15.1.

Laws of the Game

15.1.1.

General Laws

15.1.1.1.

All matches must be played under the Laws of Cricket produced by the M.C.C. except as provided by these rules, or as the Board might decide

15.2.

Captain’s Responsibility & Team Attendance

15.2.1.

Club Authority

15.2.1.1.

The League deem the Club Captain present at the game as the authority over the team attending a match

15.2.1.1.1.

The captain is responsible for all interactions with League Officials, scorers, and opponents.

15.2.1.1.2.

The captain is responsible for the team’s compliance with the rules, attitude to all participants of the match and behaviour of the team on or off the field whilst present at the match.

15.2.1.2.

The Board will hold the captain accountable for any breaches in rules by the team at a match

15.2.2.

Attendance and Readiness at the Match

15.2.2.1.

Captains will be responsible for ensuring their team is present at the ground on time

15.2.2.2.

Captains will be responsible for ensuring their team is ready to start the game on time

15.2.3.

Full Team at Start

15.2.3.1.

The club’s agreement within the MOU includes only registering in competitions for which they have sufficient players.

15.2.3.1.1.

A penalty as set out in the Penalties Appendix , shall be imposed on any club not playing a full team 

15.2.3.2.

The minimum number of players to constitute a team at the start of play will be 7.

15.2.3.3.

MCC law 24.2 will apply to those players who arrive late with regards as to when they may bat/bowl.

15.2.4.

Cricket Kit

15.2.4.1.

The purpose of this rule is to maintain high standards in the GMCL Competition, and the captains are responsible for ensuring compliance

15.2.4.2.

In the Derek Kay Cup, First XI Championship Cup Matches and GMCL20

15.2.4.2.1.

Teams are permitted and are encouraged by the GMCL Board to wear coloured kits.

15.2.4.2.2.

Each Member Club shall be entitled to choose the colours and design of its playing clothing subject to the following restrictions:

15.2.4.2.2.1.

The clothing shall be coloured other than a predominantly pink or red colour which is likely to make the sighting of a pink ball difficult.

15.2.4.2.2.2.

The colours and design of the playing clothing (including Logos) and caps shall be uniform to all members of the same team.

15.2.4.2.2.3.

There are no restrictions to sponsors, partners or charity badges worn on kit, but these should not be excessive nor detract from the predominant colour of the kit

15.2.4.2.3.

Teams not choosing coloured clothing must wear traditional whites

15.2.4.2.4.

if caps are worn by any player these must be crested club, league, or county caps ONLY.

15.2.4.3.

In the League & Other Cup Matches

15.2.4.3.1.

All players must appear in full “whites” cricket attire and

15.2.4.3.1.1.

Players wishing to wear a visible base layer underneath a short sleeve shirt may do so, as long as the base layer is the same colour as the shirt or white

15.2.5.

cricHQ requirements

15.2.5.1.

It is the Team Captain’s responsibility to ensure that the team’s squad list is up to date prior to the day of a game.

15.2.5.1.1.

No Scorer (Home or Away) should be tasked to add players to squad lists shortly before or during a game.

15.3.

Scorers

15.3.1.

Mandatory Scorers

15.3.1.1.

Competing clubs are to have scorers for all teams.

15.3.1.2.

If one team does not have a scorer available for a match, then

15.3.1.2.1.

they must, in advance of the game, notify the other team that they do not have a scorer to check that the game will have a scorer and

15.3.1.2.2.

the team not supplying the scorer has a penalty in accordance with the Penalties Appendix.

15.3.1.2.3.

The umpires must report a team without a scorer.

15.3.1.3.

Should neither team have a scorer then

15.3.1.3.1.

the home club should immediately contact the league to cancel the game and umpires.

15.3.1.3.2.

Should this not be done in time and the umpires attend then they must be paid by the home team.

15.3.1.3.3.

A penalty will be levied against both teams (see Penalties Appendix)  

15.3.2.

CricHQ Scoring

15.3.2.1.

All matches from Under 11’s to Premier Division MUST be scored using CricHQ with either

15.3.2.1.1.

Live ball by ball connected via wi-fi or the phone network to the CricHQ Match Centre or

15.3.2.1.2.

Scored on the app and the full scorecards to be uploaded post-match

15.3.2.2.

It is mandatory for all Saturday League matches to be scored live and connected to wi-fi or phone data so as to be visible to other users of cricHQ

15.3.2.3.

It is requested that all Sunday League matches are scored live and connected to wi-fi or phone data so as to be visible to other users of cricHQ

15.3.2.3.1.

However, if not possible they must be scored using the cricHQ app and uploaded no later than 2 hours after the game ends

15.3.2.4.

