TRINIDAD & TOBAGO CRICKET BOARD
REGULATIONS FOR THE CONTROL OF CLUB CRICKET
COMPETITIONS UNDER AND BY VIRTUE OF ARTICLE 25
OF THE BOARD'S CONSTITUTION
Download PDF

1. COMPETITIONS

The Board shall organize, control and manage three distinct competitions as follows:‑

(a)     National League Competitions divided into such divisions and grades as may be decided from time to time by the Executive of the Board.

(b)     Zonal Super League competitions in North, Central and South, Divided into such Divisions and Grades as may be decided from time to time by the Executive of the Board.

(c)     Zonal competitions in the various Zones of the Board which may be divided into such divisions and grades as may be decided from time to time by the Executive of the Board.

(d)     A club may apply for entry to either of the three competitions and such application shall be considered in accordance with agreed criteria; Board's Policy and regulations governing promotion and relegation.

(e)     Divisions shall mean the 1st team of a club in any competition and Grade shall mean the 2nd team in the same competition.

2. ENTRIES

a)       Entry to the Board's competition shall be open to all bona-fide Clubs or organisations (hereinafter referred to as Clubs) which may make application within the prescribed period and admitted by the Executive or its duly appointed Committee or its Zonal Councils.

b)       Application for entry in the Board's competitions must be made in writing, and addressed to the Executive or its duly appointed Committee or Zone Secretary as the case may be not later than 30th September in each year. All affiliates and clubs which participated in the previous year must re-apply within the prescribed time. The application must be accompanied by the entrance fee which will be refunded if the application is rejected.

c)       The governing consideration for admittance of club, at the sole discretion of the Executive or Zonal Council, shall be, among other things as follows:

(i)       The possession of or the right to use and control a ground when required for competition.

(ii)      Satisfactory evidence of its ability to play cricket and maintain discipline to the required standard.

(d)     It is the responsibility of the Club to ensure that the application in writing accompanied by the required fees are submitted to the relevant authority and reach such authority before the deadline date.

(e)     The Executive of Zone shall have the right to consider all applications which it has received up to the date of the meeting which has been called to accept applications notwithstanding that the application might have been received after the 30th September.

(f)      The Zonal Councils/Executive reserve the right to refuse any application without stating a reason thereof.

3.        FEES

The entrance fees to the Board's competitions shall be fixed annually by the Executive Committee. Unless so fixed, shall remain the fees of the previous season.

4.        INDEBTEDNESS

Any Club which is indebted to the Board for whatever reason e.g. fines, directly or through a Zonal Council, shall not be admitted to the Board's Competitions until and unless it has paid all its debts.

5.        DIVISION & GRADES

(a) National League

(i)       Not more than 8 clubs shall be accepted in each Division of the National League with each club fielding a second team in a National Reserve League.

(ii)      The Executives Committee of the Board in its sole discretion shall decide on the Clubs to be accepted in this League and the Division in which they shall be placed provided that the principle of promotion and relega­tion and the system of Black-balling of clubs be given due consideration.

(iii) Matches shall be played on a one-round league basis. The principle of At Home and Away matches in subsequent years shall be followed subject to Rule 12 (Grounds).

(b) Zonal Super League

(i)       Not more than eight (8) Clubs shall be accepted in each Division of the Super League Competitions with each Club fielding a second team in a Reserve League.

(ii)      The Executive Committee in its sole discretion shall decide on the Clubs to be accepted in this Competition and the Zonal Division in which they shall be placed provided that the principle of promotion and relegation and the system of Black-balling of Clubs be given due consideration.

(iii)     Matches shall be played on a one round league basis and the principle of At Home and Away matches in subsequent years be followed subject to Rule 12 (Grounds).

(c) Zonal

(i)       No more than eight (8) clubs shall be accepted in each Division of the Zonal Competitions with corresponding grade. (The fielding of a Second Team in Division 2 may be waived subject to approval of the Executive Committee of the Board). There shall not be more than three Divisions in any Zone unless special application is made to the Executive giving specific reasons for the increase.

