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ESCL Rules 2010

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League Rules are in blue
Appendix A is in brown
Appendix B is in green

League Rules

1.0 TITLE The League shall be called the Parker Building Supplies East Sussex Cricket League (hereinafter referred to as "the League").
2.0 OBJECTS The objects of the League are:
2.1 To promote, encourage and foster the playing of cricket, interest in cricket generally and in particular in the County of East Sussex.
2.2 To organise cricket on a competitive basis within the spirit of the game.
2.3 To ensure that the ECB 'Code of Conduct' and the MCC 'Spirit of Cricket' be observed at all times and these shall be deemed to be incorporated into these rules.
3.0 MEMBERSHIP
3.1 Membership of the League shall be open to all clubs whose grounds are within the County of East Sussex or adjacent thereto which meet the criteria for membership laid down from time to time.
3.2 Any club who plays in the first division shall be a member of the Club Cricket Conference.
3.3 All clubs must at all times have a Club Welfare Officer and must adopt and comply with 'Safe Hands' and all child welfare policies laid down by the ECB and/or the Sussex Cricket Board.
3.4 All clubs shall be affiliated to the E.C.B. and the Sussex Cricket Board.
4.0 ELECTION TO MEMBERSHIP Application for membership of the League shall be made to the Hon. Secretary, in writing, not later than July 1st, in any year and shall be considered by the Committee as soon as is practicable thereafter. The Committee shall either approve, reject or defer the application without being obliged to give any reason for such decision. Any club whose application is approved shall be eligible for election at the AGM immediately following.
5.0 OFFICERS The Officers of the League shall be the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, Honorary Fixture Secretary. The officers (except for the Vice-Chairman) shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting from amongst members of member clubs and shall be eligible for re-election. No member club shall have more than one individual member as an officer. There shall also be a Results Secretary who shall be appointed by the Committee.
6.0 COMMITTEE
6.1 The affairs of the League shall be governed by a Committee which shall consist of the officers elected at the Annual General Meeting and six elected members from whom the Vice-Chairman shall be elected by the Committee at their first meeting after the Annual General Meeting. The six elected members shall serve for a period of two years, three retiring each year by rotation but those retiring shall be eligible for re-election. No member club may have more than one individual member as an elected member or as an officer on the Committee.
6.2 The Committee shall meet regularly to ensure the efficient administration of the league, four members to form a quorum.
6.3 All decisions by the Committee shall be by a majority vote with each member (including the Chairman or his deputy) having one vote, in the event of a tie the Chairman shall have a second casting vote.
6.4 The Committee shall have the power to co-opt any person or persons either generally or for a specific purpose, or for a specific meeting or meetings, either as a voting or a non-voting member. The Committee shall further have power to fill any casual vacancy arising during the year and to appoint sub-Committees (except as set out in sub-paragraph 5 hereof).
6.5 There shall be elected at the AGM a playing conditions sub committee (hereafter referred to as "The PCSC") consisting of not more than ten elected members who shall come from different clubs plus the league Chairman and league Hon. Secretary. The elected members shall be elected for two years, half retiring each year by rotation, but shall be eligible for re-election. The PCSC shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman and shall meet as often as is required. The PCSC shall consider any proposals for altering Appendix A and any other matters referred to it and shall report its findings and make such recommendations as they think fit to the clubs with the notice of the AGM or any SGM.
7.0 MEETINGS
7.1 The Annual General Meeting of the League shall take place in November of each year. The Honorary Secretary shall give not less than five weeks' notice, in writing, of the meeting to member clubs. Any individual member of member clubs may attend. The meeting shall transact the annual business of the League, consider any alterations to the rules and Appendix A, deal with any financial matters, including the fixing of the annual subscriptions, and consider any other matter submitted to the Hon. Secretary not later than the 1st September. No proposal for the alteration of Appendix A shall be considered at the AGM or any SGM unless it has been discussed by the PCSC and they have reported thereon.
