Worcestershire County League Captains’ Meetings February 2018

AGENDA 1) Welcome & Introduction PR 2) Club Welfare & DBS AW 3) Laws of Cricket – clarification of changes DG/DP 4) Playing Condition changes for 2018 GR 5) Overseas Players – update GR 6) Captaincy – Q&A JL 7) Discipline – incl feedback from October 2017 SL 8) Ground and Facilities - update. DP 9) West Midlands Regional Cricket – update GR/SL 10) Administration SL 11) WCL Fines & Tariffs 2018 SL/PR 12) Worcestershire Cricket Board CO/GR Any Other Business Captain’s Meeting 2018

Introduction Contact Details; WCL League Administrator; Stuart Lampitt Address; WCL, c/o Worcestershire CCC, County Ground, New Road, Worcester, WR2 4QQ Direct Dial; (01905) 337 915 Mobile; (07795) 390 303 E-mail; adminwcl@wccc.co.uk Webpage; http://www.worcscl.org/home.html http://worcestershirecl.play-cricket.com/ Captain’s Meeting 2018

2. Club Welfare & DBS Captains & Vice Captains Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) and process Junior players in open age cricket (Team Sheets !!) Social Media Transport Changing Rooms Junior Umpires Safeguarding concerns Captain’s Meeting 2018

3. Laws of Cricket – clarification of changes Ground, weather & light, if EITHER Umpire considers conditions to be dangerous or unreasonable, play will be suspended – they must both agree to restart. Toss – anyone can nominate the team but a member of the nominated team must toss-up, normally the captain. Cricket bat sizes have been specified – this will come into the professional game immediately but won’t reach full recreational cricket until 2020 season (2019 for Minor Counties and Premier Leagues) – bat manufactories are now following the new dimensions. Helmets on the field of play - A catch can be made after the ball strikes (or is lodged in) the helmet of a fielder or wicket keeper, also a batter can now be run out or stumped if the ball rebounds directly, from a fielder’s or wicket keeper’s helmet, onto the stumps Captain’s Meeting 2018

3. Laws of Cricket – clarifications of changes Byes and leg byes that come from a No Ball will now be recorded as such and will NOT go against the bowler but Wides remain the same NO BALL for a ball bouncing more than once before reaching the popping crease. Penalty Time (time off the field) in the past 15 minutes was allowed for a fielder leaving the field before he was subject to Penalty Time (B&DPCL & WCL will follow first class and there will be 8 minutes allowed before penalty time is incurred), Captain’s Meeting 2018

3. Laws of Cricket – clarifications of changes Injured batter - Runner only allowed if the batsman has an injury which affects his/her ability to run, umpire’s decision Run out, should a batter in completing a run e.g. when diving and he grounds the bat behind the line but the bat comes up into the air the first contact will count and the batter will be not out. Practice on the Field - No practice on the square at all except with the approval of the umpires and not on the match pitch at all - no bowling practice in an area between the square and the boundary parallel to match pitch between calls of ‘Play’ and ‘Time’ - first offence, warning; subsequent offences, 5 penalty runs Handled the ball has been removed - but it still exists - you will be out ‘Obstructing the Field’ if this occurs - Law 37.1.2 Captain’s Meeting 2018

3. Laws of Cricket – clarification of changes Sight Screens – on the field of play MUST have an area marked off within which it can move so the boundary doesn’t change LBW - Ball hitting bat and pad simultaneously is considered as bat first and will be given NOT OUT. ANY cloth used to dry the ball must have the approval of the umpires. Unfair play now Law 41 - a number of changes, important one from captain’s point of view, dangerous and unfair bowling, full pitch above waist height (now called non-pitching deliveries) no level of tolerance, if one is bowled, immediately first and final warning, second one bowler is off no matter what pace, spinner or seamer. Captain’s Meeting 2018

3. Laws of Cricket – clarifications of changes Short pitched (may be called bouncers) deliveries - If considered dangerous or controlled by League Regulations e.g; one or two in an over, should the number be exceeded a No Ball will be called first and final warning issued, if another one, bowler would be removed from attack for the rest of the innings. Any deliberate attempt to distract a striker attracts an immediate 5 run penalty, NO warning anymore. A substitute fielder can now keep wicket subject to the consent of the Umpire. ‘Mankad’ - Non-striker leaving his ground early – bowler can now attempt a run out up to the point at which he would be expected to deliver the ball. The striker cannot adopt a stance (or mark his guard) in the protected area or so close that encroachment is inevitable – if told to move back comply or the Umpire can impose penalties. Captain’s Meeting 2018

