Rules-3-5

3.5. Starred Players

3.5.1.Overview of Starred Player system

3.5.1.1. GMCL have a Starred Player system to ensure only appropriate players play at 2nd XI, 3rd XI & 4th XI level and below

3.5.1.1.1. Clubs are required to identify their best players pre-season and mid-season and maintain their lists to ensure a fair competition.

3.5.1.2. These rules must be operated by all clubs with more than one open age team, with one or more in GMCL competition 

3.5.1.1.1. This includes clubs with open age teams in other leagues.

3.5.1.1.2. Clubs with only one weekend team do not have to submit a Starred Player List

3.5.1.3. The ‘Starred Player” system is not in place to equalise the standard of teams in our Sunday competition across, clubs must still develop and improve their players.

3.5.1.3.1. The system is in place to prevent the very best players at a club from playing at Second XI at any stage of the season in cup or league games and

3.5.1.3.2. The system is in place to prevent all First XI players and the best Second XI players from playing Third XI and Fourth XI cricket (and below) in cup or league games, but

3.5.1.3.3. It allows those who play Second XI but do not bat and bowl regularly to play at Third XI and Fourth XI level (and below) and 

3.5.1.3.4. encourage clubs to register more players and play more juniors across the levels.

3.5.1.4. The starred players list is for all registered players at a club and should include all juniors where they meet the criteria

3.5.2. Deciding on the club’s starred players

3.5.2.1. The Starred player system has two lists - List A & List B

3.5.2.2. List A 

3.5.2.2.1. All clubs with two or more teams, irrespective of the league competitions where their open age teams play, must complete List A with the names of the following players:

3.5.2.2.1.1. all players deemed to be “paid” or “professional” in accordance with rule 2.1.3.

3.5.2.2.1.2. all Category 3 players in accordance with rule 2.1.4. and,

3.5.2.2.1.3. If the number of players from those two segments is more than 5 then move to List B

3.5.2.2.1.4. If the number of players from those two segments is less than 5 then the club must add the best Category 1 players (based on past/current performance) at the club to make the list up to 5 then move to List B.

3.5.2.2.2. List A players can only play at 1st XI level

3.5.2.3. List B 

3.5.2.3.1. All clubs with three or more teams, irrespective of the leagues where their teams play, must also complete List B with the names of the following players:

3.5.2.3.1. the next best players (based on past/current performance) at the club not already listed on List A 

3.5.2.3.2. List B players are not allowed to play for any team lower than the Second XI at any time.

3.5.2.4. Number of Starred Players

3.5.2.4.1. List A + List B must be equal to 16 players for a club with a First XI in Division 2 or above.

3.5.2.4.2. List A + List B must total 8 players for a club with a First XI in Division 3 or below.

3.5.3. Restrictions to the Lists A and B

3.5.3.1. Players can only be placed on the starred players list when they are available to play, for example

3.5.3.1.1. a player who is available only from July can only be on the list from July.

3.5.3.1.2. a banned player cannot be on a starred player list for the period of their ban.

3.5.3.1.3. Players can only be placed on the starred player list if they are available for selection on a regular basis for Saturday & Sunday teams at the club and play more games than not for those teams.

3.5.3.2. Any club found to be deliberately listing unavailable players or not listing players in order to strengthen the 3rd, 4th XI or below can have results overturned and will attract a penalty from the Board.

3.5.4. Procedure for recording the club’s starred players

3.5.4.1. Starred player lists must be notified to the League before the beginning of each season

3.5.4.1.1. Further notes and the form for creating and updating your List A and List B can be found here - https://www.gtrmcrcricket.co.uk/pages/starred-players 

3.5.4.1.1.1. the list of your starred players will be published on the league website

3.5.4.1.2. All starred players must be acceptable to the GMCL Board before players play for any lower team, the list is open to challenge by the Leagues compliance team and opponents.

3.5.5. Reviewing your Starred Player List

3.5.5.1. Every club should review their list of starred players regularly to make changes as they happen,

3.5.5.1.1. any amendment must be submitted on the same form, re-listing all your starred players.

3.5.5.1.2.Any revision will be checked for eligibility.

3.5.5.2. In addition, at 30th June each year,

3.5.5.2.1. any un-starred player at that date who has played fifty percent or more of the players personal league games in the 1st XI must become a starred player and deemed to be on List B, therefore not be allowed to play in the Third XI from that point unless exempted.

3.5.5.2.2. Accepted changes will be published on the Starred Players page on the website.

3.5.6. Junior Exempt Players

3.5.6.1. The starred players list is for registered players of all ages at a club who play at the higher levels and should include all juniors where they meet the ability criteria.

3.5.6.2. However, the league wishes to give junior players who may only play secondary roles in the first or second XIs the opportunity to play leading roles in lower grade matches.

3.5.6.2.1. The exemption is that

3.5.6.2.1.1. Amateur Category 1 (England qualified) who are under 17 years of age on 1st September prior to the season who have not played county or county academy level at Under 16 level or above in the current or previous season, are eligible at any time for any league, cup or GMCL20 game at any level at their age group and above including Second XI, Third XI, Fourth XI or below.

3.5.6.3. The players will be referred to as Junior Exempt Players

3.5.6.3.1. Starred Junior Exempt Players cannot be Loan Players

3.5.6.4. In any Sunday Development Division this exemption is subject to the current rules on development divisions