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WEST ESSEX DISTRICT
CRICKET BOARD
 Colts

WEDCB competitions

ECB DIRECTIVES

The ECB fast bowling directive applies to all cricket in WEDCB

No restriction on slow bowlers.  However, in WEDCB games competition rules override the above and there will be limits at each age level.  A fast bowler is one to whom the wicket keeper in the same age group to take the ball will usually stand back. 

The age group format matches all operate under the usual laws of cricket as defined by the MCC; in addition there are specific rules for the WEDCB competitions that vary by age group and are described in detail later. 

The Laws of Cricket - Clarification
One area of the laws of cricket that frequently causes debate between bowlers and umpires is law 42.6-8  - Dangerous and Unfair bowling. In general, all parents and coaches umpiring in matches should have a comprehensive knowledge of the laws of cricket. For clarification, law 42 sections 6-8 are repeated below. The full current laws of cricket are available at the Lords website:
http://www.lords.org/laws-and-spirit/laws-of-cricket/laws 

Law 42 sections 6-8

6. Dangerous and unfair bowling

(a) Bowling of fast short pitched balls

(i) The bowling of fast short pitched balls is dangerous and unfair if the umpire at the bowler's end considers that by their repetition and taking into account 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.

(ii) Any delivery which, after pitching, passes or would have passed over head height of the striker standing upright at the crease, although not threatening physical injury, shall be included with bowling under (i) both when the umpire is considering whether the bowling of fast short pitched balls has become dangerous and unfair and after he has so decided. The umpire shall call and signal No ball for each such delivery.

(b) Bowling of high full pitched balls

(i) Any delivery, other than a slow paced one, which passes or would have passed on the full above waist height of the striker standing upright at the crease is to be deemed dangerous and unfair, whether or not it is likely to inflict physical injury on the striker.

(ii) A slow delivery which passes or would have passed on the full above shoulder height of the striker standing upright at the crease is to be deemed dangerous and unfair, whether or not it is likely to inflict physical injury on the striker.

7. Dangerous and unfair bowling - action by the umpire

(a) As soon as the umpire at the bowler's end decides under 6(a) above that the bowling of fast short pitched balls has become dangerous and unfair, or, except as in 8 below, there is an instance of dangerous and unfair bowling as defined in 6(b) above, he shall call and signal No ball and, when the ball is dead, caution the bowler, inform the other umpire, the captain of the fielding side and the batsmen of what has occurred. This caution shall continue to apply throughout the innings. 

(b) If there is any further instance of dangerous and unfair bowling by the same bowler in the same innings, the umpire at the bowler's end shall repeat the above procedure and indicate to the bowler that this is a final warning. 

Both the above caution and final warning shall continue to apply even though the bowler may later change ends. 

(c) Should there be any further repetition by the same bowler in that innings, the umpire shall

(i) Call and signal No ball.

(ii) Direct the captain, when the ball is dead, to take the bowler off forthwith. The over shall be completed by another bowler, who shall neither have bowled the previous over nor be allowed to bowl the next over.

The bowler thus taken off shall not be allowed to bowl again in that innings.

(iii) Report the occurrence to the other umpire, the batsmen and, as soon as practicable, the captain of the batting side.

(iv) Report the occurrence, with the other umpire, as soon as possible to the Executive of the fielding side and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain and bowler concerned.

8. Deliberate bowling of high full pitched balls

If the umpire considers that a high full pitch which is deemed to be dangerous and unfair, as defined in 6(b) above, was deliberately bowled, then the caution and warning prescribed in 7 above shall be dispensed with. The umpire shall

(a) call and signal No ball.

(b) direct the captain, when the ball is dead, to take the bowler off forthwith.

(c) implement the remainder of the procedure as laid down in 7(c) above.

