WICL LAWS: 2023-24 SEASON

PLEASE NOTE:

  • New venue: Haberdashers’ Boys School, Butterfly Lane, Elstree, Radlett, WD6 3AF.
  • Car parking instructions will be supplied before season commences.
  • Games will be played on a Tuesday evening, starting at 7pm or 8pm.
  • The hall is larger than previous venues, therefore the teams will now be 7-a-side.
  • The wicket will be placed centrally using a cricket mat and full sized stumps.
  • The hall has an elevated viewing area to one side which will come into play. Therefore changes to the laws are as follows:
    If a batter strikes the ball which then enters the viewing area and does not return to the playing area of its own accord, the batter will be given ‘6-and-out’. This is to discourage players from targeting the area for the safety of others. If the ball, whilst deemed in-play by the umpire, is touched by anyone off the pitch, the same result of out will be given to the striking batter.
  • Week 1 & 2 games will be 11 overs a side, increasing to 12 in following weeks if time allows.
  • All players are required to use standard safety equipment such as pads, gloves, box and helmets.
  • Due to safeguarding regulations, no players under the age of 18 are allowed to play in this years competition.
  • Fixtures are on dates available at the venue. Any breaks between weeks are out of the control of the WICL organisers.

 

OVERVIEW

  • 16 game weeks spread between 03.10.23 and 23.03.24.
  • 2 hour slot allowing 2 matches per week starting at 7pm & 8pm.
  • Each team plays each other throughout the season one time, totalling 7 matches per team + Semi Finals and Finals to top 4 teams.
  • Teams must be at the venue 10 minutes before play for the Toss.
  • The first ball of each game must be bowled by 19:05 and, 20:00 sharp.
  • Each innings will consist of 12 overs or until the fall of 7 wickets or the target runs are scored.
  • Each game lasts maximum of 55 minutes.
  • The final over in the first innings must have been completed 25 mins into the game.
  • Each team can only be represented by up to 12 players per season. Players do not need to register but any team found fielding more than 12 players in the season will have 20 points per match deducted from those games fielding the extra players.
  • Players can only represent 1 team within each division per season. Teams fielding players who have already played for a different team within the same division will have 20 points per match deducted from those games.
  • Teams playing in first game of the evening are expected to assist with getting playing matt into position.
  • Teams playing in second game of the evening are expected to assist with returning the playing matt into storage.

 

RULES AND REGULATIONS

UMPIRES: WICL will provide an umpire unless otherwise notified. There is no Square Leg Umpire at this time - this will be reviewed after Week 2.

 

LAWS: The Laws of Cricket apply with exception of the following playing regulations.

  1. Teams shall consist of seven players each match.
  2. Each match shall consist of one innings per team.
  3. Each innings shall consist of a maximum of 12 six ball overs.
  4. No more than 3 overs per bowler.
  5. 2 batter shall be at the wicket at all times. In the event of a team losing 6 wickets within the permitted 12 overs, the last batter shall continue batting with the sixth batter out remaining at the wicket as a non-striker. If the non-striking batter is run-out then the innings ends with the in-batter given as out. If a team does not have a full team of 7 players the ‘last man standing’ will be the 5th batter out.
  6. Batters retire when reaching or passing a personal total of 25. A retired batter may return on the departure of the sixth batter. Retired batters must return in order of their retirement. A returning batter must retire when scoring a further 25 runs – returning repeatedly if time/deliveries allow.
  7. NO BALL: i) If the ball passes or would have passed above shoulder height of the batter standing upright at the crease, whether bounced or not, it shall be called a No Ball. ii) If the ball pitches short of the centre of the wicket (indicated by the centre line of the basketball court), a No Ball will be called. No Balls will count 4 runs and no extra ball until the 12th over of the innings when 1 run will be scored and an extra ball bowled. The batter can still score from a No Ball.
  8. A Leg-Side Wide will be called if passing behind the batter on the leg side at a distance of 12 inches (30cm) or greater from the leg stump. 4 runs will be awarded to the batting side. No extra ball will be bowled. In the final over of each innings 1 run will be awarded and an extra ball will be bowled. If the Umpire considers the bowler to be purposefully bowling a “negative line”, in accordance to Law 25.1, the umpire will return to the stricter interpretation of the rule for the matches remaining deliveries from the bowler in question: any leg side delivery will be judged a Wide and 4 runs will be awarded. Both sides will be informed of this decision immediately.
  9. Off-side Wide will be called if bowled more than the standard 85cm of the Inner Wide markers on a standard wicket. 4 runs will be awarded to the batting side. No extra ball will be bowled. In the final over of each innings 1 run will be awarded and an extra ball will be bowled.
  10. For each Over not completed within 25 minutes of 1st innings a penalty of 12 runs will be added to the batting team. This must be agreed between the teams and the umpires immediately at the completion of the innings. Only exceptional circumstances such as player injury will be considered as good reason for the over running of an innings.
  11. Teams must be present 10 minutes before the start time for the match, if a team is not present they will forfeit the toss. If a team is not present at the start time for the match they will forfeit an over of their batting innings for every 2 minutes past that time that the match has not started. Any individual player arriving after 7.05pm or 8.00pm accordingly must join at the end of the batting order and can only take to the field between overs.
  12. Teams failing to play a fixture will be deducted 10 points. Teams unable to play due to opposition forfeiting will receive 10 points.

