Matches

B.1.1 All matches shall be played in accordance with the laws of cricket except where they are negated or modified by these rules and, for the purpose of such rules, a match extending over two Saturday or Sunday afternoons shall be deemed a two-day match. A match played on a single Saturday or Sunday shall be deemed a one-day match.

B.1.2 Association Rules of Play and Wet Weather Rules are included as Bylaws 8 and 9.

B.1.3 Any club not ready to start playing within thirty (30) minutes of the scheduled time shall forfeit the match to the opposing team unless the club can furnish a satisfactory explanation to the Association. If the Captain or a Deputy is not available to toss ten (10) minutes before the scheduled starting time, then that team loses the toss and the team that is not ready at the scheduled time shall be fined in accordance with Rule 17.12.

B.1.3.1 No team may start a match with less than seven (7) players. (But Bylaw B1.3 does apply).

B.1.4 In the event of late starting, it is optional on the part of the club not at fault to say whether it will continue to play after the time set down for close of play, in order to make up the time lost in starting. Such option must be exercised before start of play on which the default has taken place and in this event no protest may be entered.

B.1.5 If an innings terminates within ten (10) minutes of a scheduled interval, the interval shall commence at the time of the termination of innings.

B.1.6 At any time during a match either side may declare its innings closed and in the event of the Captain of the batting side advising the opposing Captain after the close of play on day one, or the commencement of any interval that he/she intends closing the innings, the time ordinarily allowed shall not apply and play must commence at the time fixed for the commencement or resumption of play.

B.1.7 If any club shall not be able to play in any match arranged by the Association, such club shall forfeit the match and give notice thereof to the Association Secretary or Registrar, opposing club and to the Umpires Advisor not later than 9pm on the Thursday preceding the date arranged for the match. Any club failing to give such notice shall be fined in accordance with Rule 17.12. (Refer also Rule 17.3), and shall pay all umpires costs.

B.1.8 If a club is unable to field a team in a grade for a fixture under Bylaw B1.7 then the team to forfeit will be the lowest grade run by that club. In the event of a club forfeiting a side other than the one lowest in the club structure, all teams below the forfeiting side in the club structure shall also forfeit and be responsible for all match costs and associated fines. B.1.9 All scores must be submitted by the prescribed time(s) to the Association Publicity Officer or nominated representative. Home teams are responsible for submitting scores. Failure to do so will incur a fine of $10.00 per team.

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Close of Play

B2.1 In all matches neither side shall continue its first innings beyond the time set down for close of play in two-day matches nor beyond half the scheduled playing time in one-day matches except:-

B2.1.1 When a minimum number of overs has been decided under Bylaws 8 and 9, the first innings shall be continued until the required overs have been completed.

B2.1.2 In the event of late starting by the batting side, close of play shall be at the scheduled time and the minimum number of overs need not be bowled.

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The Ball

B3.1 In all grades a new ball, of approved standard, 5.5 to 5.75 ounces (155.9 to 163g), must be provided by the fielding side at the commencement of each innings. If captains agree, a good quality ball may be used in the third or fourth innings of the match. A new ball may be taken after seventy-five (75) overs in any innings.

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The Playing Field and Equipment

B4.1 The home team shall be bound to see that the playing wicket is in good order, the boundary and pitch lines clearly and permanently defined and to provide stumps and bails. The popping crease lines to be extended and permanently marked two metres wider than the pitch on both sides, where possible. Boundaries are to be set at sixty (60) metres, where possible.

B4.1.1 Clubs with boundaries of less than 60 metres, are to notify the Association in writing, seeking approval of that ground for matches.

B4.2 Any team not satisfied with the preparation of the wicket or condition of the playing field on the day of the match shall be at liberty to report the matter to the Executive, who shall inspect the same and provided any discrepancies were directly attributed to the Home Club, have full power to fine, disqualify or deal with the offending club as they deem necessary under the circumstances.

B4.3 All ferrules, top and bottom, plastic, or otherwise, must be removed from all stumps prior to their use.

