BYE LAWS Amended: July 2018

Bye Laws are approved in consultation with the Council. Implementation of the Bye Laws is responsibility of the Board, Committee and Cricket Services Office in their respective capacities.

1. APPLICATION OF THE :

The Bye-laws, Rules and Laws of Cricket under which all league cricket is to be played shall, in order of precedence be:

1.1 Bye-laws and General Conditions of Play of this Union 1.2 The MCC Laws of Cricket - 2017 Code 7th Edition - as recognized by Cricket South Africa.

The Northerns Cricket Union requests ALL CLUB COMMITTEE MEMBERS, CAPTAINS AND PLAYERS to peruse the bye-laws and code of conduct and to acquaint themselves with the General Conditions of Play under which the various competitions are conducted.

2. ENTRY OF TEAMS:

The Board is authorized to determine the entry of any team to any competition organized by the Board. (Refer to the NCU Club Plan as amended)

3. FIXTURES:

Before the commencement of each season, the Club Coordinator of the Northerns Cricket Union (NCU) shall arrange the Fixtures in the various competitions that shall be approved by the Board of the Northerns Cricket Union.

Dates and venues fixed shall not be altered after the date which are set by the NCU. If any match takes place at any time or venue, other than that published in the list, both participating teams shall forfeit all points to which they would be entitled. Unless prior approved by NCU.

4. POSTPONEMENT OF MATCHES:

No club shall be entitled to claim a postponement of any published fixture. No match shall be played on any date other than set down in the approved list of fixtures unless consent of the Manager of Cricket Operations has been obtained. The club requesting such change shall be responsible for negotiating an alternative date with their opponents. The agreed date must be prior to the scheduled date and written confirmation must be in possession of the Manager of Cricket Operations, 24 hours before the scheduled date.

5. WITHDRAWAL OF SIDES AND NON-FULFILMENT OF FIXTURES:

Any club having teams entered in the NCU leagues may only withdraw a team and thereby not fulfil a fixture on any particular occasion, in a case of non-fulfilment of fixture, the following applies:

5.1 The administrator of the opposing club is given notice of such non-fulfilment at least 24 hours prior to the commencement of the match.

5.2 That the Union is given notice of such withdrawal not later than 24 hours prior to the scheduled commencement of the match.

The club withdrawing a side is not absolved from completing a result card on which it is clearly stated that such team was withdrawn from a match in accordance with the Bye-laws. Clubs withdrawing teams from any competition shall be levied with the following fines (as applicable): 5.3 A fine of R450.00 per fixture, in respect of each team defaulting/non- fulfilment of fixture in spite of the club having complied with 5.1 and 5.2 above.

5.4 A further fine of R1000.00 in the event of non-compliance with 5.1 above. 5.5 A further fine of R1000.00 in the event of non-compliance with 5.2 above. 5.6 Teams withdrawing from a league must return all the balls received for the season or pay an amount of the value of the total of cricket balls determined by the NCU office, of fixtures, which will not be fulfilled for the duration of the official cricket season.

5.7 Full match points will be awarded to the non-defaulting team. (Including bonus points) 5.8 The Executive Committee shall consider the suspension of a club/team that does not abide by the above, in spite of the club having complied with 5.1 and 5.2 above.

6. REGISTRATION OF PLAYERS:

No individual player playing in any of the leagues must be registered with more than one club. No individual shall be allowed to play for any other club without first being registered with that club. No individual shall be allowed to play for more than one club simultaneously during the season. This refers to the NCU Senior and Junior club league and all other affiliate leagues in the country.

Penalties for the above offence will be:

• If a club plays an unregistered player, that team will lose all their league points for the games the player appeared on the team sheets.

• This penalty shall stand even if it has promotion/relegation implications.

(The opposing teams will receive the points for the fixture.)

Overseas players:

The number of overseas or foreign players shall be restricted to a maximum of one per team. A person who does not possess South African citizenship or is not a permanent resident of South Africa shall for the purpose of these conditions be a foreign player.

