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PLAYING CONDITIONS 2008 - PREMIER LEAGUE FIRST XI

These Playing Conditions are in addition to the League Constitution

1. ELIGIBILITY OF PLAYERS KENT CCC PROFESSIONALS

1.1 All players contracted to Kent County Cricket Club shall normally be affiliated to a Kent League Club.

1.2 Clubs may register a maximum of one capped and one uncapped Category 2 player in any season, save that 'home grown' players may be registered as Exempt Category 2 players.

1.3 The definition of 'home grown' shall be a player who is an active playing member of that Club when he is first offered and accepts professional terms by Kent County Cricket Club.

1.4 Should Category 2 players not have an affiliation with a Club, the matter will be resolved by the Coach of Kent County Cricket Club or his nominee.

1.5 A 'home grown' player may be registered with another Club at the discretion of the Management Committee, provided that such re-registration is consistent with enhancing the overall standard of the Premier League.

2. UMPIRES AND SCORERS

2.1 There shall be a Kent Premier League Umpires Panel, which will be administered by a sub committee of the Kent Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers and be responsible to the Management Committee. The sub committee will organise the umpiring of all matches in the Premier League, and in such other Divisions as the Management Committee may from time to time specify.

2.2 Clubs will be required to complete and return report forms on the umpires and other matters, according to instructions specified from time to time by the Management Committee.

2.3 Each Club must provide a scorer for each match.

3. HOURS AND CONDITIONS OF PLAY

3.1 Matches shall commence at 12.00 Noon.

3.2 The normal duration of play shall be 110 overs.

3.3 The side batting first shall occupy not more than 55 overs.

3.4 The side batting second shall occupy the balance of the 110 overs, ignoring any odd balls.

3.5 Two new balls as specified by the Management Committee shall be used for each match.

3.6 One new ball shall be taken at the start of both innings

3.7 There shall be a tea interval of 30 minutes which, unless the captains agree otherwise, shall normally take place between innings. Drinks intervals to be agreed before the start of each match.

3.8 In the event of a delayed start due to adverse playing conditions, no overs shall be deducted for the first 30 minutes. Thereafter, the match shall be reduced in length by two overs for every six minutes lost. The side batting first shall occupy not more than half the total overs.

3.9 No match may start later than two hours and fifteen minutes after the appointed start time, nor be reduced to fewer than 70 overs.

3.10 No match, once started, shall be reduced in length.

3.11 A match in which a definite result is not achieved, and in which fewer than 55 overs are completed, shall be deemed to be abandoned.

3.12 A match in which a definite result is not achieved, and the agreed number of overs have not been completed, but in which a minimum of 55 overs have been bowled, shall be an incomplete match.

3.13 In the event of an interruption in play, the final hour shall commence at 7.20 pm from which time a minimum of 20 overs shall be bowled.

3.14 In the event of interference by weather or bad light in the last hour of play (as defined in 3.13), one over shall be deducted for each three minutes, or fraction thereof, that is lost. Before the recommencement of play, the umpires shall indicate to the scorers and players the minimum number of overs to be bowled.

3.15 Umpires shall call the last over of each innings in such a way as to be understood by the batsmen, the captain of the fielding side, and the scorers.

3.16 Prior to the commencement of the final over of the match, the umpires shall confirm the score and indicate clearly to the batsmen and the captain of the fielding side the number of runs required to win.

3.17 Teams will be required to complete the umpires report form.

3.18 If, during the match, a bowler is unable to complete an over for any reason, the remaining balls shall be completed by another member of the fielding side. Such part of an over will count as a full over only in so far as each bowlers limit is concerned. No bowler may bowl two consecutive overs or part overs.

3.19 At the instant of delivery, a minimum of four fielders (plus the bowler and the wicket keeper) must be within an area bounded by two semi circles centred on each middle stump (each with a radius of 30 yards) and joined by a parallel line on each side of the pitch. In the event of an infringement, the square leg umpire shall call 'No Ball'.

3.20 The fielding circle shall be marked with painted white dots at 5 yard intervals, each dot to be covered by a white plastic or rubber (not metal) disc measuring seven inches in diameter. It is the responsibility of the home team to ensure that the discs are in place prior to the start of the match.

3.21 Abandoned Matches. In advance of the scheduled start time, no match may be abandoned without the prior consent of the captain of the away team, who shall have the right to inspect the ground before reaching a decision, if he so chooses. A home team abandoning a match without the consent of the opposing captain shall be deemed to have forfeited the match to the away team.