WEDCB Match Durations

Match lengths vary by age group, but due to the sheer number of matches scheduled for clubs, it is often necessary for matches to be scheduled or rearranged to take place on weekday evenings. The districts primary match day is Sunday morning commencing with matches commencing at 9:30am. Weekday matches are allowed, but Thursdays should be avoided to prevent clashes with school matches. Where weekday evening matches are required, a maximum match length of 20 overs will apply or shorter if mutually agreed between the clubs involved, regardless of the normal competition match rules. Where matches are shortened in duration, no one bowler may bowl more than one fifth of the overs pre selected. E.g. 20 over match, maximum for bowlers are 4 overs. 16 over match, maximum for bowlers are 3 overs.

Rearranging Matches Following Adverse Circumstances

It will often be necessary for games to be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions or loss of a pitch due to higher precedent matches (e.g. special village event on ground, or adult special match requiring ground), etc. Where situations of this nature occur, the following procedures shall apply:

1.      The home team shall offer the opposition two reasonable alternative match dates where the opposition are not already committed to a match

2.      If the cancellation occurs in the last week of the season, the clubs can have a one week allowance on the end of the season

3.      If the two clubs cannot agree on a match date, the league organiser will be asked to nominate two further possible match dates where the clubs are not already committed to matches, if these are not acceptable to one party or other, they would then be required to concede the fixture. If it is not possible to find a date where both teams do not have prior match commitments, pitches available, etc. then the junior organiser may appoint 1 point each and allow the cancellation to stand at their discretion

Inter- District Cricket Regulations For 2008 

1.                    Player Qualification 

Age

a)      Under 10    School year 5 and below

b)      Under 11    School year 6 and below

c)      Under 13    School year 8 and below

d)      Under 15    School year 10 and below

e)      Girls can play up to two years above their school year age in mixed gender matches only, i.e. a year 8 can play in a year 6 match 

Club

a)      Players are only eligible to represent the District in which their club is located.

b)      Players must be bona fide members of their club.

c)      Players without clubs are eligible to represent the District in which their school is located.

d)      Players without clubs are eligible to represent the District in which they live. 

County

Players who are regular members of county age group 1^st choice squads should not be selected. The rationale is for fringe county players to play district games. This may change throughout the season as county squads change. 

2. Playing Arrangements 

a)      Each game will be of 40 overs per side (except U11 which will be 35 overs). Where adverse weather conditions delay the start or interrupt play then the umpires shall try to rearrange the game so that both sides have innings of equal length.

b)      Each bowler will bowl no more than one fifth of the overs available in an innings.

c)      E.C.B fast bowling and fielding directives must be followed.

d)      Each match to start at 2.00pm unless agreed with both managers and the ground authority

e)      All batters must wear helmets throughout their innings.

f)        Wicketkeepers standing up to the wicket must wear helmets.

g)      The ECB Code of Conduct and Spirit of Cricket initiatives will be observed.

h)      All teams are allowed to use 12 players, only 11 to bat/field

i)        Umpires should implement strict interpretation of wides.  

3.  Home District Responsibilities 

a)      To provide 2 qualified umpires for each match in liaison with ECCB

b)      To provide teas for both teams and all officials.

c)      To provide a new ball for each innings of the match (Under 11 and under 13 4 ¾ oz size).

d)      To arrange pitches of 20 and 21 yds for U11 & U13 games respectively if possible.

e)      To notify the competition organiser of the result of the match within 48 hours of the conclusion. 

4. Reporting back                 

Districts are requested to report back notable performances to ECCB Academy Director and county age group managers (list provided) to enable better communication and progression into County age group sides.
 

Under 15’s Cricket.  

