18 April visit www.ecb.co.uk/information/ecb-and-pca-guidance-head-protectorhelmets 46

47

Ground, Weather and Light Guidance

The following guidance has been issued by the ECB-ACO for use by umpires. The League recommends that the same criteria be considered by the home club and captains when assessing the fitness of the ground, weather and light for play.

Guidance for Umpires This guide represents the key issues and actions umpires should consider in reviewing GW&L issues caused by weather conditions (other than lightning).

In order for play to start, continue or resume, both umpires (subject to point 9 below) should agree, at all times, that conditions do not present an actual and foreseeable risk of injury to any player or umpire.

To help to establish this, the following questions should be considered by both umpires. The state of the game, or the views of either team, should have no bearing on the answers.

1. Have you carried out an inspection of the whole playing area, at no faster than at a reasonable walking pace, including the area immediately beyond the boundary over which fielders may need to pass as they endeavour to field or catch the ball?

2. Do the bowlers have reasonable footholds – i.e. are they able to bowl without slipping – this must include the whole of their delivery, from where they begin their run up, to the point they have regained control of their movement after delivery of the ball?

3. Do all of the fielders have the power of free movement around the ground – can they can move, turn and run at broadly full pace, without slipping?

4. Do the batsmen have the ability to play their shots and run freely between the wickets without slipping, both when they set off and in the action of turning?

5. Are you satisfied that there is no surface water and no standing water (water visible around the feet when pressed into the ground) in the playing area within 30 yards of the pitch, or on the square, or, if further away, that would be so slippery as to potentially constitute a danger?

6. In your opinion is there sufficiently good visibility to enable you to conclude that you, the batsmen, and fielders will be able to see the ball (taking into account its pace) clearly enough to be safe?

7. Are you satisfied that after pitching the ball does not bounce unpredictably or steeply or go through the surface of the pitch in a way that poses a danger to the striker or the wicket-keeper standing up?

8. Are you satisfied that none of the conditions pose an actual and foreseeable risk to the safety of any player or umpire?

9. Does the other umpire (if present) agree with your answers?

48

If the other umpire is not a current full member of the ECB ACO then you should consult with him, but your answers to the above questions should determine the outcome.

Whenever your answers to one or more of the questions 1 to 9 above is a NO, play must be suspended until the umpires, working with those responsible for the ground, have implemented a solution that eliminates the danger.

Things to consider and actions needed before play can start, continue or resume: Consult – Before play commences umpires should, if available, seek the view of people who know the ground and its facilities (covers etc) to agree with their colleague how GWL issues will be handled and ensure that both captains are informed.

Observe the movement and actions of the players prior to commencing and during play to help decide/affirm your answers.

Record at the time of all inspections, conversations, agreed actions, any delays/suspensions of play.

Retain these records and Record them on any official report on the match submit.

Listen to what others are saying, consider it and reach your own independent conclusions.

Ensure – play never starts or resumes without the umpires carrying out an inspection of the whole ground to confirm the answer to the above questions are all Yes. Delay – do not wait until the end of the over – if an answer is NO suspend play immediately.

Other points to note 1. Once play has commenced it is not necessary for it to rain etc again – if any of the answers become a NO, then play should be suspended immediately.

2. If players wish to continue, in spite of the umpires concluding it is dangerous, umpires should tell them they will not umpire the match under the prevailing conditions.

3. If players refuse to play, point out the decision is yours, remind them of Law 21.3, give them a chance to change their mind and if not invoke Law 21.3.

Note: To the fullest extent possible in law, neither the ECB or the CBACO (or indeed any other party involved in its production) accept any responsibility for loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of material contained in this document.

Lightning: What should you do?

Cricketers may take a cavalier attitude to thunder and lightning, possibly because the game is usually suspended as soon as it rains and the thunder might come later. This is not a good idea for a number of reasons some of which are: • Lightning can kill or seriously injure.

Do Not:

• Blue skies overhead do not guarantee protection from lightning strikes. Lightning can strike far from where it is raining and it may come literally out of the blue, with no cloud in the sky and not a drop of rain.

• Waste time covering the pitch

• It can strike even when the storm is as much as 10 miles away, though 6 miles or so is usually quoted as being a range at which risk really escalates.