7.2 A Special General Meeting may be summoned at any time by the Committee, or on application to the Hon. Secretary in writing, signed by at least four member clubs. The application shall state the motion or motions to be submitted to the Special General Meeting which shall be held within six weeks of the receipt of the application. No other business will be discussed at such Special General Meetings.
7.3 A quorum at any General Meeting shall be two thirds of the member clubs and those clubs who have a 1st XI in the League (including one team clubs) shall have two votes and all other clubs one vote. In the event of a tie the resolution shall be deemed to be lost. Resolutions altering the rules or for admitting a Club to membership of the League shall require a vote in favour of two thirds of those present. In the event of a quorum not being present at a Special General Meeting, the resolution or resolutions shall be deemed to be lost.
7.4 All clubs shall provide The Hon. Secretary with an Email address and any notice required to be given to a club under these rules or Appendix A shall be deemed to be given if either sent by post to the nominated League Contact or by Email to the Email address provided by that club.
8.0 FORM OF LEAGUE
8.1 All games shall be played according to the Laws of Cricket, save where the same are inconsistent with the playing conditions.
8.2 The organisation and playing conditions are as set out in Appendix A which shall form part of these rules.
8.3 The League tables shall be compiled in accordance with Appendix A. In the event of two or more sides having the same number of points, the position shall be decided by the greater number of wins.
9.0 WITHDRAWAL AND EXPULSION FROM LEAGUE
9.1 A member club may give notice, in writing, to the Hon. Secretary of its intention to cease to be a member of the League. Such member clubs shall cease to be a member as from the 31st day of October, immediately following the receipt by the Hon. Secretary of such notice.
10.0 Code of Conduct, Player Behaviour, & Discipline Management
The Code of Conduct, Player Behaviour and Discipline Management of the league is set out in Appendix B, which shall form part of these rules.
11.0 FINANCE Each member club shall be required to pay such Annual Subscription as is fixed by the Annual General Meeting, on or before January 1st in each year. An audited account for the year ended 30th September shall be prepared and presented to member clubs at the Annual General Meeting. An Honorary Auditor shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.
12.0 DISSOLUTION In the event of the League being dissolved any funds held by the League shall be paid to the benefit of cricket to such organisation or organisations as the Committee holding office immediately prior to dissolution shall in their discretion think fit.

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Appendix A

1.0 All games shall be played in accordance with the Laws of Cricket save where the same are inconsistent with the provisions hereof.
2.0 The League shall be divided into such number of divisions with such number of Clubs as may be decided from time to time. No division shall consist of more than ten teams.
3.0 Each Club shall play such number of matches as may be decided by the Committee provided that each Club shall play every other club in its division at least once. The fixtures shall be played on such dates and at such venues as are fixed by the League Fixture Secretary unless prior approval of the Committee has been obtained. Such approval will only be given if the Committee consider that there are special circumstances and the Clubs have agreed the variation. If a Club's normal ground is not available on any specific date then that Club shall notify the League Fixture Secretary as soon as possible and in any case prior to the A.G.M. in the previous year. In the event of a breach of the above the Committee will deduct such number of points as they consider appropriate.
4.0 Ground fitness before the start of play shall be the responsibility of the home groundsman.
5.0 All matches shall commence at 1.30 p.m. (or 1.00 p.m. on the last two Saturdays in August and 12.30 p.m. in September) and shall continue for a maximum of 93 overs. The side batting first shall not bat for more than 50 overs. At any time the captain of the side batting first may declare his innings and any unused overs in that innings become available to the side batting second. Any part over shall count as a completed over (e.g. 46.4 overs shall be treated as 47 overs.)
DELAYED START (for guidance notes click here)
5.1 In the event of the start of the match being delayed for one hour or less owing to ground and/or weather conditions then there shall still be a maximum of 93 overs available.
5.2 If the delay is more than one hour then, unless the provisions of 5.5 apply, the maximum number of overs available in the game shall be reduced in accordance with the time available as calculated as per 5.3 hereof.