B4.4 Clubs are to ensure that prior to the nomination of grounds at the AGM (15.1.1) the minimum ground standards are as follows:

1. Toilets and or opened change rooms.
2. Afternoon tea facilities.
3. Table for scorers.

Ref. B4.5.

B4.5 The nomination of grounds without these minimum requirements (Ref. B4.4) may not be accepted.

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Scoring

B5.1 Each Captain shall print in his/her scorebook, the players' names and initials and hand a teams list to the Umpire, or opposing Captain, prior to the toss on the first days play. The scorers must sit together and check that scores match constantly. The scorebooks must be checked and signed by both Captains and Umpire/s, at the completion of each innings and each days play.

B5.2 In the event of a discrepancy in the scorebooks then the method used to determine the actual score or scores shall be the mean average between the bowling aggregate and the sundries and the batting aggregate and sundries of both books. In dispute, the listed bowling and batting figures are to stand for all Association and club averages. If a discrepancy occurs and an official umpire is in attendance, both scorebooks are to be handed to the umpire and presented to the Association Registrar.

B5.3 Both teams should be required to provide a scorer. In the event of the fielding team not having a scorer available, the batting team shall provide both scorers.

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Premiership Points

B6.1 If two or more teams are equal on points, their relative positions shall be determine by averages, for which purpose the following system shall be employed:- The batting average of a team shall be ascertained by dividing the total number of runs scored for by the total number of wickets lost by that team. The batting average against shall be obtained by dividing the total number of runs scored against by the total number of wickets taken. The former shall be divided by the latter and that team having the higher quotient shall be considered to have the best performance. In any innings which has been declared closed only the number of wickets actually fallen shall be considered lost.

B6.2 POINTS SYSTEM:

1. Each wicket taken 0.5
2. Each 20 runs scored 0.5
3. First innings win 10.
4. Second innings win after leading on the 1st innings 8. Extra
5. Second innings win after trailing on the 1st innings 14 points
6. Tie on first innings 5 points each
7. Match tied 12 points each
8. Match drawn 5 points each

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Pennants and Trophies

B7.1 Finals shall be played in accordance with Bylaw 8 and each team winning a grade final shall be awarded the official Association trophy, pennants and individual medallions to the winning teams and the umpires, for that particular grade. Association trophies so awarded shall be held and retained in safe custody by the winning club until the completion of the qualifying rounds of the following season.

B7.1.1 Clubs are required to return Association Trophies to the Registrar by the completion of the last qualifying round of fixtures. Clubs that fail to do so shall incur a fine of fifty dollars ($50), per trophy outstanding, after the due date. Refer Rule 17.12.

B7.2 CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS:
On Completion of the qualifying rounds, each season, the Club Championship awards shall be decided in accordance with the following:-

B7.2.1 To be eligible for either award each club must have at least three teams participating in the relevant competition.

B7.2.2 The formula for calculation of the championship is:-
The teams finishing placing's shall be used to calculate the Championship.

B7.2.3 The clubs having the lowest average finishing placing's shall win the Championship.

B7.2.4 In the event of a tie between two or more clubs, then the club whose top side is closest to top position of the First Grade in Seniors shall be the winner of the Senior Club Championship and the club whose top Junior side is closest to top position shall be the winner of the Junior Club Championship.

B7.3 INDIVIDUAL AVERAGES:
Within seven (7) days of completion of the final match of the qualifying round, each Club Registrar shall forward to the Association Registrar a list of the two leading players averages in each grade in which the club has a team competing. Clubs failing to submit those averages within seven (7) days shall be fined in accordance with Rule 17.12. The Association Registrar shall contact the club concerned and if the averages are not received within a further seven (7) days, those averages shall not be considered.

B7.3.1 Batting Averages and Aggregates
To qualify, batters must have played at least eleven (11) fixtured days in that grade and have scored a minimum of two hundred (200) runs.

B7.3.2 Bowling Averages and Aggregates
To qualify, bowlers must have played at least eleven (11) fixtured days in that grade and have taken a minimum of twenty (20) wickets in the Senior Competition or fifteen (15) wickets in the Junior Competition. Junior grades may have trophies for bowling averages.