It is mandatory that all GMCL Cup matches be scored live and connected to wi-fi or phone data so as to be visible to other users of cricHQ

15.3.2.5.

It is mandatory that all GMCL20 matches be scored live and connected to wi-fi or phone data so as to be visible to other users of cricHQ

15.3.2.6.

It is requested that all Junior matches are scored live and connected to wi-fi or phone data so as to be visible to other users of cricHQ

15.3.2.6.1.

However, if not possible they must be scored using the cricHQ app and uploaded no later than 24 hours after the game ends

15.4.

Preparing for Match Commencement

15.4.1.

Team Cards

15.4.1.1.

MCC Law 1.2 Nomination of Players: -

15.4.1.1.1.

Each Captain shall name the players on an ECB Team Card to one of the umpires before the toss.

15.4.1.1.2.

No player may be changed after the nomination without the consent of the opposing captain.

15.4.1.2.

Notifying the Scorers

15.4.1.2.1.

The Umpires should immediately make the lists available to the scorers to ensure that the CricHQ team on the Scoring App is completed ready to start the game and verify that the players listed on cricHQ match the cards.

15.4.1.2.2.

The umpires to be shown the team lists on cricHQ by the scorers to confirm all players are registered to play in GMCL

15.4.2.

The Toss

15.4.2.1.

Captains shall toss up no earlier than 30 minutes before scheduled start time but no later than 15 minutes before scheduled or agreed start time (“the Toss Time”),

15.4.2.1.1.

after which the batting side’s captain can request that the pitch be rolled for not more than 7 minutes.

15.4.2.2.

If a captain or person deputising for him is not available at the latest Toss Time then the other team shall have the decision as to whether to bat or bowl first.

15.4.3.

The Match Ball

15.4.3.1.

Prior to taking the field the captain of the bowling side must hand to the umpires a suitable match ball and a suitable spare ball for inspection, which the umpires will hand back when on the field, ready for play. THIS APPLIES AT THE START OF BOTH INNINGS.

15.4.3.2.

The umpires are to report failure to provide the appropriate match ball

15.4.3.3.

The Match Balls required in GMCL competition are as follows:

15.4.3.3.1.

Saturday Divisions 3 and above

15.4.3.3.1.1.

Match to commence with NEW Windsor Ball

15.4.3.3.1.2.

Spare Ball must be a Used Windsor Ball

15.4.3.3.2.

Saturday Divisions Divisions 4 and 5 and all Sunday Divisions

15.4.3.3.2.1.

Match to commence with a New or Used Windsor Ball, a NEW Hampton Ball or a NEW St James Ball

15.4.3.3.2.2.

Spare Ball must be a Used Windsor Ball, Used Hampton Ball or Used St James Ball

15.4.3.3.3.

Derek Kay 1st XI Cup, Championship 1st XI Cup & GMCL20

15.4.3.3.3.1.

Match to commence with NEW PINK Windsor Ball

Spare ball must be a used pink Windsor ball

15.4.3.3.4.

1st XI League Cup and 2nd XI Cups

15.4.3.3.4.1.

Match to commence with NEW Windsor Ball

15.4.3.3.4.2.

Spare Ball must be a Used Windsor Ball

15.4.3.3.5.

3rd XI, 4th XI & 5th XI in cups

15.4.3.3.5.1.

Match to commence with a NEW Windsor Ball, a NEW Hampton Ball or a NEW St James Ball

15.4.3.3.5.2.

Spare Ball must be a Used Windsor Ball, Used Hampton Ball or Used St James Ball

15.4.3.4.

Where there are new clubs joining the league or we have a change of ball supplier then special instructions will be issued to umpires and teams regarding balls to use.

15.4.4.

The Bell

15.4.4.1.

A bell, hand or wall mounted, must be rung 10 minutes prior to the time play should commence, and 5 minutes from the resumption of play after the interval.

15.4.4.1.1.

The ringing of the bell is to be the responsibility of the umpires.

15.4.4.1.2.

Players must be ready and take the field along with the umpires 5 minutes prior to the time a match shall commence and at the interval.

15.5.

Late starts, not due to weather

15.5.1.

When a time for restart is known,
(Updated and amended Winter 23/24)

15.5.1.1.

The umpires should calculate the overs lost taking account of any Grace Period (as defined below)

15.5.1.1.1.

for every 7.5 minutes lost, the match shall be reduced by 2 overs

15.5.1.1.2.

This is one per team because the innings must be equal at the start of the game

15.5.1.1.3.

down to a minimum of 40 overs, 20 per side (league minimum) or 20 overs, 10 per side in the Cups.

15.5.1.1.4.

Should the calculation go beyond this the game must be abandoned and the league will deal with the issue upon receipt of the Umpire’s report

15.5.2.