5.3
In the event of there being a delayed start under sub- 5.1 the maximum length of the innings of the side batting first shall be the approximate number of overs into the proportion of 50:43 fractions being ignored.
(NOTE: examples of the calculations are set out on page 15 of the printed directory)
MATCHES INTERRUPTED BY WEATHER (for guidance notes click here)
5.4 In the event of play being interrupted due to ground and/or weather conditions then
5.4.1 if the interruption or interruption(s) is of one hour or less the length of the game shall not be reduced.
5.4.2 if the interruption(s) is more than one hour, then in respect of any loss of time in excess of one hour the maximum length of the innings of the side batting first shall be the approximate number of overs into the proportion of 50:43 fractions being ignored. There shall be no reduction in the maximum number of overs the side batting first shall be permitted to receive.
5.4.3 if at 7:30 p.m. (7:00 p.m. on the last two Saturdays in August; 6:30 p.m. in September) play is not in progress due to weather or ground conditions then the game shall be at an end.
LIMITED OVERS GAMES
5.5 Where play cannot start before 4.50 p.m. (4.20 p.m. in the last two weeks in August, 3.50 p.m. in September) a limited overs game will be played. If a toss has been made on the basis of a normal timed game this toss and any decision made thereunder shall be of no effect and another toss shall take place.
5.5.1 The limited overs game shall be of 20 overs per side.
5.5.2 Bowlers shall be limited to 5 overs.
5.5.3 The side which scores the greater number of runs shall be the winners. In the event of both sides scoring the same number of runs the side losing fewer wickets shall be the winners. In the event of the scores being level with each side losing the same number of wickets the game shall be a tie.
5.5.4 The winning side will receive 18 points and the losing side 9 points. For a tie each side shall receive 14 points.
5.5.5 In the event of a game not being able to be completed due to weather or light the match shall be treated as abandoned.
N.B. (i) the regulations for playing a limited overs game shall only apply if it has not been possible to start the normal game even if there has been a minimal amount of play.
(ii) There will be no reduction of overs if a limited over game is interrupted or unable to be completed due to weather.

TIME/OVERS AVAILABLE FOR DELAYED START
see chart by clicking here

6.0 Normally the tea interval shall be taken between the innings, unless the captains otherwise agree. if at the end of the first innings 37 overs or fewer have been bowled then tea shall be taken after a total of 50 overs have been bowled.
7.0 The following points shall be awarded:-
7.1 20 points for a win plus bonus points under 7.4 if fielded first. 30 points for a win if batted first.
7.2 20 points for a tie. In the event of a drawn game where the scores are level the side batting second shall score 20 points as if for a tie.
7.3 The batting side shall receive 1 bonus point when it reaches 120 and one further point for every ten runs up to a maximum of 10 points on reaching 210.
7.4 The fielding side shall receive 1 bonus point for every wicket taken. A retirement out shall always count as a wicket for the purposes of this sub-paragraph. Whenever the fielding side bowl out the opposition they will receive ten bonus points regardless of the number of players in the batting side. A batting side with less than eleven players, including sides who have nominated eleven players but where one or more of their players have not arrived at the ground at the time will not be permitted to declare their innings closed at the fall of a wicket if there are no further batsmen available. In such circumstances the batting side will be deemed to be all out and the fielding side will receive ten bonus points.
7.5 9 points or bonus points obtained whichever is the greater for an abandoned match.
7.6 In the event of a side being unable to fulfil a fixture its opponents shall receive 25 points and the side unable to fulfil the fixture shall be deducted 5 points.
8.0 Each side shall provide a competent Umpire and Scorer unless an umpire is appointed by the committee in which case the Club to which such umpire is allocated shall be responsible for paying that umpire's fees and expenses as fixed by the committee.
9.0 For each game each club shall provide a ball as approved by the League Committee. The Club playing at home shall be responsible for providing any spare or replacement balls.
