Law 1 - The Players

The following shall apply in addition to Law 1.1- Number of Players (VDCA Local Rule)

1.1.1 A team shall consist of no fewer than seven players. A side which is unable to field seven players shall forfeit the match.

1.1.2 Sufficient Time Given (VDCA Local Rule)

1.1.2.1  Clubs may forfeit their match without additional penalty if it is done one week prior to the scheduled match (i.e. the Saturday or Sunday - 12:00pm (pacific time).

1.1.2.1.1        In writing to the opposition captain and club secretary (if applicable) and notifying the league secretary at the same time.

1.1.2.1.2        Points will continue to be awarded to the opposition

1.1.2.1.3        If a match is forfeited after this time, a fine will be applied and an additional loss of 4 pts.

1.1.2.1.3.1   The fine shall equal to the cost of renting the ground and the two umpires fees

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1.2-Nomination and Replacement of players; shall be replaced by the following: (VDCA Local Rule)

(a) Each captain shall nominate his players in writing to one of the umpires before the toss (refer also Law 16.14 (d) below). No player may be changed after the nomination without the consent of the opposing captain.

(b) Each player so nominated must be eligible to play for the team making the nomination, and by such nomination the nominator shall warrant that each player is eligible.

(c) Any player nominated to play for any team other than that with which he is registered in the VDCA may only take part with the express consent of the opposing captain, prior to commencement of the match. Any statistics accumulated by such a player during that match - including but not limited to runs scored, wickets taken, and catches taken - shall not be counted towards that player's individual season statistics.

(d) Any player nominated to play at any match who is not registered with any team in the VDCA may only take part in that match with the express consent of the opposing captain and following his submission of a completed VDCA Player Registration Form, prior to commencement of the match.

(e) Any player registered in any Western Canada (BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba) Cricket League other than the VDCA is ineligible for participation in any VDCA Division I: Weekend League match.​

(f) Notwithstanding Law 1.2 (e) above, any player who is a resident of Vancouver Island (provable by driver's license, student identification card, or similar), who is registered in the VDCA, shall be eligible to play in any match for any VDCA team.

(g) Any visiting player registered with any other league must be in good standing and not under any suspension with that league.

• Any contravention of the above shall result in the offending team being awarded a loss and the opposing team shall be awarded a win, irrespective of the result of the match. A match in which both teams contravene the above shall be considered to have been cancelled

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The following shall apply as an addition to Law 1-The Players

 

1.5-Players' attire (VDCA Local Rule)

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All players shall wear proper cricket attire when playing, including clothing of a uniform colour (determined by team and subject to approval from the VDCA), and any protective equipment.

All players are encouraged to wear helmets while batting.

(a) All clubs must have no fewer than two helmets available for players' use at each match.

(b) All Junior players (as defined under Colts' regulations) must wear helmets while batting or wicket keeping.

 

Law 2 – The Umpires

2.1-Appointment and Attendance; shall be replaced by the following: (VDCA Local Rule)

1. For each scheduled match of the Regular Season, VDCA Division 1 Clubs shall be appointed by the VDCA to provide two ‘competent’ persons to act as umpires, one for each end, to control the game as required by the Laws, with absolute impartiality. The definition of ‘competent’ shall be a person who has a valid Cricket Canada umpiring qualification or equivalent from a recognized cricketing body (Per 2019-Apr-03 minutes), and who also shall be a fully paid up and insured Full Member of the VISCUS. The acceptance of such umpires from outside of Cricket Canada Certification shall be subject to the approval of VISCUS (Per 2019-Apr-03 minutes), Failure of the appointed Club to provide the applicable umpires for a match, before the start time listed, shall incur a fine to that Club from the VDCA of $75 for each ‘missing’ umpire together with the deduction of one league point for each ‘missing’ umpire. The two umpires so appointed shall, for the duration of the match, be considered representatives of the VDCA. The VISCUS shall, on a periodic basis, invoice the VDCA for the applicable ‘umpire travel expenses’ for the appointed umpires and shall forward payments to the members of the VISCUS as applicable. 

2. Neither team shall have any right of objection to an umpire's appointment.

3. The umpires shall be present at the ground at least thirty (30) minutes before the scheduled start of the day's play.

4. Fines to be reduced to $40 per umpire that shows up after the scheduled start time and before the 20th over. Match point deductions will still be in place for late umpires.

