MATCH RULES
1. FIXTURES
a. Matches are to be played on Saturdays allocated in the fixture list or on dates agreed by the Management Committee. The fixtures between the Clubs shall take place on consecutive Saturdays in the season commencing on the Saturday fixed by the Management Committee.
All League matches shall be played on a pitch/ground that has been designated by the Home Club, and approved by the Management Committee.
Any Club wishing to play a home match on a pitch/ground other than its designated one must first obtain permission from the Management Committee by no later than noon on the Wednesday before the match. Failure to do so could result in the loss of points.
The Management Committee shall only grant permission for a change of pitch/ground in exceptional circumstances -e.g. where a change of pitch does not affect the playing arrangements for another TVCL match scheduled to be played on the ground on the same day. The pitch used must comply with TVCL gradings and standards.
The ground executive of the home team shall determine the fitness or otherwise of a ground (i.e. pitch and/or square and/or outfield) before a match and the home team shall advise its opponents when a fixture is to be cancelled. The decision to cancel matches shall not normally be taken before the day of the match. The away team shall accept such a decision.
b. If a Member Club is playing in the final of a recognised major cricket competition on the same weekend as League fixtures (that will include a Friday) that weekend's fixtures involving the said Member Club may be rearranged for a date(s) not later than the Sunday prior to the last Saturday of the League season subject to the approval of the Management Committee. Any other required variation of fixture dates allocated shall be subject to the approval of the Management Committee that must be given at least four weeks notice of such variation by both Member Clubs concerned.
c. If a Club cancels or fails to honour a fixture for any reason, other than the weather, that is not considered satisfactory by the Fixtures and Results Sub-Committee, 20 points shall be awarded to the other side. However the non-offending side shall only retain the 20 points providing 40% or more of the fixtures due to be played on that day in the relevant division (e.g. Division 6A) are completed. Otherwise that side shall only be awarded the points applicable for a void match. The Club cancelling the fixture shall be liable for any reasonable expenses incurred by the opposition.
The Club cancelling the fixture shall notify the opposition Team Captain or Fixture Secretary and the relevant Divisional Results Secretary immediately the decision is made that the fixture is to be cancelled. Failure to notify such persons as required shall render the offending Club liable to a fine of £10. The offending side will also reimburse the offended side all reasonable costs incurred. Any disputes as to costs are to be resolved by the Management Committee.
If a match is so cancelled after 10pm on the Wednesday prior to a Saturday match (or within an equivalent period prior to a match arranged for any other day), the Club cancelling the match shall have five points deducted at the absolute discretion of the Management Committee.
The offending side may be subject to disciplinary action by the Management Committee and further points, up to the maximum available from that fixture, may be deducted from their total.
The Management Committee may order the match to be played under such conditions as they see fit.
2. LAWS
The matches shall be played according to the Laws of Cricket (2000 Code -4th Edition-2010), that came into force with effect from 1st October 2010, any subsequent new Laws or amendments, and such experimental laws as from time to time may be applied to Club Cricket or may be decided upon by the Management Committee, who shall liaise with the League’s Umpires Sub-Committee before making any such decision.
As appropriate before the start of a league season, the Management Committee shall inform all Member Clubs of any Laws that are not to be applied in League Matches that season, to which Division of the League such Laws are not to be applied, and any further action regarding such Laws that is to be taken in that season by Member Clubs.
3. HOURS AND CONDITIONS OF PLAY
a. Starting Time
Matches shall start at 1.00 pm except the last 4 in the League calendar, which shall start at 12.30pm. Twenty minutes shall be allowed for tea between innings or at a time agreed by both Captains and both Umpires.
Clubs are expected to start matches promptly.
b. Duration of Play
The normal duration of play shall be one hundred overs. The side batting first shall occupy not more than 52 overs. The side batting second shall occupy the balance of the one hundred overs not occupied by the side batting first, an incomplete over in the first innings being counted as a complete over.
c. Delayed or Interrupted Matches
1) The consideration of the fitness of the prevailing conditions for play shall be strictly controlled by the application of the Laws of Cricket.
