Regulation Title Page
CONSTITUTION
3 MEMBERSHIP 2
4 GOVERNANCE OF THE DCL 2
5 MANAGEMENT AND OFFICERS 2
8 AGM AND VOTING RIGHTS 2
ADMINISTRATION
1 OBLIGATION TO DCL AND DCB 3
2 DATA PROTECTION STATEMENT 3
5 TROPHIES AND AWARDS 3
7 TEA FEES 3
7 NEW UMPIRES FEES 4
8 RIGHTS OF APPEAL OTHER THAN DISCIPLINE 4
10 LMC – ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 4
APPENDIX 5
REGULATIONS
2 THE CHAMPION TEAM 6
3 FIXTURES 6
4 INABILITY TO FULFIL A FIXTURE 6
5 LEAGUE GROUNDS 6
8 NEW TEAS 7-8
9 PLAYERS – ELIGIBILITY & REGISTRATION (WAS 8) 8-9
10 REGISTRATION OF PLAYERS (WAS 9) 9-10
11 EMERGENCY PLAYER REGISTRATION (WAS 10) 10
12 LOAN PLAYER SCHEME (WAS 11) 10
13 PLAYING AN UNREGISTERED OR INELIGIBLE PLAYER (WAS 12) 10
14 PLAYERS – TRANSFERS (WAS 13) 10
15 MATCH RESULTS (WAS 14) 10
16 MATCH REPORTS (WAS 15) 10
RULES
PREMIER AND A DIVISIONS 11
B DIVISION 11
C, D AND E DIVISIONS 12
F, G AND H DIVISIONS 12-13
CONSTITUTION
LMC PROPOSALS
- MEMBERSHIP
New 3. iv.
ECB regulations governing Premier Leagues, supported by the DCL, now stipulate that to be a member of the DCL Premier Division it is mandatory for a club to maintain and support at least three hard ball junior teams. This proviso will also apply to any lower division of the DCL should the ECB so dictate. Failure to maintain the minimum number of junior teams, as amended from time to time by the ECB, will result in the relegation of that club(s) to the next lower division to where the stipulation does not apply.
Existing 3.iv becomes 3.v.
Existing 3. v becomes 3.vi.
Amend Article 4 1st para to read etc etc:
- GOVERNANCE OF THE DEVON CRICKET LEAGUE
The governance of the DCL, as agreed from time to time, is laid out in detail within this Constitution, Administration, the Playing Regulations and Playing Rules. Change to the structure of the DCL and its administration is a constitutional matter for voting purposes, whilst change to the various playing regulations and rules is a matter for the relevant clubs that play under those particular playing regulations and rules.
- MANAGEMENT AND OFFICERS
Re-word at 5.ii following n
All committee members (excluding the Chairperson who is elected for a 4-year term and the Secretary) will serve for 12 months from their election date before seeking re-election at the next AGM.
8. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND VOTING RIGHTS
Re-word at 8.i
For Constitutional matters, including administrative matters, each member club represented has one vote. In order to make any change, a two-thirds majority of votes cast will be required.
Re-word at 8.ii
For playing regulations and playing rules each member club represented has one vote. In order to make any change a simple majority of votes cast is required.
ADMINISTRATION
LMC PROPOSALS
1. OBLIGATIONS TO DCL AND DCB
Re-word:
1.ii. At 2nd sentence:
Furthermore, clubs will support and uphold the ECB ‘Code of Conduct’, the ‘Spirit of Cricket’- as laid down in the MCC Laws of Cricket- and follow ECB ‘Directives and Guidelines’ including the ‘Safe Hands Policy, ‘Anti-Discrimination Code’ and, in particular, the ‘Live Streaming Guidance’.
Live Streaming
Any club involved in ‘Live Streaming’ as defined by the ECB Guidance must advise the LMC before the season commences. The DCL, empowered by the ECB, can carry out spot checks that clubs are complying with the protocol and call for the appropriate evidence e.g. a record of replies and signed consent forms received but not restricted to these items.
All clubs agree to abide by the ECB/DCL Disciplinary Regulations and Procedures.
Re-word:
1.v. All clubs must maintain and update the details of their officials on their play-cricket.com ‘About Us’ page. Failure to do so will incur a fine (see Appendix 1 entitled ‘Breaches of League Administration – Penalties
Re-word:
1.vi. New last sentence
Failure to notify within the time-frame will incur a fine (see Appendix 1 entitled ‘Breaches of League Administration – Penalties’.)