• All players will be aged under 15, on the 1^st September, prior to the season of the competition. Girls can play up to two years above the age for the league – a 17 year old girl can play in an under 11 match if her date of birth is in the appropriate period
• All players will be ‘bona fide’ members of the Club they represent or fed through the focus club system and registered accordingly. In other words they should be registered as players with the club and the club should be able to produce evidence of registration on demand. They can represent only one club in these tournaments in the West Essex league or cup
• The pitch will be 22 yards long.
• The ball shall weigh 5.5oz & will be provided by the visiting team.
• No bowler shall bowl for more than five overs
• Each team shall bowl a maximum of 24 overs, unless clubs mutually agree otherwise
• No fielder, except the wicket keeper, shall be allowed to field nearer than 8 yards, from the middle stump. With the exception of those behind the stumps on the off side. i.e. slips.
• The winning side shall be the side with the greatest amount of runs.
• In the event of a tie, the winning team will be the one which took most wickets.
• In the event of the two previous points being equal, a tie will be the result.
• Each side shall provide a scorer & umpire.
• Umpires are not allowed to advise their players, except on the rules of the game.
• No penalty runs are awarded in cricket at this level apart from Law 41.3 which allows 5 penalty runs if a ball hits a helmet on the ground belonging to the fielding side
• Teams may select and play 12 players provided a) only 11 players are on the field at a time and b) the extra player is only permitted to field, except as wicket keeper
• In the event of a match being abandoned or cancelled because of poor weather, loss of pitch, etc., match rearrangement procedures will apply as defined earlier
• Results to be e-mailed to the league youth coordinator on the provided form within 4 days of the match date, wedcby@yahoo.co.uk is the districts email address (both clubs must submit results to allow for fully detailed league tables and statistics)
• Points are awarded as follows;

All other laws of cricket shall apply. 

CUP

• As above
• When a batter reaches or passes the personal total of 50 runs they must 'retire' and will not be allowed to return. A batter can continue their innings beyond 50 if their 'retirement' would end the innings before the agreed number of overs have been bowled.
• All District cup matches must be completed by 20^th May So that District winners can be identified and move on to the county, regional and national rounds – the latter usually being held in August.
• In the event of a tied result, a bowl off shall take place to ascertain who will progress in the competition:
  • A coin toss will be made, and the winner of the coin toss will decide who bowls first, the loser of the coin toss will decide which end the two teams will bowl from. Each team has to bowl 10 balls in an orthodox bowling action at the stumps. There will be no batsmen to defend the wicket. All balls will be bowled from the chosen end aiming to hit the wicket at the opposite end of the ground. At least 6 members of the team must bowl one ball minimum. The team that hits the wicket the most times wins. If wickets are tied after 10 balls, sudden death will commence.

Under 13’s Cricket 

• All players will be aged under 13, on the 1^st September, prior to the season of the competition. Girls can play up to two years above the age for the league – a 15 year old girl can play in an under 13 league
• All players will be ‘bona fide’ members of the Club they represent or fed through the focus club system and registered accordingly. In other words they should be registered as players with the club and the club should be able to produce evidence of registration on demand. They can represent only one club in these tournaments in the West Essex league or cup
• The pitch may be either 21 or 22 yards in length.
• The ball shall weigh 4.75 oz & should be provided by the visiting team.
• No bowler shall bowl more than four overs.
• Each team shall bowl a maximum of 24 overs
• For wides and no balls 2 runs are scored and there is no extra ball except in the final over where normal cricket rules apply
• No fielder, except the wicket keeper, shall be allowed to field nearer than 11 yards, from the middle stump. With the exception of those behind the stumps on the off side. I.e. slips.
• The winning side shall be the side with the greatest amount of runs.
• In the event of a tie, the winning team will be the one which took most wickets.
• In the event of the two previous points being equal, a tie will be the result.
• Each side shall provide a scorer & umpire.
• Umpires are allowed to advise the side they represent in the following manner ONLY. 1). Whilst standing at square leg, they may advise the team Captain only, who should field at Square leg. 2). Whilst standing at the non-strikers’ end they may advise their batters. The emphasis is on advice & must not affect the neutrality of the umpire.
• No penalty runs are awarded in cricket at this level apart from Law 41.3 which allows 5 penalty runs id a ball hits a helmet on the ground belonging to the fielding side
• Teams may select and play 12 players provided a) only 11 players are on the field at a time and b) the extra player is only permitted to field, except as wicket keeper
• In the event of a match being abandoned or cancelled because of poor weather, loss of pitch, etc., match rearrangement procedures will apply as defined earlier
• Results to be e-mailed to the league youth coordinator on the provided form within 4 days of the match date, wedcby@yahoo.co.uk is the districts email address (both clubs must submit results to allow for fully detailed league tables and statistics)
• Points are awarded as follows;

 All other laws of cricket shall apply.
 