In a match where there is a delayed start or an interruption in the first innings only, the first cumulative 30 minutes of the time lost shall be ignored. Thereafter, overs shall be deducted on the basis of two overs for every complete seven minutes of time lost.
The maximum number of overs that may be deducted from the match during the first innings will be 30 (i.e. the match duration must be a minimum of 70 and maximum of 100 overs).
Insofar as it is possible within the revised overs the side batting first shall be entitled to receive a minimum of four more overs than its opponents.
Any match that cannot be started by 15.15 hrs (14.45 hrs for the last 4 in the League Calendar) will be abandoned.
N.B. After the completion of the first innings of a match no further reduction of the number of overs to be bowled may be made.
In all cases the match shall only start or continue if the Umpires decide that the conditions are fit for play in accordance with the Laws of Cricket. If as a result of such a decision the side batting second is unable to complete its innings, the match shall be abandoned.
In matches where there are no Panel Umpires appointed, or there are not 2 Umpires, both captains shall abide by the above.
2) In an abandoned match each team shall be awarded seven points (as for a void fixture) or the bonus points that it has earned, whichever is the greater.
d. Ball
One new ball shall be used for each innings, except that the Captain of the side fielding second may call for the new ball at any time in the 2nd innings. Once the new ball is taken in the 2nd innings, the ball in use at the end of the 1st innings may not be used again unless used as a spare ball. Balls for all League matches shall be supplied to the Clubs by the Management Committee and the Clubs shall pay the League Treasurer for such balls receipt of such payment to be no later than the 30th April each year. Failure to pay by this date will render the offending Club liable to a surcharge per ball as determined by the Management Committee.
In the event that the Management Committee arranges a meeting of all the Member Clubs before the start of any League season for the purpose of distributing the match balls etc. Any Club that does not send a representative to collect the match balls etc. shall be liable to a fine of £25.
e. Last Over
Umpires shall call the last over of each innings and ensure that the call is understood by the batsmen in possession, the Captain of the fielding side and by the scorers. Throughout the innings of the side batting first, the number of completed overs received should be recorded on the scoreboard. During the innings of the side batting second the maximum number of complete overs remaining to be bowled should be similarly recorded.
f. Umpires and Scorers
1) Umpires for Divisions 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B, shall, subject to availability, be appointed by the League at the discretion of the League Umpires Panel Appointments Officer. The Management Committee reserves the right to appoint Umpires for any other match at its sole discretion. All panel Umpires should be members of the ECB OA/ACU&S.
Each Umpire in the aforementioned Divisions, whether panel appointed or otherwise, shall be assessed on his/her performance by both Captains, who shall send their marks to the Umpires Administrator to arrive by the Thursday after the match, either on the supplied postcard or by any other medium the Management Committee may authorise. A fine of £5 will levied against a Club for each and every infringement of this rule. Panel appointed Umpires shall also provide a brief match report on the conditions and facilities at the match on the card provided.
2) In Divisions 1, 2A and 2B Umpires appointed by the League shall be entitled to a match fee as determined by the Management Committee. This fee shall be payable by the home team before the start of the match.
In Divisions 3A, 3B and below:
(i) If Umpires are appointed at the request of a Club, then that Club shall be responsible for paying the match fee as determined by the Management Committee. This fee shall be payable before the start of the match.
(ii) If Umpires are appointed by the League for any reason other than being requested to do so by either Club, the Umpires fee as determined by the Management Committee shall be paid by the Management Committee as soon as possible after the match.
3) In the event of a match being cancelled through inclement weather, or for any other reason, each Umpire appointed by the League shall be notified immediately the decision to cancel is made.