Re-word:
1.viii. by changing in the last sentence (see Appendix 1 entitled ‘Breaches of League Administration – Penalties’)
Re-word:
1.x. Failure to comply with DCL directives or deadlines will incur a fine (see Appendix 1 entitled ‘Breaches of League Administration – Penalties’).
- DATA PROTECTION STATEMENT
Re-word as follows:
The DCL gathers contact details of member clubs’ officials through the annual ‘affirmation process’, which is undertaken on its behalf by the DCB. The contact details taken from this are needed in order for the DCL to communicate with the officials of its member clubs.
5. TROPHIES AND AWARDS
Amend 2nd para by deleting in the brackets ‘under Playing Regulations’
- TEA FEES – DELETE ALL
NEW 7. UMPIRING FEES
Prior to the 1st March the LMC and DACO will meet to agree the new expense structure for the Premier, ‘A’ and ‘B’ Divisions together with any other matters of importance to both organisations.
8 RIGHTS OF APPEAL OTHER THAN DISCIPLINE
Re-word at the 2nd sentence:
In the event of an offending member club and/or one of its players, disagreeing with a decision reached against it there is a Right of Appeal. etc.
8.i. Re-word to read at 2nd sentence:
The appeal request must fully state the grounds upon which it is based and must be accompanied by a deposit fee (see Appendix 2).
Then,
At ALTERNATIVELY
Re-word at 8. i. to amend 2nd sentence to read:
This request must be delivered to the DCL Secretary in writing, setting out the reasons for such a Hearing and accompanied by a deposit fee (see Appendix) etc.
Re-word at 8.ii:
The Appeal Panel (AP) will comprise of three LMC members (to include any co-opted member for that purpose) none of whom were involved in the initial decision-making process. Where this is not possible, the LMC is empowered to appoint an independent panel of three people with suitable skills and backgrounds to fulfil the purpose of adjudication. The DCL Secretary will also attend to take the Minutes.
- LEAGUE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE – ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Chairman – change to Chairperson (follows into line with Constitutional make-up of the LMC).
Change appointed by the DCLMB to appointed by the LMC etc.
Vice–Chairman – change to Vice Chair for above reason.
SPLIT APPENDIX – FINES AND PENALTIES at Playing Regulations INTO 2 PARTS.
PART 1 to be called: APPENDIX 1- BREACHES OF ADMINISTRATION – PENALTIES
New Breach:
| Article | Description | Level of Fine/Deposit |
| 1 Obligations to DCL (paragraph v.) | Clubs must maintain an up to-date ‘About Us’ page on their play-cricket.com site
|
A breach of this article will result in a fine of £50
|
After splitting the ‘old’ Appendix of Fines, before the additional breach above, the 2nd part of it relating to Breaches of Playing Regulations and Rules are no longer necessary as the penalties are written into the actual sub clauses.
PART 2 to be called: SUBSCRIPTIONS 2022 SEASON
Subject to information from ECB confirming the level of Premier League funding for 2022 the club subscriptions for the 2022 season shall increase to the following rates:
| Premier Division First XI | £180 |
| Divisions ‘A’, ‘B’ & ‘C’ First XI | £130 |
| Division ‘D’ First XI and any other subsequent divisions | £105 |
| Where a club runs any additional team in the DCL, an additional subscription shall be payable for each such team | £80 |
| Fine for non-payment of a subscription on or before 15th May | £10/month |
Amounts to be confirmed at the AGM
PLAYING REGULATIONS
LMC PROPOSAL:
Reg 2. THE CHAMPION TEAM
1st para. to read:
The team gaining the greatest number of points at the end of the season shall be the champion team in each division. However, in exceptional circumstances e.g. Covid restrictions but not limited to this, the LMC reserve the right to switch all matches that season, including played matches, on to an average points per game basis, in order to determine the champion club of each division.
LMC PROPOSAL:
Reg 3. FIXTURES
NEW 3. IV. COVID CANCELLED MATCHES
Where 3 or more players from the same team are suffering from Covid or otherwise isolating on government instructions, or any other form of disease as designated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a pandemic, that prevents them from playing, the LMC will agree to the match being cancelled subject to Playing Regulation 4. iv.