5. For all other matches - including Play-Offs (refer Law 16.12 (b) below) and extra-League matches - the VDCA will appoint umpires directly.

 

Law 3 – The Scorers

3.1-Appointment of Scorers; shall be replaced by the following: (VDCA Local Rule)

(a) Each club shall be required to appoint a scorer for each match in which they take part, to record all runs scored, all wickets taken, and, where appropriate, number of overs bowled.

(b) Clubs may appoint a player or players involved in the match as their scorer, provided that such appointment does not result in any delay of play.   

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LAW 4- The Ball

The following shall apply in addition to Law 4 – The Ball

4.7 – Supplying a Back-up Ball (VDCA Local Rule): (per 2019-Mar-06 minutes)

(a) Each club shall be required to supply a back-up ball in addition to the primary new ball to the umpires at the start of the game.

(b) The purpose of the back-up ball is to have it ready to use it in the event the primary ball is “being retrieved” or lost, to maintain continuity in play and reduce potential loss in game-time.

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Law 6 – The Pitch

The following shall apply in addition to Law 6.5-Non-turf pitches (VDCA Local Rule):

1. (6.2 Fitness of pitch for play) – The umpires shall be the sole judges of the fitness of the pitch for play.  See Laws 2.7 (Fitness for play) and 2.8 (Suspension of play in dangerous or unreasonable conditions). (Local law-6.2.1) Clubs scheduled as the home team shall prepare the ground as follows prior to the start of the scheduled days play.

   1. Creases clearly marked on playing surface

      1. ​​If paint is required, this must be completed the night before in order for the paint to dry in time.

   2. Stumps and bails installed on playing surface

   3. Clearly mark both boundary and 30-yard circle

      1. BHP & WP are completed by the municipality, all other grounds must be done by the home side.

   4. Synthetic surface is swept and clear of any loose debris

2. 6.5.1 – Players shall not be permitted to wear spiked footwear on any artificial pitch surface. Players in the field may wear spiked footwear, provided they change footwear before coming on to bowl and limit contact with the artificial pitch surface as much as possible.

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Law 7 – The Creases

The following shall apply in addition to Law 7-The Creases

7.5-Additional Crease Markings (VDCA Local Rule – per ICC)

As a guideline to the umpires for the calling of Wides the following crease markings shall be marked at each end of the pitch:

(a) On either side of the wicket, at a distance of thirty-five inches (35") from the centre of the wicket, a line shall be marked between the bowling crease and popping crease, to establish a guideline for umpires for the calling of off-side Wides. See Appendix C

(b)  There will be no crease marking for judging leg-side wides. However, anything on the leg-side (behind the batsman) is a guideline for umpires for calling leg-side wides (per 2019-Apr-03 Minutes)

 

Law 11 – Intervals

11.2-Duration of intervals; shall be replaced by the following:

11.2-Agreement of intervals (VDCA Local Rule)

(a) Unless prior agreement is reached between captains, matches will commence at mid-day, 12:00 pm. Any such prior agreement must be communicated to the umpires, and shall be subject to their consent also.

(b) No specific time need be agreed for the tea interval. Unless otherwise agreed by both captains this interval will occur between the innings. Any such agreement between the captains must be communicated to the umpires, and shall be subject to their consent also. The tea interval shall be taken, regardless of circumstance, after no more than forty-five (45) overs have been completed in the match.

The duration of the tea interval shall be not less than twenty (20) minutes.

(c) Unless prior agreement is reached between captains, one (1) interval for drinks shall be permitted during each innings.

 

Law 13 - Innings

13.1-Number of Innings; shall be replaced by the following:

13.1-Number of Innings (VDCA Local Rule)

(a) All matches will consist of one (1) innings per side, each innings being limited to a maximum of forty-five (45) overs. All matches shall be of one (1) day's scheduled duration.

 

The following shall apply in addition to Law 13.1-Number of Innings

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13.1.2-Length of innings (VDCA Local Rule)

(a) Uninterrupted matches

Each team shall bat for forty-five (45) overs unless all out earlier and shall have three (3) hours (180 minutes) allotted to complete their innings. Time taken in intervals for drinks shall be included in the total time allotted for completion of innings. If the fielding team fails to maintain a minimum over rate of 15 overs per hour, penalties shall be assessed.