Should an Umpire not be so informed and arrives at his allocated venue, they shall be entitled to half of the determined match fee payable by the Home team direct to the Umpires if possible on the day of the match or in any event no later than seven days after the date of the match.
4) Each team shall provide an Umpire if one is not appointed by the League. For matches in Divisions 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B each team that fails to provide an umpire shall be deducted 5 points on each and every occasion, unless that team's Club has provided a minimum of one umpire to either the current TVCL or HCPL Umpires Panels. For matches in all Divisions of the League where Umpires are not appointed by the League, teams are expected to make every effort to provide an Umpire.
5) Each team shall provide a scorer. For matches in Divisions 1, 2A and 2B, each team that fails to provide a scorer shall be fined £5 on each and every occasion. In all Divisions teams are expected to make every effort to provide a scorer.
g. Over Rate
Clubs shall maintain an over rate of 17 overs per hour (one over = 3.5 minutes).
An additional 10 minutes per innings shall be allowed to account for stoppages. In exceptional circumstances only, Umpires shall use their discretion to increase the time allowed for stoppages.
The Umpires will agree the time taken to complete the innings and calculate whether any excess time applies and if so, how much. The Umpires calculation shall be final and not subject to appeal. Incomplete overs shall be rounded up.
In Divisions 1, 2A, and 2B, whether or not the match is umpired by members of the TVCL panel, the following penalties will apply for slow over rates on an individual match basis:
1) For every one over or part of one over but not more than 2 overs not bowled at the expiry of the time allowance 1 point is to be deducted.
2) For more than 2 overs but not more than 4 overs not bowled at the expiry of the time allowance 2 points are to be deducted.
3) For more than 4 overs not bowled at the expiry of the time allowance 5 points are to be deducted.
Penalties shall not apply if an innings lasts less than 40 overs completed (table below refers)
N.B. the following table applies and includes the 10 mins allowance. (1/2 mins have been deleted)
Overs |
Time |
Overs |
Time |
Overs |
Time |
Overs |
Time |
Overs |
Time |
Overs |
Time |
35 |
2.12 |
36 |
2.16 |
37 |
2.19 |
38 |
2.23 |
39 |
2.26 |
40 |
2.30 |
41 |
2.33 |
42 |
2.37 |
43 |
2.40 |
44 |
2.44 |
45 |
2.47 |
46 |
2.51 |
47 |
2.54 |
48 |
2.58 |
49 |
3.01 |
50 |
3.05 |
51 |
3.08 |
52 |
3.12 |
53 |
3.15 |
54 |
3.19 |
55 |
3.22 |
56 |
3.26 |
57 |
3.29 |
58 |
3.33 |
59 |
3.36 |
60 |
3.40 |
61 |
3.43 |
62 |
3.47 |
63 |
3.50 |
64 |
3.54 |
65 |
3.57 |
66 |
4.01 |
67 |
4.04 |
68 |
4.08 |
69 |
4.11 |
70 |
4.15 |
Time expressed in hours.minutes
h. Teas
The cost of the teas for both sides and the match officials is to be borne by the Home Club.
4. POINTS AWARDED
Points will be awarded as follows:
Win 20 points
Tie 15 points each
Draw or Loss 0 points
Cancelled, void matches 7 points each
For points awarded in abandoned matches refer to Match Rule 3c 3.
A match shall only be deemed a tie if the scores are level after the side batting second has lost all its available wickets.
Where a result is obtained in the event of the side batted first winning, that side shall be awarded 25 points.
In the event of a team being unable to play a match(es) on their home ground owing to restrictions imposed because of foot and mouth disease for example, no points shall be awarded to either side.
The final League position in any Division where such a cancellation occurs shall be determined on an average points per match basis, by dividing the total number of points gained by a team by the number of matches not affected by foot and mouth restrictions (for example).