(ii)      The Zonal Councils, in their sole discretion, shall decide on the Clubs to be accepted and the Divisions in which they are placed providing that the principle of promotion and relegation and the system of Black-balling of Clubs be given due consideration.

(iii)     Matches shall be played on a one round league basis and the principle of At Home and Away matches in subsequent years shall be followed subject to Rule 12 (Grounds).

6 REGISTRATION OF PLAYERS

a)       There shall be a registration fee per player per season per competition and same shall be fixed annually by the Executive of the Board and shall take effect in the following season.

b)       No player shall take part in any competition of the Board unless his name has been registered with the appropriate Assistant Secretary on the approved form, at least seven (7) days prior to the commencement of a game. Registration will not be accepted unless accompanied by the registration fee.

c)        A player shall not take part for more than one club in a competition nor shall a player represent more than one team in the same division or grade.

d)       A player wishing to transfer or play for another club, regardless of the competition must obtain a written release from the club that he has previously played for. Relevant release must be approved by the appropriate Zonal Council/Committee.

e)       A player, who by reason of change of employment, is precluded from continuing to play for his previous club may, with the approval of the appropriate Committee be specially registered for another Club even though he may have already played for his previous Club in that season, provided that no player shall play twice against the same Club nor shall a player play against the club that he has previously played for in the same division or grade. Evidence/documents supporting employment such as Tax, NIS, Health Surcharge deductions plus letter from Employer confirming employment and outlining role of Employer to Club must be submitted.

f)          

(i)       Since the National League is one competition with two (2) divisions, any club which has two teams must register each team separately and treat each team as a separate entity.

(ii)      Movement will be allowed from one division to the other to a player who has not represented the National Team in the same season (1st August from one year to 31st July of the other year), provided that the said player has not played more than 50% (3) of the matches for a team as per fixtures

(iii)     for that season. ln order to prevent manipulation it is compulsory for a club to seek prior permission from the National League Committee if a player has to move from one division to the other after the fifth (5th round of competi­tion). No movement will be allowed to any player in the reserve league if both team are taking part in the same group/competition.

(iv)     No player shall play for both teams in any of the Limited Overs Competition

(v)      No movement will be allowed to any player if both teams are taking part in the same division

7. CLASSIFICATION OF PLAYERS

(a)        In any one season a player is ineligible for a Division or Grade if he has already played 50% or more matches as per fixtures for that season in a higher Division or Grade in the same competition.

(b)     A player - subject to proper registration in either of the three competitions - can participate in the Zonal, National League and Zonal Super League competitions, however, should he play in three or more matches in a division or grade of the National League and/or Zonal Super League, then he becomes ineligible to participate further in the Zonal Super League or Zonal competition as the case may be.

(c)        No player shall play in both Divisions of the National League in the same season except as specified in 6 (f) (ii).

8. PROMOTION & RELEGATION

A.       National League Competition

There shall be promotion and relegation between the Divisions as follows:

The last teams in Division 1 will be demoted to Division 2 and the team placing first in Division 2 will be promoted to Division 1 while the last team in Division 2 will be demoted to its appropriate Zonal Super League. The 7th placed team in Division 2 will engage in a play off with the three Super League winners, to determine promotion to division.

B.       Zonal Super League Competition

(i)       The winner of each Zonal Super League Competition (3) will join the 7th placed team of National League Division 2 in a play off to decide the two teams that will be promoted to National League Division 2.

The play offs will be of four (4) days duration, if an outright result is not obtained within the four days then the match will continue until first in­ning has been decided which will determine the teams that will be promoted. Dates & Venues will be fixed by the Board.

(ii)      Where teams are being demoted from National League Two to the same Zonal Super League having teams in excess of (8) the duly appointed committee shall make the necessary demotion to regularize the situation eliminating as necessary the lowest placed teams provided always that the principle of promotion and relegation and the system of Black Balling of clubs are followed.

