Constitution changes adopted
Motion 1: To change the minimum quorum for committee meetings to at least 5
New Rule
3.4 No business shall be conducted by the Committee unless at least five members are present of which at least two must be officers. Where necessary the Chairman of the meeting shall exercise a casting vote.
Motion 2: To increase the appeal fee to £75
New Rule
12.7 In line with the ECB General Conduct Regulations, Clause 40; a club or player has the right to appeal, which shall be submitted in writing to the General Secretary within seven days of the decision of the Disciplinary Committee, together with an administration fee of £75. The administration fee may be returned at the discretion of the Appeal Panel.
Motion 3: Introduction of points deduction for very low Fair Play marks
New Rule
12.8 Points Penalties
In addition to any bans or suspended bans applied by the Adjudicator, Disciplinary and/or Appeal Chair, the following points deductions for the team shall apply:
Level 1 offence = Penalty of 4 league points deduction
Level 2 offence = Penalty of 6 league points deduction
Level 3 & 4 offences = To be decided upon by the disciplinary panel, but most likely no lower than 8 or 10 points deduction respectively.
Teams scoring 13 or less on their Fair Play marks, where a disciplinary incident report has not been submitted or submitted but not upheld, shall have 2 points deducted.
League points deductions may, at the League's sole discretion, be applied immediately or at the start of the following League season.
Motion 4: Removal reference of displaying trophies in cabinet in Ageas Bowl
New Rule
9.3 The League shall provide and award 15 individual medals to the winning Club of each Division. Those Clubs may purchase additional individual medals with the consent of the Committee. The League shall also present a trophy to those Clubs. The Clubs shall hold the trophies until 1st September of the following year and return them in good order to the General Secretary. Arrangements for engraving trophies shall be the responsibility of the League.
Motion 5: Introduction of a fine for failing to return trophies by due date specified
New Rule
9.4 Failure to return the trophies in good condition to the General Secretary by the above date, shall result in a £100 fine.
Administrative Rule Proposals
Motion 6: To make rule more consistent with AR 2.3 regarding promotions between divisions 1 and 2
New Rule
2.2 Between Divisions 1 & 2:
The bottom two teams from Division 1 shall be relegated to Division 2 and be replaced by the top two teams of that division subject to those teams holding a current overall accreditation grading consistent with Intermediate level.
Motion 7: Amendment to Scorer Provision to remove any ambiguity on when a penalty can be applied
New Rule
5.1 Each team shall supply a competent scorer. The scorer shall not in normal circumstances (see 5.2 below) be a player in the match. Failure to comply with this provision shall result in a penalty at the discretion of the Management Committee.
Motion 8: Establishing and clarifying penalty for breach of visa requirements
New Rule
4.4.2 Clubs may register only one overseas player during the season.
Such a player shall have previously attained a Certified Coaching Certificate from his country of origin or a UKCC2 coaching qualification (unless his VISA forbids the player from taking part in any form of coaching either paid or unpaid) and have evidence of a current and relevant Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check or equivalent. Should the coaching certificate from his country not be accepted by the ECB as equivalent to the UKCC2, he may coach only with supervision of a suitably qualified coach.
Should a player breach any of the terms of their visa, their registration will be deemed to be invalid from the date of the breach.
The current question regarding a DBS or equivalent check is for the Club to prove. It is usual for the Registration Secretary to receive a document that describes DBS clearance or its equivalent, as being authorised within the preceding three months.
Proof of the player's coaching qualification certificate and DBS check or equivalent, along with a scanned copy of the player's visa or passport and a signed "ECB non-ordinarily resident player registration form", must be lodged with the Registration Secretary. All necessary documentation must be provided prior to the player's electronic registration application being made via the Play-Cricket website.
Overseas players are expected to play a full and an active part in club junior activities.
4.1.4 All Registration and Transfer Responsibilities
It is the total responsibility of the Club to ensure that any player they register is correctly registered and is free to sign having not played for any other club in a League or Cup competition during the current season in the Southern Premier Leagues, Hampshire Cricket League, any other ECB accredited Premier League (including, from 2022 onwards, the Dorset Cricket League Premier Division) or a National Cup competition (excluding the National Village Championship), see Rule 4.1, General Conditions, above. Should it be found the player has been signed in contravention of Rule 4.1 or plays in a match contravening Rule 4.1 or 4.4.2, the offending team shall lose any points gained in matches in which the said player played, and not less than 10 points per game played.
Motion 9: Removal of Retired Out as a Method of Dismissal
New Rules
2.4 Unless bowled out earlier, the team batting first shall bat for the full number of overs allotted prior to the commencement of the match; declarations are not permitted nor shall the method of dismissal Retired Out. Should the side batting first be dismissed before the overs to which it is entitled have been bowled, the team batting second shall be entitled to bat for the original innings length or as reduced due to inclement weather or other cause.