N.B. Teams shall be permitted to rearrange, on the scheduled date, the venue of any match that would otherwise have to be cancelled owing to foot and mouth restrictions. The new venue must be acceptable to both teams and any additional ground hire costs, other than those normally incurred by the home team shall be shared equally by both Clubs. Teams are expected to make every effort to fulfil fixtures. No postponements shall be permitted.
b. Bonus Points:
Batting |
Bowling |
||
total runs scored |
points |
total wickets taken |
points |
100 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
125 |
2 |
4 |
2 |
150 |
3 |
6 |
3 |
175 |
4 |
8 |
4 |
200 |
5 |
10 |
5 |
The above table refers to the awarding of bonus points, except that the side fielding second shall receive a fifth bowling point at the fall of the ninth wicket. 5 bowling points shall be awarded to a fielding team when a batting side, with fewer than eleven players, is bowled out. The side batting first shall be entitled to double their achieved batting bonus points unless they win.
The side losing may receive batting and bowling bonus points and both sides shall receive these in the event of a drawn match.
(N.B. The winning side and those involved in tied matches do not retain bonus points.)
Each Club's position in the League table shall be determined by reference to the total number of points it gains.
5. PLAYERS’ ELIGIBILITY
In accordance with the rules below and Match Rule 10.5 it is the responsibility of the Club to ensure that all players are eligible to play in the TVCL and it is incumbent upon the Club to make all necessary enquiries to ensure that this is so.
The penalty for playing any ineligible player shall be the loss of all points gained in each and every match in which the player played, and any such further penalties that the Management Committee or its appointed Sub Committee considers appropriate.
1) All players must be bona fide members of the Club for whom they are playing
2) A player shall be entitled to play for one Club only during any season except that a player may transfer to another Club provided that the conditions of paragraph 3) below are met.
3) A player may only transfer to another Club in the League during the season and be eligible to play for their new Club in a League match when ALL of the following conditions have been met:
a) The Chairman of the Player Eligibility Sub-Committee has been notified in writing of the request by the player, and also by each of the two Clubs involved, such notification to be made by completion of the League’s Inter Club Player Transfer Form-available on the TVCL website. This shall apply notwithstanding whether the transferring player has appeared for the TVCL Club they are leaving in either the Home Counties Premier League or TVCL.
b) The player has discharged all financial and other obligations to their former Club(s) and/or League(s).
c) Four League week-ends shall have passed since the player played their last match for their original Club.
d) The Chairman of the Player Eligibility Sub-Committee has notified the player and each Club in writing:
(i) That the transfer has been approved and registered, and
(ii) The date on which the player is first eligible to play in a League match for their new Club.
e) No transfer shall take effect after 31st July in any one season.
4) A player wishing to change Clubs between seasons must first have discharged all financial and other obligations to their former Club(s) and/or League(s).
Any claim by a Club or League(s) that an ex- player owes monies or has outstanding obligations to the Club or League(s), must be made in writing to the League Secretary with supporting detail and evidence of the claim.
The Club and or League(s) shall also confirm that all facts have already been presented to the player in writing and that he has failed to pay or make acceptable arrangements to settle outstanding matters within a reasonable time.
The player shall be free to continue to play in TVCL matches for the Club to whom he has transferred until such time as the League Player Eligibility Sub-Committee decides otherwise.
The League Player Eligibility Sub- Committee shall have the power to ban the player from participating in TVCL matches until such time as all obligations to the previous Club or League(s) have been settled.
In the event that the individual, the Club or League(s) wishes to appeal the decision of the League Players Eligibility Sub- Committee the procedures set out in rule 3 of the TVCL Discipline, Complaints and Appeals Procedures shall be followed.
5) All players must:
- have had two years continuous residence (as defined by the Management Committee*) in the European Union in the past four years (such four years to have ended on the date of the first League match of the season concerned).
*For the purpose of clarification the Management Committee defines 2 years continuous residence in the European Union in the last 4 years to be exactly this, with the exception that genuine family/business visits (excluding the playing of cricket) and vacations up to a total of 100 days per annum, commencing on 1st May, are allowed or,
b) have been a member of the Thames Valley League Club which he is representing or a Club merging with that Club for a minimum of 4 continuous years prior to the date of the first scheduled League match of the season.