An overseas or foreign player qualifies as a "local player" after two years as a permanent resident of South Africa on condition that such player indicates his intention to participate as a local player and resides in South Africa on a continuous basis – subjected to home affairs regulations. All applications for overseas or foreign players to play in club fixtures of the Northerns Cricket Union must be lodged with the Board a week prior to the commencement of the season. If a player joins the team on a later stage during the official season an application must be forwarded to the NCU for approval. All foreign players will be regarded as white.

Regular first and second team players (Reserve and President):

Clubs are discouraged to allow regular first team players to play in the lower leagues

7. TRANSFERS:

All transfers shall be completed a week before commencement of the league in each cricket season. No exceptions will be entertained. All players, who transfer must comply to point 8 below. There will be no transfer window during the season.

8. CLEARANCE CERTIFICATES:

No club shall be entitled to admit, as a playing member, any person who has previously played for another club in any competition within the Union, without first obtaining from such other club, an official certificate endorsed by the NCU, stating that the member applying for admission is: -

1) Not financially indebted to the other club for membership and subscription fees for the immediate three previous seasons. Subjected to law of prescription. 2) If there are outstanding disciplinary actions against such a member. 3) Clearance certificates does not apply to players, who haven’t played cricket in a period of three years.

Penalties against clubs for playing players who did not comply with the clearance process:

• The team will lose all points for all the fixtures the not-cleared player, appears on the team sheets. • The opposing team will be handed the points for that fixture, if they did not win the game, except a bonus point.

9. SPECIAL CLEARANCE:

The acquiring club must apply, in writing, for special clearance to the NCU Club Coordinator. A special clearance can be provided in the following instances:

• A player moving from another province for either study or work-related reasons. • Players contracted to the NCU Academy can receive transfers based on change of support. (Accommodation or studies) or not receiving adequate quality of opportunity at his/her current club.

The following only applies to players matriculating in December. An official application must be address to the Cricket Committee, who has the authority to approve or decline the application

• A player can join any club that provides support (accommodation or support) which is beneficial to the growth and development of the player.

No special clearances shall be given to players in private/commercial academies.

NB: At the approval of such special clearance transfers between Clubs, a waiting period of fourteen days applies to the transferring player. The fourteen-day waiting period must include two scheduled league matches within the season to be deemed appropriate.

10. PARTICIPATION IN REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES:

In the event of a player being selected to play in a provincial match, irrespective of the nature thereof, including the 12th man, and he is being unable to participate in such a match for whatever reason, such player shall be debarred from participating in any other cricket match for the scheduled duration of the provincial match for which he was selected without the approval of the Amateur Manager. However, should the said provincial match finish the day before the start of the scheduled club fixture, the provincial players participating in such a provincial match may participate in their club fixture. Any transgression of this Bye-law will be regarded in a serious light and the club defaulting in this respect by allowing such a player to play for such club side, shall forfeit any points to which the side may be entitled.

11. DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE:

11.1 At the commencement of every playing season, the Cricket Committee/Board shall appoint Disciplinary Committee. If two or more persons are appointed to the disciplinary committee, the Cricket Committee/Board shall appoint one of them as chairman of the disciplinary committee. 11.2 The Cricket Committee/Board or disciplinary committee may enforce any sanction/finding of the Disciplinary Committee on any club or person found guilty of improper or disgraceful behaviour or misconduct, or any other conduct in breach of these bye-laws, including any addenda thereto and impose any one or more of the following penalties: Issues a written reprimand;

11.2.1 Suspension of club or person for such period it may deem fit, which suspension may be suspended in whole or in part for such period and upon such conditions as may be deemed fit ;

11.2.2 Fine the club or person in an amount not exceeding R10 000,00 which may be suspended in whole or in part for such period and on such conditions as may be deemed fit; 11.2.3 Severance of all relationships such club or person may have with the NCU; and 11.2.4 Other penalties that may be deemed appropriate.

11.3 The decision of the Cricket Committee/Board or the Disciplinary Committee shall be final and binding provided that the Cricket Committee/Board may, at its discretion, take any matter decided by the Disciplinary Committee under review and consider it afresh.

12. PLAYER CONDUCT:

Players and officials shall abide by the rules as set out in the "Code of Behaviour" being an addendum to these byelaws.