2.7.9 Declarations are not permitted nor shall the method of dismissal Retired Out.
Playing Conditions Proposals - Division Specific Motions - ECB Premier Division Only
Motion 10: Timed Matches, Changes to Play Conditions
Change lunch to cold food break to be taken between 13:15-13:45
Change tea to 2nd refreshment break
Removal of time allowance for fall of wicket(s)
New Rule
3.2 - First Interval - 1.15pm - 1.45pm
Note: Law 11.5 (Luncheon Interval) will apply, except that, where an innings concludes or there is a break in play within 10 minutes of the scheduled first interval, the interval will commence at that time and play will recommence 30 minutes after leaving the field.
3.3 Second Interval – 20 minute break of flexible timings but no earlier than 50 minutes after start of second innings.
Note: Laws 11.4, 11.6 and 11.7 and 11.9 (Intervals) shall apply.
3.6 In a 'Time Game' only following an interruption, the game shall be abandoned, with the agreement of both Captains, if the team batting second will not have the opportunity of batting for at least 25 overs, unless they have previously scored more runs than the team batting first or have been bowled out. However, should either Captain wish to play the remaining overs, the match shall continue until the number of overs remaining have been bowled, or 7.00pm, whichever is the later, unless a result is obtained before. The decision to continue shall only be reconsidered should weather or light intervene.
Umpires shall be the sole judge of weather, light and ground conditions.
The game shall be considered abandoned only if the overs remaining could not be completed due to weather, light or ground conditions.
4.4 For the purposes of the Directives, the First Interval of 30 minutes shall be considered to be 40 minutes
13.4.1 The Umpires shall consider any time allowance to the fielding side for lost ball, injuries, obvious time wasting by the batting side or other reasonable cause and shall confirm this to the fielding Captain and the batsman at the wicket at the time of delay. 5 minutes shall be allowed for each drinks interval. Time allowance will not be subject to retrospective negotiation. The Umpires shall notify both scorers of any points to be deducted and the Umpires decision shall be final. The points shall be deducted from the total points awarded. The maximum prior to deduction shall be 25 (see section 12.3).
Refreshments
11.1 The Home side shall provide food and drink without cost to the visiting side.
Start times
New Rule
2.1 All ECB Premier Division matches shall be played on the day designated by the Management Committee. Matches shall commence at 11.00am.
Motion 1: To change the minimum quorum for committee meetings to at least 5
New Rule
3.4 No business shall be conducted by the Committee unless at least five members are present of which at least two must be officers. Where necessary the Chairman of the meeting shall exercise a casting vote.
Motion 2: To increase the appeal fee to £75
New Rule
12.7 In line with the ECB General Conduct Regulations, Clause 40; a club or player has the right to appeal, which shall be submitted in writing to the General Secretary within seven days of the decision of the Disciplinary Committee, together with an administration fee of £75. The administration fee may be returned at the discretion of the Appeal Panel.
Motion 3: Introduction of points deduction for very low Fair Play marks
New Rule
12.8 Points Penalties
In addition to any bans or suspended bans applied by the Adjudicator, Disciplinary and/or Appeal Chair, the following points deductions for the team shall apply:
Level 1 offence = Penalty of 4 league points deduction
Level 2 offence = Penalty of 6 league points deduction
Level 3 & 4 offences = To be decided upon by the disciplinary panel, but most likely no lower than 8 or 10 points deduction respectively.
Teams scoring 13 or less on their Fair Play marks, where a disciplinary incident report has not been submitted or submitted but not upheld, shall have 2 points deducted.
League points deductions may, at the League's sole discretion, be applied immediately or at the start of the following League season.
Motion 4: Removal reference of displaying trophies in cabinet in Ageas Bowl
New Rule
9.3 The League shall provide and award 15 individual medals to the winning Club of each Division. Those Clubs may purchase additional individual medals with the consent of the Committee. The League shall also present a trophy to those Clubs. The Clubs shall hold the trophies until 1st September of the following year and return them in good order to the General Secretary. Arrangements for engraving trophies shall be the responsibility of the League.
Motion 5: Introduction of a fine for failing to return trophies by due date specified
New Rule
9.4 Failure to return the trophies in good condition to the General Secretary by the above date, shall result in a £100 fine.
Administrative Rule Proposals
Motion 6: To make rule more consistent with AR 2.3 regarding promotions between divisions 1 and 2
New Rule
2.2 Between Divisions 1 & 2:
The bottom two teams from Division 1 shall be relegated to Division 2 and be replaced by the top two teams of that division subject to those teams holding a current overall accreditation grading consistent with Intermediate level.