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Rules of Play

B8.1 GRADES:
Composition of the grades shall be as determined by the Fixtures and Grading Committee. (See 15.1.5)

B8.2 HOURS OF PLAY:
Hours of play in qualifying rounds shall be from 1.30 to 3.30 and 3.50 to 6.00pm on consecutive Saturday or Sunday afternoons. Hours of play in all two-day senior finals shall be from 1.00 to 3.00 and 3.20 to 5.30pm. on the dates fixtured.

B8.3 TWO DAY QUALIFYING ROUNDS:
Each batting side unless dismissed for less, shall receive seventy-five (75) overs in the first innings. If seventy-five (75) overs have been bowled prior to 6.00pm, play shall cease. If seventy-five (75) overs have not been bowled prior to 6.00pm, play will continue until the stipulated overs have been bowled. On completion of seventy-five (75) overs the innings shall be closed. On the first day, if the team batting first is all out, or declares before the completion of seventy five (75) overs, and there is time remaining for the opposition to go in to bat, then stumps will be drawn at 6.00pm, irrespective of whether seventy five (75) overs have been bowled or not. On the second day, the team batting second is entitled to further seventy-five (75) overs.

B8.3.1 a minimum of seventeen (17) overs or part thereof must be bowled in the last hour on the second day provided that both teams have completed an innings.

B8.3.2 If the number of balls required to be bowled (i.e. 75 overs) have not been bowled within fifteen (15) minutes of the time due for the cessation of play on either day of a match, the bowling team to incur a penalty of .5 points for every two (2) overs, or part thereof, remaining unbowled at the scheduled close of play. Furthermore, the Captain of the batting side may request play to continue until the required number of overs have been bowled. This rule shall only be enforced if an official umpire is in attendance and he/she shall check the number of overs remaining at the time scheduled for the close of play and mark the penalty to be imposed in both scorebooks at the drawing of stumps. Club Registrars to record penalty on match reports.

B8.4 FOLLOW-ON:
The follow-on in all senior grades is a minimum of one hundred (100) runs.

B8.5 FINALS:
In all senior grades final matches shall be played between the top four (4) teams as follows:
Semi-finals - 1st vs 4th
2nd vs 3rd

Semi-finals shall be played on two (2) consecutive afternoons, or as otherwise fixtured. The hours of play shall be as specified in Bylaw B8.2.

Any team in a two day final that does not bowl the required number of overs within thirty minutes of the scheduled time for stumps, shall be declared the loser of that final. The result can only be amended if the aggrieved team can furnish a satisfactory explanation to the Protests, Disputes and Appeals Board as to the extenuating circumstances for excessive time lost. The above does not apply if a result has been achieved.

For two-day final rounds the conditions of play as set out in Bylaw B8.3 shall apply. Winners of the two semi-finals shall play in the final. Finals shall be played on the dates published in the Fixture list.

GRAND FINALS ONLY
In the event of a tied game (for both One and Two Day Grand Finals) both teams shall be declared as "Joint Premiers".

WEATHER AFFECTED RULES IN FINALS:
As per Bylaw 9.

B8.5.1 GROUNDS FOR FINALS:

1. Every year, ALL clubs are to book their grounds for the season on the presumption that their team/s will be playing off in the finals.
2. Semi-finals - Games will be played on the ground/s of the team/s finishing 1st & 2nd, after the conclusion of the home and away fixtures, in all grades (except when B8.5.1(d) applies).
3. Grand finals - All Grand Finals will be played on the ground/s of the team/s finishing highest after the conclusion of the home and away fixtures (except when B8.5.1(d) applies).
4. If a club, playing off in a final round, has more teams than grounds available, then, starting with their lowest grade, the game/s will be played on a neutral ground/s.
5. If a ground, designated for a final becomes unavailable, the Association Registrar and Umpires Advisor will allocate the game to another neutral venue.
6. All of the above is subject to the final approval of the Executive.

B8.5.2 In a rain affected Semi-final or Grand final where no result is achieved, the side holding the highest position at the end of the qualifying round will be awarded the match.

B8.6 On artificial wickets, if the ball bowled hits the edge or wider than the edge of the prepared playing surface, the umpire at the bowler's end shall call and signal `no-ball'.