13. DISPUTES BETWEEN CLUBS:

Any dispute between clubs in any competition shall be referred in writing to the Cricket Committee/Board, whose decision shall be final and binding on both clubs. Each protest should reach the Manager of Cricket Operation within 72 hours accompanied by full of the grounds upon which the protest is founded and must be signed by the Club Chairman before submission. The Manager of Cricket Operations or the designated person of the NCU shall forward a copy of the protest and particulars to the club protested against for comments. Should the Manager of Cricket Operations or the designated person decide to have a formal hearing on the matter NCU shall advise the clubs concerned of the date on which the Disciplinary Committee will consider the dispute. Representatives of both clubs concerned shall attend any meeting convened by the Cricket Committee/Board.

14. RESPONSIBILITY OF CLUBS:

Further to any other rules contained herein or in the General Conditions of Play Clubs are required to adhere to the "Code of Ethics" being an addendum to these bye-laws.

15. RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CAPTAINS:

The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the spirit of the game as well as within the Laws. In this regard specific reference is made to the Code of Ethics and to the Code of Behaviour, both of which are addenda hereto. The captains shall, before the toss in each match provide one another, in writing, with the names of the respective eleven players selected to play in the match, and no alteration shall thereafter be made in either side without the consent of the opposing captain. Captains or their representative shall meet with the official umpires at the completion of the game to table any comments relating to the game and shall complete the umpires report form. These meetings shall not exceed 15 minutes. Umpires shall sign both result cards and indicate to the captains any intention to report a matter to the Union's offices.

16. SUBMISSION OF RESULTS OF MATCHES:

All clubs taking part in all competitions must ensure that the results of matches, on the prescribed result card/sheet, reach the Union as soon as possible after completion of the matches concerned, but in any event, not later than the WEDNESDAY following upon the completion of such matches. However Premier and Promotion leagues results need to reach the Union before Monday 09H30 following the completion of the matches concerned, in order to make the newspapers deadlines.

Results may be sent by email to [email protected] prior to posting. Result cards/sheets are obtainable from the office of the Union:

17. RELEGATION:

Promotion / relegation shall be determined by the Executive of the Northerns Cricket Union. The Club Cricket Plan of 2014 shall apply, has been approved by the Board and Executive

18. TROPHIES:

All trophies are permanently vested in the Union.

19. JOINT HOLDERS:

Should more than one team in any competition complete their fixtures with an equal number of points, except in the Premier or Promotion Leagues, the Executive shall, at its discretion, decide whether the clubs concerned shall be joint holders of a trophy.

20. APPOINTMENT OF UMPIRES:

In terms of sub-clause of the Constitution of the Northerns Cricket Union the appointment of Umpires for matches shall be vested in the Northerns Cricket Umpires Association. In the event of no Umpires being appointed to a match or should either or both Umpires fail to attend, the Captains of the opposing teams shall mutually appoint the or Umpires as the case may be, i.e. where there is only one official Umpire, the captain shall appoint the other umpire and where there are no official umpires, the captains shall appoint both umpires. In the event of only one official Umpire reporting for duty at any particular match, neither captain shall have the right to demand that such official Umpire must officiate at both ends from which the bowlers will be , but should the official Umpire, in response to a request by either captain, consent to officiate in this particular manner, both captains must, nevertheless, signify acceptance of such action by the Umpire prior to the commencement of the match. In the event that no Northerns Cricket Umpire has been appointed to any particular match, the No-Ball FREE HIT rule will not be applied. Only the no-ball will stand. The captains shall report the absence of the appointed official Umpire(s) on the card and on receipt of such card the Manager of Cricket Operations of the Union shall report such absence to the Executive of the Northerns Cricket Umpires Association for further action.

21. Lower League Club umpires:

Situation A: Both teams have a non-playing, qualified umpire (proof of umpire’s card is presented) This game will be treated as any ‘normal’ game with two officiating umpires. Each will stand on their respective sides as per premier league matches.

Situation B: Only one team has a non-playing, qualified umpire (proof of umpire’s card is presented) The qualified umpire will stand behind the stumps at both ends. Players from either side are only allowed to stand square leg.