Except that:
i) Any person holding a United Kingdom or European Union passport on the date of the first League match of the season concerned shall be an eligible player notwithstanding that they may not have fulfilled the residence criteria in (a or b) above.
ii) Any person under the age of 18 on the 31st August in the year preceding the date of the first League match of the season concerned will be treated as an eligible player and once having obtained this status, will remain an eligible player upon attaining the age of 18. Such person must also have been resident in the UK since the 1st January preceding the first League match of the season concerned.
iii) Clubs may include one player per match who does not so qualify.
6) No overseas player, as defined above, shall play in any match until they have been registered
with the Chairman of the Player Eligibility Sub-Committee, who will acknowledge the registration. The registration of an overseas player shall be valid solely for the season for which the player has been registered and none other.
No overseas player will be registered to first play after 31st July in any one season.
No overseas player can be registered until he is actually in the country and able to play.
7) No player who has played first class cricket in the current season or in the twelve months preceding the start of the League season shall be eligible to play in matches below Divisions 2A and 2B, without the prior written permission of the Chairman of the Player Eligibility Sub- Committee.
For the purpose of clarification the Management Committee defines that a player is deemed to have played first class cricket if they have represented a first class county in England or Wales or similar organisation in any other country at adult level to play any form of cricket.
8) No Club may strengthen any of its teams by playing in a junior team in the League in the last four matches of the League season in any Division, more than two players who have each played more than eight matches in the HCPL and other ECB Premier League structures or a senior League (TVCL) team(s) in that season.
A player who has already represented the lower team or other lower teams on 5 or more occasions in total in the season shall not be counted as one of the two players.
9) In Divisions 1, 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B team lists shall be completed on official cards provided by the TVCL and submitted to the Umpires before the toss is made.
N.B. No player may be changed after this submission without the consent of the opposing Captain.
10) Any player suspended by his Club, any League or any cricketing governing body shall not be eligible to play in TVCL matches until such suspension is duly served and all fines (if any) have been paid.
11) No player shall participate in a playing capacity for the same TVCL Member Club in more than one adult match on the same day other than as a substitute fielder.
N.B. A player may umpire or score in a second TVCL match other than that in which they have played, subject to the agreement of both captains in the match in which they are to officiate.
NOTE: For rules regarding the eligibility of youth players to play in TVCL matches please refer
to Match Rule 10.5.
6. NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS
a. As soon as possible after close of play, and no later than 9 pm when a match is scheduled to start at 1.30 pm, 8.30 pm when a match is scheduled to start at 1.00 pm, and 8.00 pm when a match is scheduled to start at 12.30 pm. HOME Clubs must telephone their Divisional Results Secretaries details of the match, including any that might have been cancelled or abandoned.
Should the Management Committee consent to a match being played on another day, then the result must be notified on the same evening of the day that the match is played.
b. ALL HOME teams must send correct results sheets, signed by both Captains, to the respective Divisional Results Secretary after each match so as to arrive no later than the Thursday following the match day.
Completed results sheets are required for all matches that are abandoned but not for those that are cancelled altogether. (For the sake of clarity, a CANCELLED match is one when no play whatsoever has taken place; an ABANDONED match is where play has started - however little - but did not finish.)
The start and finish time of both innings shall be accurately recorded on the results sheet. When entering these times there shall be no collusion by captains.
A fine of £10 will be levied against a Club for each and every infringement of Match Rule 6.