CUP

• As above, with the exception that the batter must retire once their score reaches 25. They may, however, return if all other batters are out or retired.
• Returning batters will resume their innings, in the order they originally batted.
• All District cup matches must be completed by 20^th May So that District winners can be identified and move on to the county, regional and national rounds – the latter usually being held in August.
• In the event of a tied result, a bowl off shall take place to ascertain who will progress in the competition:
  • A coin toss will be made, and the winner of the coin toss will decide who bowls first, the loser of the coin toss will decide which end the two teams will bowl from. Each team has to bowl 10 balls in an orthodox bowling action at the stumps. There will be no batsmen to defend the wicket. All balls will be bowled from the chosen end aiming to hit the wicket at the opposite end of the ground. At least 6 members of the team must bowl one ball minimum. The team that hits the wicket the most times wins. If wickets are tied after 10 balls, sudden death will commence.

Under 11’s Cricket  

• All players will be aged under 11, on the 1^st September, prior to the season of the competition. Girls can play up to two years above the age for the league – a 13 year old girl can play in an under 11 league if her date of birth is in the appropriate period
• All players will be ‘bona fide’ members of the Club they represent or fed through the focus club system and registered accordingly. In other words they should be registered as players with the club and the club should be able to produce evidence of registration on demand. They can represent only one club in these tournaments in the West Essex league or cup
• The pitch should preferably be 20 yards in length.
• The ball shall weigh 4.75 oz & should be provided by the visiting team.
• No bowler shall bowl more than four overs.
• Each team shall bowl a maximum of 24 overs
• The batter must retire once their score reaches 20. They may, however, return if all other batters are out or retired.
• Returning batters will resume their innings, in the order they originally batted.
• For wides and no balls 2 runs are scored and there is no extra ball except in the final over where normal cricket rules apply
• No fielder, except the wicket keeper, shall be allowed to field nearer than 11 yards, from the middle stump. With the exception of those behind the stumps on the off side. I.e. slips.
• The winning side shall be the side with the greatest amount of runs.
• In the event of a tie, the winning team will be the one which took most wickets.
• In the event of the two previous points being equal, a tie will be the result.
• Each side shall provide a scorer & umpire.
• Umpires are allowed to advise the side they represent in the following manner ONLY. 1). Whilst standing at square leg, they may advise the team Captain only, who should field at Square leg. 2). Whilst standing at the non-strikers’ end they may advise their batters. The emphasis is on advice & must not affect the neutrality of the umpire.
• No penalty runs are awarded in cricket at this level apart from Law 41.3 which allows 5 penalty runs id a ball hits a helmet on the ground belonging to the fielding side
• Teams may select and play 12 players provided a) only 11 players are on the field at a time and b) the extra player is only permitted to field, except as wicket keeper
• In the event of a match being abandoned or cancelled because of poor weather, loss of pitch, etc., match rearrangement procedures will apply as defined earlier
• Results to be e-mailed to the league youth coordinator on the provided form within 4 days of the match date, wedcby@yahoo.co.uk is the districts email address (both clubs must submit results to allow for fully detailed league tables and statistics)
• Points are awarded as follows;

All other laws of cricket shall apply.

Under 11’s Terrier Cricket

Rules- As for the under 11’s full league rules except 

1.      Eight players per side

2.      The wicket to be 20yds where possible- can be played on artificial surface if both sides agree

3.      The ball shall weigh 4.75 ounces and should be provided by the visiting team

4.      Each team shall bowl a maximum of 20 overs

5.      Each player to bowl a minimum of 2 overs and a maximum of 4 overs, with the exception of the wicket keeper

6.      Players bat in pairs for a total of 5 overs. The team loses 8 runs for each wicket that is lost (there is no limit to the number of wickets that can be lost). At the fall of each wicket the batter out goes to the non-strikers end but bats on. Should the wicket fall on the last ball of the over the batter just out will not face the first ball of the next over

7.      Each innings starts with 200 runs and the score is increased by the number of runs scored and decreased by 8 runs for each wicket lost