9.1 The team bowling first shall use a new ball provided as in 9.0
9.2 The team fielding second may use a new ball as in 9.0 at any time
10.0 The League tables shall be drawn up in accordance with the scoring system in 7 hereof. In the event of an equality of points the side winning the most matches will take precedence. If still equal, precedence shall be decided by the side gaining the more points in the match or matches between the sides and if still equal by the side losing the fewer matches.
11.0 Any club proposing to increase or decrease the number of its teams participating in the League shall give the Hon. Secretary written notice (including all the necessary details) to reach him prior to the Annual General Meeting the previous year.
11.1 Subject to sub- 2 to 5 hereof the bottom two teams in Divisions 1,2 & 3 and the bottom three teams in Divisions 4 and below will be relegated. The top two eligible teams in Divisions 2, and the top two teams in Divisions 3 & 4 and the top three teams in Divisions 5 and below will be promoted.
11.2 In the case of any club being accepted as a member of the League the PCSC shall decide in which Division its team(s) shall play and may as a consequence of that decision resolve that, in order to maintain the number of teams in any Division at ten, a team shall not be promoted despite finishing second or third as appropriate.
11.3 Only 1st XIs of clubs with at least two teams in the League shall be eligible to play in Division 1.
11.4 Save in the bottom Division in no circumstances shall a club have more than one team in the same Division or its 2nd/3rd/4th XI in a higher Division than its 1st/2nd/3rd XI respectively.
11.5 Similarly no team shall be promoted if this would conflict with 11.4.
11.6 Where a team is relegated to a Division in which another team of that club was playing then that other team would also be relegated irrespective of its position in order to comply with 11.4.
11.7 At the end of the first season in which a newly elected club plays in the league the PCSC shall have the authority to promote or demote that club by more than the usual one division.
12.0 An individual must be a bona fide member of the Club for whom he plays and no individual may play for more than one league Club in Sussex (to include all competitions organised by that league) in any season unless a transfer is agreed between all leagues involved in that transfer. Players can only make one transfer a season and no transfers will be allowed after 30th June each year. Further, no player who has played in a competitive match for any Premier League Club can play in the League except for that particular club. NOTE: For further information about which clubs are on the ECB's Premier League list, refer to the PBSESCL Hon. Secretary.
12.1 An overseas player cannot play for any club in the League or in any competition organised by the League unless the club has registered that player with the Hon. Secretary before any match in which he plays but cannot play in the League or in any competition organised by the League until he is so registered. No such overseas player shall be registered after July 31st except with the consent of the Committee.
12.2 No team in the League shall have more than one overseas player in any match.
12.3 A player is an overseas player unless he satisfies one of the following conditions
a. He was born in the U.K.
b. He is a British citizen or holds a U.K. passport.
c. He is and has been resident in the U.K for at least 4 years.
d. He is under 18 years of age and is either living with a parent who satisfies one of the above conditions or is receiving full time education.
12.4 No person who is subject to a current suspension imposed by any recognised cricketing authority, whether in this country or abroad, shall be eligible to play in the league or any competition organised by the league.
12.5 Any team fielding an ineligible player in any game will not receive any points from that game and in addition will forfeit 30 points. Its opponents will receive 25 points or the points earned in the game whichever is the greater.
13.0 All clubs must report all their results (including cancelled and abandoned games) using the Play Cricket facility, in accordance with regulations for the time being in force laid down by the Committee.
NOTE: The current regulations are:
(a) ALL SIDES are responsible for reporting the result by using the Play Cricket facility by 10.00 a.m. on the Sunday immediately after the game.
(b) it is the responsibility of both clubs that the information, league points and details are correct.
14.0 All First Division clubs must have adequate sight screens at both ends.
14.1 Where a club is unable to fulfil all its fixtures on a particular day then the higher rated team(s) must take preference.
15.0 The ECB Directives as set out in the directory shall apply to all league matches and in all the other competitions organised by the League. The League will adopt any subsequent amendments made by ECB and it is therefore the responsibility of all clubs to make themselves familiar with the latest versions of all ECB Directives.