• Any exposed open area can be at risk if there’s thunder about • Lightning won’t necessarily go for the tallest nearby tree; it could jump sideways from another object to hit you or strike the ground and travel through it hitting you on the way.

• It is likely to seek metal objects • It can travel from person to person if you’re close together

• Go near or move metal-framed pitch covers or machinery • Bunch together – spread out as you move indoors • Shelter under a tree especially a single tall tree • Stay outside if you can get into a building (or a car) • Sheltering inside a permanent metal-skinned or -roofed building is usually OK but avoid small sheds etc.

When to Resume: • Keep watching and listening - 30 minutes after the last thunder it should be safe to go out * – but: if in doubt – stay indoors!!

Go Indoors Immediately if:

Danger Signs:

• There is sudden thunder without lightning

There is imminent danger of a lightning strike if:

• You see lightning in the clouds

• You feel your hair standing on end

• Flash to bang time is 40 seconds or less *

• There is crackling in the air

• You see lightning strike the ground or building etc. nearby

• There is sudden thunder without lightning

Remember - There is no safe place outside in a thunder storm Never lie flat on the ground during a lightning storm. Although the ‘Lightning Squat’ (crouching low with hands over head and ears and elbows on knees) has been mentioned by some as a last resort it doesn’t work. If you can get into a sturdy building or a car do this at once. * the ’40/30 Rule’ – by no means infallible but a good guideline.

Get indoors when thunder is audible within 40 seconds after you see the associated flash (the ‘flash to bang time’) and don’t venture out until thunder has not been heard for 30 minutes.

49

League Records HIGHEST TEAM SCORES 441 for 7

Dunstable 1 vs Waresley 1, 2016 (Premier Div. Record)

422 for 6

Pavenham & Felmersham v Dunstable Town 3, 2007

163*

Philip Salvesen, Biddenham, 2009

154*

Michael Bodo, Flitwick, 2010

138

Edward Else, Bedford, 2014

133*

Rahul Sheemar, Bedford, 2014

415 for 3

Ickwell 1 v Leighton Buzzard 1, 2008 (Premier Div. record)