B8.7 All players shall take the field of play in the approved dress i.e. HATS - White hat or cap, approved club hat or cricket cap, with which the player is registered, (approved means - approved by the Association). S.M.C.A. caps are not permitted for club fixtures.
SHIRTS - White or cream, long or short sleeved shirts with collar attached.
TROUSERS - Long white or cream trousers.
SOCKS - Predominantly white or cream socks.
FOOTWEAR - Predominantly white cricket boots or shoes.
JUMPERS - Plain white, plain cream or club pullover with either short or long sleeves or sleeveless.
SPONSORSHIP LOGOS - One sponsorship logo per shirt, no larger than one hundred millimeters square, is permitted to be worn on the chest area or upper sleeve.

In all grades below third grade, including juniors, white shorts and white T-shirts are permitted.

Clothing manufacturers logos are permitted on shirts and trousers providing that the manufacturer is sporting orientated. Any player reported for infringing this rule shall draw a fine upon their club.

B8.7.1 Where a player is incorrectly attired in any way, the Umpire will inform the captain of the offending team, of the attire and note same in both score books.

B8.8 DRINKS:
Drinks shall not be taken on the field more than once in each session of play except by mutual consent of the Captains. No team drinks shall be taken on the field after 5.30pm.

B8.9 SQUARE LEG UMPIRES:
Square leg umpires must be registered members of the club for which they are officiating and the Association. They shall observe Association rules, be neatly dressed and assist the umpire at the bowler's end by maintaining a count of balls each over.

B8.9.1 BLOOD RULE:
Any player who bleeds for any reason shall leave the field of play immediately and shall not return until the bleeding has stopped to the satisfaction of the umpire/s. Normal rules for leaving the field of play shall apply. If this rule applies to the last two batsmen of the innings, one period to a maximum of 10 minutes injury time be added, to stop the bleeding, before the injured player is declared retired hurt.

NO BALL RULES FOR TWO DAY MATCHES:

DANGEROUS AND UNFAIR BOWLING:

Bowling of fast short pitched balls
The bowling of fast short pitched balls is dangerous and unfair, if the umpire at the bowlers end considers that by repetition and taking into account that their length, height and direction they are likely to inflict physical injury on the striker irrespective of the protective equipment he may be wearing. The relative skill of the striker shall be taken into consideration. A bowler shall be limited to two fast short pitched balls per over. A fast short pitched ball is defined as a ball which passes, or would have passed clearly above the head of the striker standing upright at the crease. In the event of a bowler bowling more than two fast pitched balls in an over the umpire at the bowlers end shall call and signal "no ball" on each occasion.

Bowling of high full pitched balls
If a bowler bowls a fast high pitched ball which passes or would have passed on the full above waist height of the striker standing upright at the crease the umpire at the bowlers end shall call and signal "no ball".

If a bowler bowls a slow paced ball which passes or would have passed on the full above shoulder height of the striker standing upright at the crease the umpire at the bowlers end shall call and signal "no ball".

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Weather and Other Affected Games

B.9.1 FIRST DAY: Where play has been suspended or delayed through no fault of either team, for a period/s greater than fifteen (15) minutes on the first day of play, the Captains shall confer to agree on a compulsory declaration allowing equal batting time for both teams. (Equal batting time may extend into the second day's play). Weather and light permitting, Captains may agree to extend the scheduled time for stumps, to make up for lost time. Where no agreement can be reached, the umpire/s shall make the decision. The umpire/s decision will be final.

B9.1.1 In matches where no play is possible on the first day, the following conditions shall apply:-

B9.1.2 On the scheduled second day of play, the clubs involved are to play a one day game consisting of thirty-five (35) overs per team. The side batting first will conclude their innings after two hours and five minutes. The side batting second will receive an equivalent number of overs. Normal rules for a two day game to apply.

B.9.2 SECOND DAY: Where play has been suspended or delayed through no fault of either team, for a period/s greater than fifteen (15) minutes on the second day of play, the Captains shall confer to agree on extending play after the scheduled time for stumps to allow equal overs for both teams. Where no agreement can be reached, the umpire/s shall make the decision. The umpire/s decision will be final.