 

After the first hour of play in an innings, if the fielding team has not completed at least fifteen (15) overs, the umpires together shall issue a first warning to the fielding captain. After the second hour of play, if the fielding team has not completed at least thirty (30) overs, the umpires together shall issue a final warning to the fielding captain.

 

If the team fielding first fails to bowl the required number of overs within the allotted time for the innings, play shall continue until the required number of overs has been bowled. That team shall have one over deducted from its quota of batting overs for each four (4) full minutes by which it exceeds its allotted time for the first innings. If a penalty is assessed, the time of the second innings must be reduced by a rate of four (4) minutes per over deducted.

 

If the team fielding second fails to bowl the required number of overs within the allotted time for the innings, the hours of play shall be extended until the required number of overs has been bowled or a result is achieved. The batting team shall be awarded six (6) penalty runs for each four (4) full minutes by which the fielding team exceeds its allotted time for the innings. The umpires shall signal to the scorers for the addition of these penalty runs at the beginning of the first over to commence after each period of four (4) full minutes in excess of the allotted time for the innings.

 

If the team batting first is dismissed in less than its full quota of overs, the team batting second shall be entitled to bat for its full quota of overs.

(b) Delayed or interrupted matches

(i) Delay or interruption to the innings of the team batting first (see Appendix A)

When playing time has been lost the revised number of overs to be bowled in the match shall be based on a rate of 14.59 overs per hour, which is inclusive of the provision of drinks intervals, in the total time available for play.

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The revision of the number of overs should ensure, whenever possible, that both teams have the opportunity of batting for the same number of overs. The team batting second shall not bat for a greater number of overs than the first team unless the latter completed its innings in less than its allocated overs.

 

As soon as the total minutes of playing time remaining is less than the completed overs faced in the innings multiplied by 4.11, then the first innings is terminated and the provisions of Law 13.1.2 (b) (ii) above take effect.

 

A fixed time will be specified for the commencement of the interval, and also the close of play for the match, by applying a rate of 14.59 overs per hour. When calculating the length of playing time available for the match, or the length of either innings, the timing and duration of all relative delays, extensions in playing hours, interruptions in play, and intervals, excluding those for drinks, will be taken into consideration. This calculation must not cause the match to finish earlier than the original or rescheduled time for cessation of play on the final scheduled day for play. If required, the original time shall be extended to allow for one (1) extra over for each team.

 

If the team fielding first fails to bowl the revised number of overs by the specified time, play shall continue until the required number of overs have been bowled or the innings is completed. That team shall have one (1) over deducted from its quota of batting overs for each four (4) full minutes by which it exceeds its allotted time for the first innings.

(ii) Delay or interruption to the innings of the team batting second (see Appendix B)

When playing time has been lost and, as a result, it is not possible for the team batting second to have the opportunity of receiving its allocated, or revised allocation of overs in the playing time available, the number of overs shall be reduced at a rate of 14.59 overs per hour, which is inclusive of the provision of drinks intervals, in respect of the lost playing time. Should the calculations result in a fraction of an over the fraction shall be ignored.

 

The team batting second shall not bat for a greater number of overs than the first team unless the latter completed its innings in less than its allocated overs.

 

A fixed time will be specified for the close of play by applying a rate of 14.59 overs per hour. With the exception of drinks intervals, the timing and duration of all relative delays, extensions in playing hours and interruptions in play, will be taken into consideration in specifying this time.

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If the team fielding second fails to bowl the revised overs by the scheduled or re-scheduled close of play, the hours of play shall be extended until the overs have been bowled or a result achieved. The batting team shall be awarded six (6) penalty runs for each four (4) full minutes by which the fielding team exceeds its allotted time for the innings. The umpires shall signal to the scorers for the addition of these penalty runs at the beginning of each over to commence after each period of four (4) full minutes in excess of the allotted time for the innings.

 

(iii) To constitute a complete match, each team must have the opportunity to bat for at least twenty (20) overs.

 

13.1.3-Number of overs per bowler  (VDCA Local Rule)

(a) No bowler shall bowl more than nine (9) overs in an innings.

(b) In a delayed or interrupted match where the overs are reduced for both teams or for the team bowling second, no bowler may bowl more than one-fifth of the total overs allowed.

(c) Where the total overs are not divisible by five (5), one (1) additional over shall be allowed to the maximum number per bowler necessary to make up the balance.