126

Ahad Khan, Great Brickhill, 2014

414 for 6

Henlow 1 v Dunstable Town 2, 2007

122*

Thomas Blythman, Bedford, 2014

410 for 8

Sharnbrook 1 vs Kempston Hammers 1, 2015

111*

Adam Perkins, Biddenham, 2009

111*

Conor Robson, Langford, 2014

408 for 5

New Bradwell vs Biggleswade 2, 2017

111*

Emilio Gay, Bedford, 2013

408 for 5

Ickwell 1 v Southill Park 1, 2009

106*

Gurraj Galsin, Elstow, 2013

403 for 2

Stevenage 1 vs Flitwick 2, 2017

HIGHEST SCORE CHASING TO WIN 367 for 7

Dunstable Town v Ickwell, 2004

DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

105

Lewis Perrin, Aspley Guise, 2009

104*

Ben Chilwell, Flitwick, 2010

103

Dipech Patel, Waresley, 2008

101

James Gage, Aspley Guise, 2009

286 for 3

Biddenham v Blunham, 2009

101

James Gage, Aspley Guise, 2009

271 for 6

Potton Town v Biggleswade Town, 2011

100*

Advait Vaidya, Bedford, 2014

265 for 6

Bedford v Elstow, 2011

259 for 4

Waresley v Flitwick, 2008

256 for 8

Aspley Guise v Potton Town, 2009

HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL SCORES

50

DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

HIGHEST PARTNERSHIP 348

Jimmy Hart & Roy Bloxham, Biggleswade Town 2, 2002

BEST BOWLING

278*

Gary Brown, Stevenage 1 vs Flitwick 2, 2017

10 for 57

Phil Clark, Southill Park v Henlow, 1995

8 for 10

Scot Crouch, Ickleford 2015

275*

Matt Hicks, Henlow 1 v Dunstable Town 2, 2007

DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

218

Ben Abbott, Dunstable 1 vs Flitwick 1, 2017

7 for 11

Jamie Barker, Waresley, 2015

7 for 27

Oliver Evans, Ampthill Town, 2010

6 for 5

Robert Kraus, Biddenham, 2010

214

Dan Moss, Cople 2 v Luton Town & Indians 4s, 2013

6 for 15

George Chappell, Ampthill Town, 2009

205*

Kevin Wright, Biggleswade Town 1 v Caldecote 1, 2009

6 for 19

Natasha Bawa, Bedfordshire Ladies, 2014

Howard Cherry, Eggington 2 v Ickwell 2, 2002

6 for 26

Sami Younis, Queens Park Youth, 2015

204*

6 for 27

Ben Fensome, Ickwell, 2010

202

Kieran Lampard, New Bradwell vs Biggleswade 2, 2017

199

Andy Trott, Sharnbrook v Hexton, 2002

196

Justin Powick, Preston 1 vs Ickwell 1, 2016

AVERAGES FOR 2017 PREMIER DIVISION Club

Runs

Avg.

H/S

Jarryd Biviano (o/s)

Ampthill

774

86.00

146

Ben Abbott (o/s)

Dunstable

762

58.62

218

Sam Cherry

Dunstable

339

56.5

75*

Nadeera Nawela (o/s)

Flitwick

683

52.54

117

Sean Stevens

Potton

657

46.93

106*

Hassam Mushtaq

Eversholt

217

43.40

57

Naeem Khan

Lutonian

520

43.33

Sergio Fedee Mendes (o/s)

Langford

358

Ajay Momi

Southill Park

Hamid Riaz

Lutonian

Batsman

Bowler

Club

Wkts

Avg.

B/B

Mehul Adatia

Southill Park

27

9.96

6 for 28

Naeem Khan

Lutonain

14

10.64

3 for 11

Ahtzaz Ahmed

Lutonain

29

12.03

4 for 14

Jarryd Biviano (o/s)

Ampthill

34

12.24

5 for 13

Kieran Brasier

Southill Park

17

12.59

4 for 18

Jack Kilduff

Dunstable

12

13.42

4 for 36

117*

Kalim Khan

Eversholt

10

13.90

3 for 10

39.78

68

Danish Zaman (o/s)

Lutonian

21

14.33

3 for 16

395

39.50

78

Adam Lewis

Dunstable

17

15.24

3 for 23

504

38.77

123

Alex Rennie

Eversholt

19

15.42

4 for 16

FIRST DIVISION Batsman

Club

Runs

Avg.

H/S

Bowler

Club

Wkts

Avg.

B/B

Maicol Javed

Great Brickhill

593

74.13

124*

Peter Murrell

Preston

25

10.96

5 for 46

Hassan Yousaf

Queens Park

395

65.83

79*

Wajahat Ali

Queens Park

20

12.85

5 for 11

Jimmy Hart

Biggleswade

260

52.00

82

Ben Faulkner

Ickwell

13

12.92

4 for 31

Blake Mills (o/s)

Preston

550

50.00

126

Ross Cunningham

Ickwell

21

12.95

5 for 45

Ruben Clinton (o/s)

Great Brickhill

596

49.67

145

Awais Khan

Lutonian 2

28

13.04

5 for 31

Ammad Saeed

Lutonian 2

321

45.86

62*

Nazim Shah

Queens Park

12

14.00

4 for 24

George Morris

Great Brickhill

419

41.90

64

Ross Fensome

Ickwell

36

14.50

6 for 35

Michael Johnson

Biggleswade

417

41.70

65

Jaskaran Singh

Queens Park

16

14.56

4 for 24

Wajahat Ali

Queens Park

78

39.00

28

Zardad Khan

Queens Park

18

15.00

3 for 33

Alf Rehman

Preston

153

38.25

69*

Iqrar Hussain

Queens Park

24

15.79

4 for 22

Batsman

Club

Runs

Avg.

H/S

Bowler

Club

Wkts

Avg.