A club should provide a more detailed explanation for the cancellation i.e. it is not sufficient just to say they have 3 players isolating etc. Whilst authority to cancel will not be un-reasonably withheld the LMC reserve the right to investigate further before sanctioning a cancellation to include, but not limited to, requesting appropriate evidence.
LMC PROPOSALS:
Reg 4 INABILITY TO FULFIL A FIXTURE
Amend Reg 4.i. to read
Should any team be unable to fulfil a fixture other than because of Covid or any other form of disease as designated by the WHO as a pandemic and where there is a suitable ground available, it shall forfeit the match and have a 10-point deduction. The opposing team will be awarded 20 points.
Amend 4.ii to read:
If the away team is unable to give a clear 48 hours’ notice of their inability to fulfil the fixture, other than a Covid cancellation or any other form of disease designated by the WHO as a pandemic, and had agreed to take tea, they shall pay to the home side the agreed cost of the tea.
If the away side is unable to give a clear 24 hours’ notice of their inability to fulfil the fixture, other than a Covid cancellation or any other form of disease designated by the WHO as a pandemic, and had agreed to take tea, they shall pay to the home side the agreed cost of the tea.
If the away team cancels their participation on the day of the match other than a Covid cancellation or any other form of disease designated by the WHO as a pandemic and had agreed to take tea, they shall pay to the home side the sum of £66 if not previously agreed, and they shall be responsible for paying both independent umpires, if applicable, as if the fixture had taken place.
LMC PROPOSAL:
Reg 5 LEAGUE GROUNDS
Amend 5.i. to read
In the Premier, ‘A’ and ‘B’ Division matches etc.
LMC PROPOSALS:
NEW 8 TEAS
All subsequent Regs to be re-numbered
Proposal 1A
- TEA
Clubs can decide whether or not to provide either a full tea or light refreshment and advise the cost of it to the opposition. HOWEVER, the decision MUST BE COMMUNICATED to the opposition no later than noon on the Thursday prior to the day the match is due to be played. The opposition is obligated to accept the offer of tea/light refreshment. A team comprises 11 players and the officials.
OR:
Proposal 1B
- TEA
Clubs can decide whether or not to provide either a full tea or light refreshment and advise the cost of it to the opposition. HOWEVER, the decision MUST BE COMMUNICATED to the opposition no later than noon on the Thursday prior to the day the match is due to be played. The opposition is not obligated to accept the offer of tea/light refreshment. Where the home team is providing a full tea or light refreshment for its own players this will include provision for all the officials of the game.
ALTERNATIVELY:
Proposal 2
- TEA
For the 2022 season, and until further notice, the provision of tea for opponents and officials will be OPTIONAL.
8.1 Full Tea
Where a club wishes to provide a full tea, this will be subject to prior notification to the opposition and the officials if DACO appointed, no later than Tuesday of the week in which the match is due to be played. The opposition will be obligated to also take tea.
ii. Light Refreshment (Hot/Cold drink and piece of cake/fruit)
If a club wishes to provide just light refreshment at the tea interval, e.g., a hot/cold drink and possibly a piece of cake/fruit, this is permissible. However, the opposition must be made aware of this restriction no later than the Tuesday of the week in which the match is to be played. The opposition will be obligated to take this light refreshment.
iii. No Tea Provision
A club has no obligation to provide either a full tea or light refreshment to its opposition or officials. However, they must advise their opposition and DACO, if necessary, of this no later than the Tuesday of the week in which the match is due to be played.
8.iv. Tea Cost
It will be for each club to determine the cost of a full tea or light refreshment and advise their opposition no later than the Tuesday of the week in which the match is due to be played.
8v. Officials – Tea
The home club will be expected to provide all officials with a free full tea or light refreshment when these are made available to the opposition.
ALTERNATIVELY:
PROPOSAL 3
8.TEA
For the 2022 season, and until further notice, the provision of tea for opponents and officials will be OPTIONAL.
8.1 Full Tea
Where a club wishes to provide a full tea, this will be subject to prior notification to the opposition and the officials if DACO appointed, no later than Tuesday of the week in which the match is due to be played.
8 ii. Light Refreshment (Hot/Cold drink and piece of cake/fruit)
If a club wishes to provide just light refreshment at the tea interval, e.g., a hot/cold drink and possibly a piece of cake/fruit, this is permissible. However, the opposition must be made aware of this restriction no later than the Tuesday of the week in which the match is to be played.