16.0 Any dispute or query under this Appendix shall be referred to the Committee whose decision shall be final.

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Appendix B

CODE OF CONDUCT, PLAYER BEHAVIOUR, & DISCIPLINE MANAGEMENT

1. The League's Code of Conduct and Behaviour
1.1 The League's Commitment.
The East Sussex Cricket League ("the League") is committed to maintaining the highest standards of behaviour and conduct of those subject to its jurisdiction. In pursuance of these standards all individuals and Clubs shall comply with the following Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct incorporates the 'Spirit of Cricket", as set out in the preamble to the laws of cricket.
1.2 The Responsibilities of Clubs and Captains
Clubs and Captains have the primary responsibility for ensuring proper behaviour by their players, officials and other Club members. Captains in particular are reminded of their responsibilities for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of Cricket as well as within the Laws. Clubs and Captains are also reminded that comments by captains, players or club officials, which result in media material that brings the League into disrepute and (particularly) casts doubt on the actions (or otherwise) of Umpires will be treated as a breach of this Code.
1.3 Code of Conduct
1.3.1 Players and team officials must at all times accept the umpire's decision. Players must not show dissent at the umpire's decision or react in a provocative or disapproving manner towards another player or a spectator.
1.3.2 Players and team officials shall not intimidate, assault, or attempt to intimidate or assault, an umpire, another player or a spectator.
1.3.3 Players and team officials shall not use crude and/or abusive language (known as "sledging") nor make offensive gestures or hand signals nor deliberately distract an opponent.
Players and team officials shall not make racially abusive comments nor indulge in racially abusive actions against fellow players, officials, members and supporters. Clubs must operate an open door membership policy whilst respecting player qualification regulations and welcome players/members irrespective of ethnic origin.
1.3.5 Players and team officials shall not use or in any way be concerned in the use or distribution of illegal drugs.
1.3.6 Clubs must take all reasonable and proper steps to ensure the good behaviour of all their members towards players and umpires.
1.4 Breaches of the Code of Conduct
Failure to comply with the provisions of this Paragraph 1 may lead to disciplinary action, irrespective of an alleged breach being related to a match not under the jurisdiction of the League.
2. Discipline Management and Reporting. The Responsibilities of Captains and Umpires
(to be read in conjunction with the Disciplinary Offences and Suspension Guidelines - see Annex)
2.1 General
The responsibilities of Captains are clearly defined in Paragraph 1.2 above. Umpires are responsible for ensuring that matches are conducted in accordance with the Laws of Cricket and the Regulations of the League, and in their discharge of these duties the League will always give them the fullest possible support. Between them, Captains and Umpires set the scene for the establishment of proper behaviour and the maintenance of discipline throughout the match.
2.2 Captains
Must ensure that they and their players at all times comply fully with the Code of Conduct, and throughout the match behave in accordance with the requirements of both the Code of Conduct and the Spirit of Cricket. In addition, before each match they must act to satisfy themselves that their team members are aware of the League's policy on behaviour and discipline, and that all concerned understand the way in which the Code and the associated Discipline reporting procedures operate. Captains are themselves entitled to draw the attention of their Club managements to instances of misbehaviour that they would like to see reported independently from any action taken by the umpires.
2.3 Umpires
Umpires must always accept their responsibility to ensure that the requirements of the Code of Conduct and the Disciplinary Offences and Suspension Guidelines (see Annex) are met. They must always report major disciplinary (Category A) offences. They must also use their report cards to notify Category C offences even where they may feel that such matters have been dealt with satisfactorily at the time they occurred. When such reports are made Umpires must ensure that the player(s) concerned and the relevant Captains are properly notified.
3. Disciplinary Procedure
(to be read In conjunction with the Disciplinary Offences and Suspension Guidelines - see Annex)
3.1 Any alleged breach of Paragraph 1 above (to be known as 'a Complaint") shall be notified in writing to the Secretary of the League, who will inform the Chairman. Immediate action shall be taken to form a special Sub Committee (the "Disciplinary Committee") to consider the Complaint. The Disciplinary Committee shall consist of not less than three persons, none of whom shall be connected with the player, team official, or Club concerned or their opponents; at the time of the alleged breach. Members of the Disciplinary Committee (one of whom shall be nominated as Chairman) will normally be drawn from the League's Executive Committee members: when this is not possible suitable persons shall be co-opted.