(iii)     When no team from National League Two is being demoted to a ^particu­lar Zonal Super League resulting in that Super League having teams less than (8) after including the two teams promoted from Zonal Competition then the committee will allow the 7th placed team to remain (provided that this team meets all the criteria). The principle of promotion and relegation and the system of Black Balling of clubs must be followed.

(c) Zonal Competitions

(i)       The winner of Division One from each Zonal Competition will be pro­moted to the appropriated Zonal Super League competition except in the Central Zone when the winner and runner-up will be promoted to the Central Super League Competitions, always provided that Zonal Clubs can satisfy the criteria for Super League status.

(ii)      The teams placing first in Zone Division 2 & 3 shall be promoted to Zone Division 1 & 2 respectively in their respective Zones and the teams placing last in Zone Divisions 1 & 2 shall be demoted to Zone Divisions 2 & 3 respectively in their respective Zones.

(iii)     Where teams are to be demoted from Zonal Super League to the same Zone Division 1 resulting in the Division having teams in excess of eight, the Zonal Council shall make the necessary demotions to regularize the situation eliminating as necessary the lowest placed teams provided always that the principle of promotion and relegation and the system of Black-balling of clubs are followed.

(iv)     Where a team is to be promoted to the Super League resulting in the Zone Division 1 having less than eight (8) clubs, the Zonal Council shall make the necessary promotions within its Zonal structure to regularise the situation promoting as necessary from the next Division provided always that the principle of promotion and relegation and the system of Black-balling of Clubs are followed.

Promotion or relegation of Second Division teams shall coincide with their respective first teams.

9.        DURATION OF MATCHES

All matches of the Board's competition shall be of three (3) days duration unless so approved otherwise by the appropriate zone or committee. "Minimum Overs in a Day" regulation to be applied and will be adjusted accordingly by the appropriate zone or committee if duration of match is changed. Playing days of the reserve league may be varied by the competent committee or zonal council.

10.     HOURS OF PLAY/MINIMUM OVERS IN A DAY

(a) The Hours of Play on Each Day of all Matches shall be:

(3 day match)

Start:                 1st & 2nd day                          -1.00 p.m

                                          3rd day                                    -12.30 p.m.

Tea Interval:

1st & 2nd day                          -3.10 p.m. to 3.30 p.m

3rd day                                    -2.40 p.m. to 3.00 p.m.

Close:          1st & 2nd day                 -6.00 p.m.

3rd day                                    -5.30 p.m.

(2 day match)

Start:                 1st day                                     -10.00 a.m.

                     2nd day                                   -9.30 a.m.

Lunch:          1st day                          -12.30 p.m. to 1.10 p.m

2nd day.                                  -12:00 p.m. to 12.40 p.m.

Tea:                   1st day                                     -3.10 p.m. to 3.30 p.m

                          2nd day                                   -2:40 p.m. to 3.00 p.m.

Close:                1st day                                     -6.00 p.m

2nd day.                                  -5.30 p.m.

       Follow-on will be 150 runs for all matches of three days and two day durations

Footnote: Hours of Play could be varied subject to approval by the competent committee or Zonal Council.

(b) Minimum Overs in a Day (Three days)

(i) Play shall continue on each day until the completion of a minimum number of overs or until the scheduled cessation time, whether is the later. The minimum number of overs to be completed unless an innings ends or an interruption occurs shall be:-

(a)        on days other than the last days - a minimum of 70 overs.

(b)        on the last day - a minimum of 55 overs (or 15 overs per hour of playing time other than the last hour when Clause (v) below shall apply.

(ii) When an innings ends a minimum number of overs shall be bowled from the start of the new innings. The number of overs to be bowled shall be calculated on whichever of the following two bases produce the greater number of overs:-

(a)        One over for each full four minutes remaining from the commence­ment of the new innings to the schedules time for the close of play.

(b)        the minimum number of overs agreed for the day, less the number of overs already bowled and less all allowances for stoppages and intervals.