 

RESULTS AND POINTS:

A maximum of 21 points are available per game.

Win = 10 points

Tie = 5 points

 

BONUS POINTS:

BATTING:

150 – 159 runs = 1 point

160 – 169 runs = 2 points

170 – 179 runs = 3 points

180 – 189 runs = 4 points

190 + runs = 5 points

 

BOWLING:

2 wickets = 1 point

3 wickets = 2 points

4 wickets = 3 points

5 wickets = 4 points

6 wickets = 5 points

7 wickets = 6 points

 

DISCIPLINE:

Yellow Cards = -2 Points

Red Cards = -5 Points

Time-wasting = -2 Points

 

SCORING:

  1. A ball struck to hit the back wall behind the bowler without touching the floor shall count 6 runs. If the ball hits any other wall or ceiling before hitting the back wall the batter will score 6 runs. If however, the ball touches the floor before hitting the back wall it shall count 4 runs. The ball is out of play once it has touched the back wall, unless an over-throw.
  2. A ball struck to hit one or more walls, shall count as 1 run per wall struck. If the ball then hits the back wall (without being an over-throw by the fielding team) the batter will score 4 or 6 runs, despite impacting any other wall. If the ball is struck to hit a wall, and the batter is then caught or run out, 1 run shall be scored per wall hit. Hitting the ceiling does not count as a run. The batter can be caught off the ceiling.
  3. Hitting the same wall repeatedly only scores 1 run - unless an over-throw.
  4. 2 runs shall be scored if the batsmen complete a 'run' between the wickets. If the ball also hits a wall, an additional run will be added per wall impacted.
  5. BYES count as 1 extra if the ball hits a wall.
  6. 2 BYES or LEG BYES shall be scored if the batsmen complete a run without the ball hitting a wall.
  7. NO BALLS. A No Ball will be called if pitching shorter than half way down the wicket, or by the normal ball bowled above waist heigh without bouncing, or by over-stepping. From a No Ball struck by the batter, runs shall be scored as for a normal delivery plus penalty addition of 4 NO BALL extras. These runs are accredited to the striker. If the batters do not run and the ball does not touch any wall or ceiling, it will be 4 NO BALL extras.
  8. From a NO BALL not struck by the batter, scoring regulations as in e) and f) apply. If the batter does not run and the ball does not touch a wall or ceiling, it will be 4 NO BALL extras.
  9. WIDES – If a WIDE is called, 4 runs shall be added to EXTRAS. If the ball goes on to hit any wall, then 1 run per wall shall be credited under EXTRAS. 2 additional runs shall be credited every time the batter completes a run between the wickets.
  10. If a WIDE is called that does not hit any wall, 2 runs shall to credited under EXTRAS for every run completed (in addition to the penalty addition) if the batter do not run, 4 runs for the PENALTY shall be credited under EXTRAS.
  11. An OVERTHROW hitting any wall including the back wall, shall count as 1 run per impact to the batter or the total of EXTRAS as appropriate.
  12. If a batter is caught off the walls 1 run will be awarded per wall hit - with exception on the back wall.
  13. If the ball becomes lodged in, or behind any obstacle or fixture of the building, with the exception of the viewing area, the umpire shall call and signal DEAD BALL. The delivery will be retaken with batsmen returning to their original ends. No runs will be awarded unless the delivery required any Penalty runs.
  14. Any ball being hit into the viewing area and not returning to the playing are of its own accord will be given '6-and-out' to the striking batter.

 

DISMISSAL:

Apart from the normal methods of dismissal contained in the LAWS OF CRICKET the following variations shall apply:

  1. The batter shall be caught by a fielder after the ball has hit any wall or the ceiling provided the ball has not touched the floor or the back wall - the batter can not be caught off the back wall.
  2. The last not-out batter shall be given out if the non-striker running with him is given out.
  3. The batter or the non-striker shall be given not-out if the ball rebounds from a wall and hits either wicket without being touched by a fielder.
  4. If the fielding team is touching the back wall whilst taking a catch the batter will be dismissed unless the ball goes on to touch the back wall.
  5. Any ball being hit into the viewing area and not returning to the playing are of its own accord will be given '6-and-out' to the striking batter.