B/B

Gary Brown

Stevenage

637

159.25

278*

Adnan Yousef

Eggington Foresters

30

9.80

8 for 33

Kieran Fowler

Harrold

500

71.43

108*

Tarnjit Biryah

Dunstable 2

20

9.85

6 for 30

Usman Farooq

Clifton

453

56.63

172

Adam Lewis

Dunstable 2

17

10.59

4 for 8

Kanchana Rodrigo

Blunham

205

51.25

79

Sameem Safi

Caldecote

21

11.29

3 for 14

Azhat Mehmood

Clifton

244

48.80

64*

William Spencer

Harrold

36

11.53

5 for 20

Simon Herridge

Harrold

137

45.67

48*

Sajid Ali

Eggington Foresters

10

12.10

2 for 4

David Garofalo

Blunham

228

45.60

78*

Jack Brown

Clifton

10

13.20

4 for 24

Nazakat Khan

Eggington Foresters

437

43.70

79

Rahim Azim

Eggington Foresters

17

13.76

4 for 42

Eaton Socon

27

14.11

5 for 30

Harrold

24

14.46

4 for 29

SECOND DIVISION

Craig Worley

Caldecote

246

41.00

96

Dale Van Der Merwe (o/s)

Connor Heaps

Blunham

445

40.54

100

Craig Fowler

51

AVERAGES FOR 2017 THIRD DIVISION Club

Runs

Avg.

H/S

Bowler

Club

Wkts

Avg.

B/B

Peter New (o/s)

Letchworth

521

66.38

102

Najam Sherez

Sandy

10

9.70

4 for 24

Chris Murray

Kempston Hammers

66

66.00

57*

Leon Harvey

Kempston Hammers

13

11.31

4 for 17

William Bates

Letchworth

475

59.38

116*

Dominic Walker

Waresley

15

11.40

4 for 10

Leon Harvey

Kempston Hammers

351

58.50

117

Imran Khan

Kempston Hammers

17

12.53

4 for 26

Batsman

Ben Bradley

Ampthill 2

55

55.00

26*

Rohan Memi

Bedford

10

12.80

3 for 22

Mustafa Ali

Queens Park 2

255

51.00

49*

Umar Mughal

Bedford

11

12.82

4 for 10

Matthew Salisbury

Biddenham

141

47.00

76

Vikram Masih

Queens Park 2

16

13.19

3 for 24

Rohan Memi

Bedford

122

40.67

71

Nathan Healey

Bedford

13

13.31

4 for 20

Sam Kumar

Biddenham

361

40.11

83

Jonathan Dove

Bedford

31

13.32

5 for 23

Dom Mawdsely

Bedford

469

39.08

117

Joe Colebrook

Waresley

11

13.73

4 for 17

Club

Runs

Avg.

H/S

Bowler

Club

FOURTH DIVISION Batsman

Wkts

Avg.

B/B

Adam Prescott

Southill Park

484

121.00

151*

Jude Ramadanpulle

New Bradwell

30

5.03

7 for 16

Kieran Lampard

New Bradwell

513

85.50

202

Adam Henchy

Eversholt 2

18

7.56

5 for 22

Sam Barrow

Ickwell 2

519

74.14

101*

David Little

New Bradwell

30

9.17

4 for 13

Azeem Ansari

Hexton

600

60.00

170

Harry Wright

Dunstable 3

15

10.00

4 for 10

Callum Robertson

Eversholt 2

53

53.00

14*

Mohammed Shahid

New Bradwell

19

11.68

4 for 38

Tom Winetroube

Ickwell 2

256

51.20

56*

Shabbir Hussain

Kempston Hammers 2

12

12.08

3 for 21

Chris Timms

New Bradwell

353

50.43

137

Darren De Vyott

Ickwell 2

24

12.25

4 for 32

Harry Wright

Dunstable 3

85

42.50

35*

Rehaan Samdani

Offley & Stopsley

21

12.43

5 for 54

Charlie Maw

New Bradwell

205

41.00

67

David Browning

Eversholt 2

15

14.60

3 for 14

Jude Ramadanpulle

New Bradwell

194

38.80

65

Tom Sibley

Eversholt 2

28

14.61

4 for 21

H/S

Bowler

Club

Wkts

Avg.

B/B

FIFTH DIVISION Batsman

52

Club

Runs

Avg.