3. Law 42 – Player Conduct Level 1 Examples:- Offences have been categorised into a series of Levels 1 to 4 for which sanctions are specified and a process for delivery by the umpire defined; Level 1 Examples:- Abuse of ground or equipment Excessive and/or unreasonable appeals Showing dissent by word or action to an umpire’s decision Obscene, offensive or insulting language or gestures Sanctions for Level 1 Offences If 1st instance of a problem – formal warning If another level 1 or higher offence has taken place already – 5 penalty runs to the opposing side Captain’s Meeting 2018

3. Law 42 – Player Conduct Level 2 Examples:- Inappropriate and Deliberate physical contact Throwing the ball at someone Obscene language or gestures aimed at someone Extreme examples of Level 1 offences Sanctions for Level 2 Offences Award 5 penalty runs to the non-offending team Captain’s Meeting 2018

3. Law 42 – Player Conduct Level 3 Examples:- Intimidating an umpire by language or gesture Threatening to assault another player, team official or spectator Sanctions for Level 3 Offences The offending player will be removed from the field of play for a predetermined time – Limited overs a fifth of the overs allocated to that innings at the start of play. Award 5 penalty runs to the opposition Signal a level 3 offence to the scorers Captain’s Meeting 2018

3. Law 42 – Player Conduct Level 4 Examples:- Threatening to assault an umpire Making inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with an umpire Physically assaulting a player or any other person Committing any other act of violence. Sanctions for Level 4 Offences The offending player will be removed from game all together Award 5 penalty runs to the non-offending team Signal a level 4 offence to the scorers Captain’s Meeting 2018

4. Playing Condition changes for 2018 Start times half an hour earlier in September (12:30 pm). Divisions 1 - 4 1st XI Matches = 50 Overs per innings & Divisions 3 & 4 2nd XI and 5, 6, 7 & 8(N & S) = 45 overs per innings Conceded match fines to stay at £50 (no escalations) and £45 of that to be passed over to opposing side. Teams sheets MUST be submitted to opposing Captains prior to commencement of a match Captains MUST meet Umpires after the match Captain’s Meeting 2018

5. OVERSEAS PLAYERS – Update If the answer is a yes to any of the following, then the player will meet the professional definition, and clubs should consider if they wish to proceed with the arrangement. Is playing cricket, or the playing of cricket been their main reason for coming to the UK? Is or has an agent being/been used? Is airfare being paid for/ has it previously been paid for by someone other than the individual? Is accommodation being paid for/ has it previously been paid for by the/a cricket club? Are they being/ have they been paid to provide any service to the club? (this could include bar work, groundsman duties, coaching or playing) Have they been to the UK to play cricket previously? Captain’s Meeting 2018

6. Captaincy – Q&A ? What should I be doing prior to the game ? What should I be doing/thinking during the game ? What should I do following the game ? 5 habits/attributes that build a good Captain ? Captain’s Meeting 2018

7. Discipline – incl. feedback from 2017 Hi Mike, “Sorry it has taken me so long to reply but I have decided not to commit to the WCL on Saturdays for this season. I have umpired in this league now for 7 years and last year was the worst for discipline, behaviour and attitude and on a number of occasions it was not enjoyable. Whilst enforcing the laws of cricket ill feeling arose with players. The lack of knowledge of the laws by both teams and captains is alarming, in particular keeping the protected area free from intrusion and damage. These incidents were not enough to employ the discipline code ,and were dealt with at the time by having a word !, but made for an unpleasant afternoon afterwards. May I wish you all the best for the season’. Captain’s Meeting 2018

7. Discipline – Headline Records from 2017 8 clubs received penalties for playing unregistered players in 2017 12 different players received bans totalling over 70 matches in 2017 (and beyond) !! Over 300 pts for penalties were lost by clubs in 2017 Financially the costs to clubs was a loss of over £300 in fines We can and must do better ! Captain’s Meeting 2018

7. Discipline – incl. feedback from 2017 A sense of “Fair Play” is missing in many teams. Do captains and players read and digest the MCC Spirit of Cricket ? Discipline is often poorer in matches without appointed umpires. Why? Message not getting across? If not why ? How do we get it across ? What can you as Captains do to promote our message ‘We are all guardians of the game for our future generations, lets start acting and behaving like it’ Captain’s Meeting 2018

8. Ground and Facilities – Update Facilities criteria discussed and identified areas highlighted Sheet covering Sight Screens (priority in 2018) Potential Groundsman’s course: Sunday 18th March at New Road 9.00am Contact details of whoever looks after your fine turf facilities is important. Captain’s Meeting 2018

9. West Midlands Regional Structure - Update Blueprint meeting held at New Road on January 17th outlining proposed structural changes to WM Regional Cricket Vote on change to take place at B&DPCL SGM in mid March Outcome of the vote (if positive) means that WCL will be required to alter its structure to a ‘meritocratic’ system from 2019 onwards Dependent on finishing positions WCL could have over 20 more teams coming back from B&DPCL in 2019 Captain’s Meeting 2018