- iii. Opposition clubs can either accept or reject the offer of a full tea or light refreshment PROVIDED they give the home club notification of their decision no later than Thursday of the week in which the match is to be played.
- iv. No Tea provision
A club has no obligation to provide either a full tea or light refreshment to its opposition or officials. However, they must advise their opposition and DACO either prior to the commencement of the season e.g., no later than the Tuesday before the 1st match of the new season. Alternatively, if this notice period is not possible e.g., catering facilities are unknown; a club can provide this information to their opposition and any DACO appointed officials no later than the Tuesday of the week in which the match is to be played.
8.v. Tea Cost
It will be for each club to determine the cost of a full tea or light refreshment and advise their opposition no later than the Tuesday of the week before the match is due to be played.
- vi. Officials – Tea
The home club will be expected to provide all officials with a free full tea or light refreshment when these are made available to the opposition.
Existing Regs 8 becomes new 9 and existing 9 becomes new 10
LMC PROPOSAL:
New 9 PLAYERS – ELIGIBILITY & REGISTRATION
New 9 i Procedure
a – d. Procedure are unchanged from current wording.
NEW at e.
Each team must include a minimum of nine category 1 players. Additionally, teams may include:
THEN RE-PLACE THE EXISTING VARIOUS CATEGORIES TO:
- One category 2 and one category 3 player.
- Definitions – Category 1 (change of position of this heading only)
Delete:
This category comprises players who are either:
Replace with:
A cricketer is Category 1 qualified if: (i) they are a British citizen and were born in England or Wales; or (ii) they have been resident in England and Wales for a minimum of 210 days since 1 April from the preceding year and 31 March of the current season.
Any player who has played in any overseas cricket league as a ‘home’, ‘local’ or ‘non-overseas’ player in that overseas league in the 12-month period up to and including 31 March of the upcoming/current season will not be permitted to play as a Category 1 player.
A non-UK passport holder, or not ordinarily resident, who on the 1st September in the preceding year, was under 17 years of age.
Also, a Category 3 player (see new 9.iv).
The League and/or the ECB may, for the purposes of establishing compliance with this Rule, ask clubs to produce evidence of their players’ eligibility for the purposes of the enforcement of this Rule, including (but not limited to) through the production of players’ passports, bank statements and utility bills.
iii. Definitions –
Category 2 (change of position only)
Insert in the last para. the word ‘full’ as shown below:
A ‘home-grown’ player is one who was a bona fide member of that club for at least the last two UK seasons prior to his 18th birthday and played at least 12 matches in total in DCL League or Cup games in the preceding two ‘full’ UK seasons and was a member of the club immediately prior to the award of a contract.
1.. Definitions –
Category 3
Delete in 1st line ‘3E’ of existing wording.
It now reads:
This category comprises all players not covered by category 1 or 2 or by the “home-grown” rule.
Only one category 3 player may play in any DCL League or Cup game, except for the E-H Cup Competition when none are permitted.
New 10 REGISTRATION OF PLAYERS
Re-word at:
New 10.i. at 2nd sentence beginning:
‘In the case of players in categories 2 and 3 omit ‘and 3E etc.
At New 10. v.
Add in brackets (MCC Laws of Cricket)
Re-word At New 10. vi. to read:
At the time of registration category 2 players (delete 1c & 3e) must provide a written statement of compliance with the eligibility rules.
Delete New 10.vii completely New 10.viii becomes vii, and ix becomes viii.
Existing new 10.viii is un-changed.
Existing 10 becomes new 11 EMERGENCY PLAYER REGISTRATION
LMC PROPOSAL TO ‘OLD’ 10 / ‘NEW’ 11:
Re-place heading to read: 11 EMERGENCY PLAYER REGISTRATION
At Registration
1st line: amend from casual players into emergency players.
In the last para. Re-word to read: Please note that the emergency player status …
Existing 11 becomes new 12 LOAN PLAYER SCHEME
LMC PROPOSAL TO ‘OLD 11 / ‘NEW’ 12:
Registration Process
New 2nd para after 1st para.
It is important that the borrowing club ensure that they clearly indicate the loan period of the player by ticking the appropriate box on play-cricket.com. The failure to record this will result in that player’s registration to play in the DCL to be cancelled.