7. PITCH COVERS
a. All Clubs with teams in Divisions 1, 2A, 2B, 3A and 3B must have full length pitch covers and also covers for the bowlers’ run-ups for a minimum of 10 metres. The Management Committee or its appointed Sub-Committee shall have the right to visit any Member Club with a team or teams in the aforementioned Divisions in order to inspect the covering facilities and to take any action that is considered appropriate.
b. No team shall be promoted from Divisions 4A and 4B to Divisions 3A and 3B unless they have such covers.
c. Before the start of play such covers in a) above shall be used at the discretion of the home Club and its groundsman to protect the pitch and bowlers’ run-ups. After play has commenced full covering of the pitch and bowlers’ run-ups may be used as and when requested throughout any break at the request of either Captain, and the Umpires shall be notified.
8. PITCHES
All matches in Divisions 1 to Divisions 5A and 5B shall be played on grass pitches. All matches below Divisions 5A and 5B shall be played on a grass pitch unless such a pitch is unfit or unavailable when the home team must give its opponents a minimum of 72 hours notice, prior to the designated start time of the match, that the match is to be played on an artificial surface and advise if there is any restriction on the use of normal cricket footwear.
9. TEAM PRECEDENCE
In the event of a Club being unable to fulfil all fixtures on any day, the playing of the senior match(es) shall take precedence. If this rule is breached points may be deducted from more than one team of the Club involved.
10. ECB YOUTH MANDATES AND DIRECTIVES AND GUIDANCE
The League requires all Member Clubs to observe all youth mandates, directives and guidance issued by the England and Wales Cricket Board (in particular those listed below) and requires all Umpires, Scorers, Captains and Officials to ensure that they are enforced:
10.1 The wearing of cricket helmets/protective equipment by young players.
All young players who have not reached their 18th birthday must wear a helmet with a faceguard when batting and when standing up to the stumps when keeping wicket.
A young player acting as a runner must also wear a helmet even if the player they are running for is not doing so
Players should regard a helmet with a faceguard as a normal item of protective equipment when batting together with pads and gloves and, for boys, an abdominal protector (box).
10.2 Fielding regulations.
The fielding regulations below must be adhered to and enforced by the umpires and captain.
No young player under the age of 15 years or younger shall be allowed to field closer
than 8 yards (7.3m) from the middle stump, except behind the wicket on the offside, until the batsman has played the ball.
For players under the age of 13 years the distance is 11 yards (10m).
These minimum distances apply even if the player is wearing a helmet.
The umpires are empowered by these fielding regulations to stop the game immediately if a young player comes within the restricted distance, in which case they must do so, and instruct the fielder to move back.
In addition any young player aged 16 to 18 years must wear a helmet, and for boys, an abdominal protector (box) when fielding within 6 yards (5.5m) of the bat, except behind the wicket on the offside. Players should wear the appropriate protective equipment whenever they are fielding in a position where they feel at risk.
N.B.
a) The directives and guidance in Match Rules 10.1 and 10.2 shall also apply during ALL practice sessions.
b) A face protector represents an alternative head protection system for young wicket keepers, and should only be worn as and when considered safe and appropriate.
10.3 Fast bowling directives.
Bowler's Age |
Max overs per spell |
Max overs per day |
Up to 13 |
5 |
10 |
U14, U15 |
6 |
12 |
U16, U17, U18, U19 |
7 |
18 |
For the purpose of these Directives a fast bowler is defined as a bowler to whom a wicket keeper of the same age would in normal circumstances stand back to take the ball.
Having completed a spell the bowler cannot bowl again, from either end, until the equivalent number of overs to the length of his spell have been bowled from the same end. A bowler can change ends without ending his current spell provided that he bowls the next over that he legally can from the other end. If this does not happen his spell is deemed to be concluded. If play is interrupted, for any reason, for less than 40 minutes, any spell in progress at the time of the interruption can be continued after the interruption up to the maximum number of overs per spell for the appropriate age group. If the spell is not continued after the interruption, the bowler cannot bowl again from either end until the equivalent number of overs to the length of his spell before the interruption has been bowled from the same end. If the interruption is of 40 minutes or more, whether scheduled or not, the bowler can commence a new spell immediately.