10. General Administration 2018 Club Contacts & play-cricket.com Club Officials need to be uploaded onto club play-cricket.com systems by April 11th Team Captains need to be uploaded asap How to guide to be emailed to all Team Sheets Vitally important Know who you are playing against (minors U18) Assists with result and full scorecard completion Guidance note provided Captain’s Meeting 2018

10. General Administration 2018 Result Reporting via play-cricket.com Division 1-4 1st XI – Result & Summary Scorecard by Sat 10 pm Division 1-4 2nd XI – Result & Summary Scorecard by Sun 10 am Division 5-8 (N&S) – Result & Summary Scorecard by Sun 10 am All Divisions – Full innings scorecards within 72 hours of match completion (Tuesday evening) Result & Scoresheet Confirmation – by BOTH teams by the Thursday evening following the match Transfers Captains Reports Captain’s Meeting 2018

10. General Administration 2018 Captains Reports Via Club Portal to be completed no later than 48 hours following completion of match Even if ‘Match Abandoned’ Transfers All on-line – no paperwork The player or the transferring club need to find the player profile Log in using player unique username and password Apply to be a member of ‘new’ club Club then apply for a transfer Guidance notes provided Captain’s Meeting 2018

11. FINES Tariff Captain’s Meeting 2018 Failing to attend AGM, Captains’ Meeting, Resource Collection Evening or Delegates Meetings. 1st breach - £25 (escalating by £25 for any further breach, as follows) 2nd breach - £50, 3rd breach - £75, 4th breach - £100 2 Failing to return any League Trophy by due date. £25 3 Failing to fulfil a fixture for anything other than climatic reasons. £50 4 Failure to pay umpires attendance fees before the match commences. 1 point (1 grace) escalating by 1 on each occasion 5 Failure to provide sufficient New and spare balls at the start of the match. 1 point (1 grace) 6 Failing to sweep and remark the match pitch between innings. 7 Failing to bowl overs at a minimum rate of 17 overs per hour in WLD matches. 8 Failing to provide a non-playing Scorer for a 1st XI match. Captain’s Meeting 2018

11. FINES Tariff Captain’s Meeting 2018 9 Failure of home side to report summary result and full scorecard by deadlines laid down and also of both sides for not confirming results on Play-Cricket. 5 points (1 grace)   1 point (1 grace) 10 Failing to submit online Captain's Report within 48 hours of the completion of the game (Both sides). 11 Failing to register an unregistered Player to play in a 1st XI match. £50 + 10 points + all other match points  12 Failing to register an unregistered 2nd XI player within 24 hours of the completion of the match. £25 + 5 points +all other match points 13 Pitches marked as Very poor, unfit or Dangerous At discretion of Grounds and Facilities committee Captain’s Meeting 2018

Next Steps Questions and Queries: Craig.Oakley@wccc.co.uk 07467 957944 Application Closing Date: Monday 19th February 2018 Guidance notes/ Application forms; http://www.worcestershirecricket.co.uk/news/small-grant-scheme-2018-now-open-21437/

Bring clubs and local communities closer together, and ensure grounds and facilities are ready for the new season. 23rd – 25th March 2018 The Jewson Privilege Account offer – ECB 2,500 pre loaded accounts - £150 Pay £50 up front to access………..£200 in account! https://www.ecb.co.uk/be-involved/club-support/club-events/natwest-cricketforce/register-for-cricketforce

Key Dates ECB Coach Support Worker – Redhill School, Stourbridge – March 11th ECB Coach Support Worker – Stourport High, Stourport – April 22nd Safe Hands Workshop – New Road, Worcester – March 22nd Online – Safeguarding Young Cricketers http://www.worcestershirecricket.co.uk/page/coach-ed--courses-844/ Welfare Forum– New Road, Worcester – Feb 20th. 730pm start https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/M7Y3KZQ

12. Worcestershire Cricket Board - News Captain’s Meeting 2018

AOB and Reminders Umpiring Courses; on-line Laws Course laws@lords.org (Stage 1) Sat 17th & 18th Feb – 9-1 pm (Stage 2) Sat 24th & 25th Feb – 9-1 pm Refresher Course Sat 17th March – 9–1 pm Refresher (Repeated) Sat 24th March – 9-1pm (all courses to be held at New Road, Worcester) Club Scorers’ Course TBC, will forward details Captain’s Meeting 2018

AOB and Reminders Confirmation of registered players for 2018 Thurs 19th April. Resources collection evening Weds 11th April - (5.30pm – 8.00pm) Club declarations signed and sent in Fri 20th April First matches Divisions 1 to 4 (1st & 2nd XI) Sat 21st April Division 5 Sat 28th April Divisions 6, 7 & 8 North & South Sat 19th May First Saturday KO Cup rounds completed by 5th/12th May. Representative team player nominations TBC Captain’s Meeting 2018

Thanks for coming and Good Luck for the 2018 season.