SENIOR AND JUNIOR MATCH PLAY RULES 2017
SUMMARY OF MAIN CHANGES
The complete senior and junior match play rules are attached. I have summarised the main changes here.
1. Generic rules for senior matches
A new set of generic rules has been prepared that will apply to all senior league and cup matches unless otherwise stated. Almost all of these are not new. They have simply been extracted from the previous rules of the different competitions. However, attention is drawn in particular to the following:
Rule 4 note requirement is now for away scorer to do the paper copy
Rule 5 is new.
Rule 6 last sentence is new.
Rule 12 third sentence is new
Rule 13 last sentence is new
2. League Match Play rules – Premier, First, Second and Third Divisions
Rule 7 has start times for all matches
Rule 8 covers breaks in Premier Division matches
Rule 9 last sentence is new
Rule 10 covers split in overs in Premier Division matches
Rule 15 the overs charts have been extended to cover more overs
Rule 16 reduces the minimum number of overs from 35 to 32
Rule 17 the references to 7.30pm and 8.00pm have been removed
Rule 18 sets out new points awarded for a win and a tie
Rules 21 -25 set out the new bonus points structure
Rule 26 18 points replaces 15 points. The reference to 25 points has been removed.
Rule 27 removes the 2 minutes previously allowed for each wicket to fall
Rule 29 reduces the maximum number of overs per bowler in Premier Division matches from 20 to 15 and in Second and Third Division matches from 15 to 12
Rule 36 the requirement to complete captains’ reports for 2nd XI matches has been reinstated
3. League Match Play rules – Sunday First, Second and Third Divisions
Preamble i) reference to feeder leagues has been added
Rule 4 80 overs replaces 90 overs
Rule 9 number of overs per bowler is a maximum of 8
4. Cup Match Play rules – Banks Salver and Banks Bowl
Rules 2 and 3 are more prescriptive on when rearranged matches will be played
Rule 18 reduces the minimum number of overs to constitute a match from 30 to 20
Rule 21 there are some minor changes to clarify wording but no change to substance
Rule 35 powerplay overs table extended down to 20 overs
5. Cup Match Play Rules – Banks Cup
Rule 1 tightens up offering of dates
Rule 8 is new as previously matches could not be reduced from 20 overs
Rules 9 and 10 are new
Rules 11 to 13.4 have been expanded to cover reduced overs
Rule 17 fielding restrictions is new
6. Cup Match Play rules – Twenty/20 Competitions
Rule 1 reference to sponsor removed
Rule 10 has been expanded
Rule 33 free hit for any new ball is new
Rule 42 reference to ground being available removed
7. Midweek League Match Play rules
Preamble i) refers to feeder leagues for consistency with Sunday Leagues
8. Banks Shield Match Play rules
Preamble i) refers to feeder leagues for consistency with Sunday Leagues
9. Generic rules for junior matches
A new set of generic rules has been prepared that will apply to all junior competition matches unless otherwise stated. Almost all of these are not new. They have simply been extracted from the previous rules of the different competitions. However, attention is drawn in particular to the following:
Rule 3 is new for the under 15 competition
Rules 5 and 6 are new for consistency with disagreements and complaints in senior matches
10. Under 11 competition
Rule 2 reduces number of players from 10 to 8
Rule 3 reduces number of overs from 20 to 16
Rule 8 is new
11. Under 13 competition
No changes
12. Under 15 competition
Rule 1 is new
Rules 2, 4 and 5 cover the changed number of teams in Pots 2 and 3
13. Ground, weather and light
The following words are include in the Chairman’s Report in the handbook’
“Before the start of the 2016 season we advised Clubs and umpires that NEPL matches should not start or recommence during rain. Following further consideration we have decided to withdraw this advice. The Laws of Cricket require umpires to suspend play, or not to allow play to start or resume, when, in their opinion, the conditions are dangerous or unreasonable. The ECB ACO has issued guidance for umpires in the recreational game on ground, weather and light. As this document states: ‘no Guidance can anticipate the full range of conditions that umpires may face’. I am strongly requesting that Clubs recognise and respect the fact that different umpires will interpret the Laws and the Guidance in different ways.”
14. Refreshments
The following will apply in 2017.
Each home club will provide a suitable hot or cold meal during the main meal break in all senior league, Banks Salver and Banks Bowl matches and under 15 junior matches. In addition it will provide suitable hot and/or cold drinks and biscuits/cakes during the 15 minute break in all Premier Division matches.
Each visiting club will be required to pay for a minimum of eleven meals/ drinks and payment to the home club must be made before the end of the tea interval. The cost of refreshments has been set at:
Premier Division League matches - £4.00 per player
- First, Second, Third and Sunday First, Second and Third Division and 90 over Cup matches - £3.00 per player
- Under 15 matches - £2.00 per player
Gordon Halliday
League Secretary