Once a bowler covered by these Directives has bowled in a match he cannot exceed the maximum number of overs per day for his age even if he subsequently bowls spin. He can exceed the maximum overs per spell if bowling spin, but cannot revert to bowling fast until an equivalent number of overs to the length of his spell have been bowled from the same end.
If he bowls spin without exceeding the maximum number of overs in a spell the maximum will apply as soon as he reverts to bowling fast.
Captains, Team Managers, and Umpires are asked to ensure that these Directives are followed at all times.
For guidance it is recommended that in any 7 day period a fast bowler should not bowl
more than 4 days in that period and for a maximum of 2 days in a row.
For the purposes of all of the above the age of the young player is to be based on the
age of the player at midnight on 31st August in the year preceding the current season.
*Any reference to he/his should be interpreted to include she/her.
10.4 Notification of Youth Players playing in adult matches
The umpires and the opposing captain must be notified of the age group of all players participating in an adult match who are in the under 19 age group or younger even if the player is not a fast bowler.
This requirement also covers any young player taking the field as a substitute fielder.
10.5 Parental Consent.
Players who are selected in a County U12 squad in Spring for a summer squad or in another squad deemed by ECB Performance Managers to be of a standard above ‘District level’ for that season are eligible to play Open Age Cricket. This is providing they are at least 11 years old, and in School Year 7 on 1st September in the year preceding the season and have written parental consent to play.
In allowing these players to play in Open Age Cricket it is essential that Clubs and Coaches recognise the ‘Duty of Care’** obligations towards these young players.
This means that County Squad and Area Squad players, both boys and girls are able to play Open Age Group Cricket if they are in the Under 12 Age Group and are a minimum of 11 years old on 1st September of the year preceding the season. District and Club Players who are not in a County or Area squads must wait until they reach the Under 13 age group, 12 years old, Year 8 on 1st September of the preceding year prior to being able to play in any Open Age Cricket, again written parental consent is required for these players.
To play in open age competitive cricket (all TVCL matches) all under 13 age group* players
will need prior written explicit parental consent to play, as this recognises the need for parents or guardians to be aware of the significance of allowing their young child to participate in open age competitive cricket rather than purely junior cricket.
N.B. The ECB Parental Consent and Waiver Form on which such consent must be written is available on the League website.
Such parental consent is to be recorded on the relevant form that shall be on the League website and be retained by the Club. It must be available for inspection on request by the Chairman of the League Players’ Eligibility Sub Committee.
Last minute acquisition of under 13* age group or younger colts to make up numbers is not allowed without fully complying as appropriate with Match Rule 10.5.
It is strongly recommended that a parent, guardian or other responsible adult is present whenever a player in the under 13* age group or younger plays in open age competitive matches (all TVCL matches). This could include the captain or other identified adult player taking responsibility for the young player.
N.B.
1) * - The Under 12 and Under 13 Junior cricket age groups referred to above are set by the age of the player on 1st September preceding the season of play.
2) **- ‘The Duty of Care’ obligations should be interpreted in two ways:
a) Not to place a young player in a position that involves unreasonable risk to that young player, taking account of the circumstances of the match and the relative skills of the player.
b) Not to create a situation that places members of the opposing side in a position whereby they cannot play cricket as they would normally do against adult players.
In addition, ECB Guidelines for junior players in Open Age cricket note the need for Clubs and Leagues to recognise the positive experience that young players should have in Open Age cricket and thus Clubs should provide an opportunity for players to show their talents in an appropriate way. Children who are just used as fielders will not fully experience the game.
10.6 Changing and showering.
The guidance related to changing and showering (see “Safe hands-Cricket’s policy for safeguarding young people,”) must be adhered to.
11. Clothing.
All players participating in TVCL matches shall wear predominantly white clothing.
N.B. Sponsors logos, Club badges etc, that are not white, but are discreetly worn, are acceptable.
(Updated 2012-01-18)