Situation C: Teams have qualified umpires, but they are also in the playing 11 This game will be treated as per previous club games. That means that player umpires from both teams shall stand (behind the stumps and on square) during their batting .

If a team fails to allow a certified umpire who can produce the NCU Introduction to Umpiring card to officiate the match, the team will be penalized 4 points.

22. DUTIES OF THE UMPIRE:

The Laws of Cricket, 2017 Code 7th Edition - 2017, shall apply. In addition, the Umpires shall satisfy themselves that the are properly pitched and that the pitch is correctly marked. If the pitch is incorrectly marked, it shall be at their discretion as to whether or not to instruct the Executive of the ground to re-mark the pitch correctly. Should the Executive of the ground not be present it will be the captain of the home side's responsibility to ensure that any instructions from the Umpires, in this regard, are carried out to their satisfaction. Each club shall provide the captain of the home side with 3 (three) usable used balls for the selection of a replacement in the event of the match ball being lost or becoming unfit for play during a match. All teams have to make use of the same type of ball that has been issued by the NCU for a specific league.

23. CARD SYSTEM:

GREEN CARD (Caution)

A green card serving as a caution with will be issued for the following:

1) General swearing only audible on-field 2) Showing dissent towards and umpires decision by word or action 3) Disregarding an umpires instruction or request 4) Engaging in verbal contact with an opponent that is not clearly audible to at least one umpire

The issuing of a green card is intended to serve as a preventative measure in order to diffuse any potentially volatile or conflict situations from escalating

Once a green card is shown for any of the above transgressions, it will serve as a caution to the particular player as well as to the whole team for the rest of the innings.

YELLOW CARD

A yellow card will be issued for the following:

1) Receiving a second green card (even though it may not be the same player or should the first green card have been issued as a team caution) 2) Loud swearing audible by spectators as well 3) Swearing directly at a fellow participant or umpire 4) Giving a send-off to a batsman upon dismissal by gesture or verbal comment 5) Making obscene gestures directed at a fellow participant or umpire 6) Making of verbally abusive comments of a personal nature to or about a fellow participant or umpire

Sanction for receiving a yellow card when batting:

a) If the batsman is out 5 penalty runs to be awarded the team b) If the batsman is : 1) in a 50 overs match – sent off for 5 overs – can only return at the fall of a 2) in a 20 match – sent off for 2 overs – can only return at the fall of a wicket

Sanction for receiving a yellow card when fielding:

1) In a 50 overs match – sent off for 5 overs – Can only return at the start of a new over 2) In a 20 over match – sent off for 2 overs – Can only return at the start of a new over 3) No substitute fielder allowed during the period of the send off 4) Returning player can bowl immediately after the over in progress has been completed

The issuing of a yellow card needs to be reported to the NCU for purposes of recordkeeping, and possible disciplinary action.

A yellow card shown to a player, will be kept on that player’s record for a period of 12 months and that player’s record will be cleared should he/she not receive another yellow card during that period of time.

RED CARD

A red card will be issued for the following:

1) Deliberate physical contact with an opponent or umpire 2) Any threat of assault or physical harm to an opponent or umpire 3) Using language or a gesture that offends, insults, humiliates, intimidates, threatens, disparages, or vilifies another person on the basis of that person’s race, religion, gender, color, descent or national or ethnic origin 4) Upon any member of the same team receiving a 3rd yellow card in the same match (Even though it may not be the same player receiving the 3rd yellow card)

Sanction for receiving a red card when batting:

a) Player is sent off for the rest of the match b) The umpire needs to report the matter where after the disciplinary process of the NCU will follow.

Sanction for receiving a red card when fielding

a) Player is sent off for the rest of the match b) The umpire needs to report the matter where after the disciplinary process of the NCU will follow.

GENERAL

1) If the player refuses to leave the field after receiving a yellow or red card, the law regarding a team refusing to play will apply. 2) If the same player receives a 3rd yellow card within a year of receiving his second yellow card, a disciplinary hearing will be held under the auspices of the NCU, resulting in possible suspension of the player as per the Code of Conduct of the NCU