3.2 The Secretary shall immediately refer any such Complaint to a responsible officer (normally the Chairman or Secretary) of the relevant Club or Clubs (with a copy to the League Contact). The Club shall take steps without delay to deal with the complaint in accordance with its responsibilities (at the same time notifying the player/team official concerned that formal Disciplinary Procedures have been commenced). The Club must then within three days notify the Chairman of the League Disciplinary Committee as to the action taken, penalties imposed, etc.
3.3 The Disciplinary Committee shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, consider the Complaint and the action taken by the relevant club and resolve either:
3.3.1 to take no action, except to record the Complaint;
3.3.2 or to endorse the disciplinary action taken by the club, in which case the action will be regarded as action formally taken by the League: or
3.3.3 to refer the matter for a Disciplinary Hearing.
4 Disciplinary Hearing
4 1 In any case which is referred for a Disciplinary Hearing, the Hearing shall be convened as soon as practicable. At least seven days' notice in writing of the Hearing and of the offence(s) alleged shall be given to the player or team official, or in the case of a Club, its Secretary. Notice to a player or team official shall be deemed to be given if sent to the address of the Secretary or League Contact of his club as set out in the League Directory and in the case of a club to such League Contact or Secretary. Any adjournments may be granted at the discretion of the Chairman of the Disciplinary Hearing.
4 2 The player and/or Club shall be entitled to attend the Hearing (in the case of a Club by the Secretary or other official). to state their case, to be supported by a Club colleague and to call witnesses. Any umpire called to attend a hearing may also be supported by a colleague.
4.3 The Hearing shall be conducted by the Disciplinary Committee of the League, with membership formulated as provided for in paragraph 3.1 above.
5. Penalties
(to be read in conjunction with the Disciplinary Offences and Suspension Guidelines - see Annex)
5.1 If at the Hearing, the Disciplinary Committee finds the alleged offence proved it shall have the power to impose one or more of the following penalties together with such order as to costs as it deems appropriate:
5.2 In the case of a player:
5.2.1 to require the player to submit appropriate letter(s) of apology within a specified time:
5.2.2 to record a reprimand and to give a warning as to future conduct;
5.2.3 to impose a fine;
5.2.1 to suspend the player for one or more matches, or for a stated period of lime:
5.2.5 to deduct League points from the player's team;
5.2.6 to expel the player from the League.
5.3 In the case of a Club or team official:
5.3.1 to require the Club to submit appropriate letter(s) of apology within a specified time;
5.3.2 to record a reprimand and to give a warning as to future conduct;
5.3.3 to impose a fine; or
5.3.4 to deduct League points from the Club's team(s);
5.3.5 to relegate the club to any lower division of the League:
5.3.6 to expel the Club from any cup competition of the League;
5.3 7 to recommend the expulsion of the Club from the League, in accordance with the Rules of the League.
5.4 The Disciplinary Committee shall have the power to suspend the operation of any part, or all, of the penalty it imposes for such period and subject to such terms and conditions it deems appropriate.
6. Appeals Procedure
(These procedures apply to Disciplinary cases and certain other decisions - see Paragraph 10 of the Rules).
6.1. A player or Club shall have the right of appeal. Notice of any such Appeal, setting out the grounds, must be given in writing to the Secretary of the League within seven days of the decision of the Disciplinary or other Committee, together with a deposit, in the case of a player, of £50 and in the case of a Club, of £100. No Appeal shall be allowed if this condition is not complied with.
6.2. In the event of such an Appeal the Chairman of the League shall appoint an Appeals Committee consisting of not less than three members, drawn from the Executive Committee, or suitable Club Chairmen or other officials, or other such persons as are deemed to be suitable. One Member shall be designated as Chairman. No member of the Appeals Committee shall have any connection with the Club or players involved, nor with their opponents at the time of the alleged breach/incident: neither shall they have formed part of the Committee that considered the original case.