 

PLAYERS:

  • Each team field up to 7 players in each game.
  • Runners/substitutes are not allowed.
  • Players can only play for one team in each division per season.
  • Each team can only field up to 12 players per season.
  • Players names must be recorded clearly on score sheets.

 

PLEASE NOTE

  1. Each match costs £56 per team.
  2. Failure to pay in advance will lead to forfeiting any points scored in that weeks match. The opposition score will not be affected.
  3. Each team must pay an initial registration fee of £20, followed by 2 amounts of £196.00 by 28.09.23 and 05.12.23. Teams playing in the Semi Finals and Finals must pay £56 per additional match, 2 days before the match. Failure to pay ion advance will forfeit position in the match and open to next highest qualifying team.
  4. All games must be played. If a fixture is missed the full amount of £112 will be charged. The team that has no opponent will have use of the facilities for 1 hour.
  5. Balls must be returned to WICL umpire at end of match. If a ball is lost during the game a replacement ball will be selected by the umpire.

 

TIME-WASTING

  • Upon a batter being dismissed or retiring, the next batter must be ready to take to the field, and taking guard within 90 seconds (or in position for the next ball to be bowled if at the non-strikers end).
  • The umpire will have a stopwatch timing this. If the 90 seconds elapses and the batter is not ready, he will be ‘timed-out’, losing his wicket without facing. If this happens and the next batter is also not ready, they too will be dismissed, and so on. This will also be the case if a batter is returning after a previous retirement. Teams are advised to bring with them enough batting kit for all 7 players and not to share equipment.
  • Each match must be completed within 55 minutes. During the match, all measures must be taken to avoid time-wasting: overs must be bowled quickly; teams must not talk with/consult scorer and/or other off field observers more than once per over. If the umpire considers that either team is ‘time-wasting’ a warning will be issued to the captain of either/both teams. If the issue persists and further warnings are issued by the umpire, 2 points will be deducted from the teams league points tally per warning.

 

DISCIPLINE

  • To ensure the  ‘Spirit of the game’, we shall be continuing the system of Yellow & Red cards. The umpires word is final. Any further questioning should be made to the organisers after the game via email.
  • Behaviour deemed as unsuitable such as: crowding the umpire, persistently questioning a decision in what is deemed to be an aggressive manor, confrontation with umpire, opposition or supporters, deliberate bowling of bouncers/beamers, aggressive sledging, physical contact with opposition, etc. will cause issuing of Yellow or Red cards by the umpire.
  • Please note: Run -out decisions at the batter’s end will be made according to the judgement and angle achievable by the sole umpire at the non-strikers end. It is understood that the correct decision can sometimes be hard to judge. As in all forms of cricket, the umpire has the right to give the benefit of the doubt to the batter. We ask that captains speak with their team before the season to confirm that this is the case, and that descent will end up with disciplinary measures.
  • YELLOW CARD: If the umpire, or other WICL official present at the match, deems the behaviour of an individual, or individuals, as unsuitable for the friendly nature of WICL, the player in question will be disciplined as follows:
  • FIELDING/BOWLING: A player will be sent off for 2 full overs (12 balls). If the player is bowling, the over will be suspended until the player returns, at which point they can complete the over. The batsmen will change ends as if the over were completed.
  • If the bowler is bowling overs 11 or 12, the fielding team will nominate a bowler, who has not already bowled 3 complete overs, to complete the over. If no bowler is available to complete the over, 6 runs will be awarded to the batting side (not player) per ball unbowled and the innings will conclude.
  • If the wicket-keeper is sent off, the wicket keeping equipment will need to be passed to another player on the field. The returning wicket-keeper will no longer be able to assume the keeping position due to time constraints - they will now be on the field as a fielder/bowler. A maximum of 90 seconds is allowed for this to happen.
  • BATTING: Either batsmen can be issued a Yellow Card. The player will be sent off for at least 2 full overs (12 balls). Only after 12 balls have been bowled can the batter in question return, either after a wicket falls, or an existing batter retires having scored 25 runs. If the card is issued within overs 11 or 12, the batter may not return to the wicket. The team will then continue with Last-Man-Standing as if playing with 5 players.
  • Any player sent off during overs 11 & 12 of the first innings (fielding or batting) will not be allowed to take to the field until the total number of 12 deliveries have been completed from the point of incident through the 2nd innings. The player may then take to the field with consent from the umpire.
  • 2 Points will be deducted from the teams league tally per Yellow Card issued.
  • RED CARD: If a player is issued with a second Yellow Card in one game, either innings, they will be sent of the field of play and will take no further part in that match. They will also face a 1 match ban.
  • For more serious offenses such as actual violence or other intimidating behaviour, the player will be sent off without prior warning and will face a 3 match ban. We are confident that this will not happen.
  • 5 Points will be deducted from the teams league tally per Red Card issued.