(iii) If interruptions for weather or light occur, other than in the last hour of the match for which Clause (v) makes provision, the minimum number of overs shall be reduced by one over each full four minutes of the aggre­gate playing time lost.

(iv) On the last day, if any minimum of 55 overs or re-calculated have not been bowled when 1 hour of scheduled playing time remains of the match for the purposes of Clause (v) shall be the hour immediately following completion of those overs.

(v) Law 17.6 and 17.7 will apply except that a minimum of 15, six balls overs, shall be bowled in the last hour and all calculations with regard to suspensions of play or the start of a new inning, shall be based on 1 over for each full 4 minutes.

If however, at any time after 30 minutes of the last hour elapsed both Captains (the batsmen at the wicket may act for their Captain) accept that there is no prospect of a result to the match; they may agree to cease play at any time.

(iv) Notwithstanding any other provision, there shall be no further play on any day except on the last day, if a wicket falls during the last minimum over within 2 minutes of the scheduled cessation time or hereafter.

(vii)    An over completed on resumption of a new day's play shall be disregard­ed in calculating minimum overs for that day.

(viii)Except on the final day in the event of ground, weather or light conditions causing a suspension of play and/or if the players are already off the field at the scheduled cessation time or any time hereafter, stumps shall be drawn, unless otherwise stated in the Playing Conditions.

(ix)     Fractions are to be ignored in all calculations re the number of overs.

The Mandatory 15 Overs in the Final Hour of play on the Third Day shall start at 4.30 p.m. unless otherwise according to Minimum Overs in a Day regulation.

Note: Umpires are requested to ensure that the law re: time wasting is strictly enforced

11.     WATER INTERVALS

Water must not be served to players on the field of play more than once before Tea and twice after Tea always provided that play has been in progress without inter­ruption for at least 45 minutes and that no water-break shall be taken after the start of the final 15 overs on the final day of play.

12.     GROUNDS

a)       Each Club is responsible for maintaining its grounds in good order and ensur­ing that the pitch is prepared in the best possible manner subject to weather conditions on each match day in time for a punctual start of play.

b)       Where a Club has been allocated a ground by the Fixtures Committee because of the Club's inability to provide a suitable ground as required by Rule 1 (c) (1), the Club is responsible for the preparation of the pitch and for any cost thereof.

c)        In arranging Fixtures the Fixtures Committee shall ensure that the grounds allocated for First Division matches are of adequate standard even if the application of the principle would preclude a Club's right to play a fixture At Home.

d)       Boundary markings should be clearly visible by the use of Flags and boundary lines unless the existence of an obvious boundary makes this unneces­sary

e)       Pitches must not be covered after the captains have tossed for innings if match is continued on consecutive days, except for National League competitions where the covering of pitches throughout the match is compulsory.

NOTE:

This rule does not prelude the right of a Club to cover its wickets on say, a Saturday night for purposes of a game on the Sunday which does not fall within the Council's jurisdiction.

(f) The watering of turf wickets overnight when play is on consecutive days is prohibited.

(g) The use of spikes on matting wickets is prohibited.

(h) As regards fitness of Ground, Weather and Light, attention is drawn to Law 3, Section 8.

(a) The Umpires shall be the sole judges of the fitness of the ground, weather and light for play.

(i)     However before deciding to suspend play or start play or not to resume play after an interval or stoppage, the Umpires shall establish whether both Cap­tains (the Batsmen at the wicket may deputise for their Captain) wish to commence or to continue in the prevailing conditions; if so, their wishes shall be met.

(ii)    In addition, if during play, the Umpires decide that the light is unfit, only the batting side shall have the option of continuing play. After agreeing to con­tinue to play in unfit light conditions, the Captain of the batting side (or a Batsman at the wicket) may appeal against the light to the Umpires, who shall uphold the appeal only if, in their opinion, the light has deteriorated since the agreement to continue was made.

(b)   After any suspension of play, the Umpires, unaccompanied by any of the Players or Officials shall, on their own initiative, carry out an inspection immediately the conditions improve and shall continue to inspect at intervals. Immediately the Umpires decide that play is possible shall call upon the Players to resume the game.