Umpires should report the reasons given for any late starts other than weather.

15.5.2.1.

Where the circumstances were beyond a team or player’s control

15.5.2.1.1.

The Board or an Executiveutive Sub-Committee shall record the event and may excuse the offending team on reasonable grounds.

15.5.2.2.

Captains will be responsible for ensuring their team is ready to start the game on time

15.5.2.2.1.

Prompt starts are expected for all games and  a penalty  shall be imposed for a late start in circumstances that were not beyond the control of the offending players/team (see Penalties Appendix),

15.5.2.2.2.

Where it is found that a game was deliberately delayed in order to gain an advantage then the league may levy a fine of £100 and apply a points deduction.

15.5.3.

When overs are lost to bad weather

15.5.3.1.

Overs can be lost due to bad weather before the start of the game – see “Weather Affected Games”

15.6.

Timings & Length of League & Cup Games

15.6 (a)

All matches shall be played under the revised M.C.C. Laws of Cricket and League Match Bye-Laws, unless stated in these Rules.

15.6 (b)

The Board or any Sub Committee set up by the Board shall have power to adjudicate in all disputed matters in the Cup competitions, and their decision shall be final.

15.6.1.

Start Times for matches in GMCL

15.6.1.1.

All start times are fixed except as follows

15.6.1.1.1.

For Sunday League competition games only, in certain circumstances, such as where bad weather is forecast and where both teams and umpires agree, the game may be brought forward to allow the fixture to go ahead.

15.6.1.1.2.

The deadline to agree an earlier start must be a minimum of 24 hours before the scheduled start time whereby both teams and both umpires are notified and agree to the earlier start.

15.6.1.2.

Match Overs

15.6.1.2.1.

Premier, Premier 2, Championship, Div 1, Div 2 and Div 3- 50 overs

15.6.1.2.2.

Div 4 & Div 5 - 45 overs

15.6.1.2.3.

1st XI & 2nd XI Senior Cup Games - 45 overs

15.6.1.2.4.

Sunday League & 3rd & 4th XI Senior Cup Games - 40 overs

15.6.1.3.

Length of Innings

15.6.1.3.1.

Premier, Premier 2, Championship, Div 1, Div 2 and Div 3 - 3 hrs 10 mins

15.6.1.3.2.

Div 4 & Div 5 - 2 hrs 50 mins

15.6.1.3.3.

1st XI & 2nd XI Senior Cup Games - 2 hrs 50 mins

15.6.1.3.4.

Sunday League & 3rd & 4th XI Senior Cup Games - 2 hrs 30 mins

15.6.1.4.

Start Times

15.6.1.3.1.

All Saturday league games from April to 31st August have a start time of 1230pm. This comes forward to 12pm in September.

15.6.1.3.2.

All Sunday league games from April to 31st August have a start time of 1.30pm. This comes forward to 1pm in September.

15.6.1.3.2.1.

For Sunday League competition games only, in certain circumstances, such as where bad weather is forecast and where both teams and umpires agree, the game may be brought forward to allow the fixture to go ahead. The deadline to agree an earlier start must be a minimum of 24 hours before the scheduled start time whereby both teams and both Umpires agree to the earlier start.

15.6.1.3.3.

All Cup games shall have the following start times

15.6.1.3.3.1

April 12:30pm

15.6.1.3.3.2

May to 2nd Sunday in August 1pm

15.6.1.3.3.3

3rd Saturday in August to 31st August 12:30pm

15.6.1.3.3.4

September 12 noon

15.6.2.

Tea Interval

15.6.2.1.

The tea interval will be 30 minutes, with the umpires advising both captains of the restart time after leaving the field

15.6.2.2.

If tea has been taken during a weather delay, then the break between innings will be 10 minutes with the umpires advising both captains of the restart time after leaving the field

15.6.3.

Tea Costs 

15.6.3.1.

Supply of teas is mandatory in Prem 1, Prem 2 and Champ and also the Derek Kay Cup but otherwise the supply of teas is not mandatory and is a decision for the home club

15.6.3.1.1.

All tea costs are to be paid by the home side in GMCL League and Cup Competitions.

15.6.3.2.

Notwithstanding the above as a courtesy to umpires all home clubs for all games must offer a drink to the umpires at the interval (hot or cold being the umpires’ choice)

15.7.

Declarations

15.7.1.

In the League

15.7.1.1.

In all Saturday and Sunday League matches the side batting first has the right to declare its innings, no overs are carried over to the opponents innings.

15.7.1.2.

The side batting second will not be allowed to declare.

15.7.2.

In the Cup

15.7.2.1.

There can be no declaration in the GMCL Cup competitions or in GMCL20