Robert Harrison

Aspley Guise

301

75.25

120*

Alan Priestley

Leighton Buzzard

19

4.63

6 for 30

Chris Dickerson

Eaton Socon 2

228

57.00

91

Jack Flynn

Elstow

12

5.50

5 for 21

Adam Hewitt

Cople

157

52.33

90*

Chris Dickerson

Eaton Socon 2

16

7.94

3 for 17

Calam Lynch

Aspley Guise

379

42.11

175

Bilal Hussain Jr

Queens Park 3

15

9.67

5 for 28

Conor Lynch

Aspley Guise

203

40.60

54*

Rajpreet Singh

Elstow

11

10.64

4 for 9

Zane Haroon

Luton Town & Indians 4

119

39.67

43

Conor Lynch

Aspley Guise

16

10.94

5 for 8

Mohammed Abbas

Queens Park 3

112

37.33

56*

Asfaq Shah

Cople 2

14

11.07

6 for 13

Cain Hamilton-Boyle

Elstow

280

35.00

64

Subhan Hussain

Queens Park 3

13

11.46

4 for 17

Haseeb Hanif

Queens Park 3

193

32.17

85

Rohan Neal

Langford 2

16

11.88

5 for 2

Matthew Gurney

Leighton Buzzard

192

32.00

62

Jamie Williams

Elstow

18

12.00

3 for 12

AVERAGES FOR 2017 DIVISION SIX Batsman

Club

Runs

Avg.

H/S

Bowler

Club

Wkts

Avg.

B/B

Matt Higgins

Steppingley

368

184.00

90

Umar Mughal

Bedford 2

13

4.62

5 for 14

Pierce O'Mahoney

Steppingley

319

63.80

111

Martin Harvery

Steppingley

15

5.53

5 for 17

Darren Kerrins

Eaton Bray

247

61.75

96

Matt Higgins

Steppingley

13

8.54

5 for 21

Daniel Kidman

Steppingley

473

59.13

178*

Alex Vickers

Steppingley

10

9.00

6 for 23

Omer Hanif

Great Brickhill 2

280

56.00

124

Abid Moughal

Bedford 2

16

9.94

6 for 12

Andy Loveday

Steppingley

454

50.44

106

John Trussell

Flitwick 3

12

10.33

6 for 8

Praveen Garikipati

Stevenage 2

395

49.38

100*

Hayden Abeynaike

Harrold 2

14

11.79

4 for 28

Luke Lathwell

Great Brickhill 2

241

48.20

64

Pierce O'Mahoney

Steppingley

15

12.00

4 for 40

Lee Gauntlett

Eaton Bray

369

46.13

83

Sam Welch

Harrold 2

13

12.08

3 for 7

Colin Ruddick

Ampthill 3

228

45.60

63

Sam Hinds

Harrold 2

16

13.81

5 for 24

CHAIRMAN’S PLAYERS OF THE YEAR FOR 2018 Prem. Naeem Khan

Lutonian

1st

Maicol Javed

Great Brickell

2nd

Adnan Yousef

Eggington Forresters

3rd

Jonathan Dove

Bedford

4th

Jude Ramadanpulle

New Bradwell

5th

Robert Harrison

Aspley Guise

6th

Daniel Kidman

Steppingley

53

Post-match Requirements A summary, by Division, of what you need to do Facility & Umpire Reports must be logged by 11pm of the Tuesday following the match PREMIER DIVISION, DIVISION 1 AND DIVISION 2

DIVISION 3

HOME TEAM

HOME TEAM

Results to be reported directly into Play-Cricket by 10pm

Post scorecards on Play-Cricket website

Online Umpires report AWAY TEAM

Post scorecards on Play-Cricket website

AWAY TEAM

Online Umpires report (online facility report ONLY if no panel umpires present)

DIVISIONS 4 TO 6 HOME TEAM

DIVISION 2 HOME TEAM

Results to be reported directly into Play-Cricket by 10pm

Results to be reported directly into Play-Cricket by 10pm

Online Facility report (include Umpire’s names)

Results to be reported directly into Play-Cricket by 10pm Post scorecards on Play-Cricket website

AWAY TEAM

Online Facility report

Online Umpires report Post scorecards on Play-Cricket website AWAY TEAM

Online Facility report (include Umpire’s names)

All Facility & Umpire reports are logged online via Play-Cricket

Fines are published on a weekly basis Any disputes over fines must be made within six days of their publication

54

55

56