B9.2.1 In games where no play is possible on the second day the following will apply.

1. If a result has not been achieved, the game will be declared a draw.
2. If a result has been achieved, the result will stand.
3. Bonus points earned will be retained by each team.

B9.3 BOTH DAYS:
Where no play is possible on either day, average overall points for the round (if any games were played) in that grade will be granted. To claim the points, a match report with a named team must be submitted to the Registrar.

B9.3.1 Where all games in a round are not played by any club, no points will be awarded.

B.9.4 Where B.9.1 and B.9.2 become inoperative, the game will be declared a draw.

B.9.5 If a team is proven guilty of gross misconduct by breaching the equal overs rule, the Protests, Disputes and Appeals Board may, in the case of a drawn game, award the game to either team.

B.9.6 Any reduction to the number of overs shall be calculated using 3 1/2 minutes per over.

B.9.7 Umpires are to use discretion if penalties for slow over rates are applied.

B9.8 FITNESS OF GROUND, WEATHER AND LIGHT:
The SMCA Executive reserve the right to abandon `weather affected' rounds of fixtures if necessary, or reduce a `weather affected' round of fixtures to a one day fixture if deemed necessary. The Laws of Cricket 3 (8) remain applicable in any weather-affected game.

B9.9 In all weather and other affected games covered in By-Law 9, if the Captains agree, their wishes shall be met. Where no agreement can be reached or prevailing conditions could jeopardise the safety of any player/s, the umpire/s shall make the decision to continue, suspend or call off play. The decision to continue, suspend or call off play can be made at any stage during the scheduled hours of play. The umpire/s decision will be final.

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One Day Rules for Seniors

B10.1 HOURS OF PLAY:
Hours of play in one day qualifying rounds shall be from 1.00p.m. to 3.30p.m. and 3.50p.m. to 6.20p.m. on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. In the event of the innings of the team batting first being completed prior to 3.30p.m, a twenty (20) minute tea break between innings will be taken immediately. The scheduled time for stumps shall be adjusted to allow the team batting second an innings of two hours and thirty minutes.

B.10.2 MATCH RULES AND CONDITIONS OF PLAY

DURATION:
One innings per team, being limited to forty (40) (six) ball overs, provided however that if the team batting first has not been dismissed and has not received forty (40) (six) ball overs by 3.30pm, the innings will continue until 40 overs have been bowled or the side is bowled out. After a 20 minute tea break, the team about to bat will receive only the number of overs it bowled by 3.30pm.

In the event of a match starting late or where play has been suspended or delayed through weather or other circumstances beyond the control of either team, the Captains shall confer to agree on a compulsory declaration allowing equal batting time or reduced overs for both teams.

Reduced overs to be calculated using one over for each 3 ½ minutes of lost time. Weather and light permitting, Captains may agree to extend the scheduled time for stumps, to make up for lost time. Where no agreement can be reached, the umpire/s shall make the decision. The umpire/s decision will be final.

In all weather and other affected games covered in By-Law 10, if the Captains agree, their wishes shall be met. Where no agreement can be reached or prevailing conditions could jeopardise the safety of any player/s, the umpire/s shall make the decision to continue, suspend or call off play. The decision to continue, suspend or call off play can be made at any stage during the scheduled hours of play. The umpire/s decision will be final.

If a team is proven guilty of gross misconduct by breaching the equal overs rule, the Protests, Disputes and Appeals Board may, in the case of a drawn game, award the game to either team. If the number of overs required to be bowled have not been bowled in the specified time allowed, the bowling team shall incur a penalty of a loss of .5 incentive points for every two overs or part thereof remaining unbowled. Loss of penalty points shall only be enforced if an official umpire is in attendance.

B.10.3 BOWLERS LIMITATION:
Each bowler is limited to eight (8) overs in an innings of forty (40) overs. In the event of a bowler being injured during the course of his/her over and is unable to finish the over at that time, the over shall be completed by another bowler. One (1) of the limitation of eight (8) overs shall be recorded against each of the injured bowler and the replacement bowler. However, only one (1) over shall be added to the aggregate overs of the bowling team.