8.      For wides and no balls 2 runs are scored and there is no extra ball except in the final over, where normal cricket rules apply

9.      Points are awarded as follows

10.  Girls can play two years older than the age group i.e. a 13 year old girl could play in an under 11 match if her birth date falls in the appropriate period

Under 10’s Terrier Cricket

Rules- As for the under 11’s terrier rules except 

1.      Eight players per side

2.      The wicket to be 20yds where possible- can be played on artificial surface if both sides agree

3.      The ball shall weigh 4.75 ounces and should be provided by the visiting team

4.      Each team shall bowl a maximum of 16 overs

5.      Each player to bowl a minimum of 2 overs and a maximum of 3 overs, with the exception of the wicket keeper

6.      Players bat in pairs for a total of 4 overs. The team loses 8 runs for each wicket that is lost (there is no limit to the number of wickets that can be lost). At the fall of each wicket the batter out goes to the non-strikers end but bats on. Should the wicket fall on the last ball of the over the batter just out will not face the first ball of the next over

7.      Each innings starts with 200 runs and the score is increased by the number of runs scored and decreased by 8 runs for each wicket lost

8.      For wides and no balls 2 runs are scored and there is no extra ball except in the final over, where normal cricket rules apply

9.      Points are awarded as follows

WEDCB Excellence Squads 2008 

The following youngsters have been chosen to take part in the West Essex Excellence programme for 2008. At the end of the ten week programme a squad to play in the inter-district competition during May half-term and the first two weeks of the summer holiday.  Other players will be drawn in to the squads but at the time of going to press the following boys have been selected 

Under 11 (Manager, Tom Gould) 

Under 13 (Manager, Steve Ellis, Epping Foresters) 

Under 15 (Manager, Nick Down, Dunmow) 

DISTRICT Fixtures 2008 

 District cricket is part of the player pathway that starts with schools and clubs and moves on to County, Academy and first class cricket.  Essex County Cricket Board and the Essex County Cricket Club provide opportunities for young people to develop their cricket.  There are five district cricket boards – North, West, Central, South and Metropolitan.  The West Board covers the district council areas of Epping, Uttlesford and Harlow.

Schools and clubs in the WEDCB area are invited to nominate players of the appropriate standard in the Autumn. Each board runs trials to identify players of County and District standard.  They run sides at u11, u13 and u15.  Girl’s teams are organised wherever possible.  District cricket provides a higher level of cricket and are asked to report back to the ECCB Performance Manager particularly if they have players who it is felt could, progress to County standard.  ECCB County age-group managers are encouraged to maintain contact with District Board managers 

2008 League Schedule

The league season has been planned to fit as far as possible on our main playing day, Sunday mornings. Due to the increase in fixtures this season with the addition of the under 10’s, and the increase in under 13’s participants; it has not been possible to schedule them all in to Sundays, but we tried to adopt the following priorities:

1. The bank holiday Sunday 25th May has been kept clear for the district age group squads to come together for training with the district managers.

2. Where possible we have avoided having under 15 matches on the same dates as county matchplay dates

3. Where alternative days were necessary, this is mostly with the terrier matches, as they are the shortest in duration. (Unless instructed otherwise).

4. Where there are scheduled midweek matches, we have scheduled them as close to mid summer as possible to maximise light availability.

5. We tried to avoid having terrier and under 11's matches on the same day

6. There were some Sundays when clubs didn’t have their home pitch available; these have been taken into account as well. 

2008 Cup Priorities 

The cup matches due to requirements of qualification for the county cup take precedence over league matches, so in cases of bad weather cup rearrangements may cause subsequent rearrangements of league matches. Cup matches need to be completed before the end of May to be ready for the county cup first match at the beginning of June. Those teams that do qualify for the county cup, (and hopefully go on to win, come on the west), are allowed to rearrange their games to suit their cup run, as again the county cup matches take precedence. The teams that get through to our own cup final, will arrange a suitable date for it to fit in with their ongoing commitments, half term perhaps?

UNDER 10s League

UNDER 11s League

UNDER 11s Terrier

UNDER 13s

UNDER 15s