Existing 12 becomes new 13 PLAYING AN UNREGISTERED OR INELIGIBLE PLAYER
Existing 13 becomes new 14 PLAYERS – TRANSFERS
IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO AMEND/DELETE OLD 13.i. c as category 3E is being cancelled.
[Await new wording at 8 before attending to this].
Existing 14 becomes new 15 MATCH RESULT
Existing 15 becomes new 16 MATCH REPORTS
PLAYING RULES
LMC PROPOSALS:
Premier & A Divisions -50/50 Overs
Amend 1 General
- Independent umpires will be appointed by DACO.
The expense payment, with each club responsible for paying one umpire, is to be agreed annually between the LMC and DACO.
If payment is to be in cash this should be paid before the match starts. If to be paid by direct transfer this must be made within 48 hours of the end of the match. The club that fails to pay within the time limit will have one point deduction for each day that it is paid late.
New d.
It is recommended that each club should assist scorers who use electronic scoring by inserting onto their play-cricket site on the day of the match and before 10.30 a.m. the list of their players for that match.
All following clauses to be re-numbered: d becomes e, e becomes f, f becomes g and g becomes h
LMC PROPOSALS:
B DIVISION – 45/45 OVERS
At 1. General, amend b. to read:
1. Independent umpires will be appointed by DACO.
The expense payment, with each club responsible for paying one umpire, is to be agreed annually between the LMC and DACO.
If payment is to be in cash this should be paid before the match starts. If to be paid by direct transfer this must be made within 48 hours of the end of the match. The club that fails to pay within the time limit will have one point deduction for each day that it is paid late.
New d.
It is recommended that each club should assist scorers who use electronic scoring by inserting onto their play-cricket site on the day of the match and before 10.30 a.m. the list of their players for that match.
Amend 2 Conduct of Matches (to fall into line with the Prem and A Divisions although in practice this happens – just missing from the wording)
- Wide Ball – Umpires are instructed to apply a very strict and consistent interpretation concerning this Law in order to prevent negative bowling wide of the
- A Wide shall be called if the ball passes on the leg-side of the batsman and leg stump wherever it first
- To assist the Umpires in calling wides on the off-side, creases will now include 17” lines being marked in either blue or red at both ends of the pitch as a guide to the Umpires and players; see diagram
LMC PROPOSALS:
C, D & E DIVISIONS – 45/45 OVERS
Add to 1. General
New
- It is recommended that each club should assist scorers who use electronic scoring by inserting onto their play-cricket site on the day of the match and before 10.30 a.m. the list of their players for that match.
Amend Playing Rule 2 Conduct of Matches
Retain existing 1st paragraph then add …
Wide Ball
- Umpires are advised to apply a strict and consistent interpretation of this law in order to prevent constant negative bowling wide of the wicket.
- Any off-side or leg-side delivery, which in the opinion of the umpire does not give the batsman a reasonable opportunity to score, shall be called a wide.
For guidance purposes, a leg side wide shall be called if a ball pitches outside the line of leg stump and passes to the leg side of the batsman.
- To assist the Umpires in calling wides on the off-side, creases will now include 17’’ lines being marked in blue or red at both ends of the pitch as a guide to the umpires and players; see diagram
After diagram
Retain existing para (switch hit)
LMC PROPOSALS
F DIVISIONS & BELOW – 40/40 OVERS
Add to 1. General
New
- It is recommended that each club should assist scorers who use electronic scoring by inserting onto their play-cricket site on the day of the match and before 10.30 a.m. the list of their players for that match.
Amend Playing Rule 2 Conduct of Matches
Retain existing 1st paragraph then add
Wide Ball
- Umpires are advised to apply a strict and consistent interpretation of this law in order to prevent constant negative bowling wide of the wicket.
- Any off-side or leg-side delivery, which in the opinion of the umpire does not give the batsman a reasonable opportunity to score, shall be called a wide.
For guidance purposes, a leg side wide shall be called if a ball pitches outside the line of leg stump and passes to the leg side of the batsman.
- To assist the Umpires in calling wides on the off-side, creases will now include 17’’ lines being marked in blue or red at both ends of the pitch as a guide to the umpires and players; see diagram
After diagram
Retain existing para (switch hit)