6.3. If Notice of Appeal is properly given, together with the required deposit, the penalty shall not take effect pending the hearing of the Appeal, which shall take place as soon as is practicable. An Appeal, once made, shall not be withdrawn.
6.4. The Appeal shall be by way of a re-hearing before a different Committee, established as set out in Paragraph 6.2 above. The player or Club shall have the same right of attendance and representation, and to call witnesses, as they had before the original Committee.
6.5. The Appeals Committee may confirm, vary or reverse the decision of the original Committee and it shall have the power to increase the penalty and make decisions as to the costs of the appeal hearing. If the Appeal is successful the Committee will return some or all of the deposit.
7. Decisions
7.1. Decisions of the Disciplinary or Appeals Committee (a finding that a Complaint is proved or not proved, a decision as to penalty, or any other consequent action) shall be by majority vote, where necessary the Chairman of the Committee shall have a casting vote.
7.2. Decisions made by the Appeals Committee, or if no appeal, by the Disciplinary or other relevant Committee, shall be final and binding, in accordance with the Rules of the League.
DISCIPLINARY OFFENCES AND SUSPENSION GUIDELINES
Annex to Code of Conduct
THE LEAGUE'S POLICY
The League's Code of Conduct and Behaviour makes it clear that the primary responsibility for discipline lies with Clubs and Team Captains. The League expects this responsibility to be properly discharged. If it is not, the League will take action against the Club and Captain concerned.
Captains are expected to address incidents promptly and take appropriate action. If they do not they are also liable to be charged with the offence.
The Code also places a duty on Clubs to take immediate action when notified of a disciplinary complaint. Such action will be taken into account by the League Disciplinary Committee and may be accepted as appropriate. Alternatively, the Complaint may be referred to a Disciplinary Hearing.
In all cases the following guidelines will be followed by the Disciplinary Committee, as well as by umpire;
The guidelines specify suspensions for a period. The Disciplinary Committee will normally assess the period so as to cover a given number of scheduled League matches. The suspension will then be notified as "being up to and including a certain date." Clubs and players should be aware that any suspension by the League applies not only to matches under the control of the League but also to all matches played under the auspices of the ECB or an ECB affiliated Club during the period of suspension.
A. MAJOR OFFENCES (Category A Offences)
(Umpires will make formal and full reports in all cases and disciplinary charges will be laid.)
A1. ABUSE OF CRICKET EQUIPMENT, CLOTHING, GROUND EQUIPMENT OR FIXTURES AND FITTINGS
The knocking of slumps, or the throwing or kicking of a bat, ball, helmet or any cricket attire, boundary marker, rope or any match or ground equipment. Suspension: MINIMUM period of one week.
A2. ABUSE OF A PLAYER
Deliberate violent physical contact on a member of the opposing team or a fellow team member.
Suspension: MINIMUM period of six weeks. (The severity of the act will influence the length of the penalty imposed. Indefinite or life bans may be appropriate in certain circumstances).
Threatening behaviour. Includes threats of assault. Also, serious and persistent verbal abuse (sledging) using comments or language designed to denigrate, intimidate or provoke the recipient.
Suspension: MINIMUM period of two weeks.
A3. ABUSE OF AN UMPIRE
Deliberate violent physical contact.
Suspension: MINIMUM period of twelve weeks. (The severity of the act will influence the length of the penalty imposed. Indefinite or life bans may be appropriate in certain circumstances).
Threatening behaviour.
Suspension: MINIMUM period of six weeks
Verbal Abuse (inclusive of language that is obscene, offensive or insulting and/or the making of obscene gestures).
Suspension: MINIMUM period of three weeks.
Dissent - any action that seeks to question or undermine the authority of an umpire. Aggravated dissent would include the use of foul or threatening language.
Suspension: MINIMUM period of one week. Aggravated offences will attract more severe penalties, with prior record being taken into account.