Motion 7: Amendment to Scorer Provision to remove any ambiguity on when a penalty can be applied
New Rule
5.1 Each team shall supply a competent scorer. The scorer shall not in normal circumstances (see 5.2 below) be a player in the match. Failure to comply with this provision shall result in a penalty at the discretion of the Management Committee.
Motion 8: Establishing and clarifying penalty for breach of visa requirements
New Rule
4.4.2 Clubs may register only one overseas player during the season.
Such a player shall have previously attained a Certified Coaching Certificate from his country of origin or a UKCC2 coaching qualification (unless his VISA forbids the player from taking part in any form of coaching either paid or unpaid) and have evidence of a current and relevant Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check or equivalent. Should the coaching certificate from his country not be accepted by the ECB as equivalent to the UKCC2, he may coach only with supervision of a suitably qualified coach.
Should a player breach any of the terms of their visa, their registration will be deemed to be invalid from the date of the breach.
The current question regarding a DBS or equivalent check is for the Club to prove. It is usual for the Registration Secretary to receive a document that describes DBS clearance or its equivalent, as being authorised within the preceding three months.
Proof of the player's coaching qualification certificate and DBS check or equivalent, along with a scanned copy of the player's visa or passport and a signed "ECB non-ordinarily resident player registration form", must be lodged with the Registration Secretary. All necessary documentation must be provided prior to the player's electronic registration application being made via the Play-Cricket website.
Overseas players are expected to play a full and an active part in club junior activities.
4.1.4 All Registration and Transfer Responsibilities
It is the total responsibility of the Club to ensure that any player they register is correctly registered and is free to sign having not played for any other club in a League or Cup competition during the current season in the Southern Premier Leagues, Hampshire Cricket League, any other ECB accredited Premier League (including, from 2022 onwards, the Dorset Cricket League Premier Division) or a National Cup competition (excluding the National Village Championship), see Rule 4.1, General Conditions, above. Should it be found the player has been signed in contravention of Rule 4.1 or plays in a match contravening Rule 4.1 or 4.4.2, the offending team shall lose any points gained in matches in which the said player played, and not less than 10 points per game played.
Motion 9: Removal of Retired Out as a Method of Dismissal
New Rules
2.4 Unless bowled out earlier, the team batting first shall bat for the full number of overs allotted prior to the commencement of the match; declarations are not permitted nor shall the method of dismissal Retired Out. Should the side batting first be dismissed before the overs to which it is entitled have been bowled, the team batting second shall be entitled to bat for the original innings length or as reduced due to inclement weather or other cause.
2.7.9 Declarations are not permitted nor shall the method of dismissal Retired Out.
Playing Conditions Proposals - Division Specific Motions - ECB Premier Division Only
Motion 10: Timed Matches, Changes to Play Conditions
Change lunch to cold food break to be taken between 13:15-13:45
Change tea to 2nd refreshment break
Removal of time allowance for fall of wicket(s)
New Rule
3.2 - First Interval - 1.15pm - 1.45pm
Note: Law 11.5 (Luncheon Interval) will apply, except that, where an innings concludes or there is a break in play within 10 minutes of the scheduled first interval, the interval will commence at that time and play will recommence 30 minutes after leaving the field.
3.3 Second Interval – 20 minute break of flexible timings but no earlier than 50 minutes after start of second innings.
Note: Laws 11.4, 11.6 and 11.7 and 11.9 (Intervals) shall apply.
3.6 In a 'Time Game' only following an interruption, the game shall be abandoned, with the agreement of both Captains, if the team batting second will not have the opportunity of batting for at least 25 overs, unless they have previously scored more runs than the team batting first or have been bowled out. However, should either Captain wish to play the remaining overs, the match shall continue until the number of overs remaining have been bowled, or 7.00pm, whichever is the later, unless a result is obtained before. The decision to continue shall only be reconsidered should weather or light intervene.
Umpires shall be the sole judge of weather, light and ground conditions.
The game shall be considered abandoned only if the overs remaining could not be completed due to weather, light or ground conditions.
4.4 For the purposes of the Directives, the First Interval of 30 minutes shall be considered to be 40 minutes
13.4.1 The Umpires shall consider any time allowance to the fielding side for lost ball, injuries, obvious time wasting by the batting side or other reasonable cause and shall confirm this to the fielding Captain and the batsman at the wicket at the time of delay. 5 minutes shall be allowed for each drinks interval. Time allowance will not be subject to retrospective negotiation. The Umpires shall notify both scorers of any points to be deducted and the Umpires decision shall be final. The points shall be deducted from the total points awarded. The maximum prior to deduction shall be 25 (see section 12.3).
Refreshments
11.1 The Home side shall provide food and drink without cost to the visiting side.
Start times
New Rule
2.1 All ECB Premier Division matches shall be played on the day designated by the Management Committee. Matches shall commence at 11.00am.