(i) After the commencement of a match, the pitch and ground remain under the jurisdiction of the         

    Umpires notwithstanding the time span between the first and second and third day's play and they in

    their sole discretion shall determine the fitness of the ground for play when the match re-commences.

13. POINTS SYSTEM:

(1)        Complete Match                                                    Points

Winner                                                                     16

Loser - First Innings lead obtained                          2

Loser - First Innings tie                                            2

Tie                                                                           8

Loser outright                                                          0

(2)        Incomplete Match

First innigns lead                                                      8

First innings lost                                                       2

Tie                                                                           5

(3)        If Match Abandoned - 0 point to be awarded.

(4)        First inning Undecided - 0 point to be awarded.

(5)        If any team withdraws or is expelled or suspended during the course of the competition, the points shall be scored as if that team did not complete.

NOTE:

If more than one team in the same division or grade complete the fixtures with an equal number of points, the winner or loser or other placings shall be decided on the basis of the Sonberg system, as follows:-

Each of the teams with the same points will be credited with the total points earned by the teams which they have defeated outright plus half of the points earned by the teams which they defeated on first innings in incomplete games.

14. DEFAULT

(a)        Any team which is not ready to start play thirty (30) minutes after the time appointed for the start of any day's play may lose the match by default pro vided, however, that if the defaulting team can produce evidence of extenuat­ing circumstances to warrant a reprieve, the Zonal Council or the Board's Executive Committee as the case may be, shall fix dates on which the match shall be played, or continued.

(b)                        Umpires are directed to report all such occurrences to the Secretary of the respective Zonal Councils or

      Executive Committee of the Board

 .

15 PENALTIES

In the event of a delayed start, defaulting a game or turning up short of a full team or playing an unregistered player, the offending team shall be fined a sum of money as determined by the Executive of the Board, unless extenuating circum­stances can be furnished by the club concerned to the satisfaction of the respec­tive Councils or Executive Committee.

16 BLACK-BALLING OF CLUBS

In the event of a delayed start, defaulting a game or turning up short of a full team

In addition to Fines and such other Disciplinary action taken in accordance with Rule 24. Points will be scored against Clubs as follows.-

a)       Unpunctuality                                                          5 points per day per match

b)       Default                                                                    25 points per match

c)        Failure to submit Match  Reports as required         5 points per match

d)       Incomplete Teams                                                  5 points per day per match

e)       Attire (unconventional)                                            2 points per day per match per player

f)         Indiscipline                                                               25 points each incident after due Investigation

g)       Unregistered Players                                              5 points per day per match

Umpires are requested to make special notes of infringements (a), (b), (d) & (e) on their Report Cards.

Clubs registering over 60 points in any season will be warned that they face expul­sion and/or demotion to a lower Division in the next season.

Clubs registering over 75 points will be refused admission in the next season.

Points recorded against a second team will count as points recorded against the Club.

17. POSTPONMENTS

For the Postponing of any day's play as set out in fixtures, the following conditions must be satisfied:-

(a) There must be mutual agreement in writing between the teams concerned as to the postponement and the day substituted. Agreement must be signed by both teams.

(b)        The Secretary of the National League/Zonal Super League Committee of the Secretary of the appropriate Zonal Council must be notified in writing giving the date substituted at least seven (7) days before the original day as given the fixture list. The reason for postponement must be stated.

(c)        The change of dates must have the approval of the National League Commit­tee or Zonal Council.

(d)        In the event of any emergency arising, reference must be made to the Emer­gency Committee of the Zonal Council or Committee for a ruling.

(e)        All correspondence concerning changes of fixtures and emergencies for National League matches must be directed to the National League Committee through its Secretary.

18. SCORING AND REPORTING OF MATCHES:

(1)        All Clubs must send in full details of matches as required on the official forms provided to the Assistant Secretary of the appropriate Zonal Council within seven (7) days of the completion of the match. Scores should be supervised by Captains to ensure that the record is being properly maintained.