Should the home team seek to abandon the match because they consider conditions to be unfit for play, but the captain of the away team disagrees, the umpires shall have the power to overrule the home team if in their view the conditions are clearly fit for play.

Once a match has commenced, the Laws of Cricket and the rules of the League shall apply.

3.22 Teams are required to adhere strictly to the ECB Fast Bowling Directives, ECB Fielding Directives and the ECB Helmet Safety Directives.

3.23 The restriction on bowlers running down the pitch shall be 5 feet in front and parallel with the popping crease and 1 foot either side of the centre stumps from end to end.

3.24 No bowler may bowl more than 15 overs in any one innings. In a rain reduced match the following will apply:-

100 -108 over match - 14 overs per bowler

90 - 98 over match - 13 overs per bowler

80 - 88 over match - 12 overs per bowler

70 - 78 over match - 11 overs per bowler

3.25 In a match where the side batting second has a balance of overs remaining of more than half the overs due in the match, a bowler in the side bowling second may bowl their prescribed allocation plus one additional over for every additional 4 overs of that balance at the start of that innings.

4 PITCHES AND GROUNDS

4.1 Clubs must abide by instructions as to the preparation, rolling, cutting and general care of pitches and grounds that may be issued by the Management Committee from time to time.

4.2 The home team are responsible for ensuring that pitches are covered during any rain interruption and during intervals if there is rain or the threat of rain. The home team must therefore have covers available that are fit for the purpose, and must put them on should either the umpires or the away team so request. In the event that the home team consider such a request to be unreasonable, the umpires shall be the sole arbiters. Failure to comply with this regulation will incur a penalty of ten points deducted. (See the Guidelines on Pitches and Grounds)

5. SCORING OF POINTS

5.1 Twenty points shall be awarded for a win by the side batting first and sixteen points for a win by the side batting second.

5.2 In a match where the sides finish with equal scores (a tie or a tied draw), ten points shall be awarded to each side.

5.3 When the agreed number of overs has been completed without reaching a definite result, six points shall be awarded to the side scoring the greater number of runs.

5.4 In addition, one bonus point will be awarded for achieving each of the following targets:

150 runs, 175 runs, 200 runs, 225 runs 3 wickets taken , 5 wickets taken , 7 wickets taken, 9 wickets taken.

5.5 However, sides that receive points for a win, a tie or a tied draw shall not receive bonus points.

5.6 In the event of a match being abandoned, each side shall receive eight points.

5.7 In the event of an incomplete match (as defined in 3.12), each side shall receive five points, plus any bonus points they have earned in the course of the match.

5.8 In the event of a delayed start reducing the total number of overs in a match, the thresholds for batting bonus points shall be pro-rated according to the number of overs available.

5.9 Forfeiture of a match shall be deemed to be a breach of conduct by the offending Club. In the event of a team failing to fulfil a fixture, the following minimum penalties will apply: i) They will be deemed to have lost the match and will receive no points. ii) A further 20 points will be deducted from their total for the season. iii) A fine of £50 shall be payable to the League. iv) The offending Club will be liable for any expenses incurred by the other Club involved.

5.10 Where a side fails to fulfil a fixture, their opponents shall be awarded seventeen points.

6 OVER RATES

6.1 The required over rate is seventeen overs per hour.

(a) It is within the Spirit of the Game to advise Captains when they are falling behind the required over rate, and in addition to advise them at the close of play if points are to be deducted. Failure by the Umpires to comply with this clause shall not invalidate the deduction of points.

6.2 A side that fails to meet the required rate over the course of each innings will have points deducted (subject to 6.5) as follows:

Less than 17 overs/hour 1 Point

Less than 16 overs/hour 2 Points

Less than 15 overs/hour 3 Points

Less than 14 overs/hour 4 Points

Less than 13 overs/hour 5 Points

Note: Overs calculation = overs bowled divided by net minutes of play, times 60.

6.3 A side bowling the opposition out within 3 hours and 15 minutes will not be subject to any penalties.

6.4 In matches reduced in length at the start, the time allowed under 6.3 will be pro rated to the number of overs available for that match divided by 34.

6.5 The umpires shall have the power to make allowance for time lost during an innings (including time wasting by the batting side) and to deduct such allowances from the total time taken to complete the innings before calculating the over rate. The umpire at the bowling end will inform the fielding captain, the batsmen and his fellow umpire of any time allowances as and when they arise. The allowances shall not be subject to retrospective negotiation.