NOTE: In dealing with the above offences, where it is apparent that, following the intervention of an umpire, the offending player's captain failed to take action to control the offending player, the captain will himself be subject to a MINIMUM suspension of one week.
A4. RACIAL ABUSE
Any racially abusive comment or action, i.e. using language that offends, insults, humiliates, intimidates, threatens, disparages, or vilifies another person on the basis of that person's race, religion, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin. Suspension: PERIOD to be decided by the Disciplinary Committee.
B. ACCUMULATED BAD BEHAVIOUR (Category B Offences)
This relates to repeated offences that are reported by umpires under the Laws of Cricket or as General Misconduct (as set out in the Section C of these Guidelines). Although the individual infringements may not, on their own, merit disciplinary action they will in all cases be recorded and notified to the Club(s) concerned. A second report relating to the same player will likewise be recorded and notified: a third or subsequent report will automatically attract a Disciplinary charge, leading to penalties:
Suspension: MINIMUM period of one week on the first occasion; two weeks for the second; four weeks for the third, etc.
Repeated offences involving a particular team will lead to charges against the Captain concerned.
In these cases the MINIMUM suspension will be two weeks and/or a deduction of match points. Such action will take into account previous disciplinary problems.
NOTE: the "totting-up" process will not be carried over from one season to the next.
C. NOTIFIABLE OFFENCES (Category C Offences)
The League's Umpires are REQUIRED to report each and every incident under this heading. This applies even where the umpire considers that the incident has been "dealt with" at the time. Such reports may be brief, and umpires will normally use their standard reporting cards for such incidents. Category C1 offences are, in general penalised under the Laws. For the remainder (the Category C2 offences) disciplinary action will not necessarily flow from individual reports but each one will be recorded and repeated offences will be dealt with under the procedure relating to ACCUMULATED BAD BEHAVIOUR.
CI. OFFENCES REQUIRING MANDATORY REPORTS UNDER THE LAWS OF CRICKET.
o Deliberate short runs or run stealing.
o Dangerous and unfair bowling, including "bouncers" and "beamers".
o Ball tampering.
o Deliberate and malicious distraction/obstruction on the field of play. Distracting an opponent.
o Deliberate time wasting.
o Damaging the pitch.
C2. OFFENCES CLASSED AS "GENERAL MISCONDUCT" - MANDATORY REPORT REQUIRED
a) Excessive, ridiculous, and orchestrated appealing.
b) Charging or advancing towards the Umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing.
c) Premature "celebrations", before an umpire's decision is made.
d) Persistent questioning of umpires' decisions/actions. (Where this falls short of actual dissent - see Cat A3).
e) Pointing or gesturing towards the pavilion in an aggressive manner upon the dismissal of a batsman.
f) Throwing the ball in a careless manner at or near a player, umpire, team official or spectator.
g) Making comments or gestures that are obscene, offensive, insulting or deliberately provocative to another player, team official or spectator.
NOTE 1. The above constitutes a MAJOR offence when directed at an umpire - see A3 - ABUSE OF AN UMPIRE
NOTE 2. It is acknowledged that there will be verbal exchanges between players during the course of play. Rather than seeking to eliminate these exchanges entirely, umpires will look to make a report when this behaviour falls below an acceptable standard.
h) Failure of a Captain to take appropriate action to control players' conduct/behaviour.
i) Any unsavoury action or event, which in the opinion of the Umpire should be reported as being contrary to the Spirit of the game.
D. SPECTATORS' BEHAVIOUR
Clubs are responsible at all times for the conduct of all their members, even where they are merely spectators. In the event of such a member's conduct being reported as offensive, abusive, etc (whether to players umpires, officials or other spectators), clubs will be liable to fines and/or points deductions, or such other penalty as the Disciplinary Committee shall deem appropriate.

FOOTNOTE: Umpires will normally report Category A, C and D offences. However, individual Clubs may also make reports if they wish. Such reports must be made by a responsible Club Official. (Normally this will be the Chairman or Secretary).

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