(2)        In the event that any Club fails to send in any or all its match reports as in 18 (1), it shall be fined $75.00 for each such report unless exonerating circumstances can be furnished by the Club to the satisfaction of the National League Committee or Zonal Council. Furthermore, its players shall be liable to exclusion from the published averages for the season, unless the figures are readily available from the details submitted by its opponents.

(3)        Each team is required to make the necessary arrangements for supplying the results of each day's play to the Press.

19 AVERAGES

(a) The standard minimum qualifications for batting and bowling averages are as follows:-

(i)       For batting, at least 1/3 of total possible innings per fixtures.

(ii)      For bowling, an average of 10 overs per match as per fixture.

(b) The averages for each Division or Grade of cricket shall be computed and recorded separately.

20. TROPHIES

Trophies shall be presented annually to the winning club in Divisions and Grades
of the Board's competitions.

All trophies shall remain the property of the Board and the Clubs holding them for the time being shall take such measures for their safe keeping as the Board may require and shall also be liable in the event of loss or damage.

21.     PRIZES

Prizes shall be awarded to the Five Cricketers of the Year and for such other Club and/or individual performances as the Board may consider necessary from time to time.

22.     UMPIRES

Arrangements will be made by the Board with the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Umpires Council and the Umpires Association, of the various Zones, recognised by the Board for appointment of Umpire. In the absence of officially appointed umpires for whatever cause, the onus is on the Captains to appoint Umpires to take charge of the game. The decisions of such Umpires shall have the same effect as officially appointed Umpires.

23.     LAWS OF CRICKET

All matches in the Board's Competition shall be conducted in accordance with the current laws of cricket 1980 Code - as laid down by the International Cricket Council, including such experimental laws as may be introduced from time to time on advice of the Trinidad & Tobago Cricket Umpires & Scorers Council, save and except where certain laws are specially varied by these or special regulations. Certain Laws not amended are re-stated herein for easy reference.

24.     UMPIRES' REPORT CARDS AND CAPTAINS’ REPORTS

The printed report cards issued to the Umpires must be completed at the end of each day's play and signed by both Umpires and Captains at the end of the match and submitted to the appropriate Assistant Secretary of the respective Zonal Committee and the Asst. Secretary of the National League on the Monday follow­ing the completion of the match. In addition, both captains must submit a report on the prescribed form with the Match Report.

25.     DISCIPLINARY ACTION

The Zonal Councils shall have power to take disciplinary action as it may deem fit against any player, club or affiliated organisation for any action which the Zone may deem prejudicial to cricket.

Any club which shall permit a member who has been suspended by the Board or Zone to play in any match during the period of his suspension shall be liable to be expelled from the Board's completion.

Any affiliated organisation which shall permit a player, who has been suspended to play during the period of his suspension in any competition controlled by such organisation, shall be liable to have its affiliation to the Board cancelled. Refer to Code of Discipline and Appeals, Page.

26. INTERPRETATION

In these Regulations the Board or Zonal Council shall include any Sub-Committees appointed for any purpose whatsoever. All points of interpretations of these regula­tions shall be decided by the Board and all matters not provided for in these regulations shall be submitted to the Executive Committee for a decision.

27. TYPE OF BALLS

Clubs participating in all Divisions and Grades of the Board's Competitions will be required to use a good quality four piece ball.

28.    RESTRICTION - PRIVATELY SPONSORED COMPETITIONS

No club, whose entry to the competitions - National or Zonal Super League or Zonal, has been accepted in any year shall participate in a privately sponsored competition, whether sanctioned by the Board or not, without the approval of the Ex­ecutive of the Board/Zone given in writing, with such restrictions as the said Executive may impose. Violation of this regulation will result in disciplinary action against the club and/or its registered players.

29.    COPIES OF REGULATIONS TO CLUBS

These regulations are to be printed in the annual Fixtures Booklet and issued to all Clubs participating in the Board's competitions.

Amended January 1998