In the event of a fieldsman being forced to leave the field through genuine injury or illness, he shall be entitled to bowl once he has resumed the field for a period of three (3) minutes. If a fieldsman leaves the field of play for any other reason, he shall not be entitled to bowl until he has resumed on the field of play for an equal time that he was off.

B.10.4 WIDE BALL:

1. Umpires are instructed to apply a very strict and consistent interpretation in regard to wide deliveries in order to prevent negative bowling wide of the wicket or over the batsman's head.
2. Any offside or legside delivery which in the opinion of the umpires, does not give the batsman a reasonable opportunity to score shall be called a "wide". As a guide, on the legside, a ball pitching clearly outside the leg stump and going further away should be called a "wide".

To assist unofficial umpires, all pitches are to be marked with a white line. The inside of the white line being six inches (15cms) outside the "leg stump". Both sides of the stumps are to be marked to allow for both right and left handed batsmen.

B.10.5 NO BALL:
If a ball passes, or would have passed above the shoulder of a batsman standing upright at the crease, either umpire shall call and signal "no ball".

Bowling of high full pitched balls - this part inserted after meeting on 11 December 2002 If a bowler bowls a fast high pitched ball which passes or would have passed on the full above waist height of the striker standing upright at the crease the umpire at the bowlers end shall call and signal "no ball".

On artificial wickets, if the ball bowled hits the edge or wider than the edge of the prepared playing surface, the umpire at the bowler's end will call and signal "no ball".

B.10.6 RESULT: (QUALIFYING ROUNDS)

1. One day matches not played under ordinary conditions or otherwise decided, shall be won by the team scoring the greater number of runs, irrespective of the number of wickets lost by either team, provided that the required number of overs have been bowled to the team batting second.
2. If both teams have completed their innings and the scores are equal, then the result shall be a tie.
3. If due to the weather, or circumstances beyond the control of either team, the number of overs required to be bowled to the team batting second has not been bowled and a result has not been achieved, the result of the match shall be a draw. Bonus points earned will be retained by each team.
4. Where no play is possible, average overall points for the round (if any games were played) in that grade will be granted. To claim the points, a match report with a named team must be submitted to the Registrar.

ONE DAY FINALS:
To constitute a game, a minimum of twenty (20) overs must be bowled to each team. If the game does not count, the game will be replayed in full, at a later date as set by the Association. If each team has received the minimum of twenty (20) overs and a result cannot be achieved due to weather or other circumstances beyond the control of either team, the team finishing higher, on the One Day Premiership table, will be declared the winner.

Any team bowling second in a one day final that does not bowl the required number of overs within fifteen minutes of the scheduled time for stumps, shall be declared the loser of that final. The result can only be amended if the aggrieved team can furnish a satisfactory explanation to the Protests, Disputes and Appeals Board as to the extenuating circumstances for excessive time lost. The above does not apply if a result has been achieved. In the event of a tied game (for both One and Two Day Grand Finals) both teams shall be declared as "Joint Premiers".

ONE DAY KNOCKOUT:

COMPLETED MATCH:

1. The team scoring the greater number of runs wins.
2. If scores are equal after each team has completed its innings, the team losing the least number of wickets wins.
3. If the teams are still equal after (b), the team with the higher run rate shall be the winner.
4. If equal after (b) & (c), game to be replayed.

INCOMPLETE MATCH:
If the match remains incomplete after one day, provided that the team batting second has received a minimum of twenty (20) overs, the winner shall be the team with the higher run rate. To calculate the run rate each team shall use the same completed over as the team batting second received. If the run rate is the same, the team losing the least number of wickets at the same completed over, shall be the winner.

Scorers are to maintain a record of the score and number of wickets lost at the completion of each over. If the team batting second has not received twenty (20) overs and no result has been achieved, the match shall be replayed.

B.10.8 INCENTIVE POINTS:
Each wicket taken 0.5
Each 20 runs scored 0.5
First innings win 10 points
Tie on first innings 5 points each
Match tied 10 points each
Match drawn 10 points each

B.10.9 MISCELLANEOUS:
Umpires fees are to be paid equally by both teams.

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