6.6 A side cannot return a negative value in points in a match. In any such cases the return will be 0 points.

7 WIDES

7.1 Umpires shall interpret the Law relating to wide deliveries in the context of whether the batsman has a reasonable opportunity of playing the ball, and in accordance with guidelines laid down by the Management Committee. This will mean a stricter ruling than the letter of the Law provides, albeit not as strict as the interpretation for 'limited over wides'.

7.2 When an Umpire considers that a bowler is bowling down the leg side as a negative tactic, the umpire shall first warn the bowler and the captain of the fielding side. Thereafter, the strict limited over wide interpretation will be applied. Wides will incur a penalty of one run plus any extras scored.

8 TEAM SHEETS

8.1 Teams shall submit a team sheet to the umpires, including the registration numbers and dates of birth of all players, half an hour before the start of play. Law 1.2 refers.

9. DISCIPLINE

9.1 Clubs undertake to abide by the Voluntary Code of Conduct.

9.2 Should there be any apparent conflict between the League Constitution, Code of Conduct and playing conditions, the League Constitution shall prevail.

10. CONDUCT AND BREACHES OF THE CONSTITUTION

10.1 The Management Committee shall have the power to take appropriate action against individuals or member clubs in the event of misconduct or breaches of either the Constitution or the Playing Conditions of the League.

10.2 These powers shall include, but shall not be limited to, the imposition of fines, the suspension of players, the deduction of points, the awarding of matches to the opposition, and the relegation of an offending Club.

11. COLTS SECTIONS

11.1 It is a requirement of membership of the Premier League that Clubs run a Colts section, and that it is of a quality and level of organisation commensurate with one of the top Clubs in the country.

11.2 Clubs must provide coaching and matches for junior players in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Management Committee from time to time.

12. PREMIER LEAGUE LEVY AND THE PREMIER LEAGUE FUND

12.1 In addition to the normal fees of the League, there will be a Premier League Levy payable annually, which will be set by the Management Committee. (Initially, this will be fifty pounds per Club per annum).

12.2 Funds received by the Premier League from ECB shall be included within the Premier League Fund. A one tenth share of a minimum of 70% of the annual grant, at the discretion of the Management Committee, will be provisionally allocated to each Club's account with the League in the appropriate season.

12.3 This provisional allocation will be confirmed only on receipt and acceptance by the Management Committee of the Club's application for funds and expenditure proposals.

12.4 A Club which fails to submit its application by the date specified by the Management Committee shall lose its provisional allocation and will receive no grant for that season. Any such monies shall revert to the Premier League Fund.

12.5 Funds received from either ECB or the League may not be used for the payment of players.

12.6 Funds received from ECB for Premier League Clubs may only be utilised for the benefit of member Clubs of the Premier League in each respective year.

12.7 Clubs will be required to provide a (certified) statement of account as to how funds received from the League (via ECB or directly) have been spent in the previous year, and their proposals for expenditure in the forthcoming season.

12.8 The Management Committee shall have the power to scrutinise the statement of account and to require further evidence from clubs if it so chooses. It shall also have the power to evaluate, approve or vary a Club's allocation for the forthcoming season in the light of both its expenditure proposals and record, and its history in respect of payments to players.

12.9 Following approval of an allocation, should a Club have a credit balance on their account, having regard to the dues payable that season, then three quarters of the appropriate balance shall be paid to those Clubs upon receipt from ECB.

12.10 The residual 25% will be paid at the end of the season following receipt of satisfactory reports as detailed in Regulation 6.

12.11 The balance, along with the Premier League Levy and any financial penalties, will be held separately as The Premier League Fund.

12.12 The Premier League Fund may be supplemented from time to time with income from other sources. The Management Committee shall have the power to introduce further conditions linked to the receipt of additional income.

12.13 Disbursements from The Premier League Fund will be made for three purposes only:

i) To defray additional expenses specifically and exclusively incurred in the management of the Premier League. ii) Discretionary grants or loans to Premier League Clubs to assist in the upgrading of facilities or the development of long term initiatives. iii) Activities designed to further the development of Premier League cricket.

12.14 All payments from The Premier League Fund shall be at the absolute discretion of the Management Committee.

12.15 The accounts of The Premier League Fund shall be published at the Annual General Meeting of the League.

12.16 In the event that The Premier League Fund is dissolved, any funds held (and loan repayments due) will revert to the general account of the Kent Cricket League.

13. THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

13.1 It is a fundamental condition of membership of the Premier League that Clubs endorse the unfettered jurisdiction of the Management Committee with regard to grounds, pitches and facilities, and accept without reservation that their decisions are binding and not subject to appeal.