PREPARATION AND MATCH DAY REQUIREMENTS FOR
THE MORRANT THAMES VALLEY CRICKET LEAGUE

The League requests our Member Clubs to carry out all requirements necessary to ensure that full arrangements take place for League matches. All Clubs are expected to ensure that their grounds and pitches are prepared and fit for play on the League match day.

All Clubs are reminded that team Captains need to introduce themselves to match Umpires, whether panel appointed or not and to supply the Umpires with a team sheet as required by the Laws. Captains of teams in Divisions 1, 2A and 2B are expected to do this.

GROUND AND PREPARATION

The ground, including the outfield and surrounds and the pitch preparation, is to be fully prepared in readiness for the match. Boundaries must be defined and markers used if available. Sightscreens are to be aligned. The score box is to be clean and prepared for use.

The pitch must be fully prepared and correctly marked. The League has received many observations from Umpires on crease markings. The popping crease must be a minimum of 12 feet (3.66m) in length. The bowling crease must be 8 feet 8 inches (2.64m) in length. The return creases are at right angles to the bowling crease and must be a minimum of 4 feet (1.22m) in length. Each return crease shall be marked from the popping crease to a minimum of 8 feet behind it.

MATCH DAY ADMINISTRATION

The League appoints panel Umpires for all matches in Divisions One, 2A and 2B and for some matches in Divisions 3A and 3B. Clubs are advised of these Umpires and their telephone numbers before the start of the season. Panel Umpires’ fees must be paid before the start of the match.

As soon as possible after the match and in all cases by 9 pm, Home Sides must telephone the match result to the divisional results secretary. When telephoning always state the precise division and which XI (i.e., 1st, 2nd or 3rd) the names of both Clubs involved, the exact scores from the match, the number of wickets each side lost the number of overs each side bowled and the Christian and Surnames of players scoring 50 runs and/or taking 5 wickets in the match, also mention hat-tricks and the like, and the number of points earned by each side. All this information is of considerable assistance to the results secretary so record it down on paper prior to making your telephone call. The names and telephone numbers of the Divisional Results Secretaries and the League Divisions for which they are responsible are shown on page 3 of this handbook.

The match result sheet must be completed to show the result and points and must include names of players on both sides. The result sheet must be signed by both Captains and they are expected to enter a mark for the ground and outfield. The match result sheet must be sent by first class post to the divisional result secretary to arrive by the Thursday following the match.

Each Captain marks League appointed Panel Umpires, and any other Umpire standing in Division 3A or 3B, on a separate card that is sent to the named destination by first class post, also to arrive by the Thursday following the match.

Proper preparation and match management, with attention to the necessary administration, does assist in ensuring the prospect of a good match on the day.