(d) In the event of a bowler breaking down and being unable to complete an over, the remaining balls will be allowed by another bowler. Such part of an over will count as a full over only in so far as each bowler's limit is concerned.

 

Law 16 – The Result

16.2-A Win - one innings match; shall be replaced by the following: (VDCA Local Rule)

(a) The side which has scored a total of runs in excess of that scored in the completed innings of the opposing side shall win the match.  See Law 13.3-Completed innings. Note also Law 16.6-Winning Hit or Extras

(b) Save for circumstances where a match is awarded to a team as a consequence of the opposing team's refusal to play (Law 16.3), a result can be achieved only if both teams have had the opportunity of batting for at least twenty (20) overs, unless one team has been all out in less than twenty (20) overs or unless the team batting second scores enough runs to win in less than twenty (20) overs.

(c) Save for circumstances where a match is awarded to a team as a consequence of the opposing team's refusal to play (Law 16.3), all matches in which both teams have not had an opportunity of batting for a minimum of twenty (20) overs, shall be declared a No Result

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Law 16.5-All other matches-A Tie or Draw; shall be replaced by the following:

 

16.5-A Tie (VDCA Local Rule)

The result of a match shall be a Tie when the scores are equal at the conclusion of play, but only if the side batting last has completed its innings. No account shall be taken of the number of wickets which have fallen, the scoring rate of the two sides, or relative scores at any point of the match, nor shall any other tie-break or count-back consideration be used to determine a winner.

 

The following shall apply in addition to Law 16:

16.11-Prematurely terminated matches  (VDCA Local Rule)

In the event that the innings of the team batting second is suspended due to external circumstances (with at least twenty (20) overs bowled) and it is not possible for the match to be resumed, the team with the higher run rate shall be awarded a Win. Run rate shall be calculated by dividing the number of runs scored by the number of overs completed in an innings.

 

In the event of a team being all out in less than its full quota of overs, the calculation of its net run rate shall be based on the full quota of overs to which it would have been entitled and not on the number of overs in which the team was dismissed.

 

If the run rates of the two sides are equal, the match shall be declared a Tie. Otherwise the result is a victory, or defeat, by run rate.

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16.12-Competitions

 

(a) Regular Season (VDCA Local Rule)

The 2024 Division I: Weekend League shall feature fourteen (14) teams. Each team will be scheduled to play each team once to make thirteen (13) matches per club. In addition, there will be six (6) exhibition matches played with the Colts CC, no points awarded, unless a team no-shows on the match. 

 

(b) Play-Offs (VDCA Local Rule)

• Following completion of the Regular Season, the four (4) highest-ranked teams based on the final 2024 Regular Season standings (refer Law 16.13 (b) below) will progress to the "Play Offs", to be played as a simple knockout competition.

• The first Play-Off match scheduled (the "First Semi-Final") shall feature the first-ranked team vs the fourth ranked team. The second Play-Off match scheduled (the "Second Semi-Final") shall feature the second ranked team and third ranked team. The final Play-Off match scheduled ("The Final") shall feature the winners of the two Semi-Finals.

• In the event that either Semi-Finals or Finals are unable to be completed as initially scheduled, the higher-ranked team shall be declared the winner of their respective match on either scheduled match day.

• For each Play-Off match, the higher-ranked team shall act as the "Home" team where required.

• The eventual winner of the Play-Off competition will be awarded the Payne Cup and will represent the VDCA in the Tomalin Cup for 2024.

• To be eligible to participate in the Play-Off competition, a player must be registered with the VDCA and must have participated in no fewer than five (5) matches with their registered club during the Regular Season.

• The results of the Play Off competitions shall have no bearing on the final League standings. Any ranking of teams required for consideration in future seasons shall be based solely on League standings as they were at the completion of the Regular Season.

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(c) Scheduling (VDCA Local Rule)

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• The VDCA Executive Board or its delegate will be responsible for setting the League schedule, including the Regular Season and Play Off competitions, and for accommodating any extra-League matches during the season, e.g. tournaments, representative teams, visiting Clubs.

• The Executive Board or its delegate will publish the final date for consideration for special scheduling requests each season. Schedule change requests may be accommodated where possible, at the discretion of the Executive Board or its delegate.

• Cancelled or uncompleted League matches may be rescheduled where possible by the Executive Board or its delegate, on request from both participating clubs.

 

16.13-Points (VDCA Local Rule)

(a) League points

For League matches played for points, the points system shall be as follows: