The Cherwell Cricket League

Disciplinary Regulations 2024

1. CODE OF CONDUCT AND SPIRIT OF CRICKET

1.1 Code of Conduct

    1.1.1 The Cherwell Cricket League is committed to maintaining the highest standards of behaviour and conduct. All clubs and players, by virtue of their registration with the League, explicitly agree to abide by this Code of Conduct, which incorporates the Spirit of Cricket, and are bound by the provisions in these Regulations.

    1.1.2 The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of Cricket as well as within the Laws.

    1.1.3 Players and club officials must at all times accept the umpire's decision. Players must not show dissent at the umpire's ecision or react in a provocative or disapproving manner towards another player or a spectator.

    1.1.4 Players and club officials shall not intimidate assault or attempt to intimidate or assault an umpire, another player, any club official or spectator.

    1.1.5 Players and club officials shall not use crude and/or abusive language (known as "sledging") nor make offensive gestures or hand signals nor deliberately distract an opponent.

    1.1.6 Players and club officials shall not use language or gestures that offend, insult, humiliate, intimidate, threaten, disparage or vilify another person on the basis of that person's race, religion, sexual orientation, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin.

    1.1.7 Players and club officials shall not use or in any way be concerned in the use or distribution of illegal drugs.

    1.1.8 Clubs must take adequate steps to ensure the good behaviour of their players, officials, members and supporters.

1.2 Spirit of Cricket

    Cricket is a game that owes much of its unique appeal to the fact that it should be played not only within its Laws, but also within the Spirit of the Game. Any action which is seen to abuse this spirit causes injury to the game itself. The major responsibility for ensuring the spirit of fair play rests with the captains.

    1.2.1 There are two Laws which place the responsibility for the team's conduct firmly on the captain.

Responsibility of 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.

Player's Conduct

In the event of any player failing to comply with the instructions of an umpire, criticising his decision by word or action, showing dissent, or generally behaving in a manner which might bring the game into disrepute, the umpire concerned shall in the first place report the matter to the other umpire and to the player's captain, requesting the latter to take action.

    1.2.2 Fair and Unfair Play
According to the Laws the umpires are the sole judges of fair and unfair play. The umpires may intervene at any time, and it is the responsibility of the captain to take action where required.

    1.2.3 The umpires are authorised to intervene in cases of:
    o Time wasting
    o Damaging the pitch
    o Dangerous or unfair bowling
    o Tampering with the ball
    o Any other action that they consider to be unfair.

    1.2.4 The Spirit of the Game involves RESPECT for:
    o Your opponents
    o Your own captain and team
    o The role of the umpires
    o The game's traditional values.

    1.2.5 It is against the Spirit of the Game:
    o To dispute an umpire's decision by word, action or gesture
    o To direct abusive language towards an opponent or umpire
    o To indulge in cheating or any sharp practice, for instance
     a) appeal knowing the batsman is not out
     b) advance towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing
     c) seek to distract an opponent either verbally or by harassment with persistent clapping or unnecessary noise under the guise of enthusiasm and motivation of one's own side.

    1.2.6 Violence
There is no place for any act of violence on the field of play.

    1.2.7 Players
Captains and umpires together set the tone for the conduct of a cricket match. Every player is expected to make an important contribution to this.

1.3 Non-Compliance

    Failure to comply with the provisions of this section 1 may lead to disciplinary action, irrespective of an alleged breach being related to a match not under the jurisdiction of the League.

2. AIMS AND JURISDICTION

2.1 Compliance

  The Cherwell Cricket League Code of Conduct shall be complied with by all those who participate under the jurisdiction of the League Management Committee; for the sake of clarity, this includes all players, club officials and club members. Participants shall at all times conduct themselves fairly and properly on any part of a cricket ground and not merely the field of play.

2.2 Reporting

  It is intended that any breach of Paragraph 1 should in the first instance be dealt with by the participant's club who shall notify the League Chairman of any action taken.

2.3 Investigation

   Any Breach of the code of conduct as outlined in Paragraph 1 must be reported to the Umpires' Secretary within 24 hours of the completion of the game by the umpires appointed to the game. The Umpires' Secretary will decide based on the written reports received from the umpires whether the offence should be categorised as Level 1, 2, 3 or 4, as set out in Appendix 1 below.

2.4 Procedure

  A discipline breach by a player will be dealt with under the procedure set out in Paragraph 4 below.

2.5 Serious Breaches

  Serious breaches will normally be dealt with by a full disciplinary hearing, following the procedure set out in Paragraph 5 below. Where a charge against a player is referred to a disciplinary hearing, his captain and club may be charged separately under their responsibilities as set out in Paragraph 1 above.

2.6 Umpires Authority

  Umpires have authority to decide that a player has committed a breach of Paragraph 1 without having previously issued any informal or formal warnings.

3 PROCEDURE

3.1 Alleged Breaches

   Any alleged breach of Paragraph 1 (to be known as 'a complaint') shall be notified by telephone or email to the Umpires' Secretary within 24 hours of the end of the match

3.2 Notification

  The Umpires' Secretary will inform the League Chairman and the League Secretary of the complaint and the League Secretary shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, inform the Secretary of the club against whom the complaint has been made and request a report. The club must provide the report within 36 hours of the request being made.

3.3 Reports

  The reports from both the umpires and from the club will be considered on the Wednesday following the incident. The complaint will be considered by the League Chairman, League Secretary and Umpires' Secretary (or their nominated deputies) and they will resolve either:

    3.3.1 To take no action except to record the complaint (for the purposes of 4.2 below) and notify the club; or

    3.3.2 To endorse any action taken by the club; or

    3.3.3 Consider the matter as a Disciplinary issue, identify the level of the breach according to the code of conduct and decide on appropriate sanction which will be conveyed to the club within 48 hours in time for the next set of matches. This may include notice that a Disciplinary Hearing will be convened.

4. DISCIPLINARY BREACHES

4.1 Cautions

  Umpires will caution the player as to his conduct, advise him and his captain, at the post-match meeting, that the player will be named on the Umpires' report form.

4.2 Repeat Offences

  Any player so named three times on the Umpires Report Form in a season will receive an automatic two match ban.

4.3 Reporting

  It should be noted that the umpires may decide that a single breach is sufficiently serious to report the matter under Paragraph 4.1, above.

4.4 Suspensions

  Suspensions shall be carried over to the following season if applicable, even if the player changes club or league.

4.5 Multiple Reports

  Where a club receives more than one report under Paragraph 4.1 in any one season, that club may have five league points deducted, on the second, and each subsequent occasion . Note that reports on individuals from the same match shall be regarded as separate reports even if contained in the same document.

4.6 Appeals

  Any appeal against a sanction imposed under the procedure for Minor Breaches shall only be allowed on the grounds of mistaken identity, misrepresentation or failure of the umpires to follow the procedures in Paragraphs 4.1 above.

5. DISCIPLINARY HEARINGS

5.1 Timing

  In any case which is referred for a Disciplinary Hearing, the League Chairman shall convene the hearing within TEN days of the decision to refer. Any adjournments may be granted at the discretion of the League Chairman.

5.2 Notice Period

  At least FIVE days' notice in writing of the hearing shall be given to the player and copied to his club Secretary. In the case of a club, its Secretary shall be so notified. The notice shall specify the alleged breach(es) of Paragraph 1 above.

5.3 Entitlements

  The accused player or club shall be entitled:

    5.3.1 To submit written statements ahead of the hearing

    5.3.2 To attend the hearing

    5.3.3 To state his case (in the case of a club, by its Secretary or other official)

    5.3.4 To be supported by a colleague and to call witnesses.

5.4 Legal Representation

  There is no right to legal representation but the accused person or club is permitted to have a "friend" present (see 5.3.4.above) who can take no formal part in the proceedings

5.5 Panel

  The Hearing shall be conducted by a Disciplinary Panel appointed by the League Chairman and shall consist of not less than three persons. None of the Panel should be connnected with the player, the club or their opponents at the time of the alleged breach, or a club which might directly benefit from any disciplinary action.

5.6 Proof

  The standard of proof shall be on the balance of probabilities rather than the criminal standard of beyond reasonable doubt.

6. PENALTIES

6.1 Powers

  If at a hearing a breach of Paragraph 1 is proved, the Disciplinary Panel shall have the power to impose one or more of the following penalties, together with such order as to costs as it deems appropriate:

6.2 In the case of a player

    6.2.1 To require the player to submit appropriate letter(s) of apology within a specified time.

    6.2.2 To record a reprimand and to give a warning as to future conduct.

    6.2.3 To impose a fine.

    6.2.4 To suspend the player for one or more matches, or for a stated period of time.

    6.2.5 To deduct League points from the player's team.

    6.2.6 To expel the player from the League.

6.3 In the case of a club

    6.3.1 To require the club to submit appropriate letter(s) of apology within a specified time.

    6.3.2 To record a reprimand and to give a warning as to future conduct.

    6.3.3 To impose a fine.

    6.3.4 To deduct League points from the club's team.

    6.3.5 To relegate to any lower division of the League.

    6.3.6 To refer the matter to an EGM with the purpose of having the club expelled from the League in accordance with Constitutional requirements.

6.4 Suspensions

  The Disciplinary Panel shall have the power to suspend the operation of any part, or all, of the penalty it imposes for such period and subject to such terms and conditions it deems appropriate.

6.5 Voting

    Decisions of the Disciplinary Panel (a finding that a complaint is proved or not proved or a decision on penalty) shall be by majority vote; where necessary the Disciplinary Panel Chairman shall have a casting vote.

7 APPEALS

7.1 Right of Appeal

  Where a breach of Paragraph 1 has been proved at a Disciplinary Hearing, a player or club shall have the right of appeal. Where a player and his club are appealing in relation to the same incident, they must do so separately.

7.2 Notice

  A notice of appeal setting out the grounds must be given in writing to the Secretary within SEVEN days of the decision of the Disciplinary Panel, together with a deposit of £50.

7.3 Timing

  If a notice of appeal is given, the penalty shall not take effect pending the hearing of the Appeal, which shall take place as soon as is practicable and in any event within TEN days of receipt of notice of the appeal.

7.4 Process

  The Appeal shall be by way of a re-hearing before a different Panel. The Appeal Panel shall be appointed by the League Chairman and shall consist of not less than three persons. None of the Panel should be connected with the individual or the club or their opponents, or a club which might directly benefit from any disciplinary action. They must not be people involved in the original hearing.

7.5 Entitlements

  The player or club shall have the same entitlements as set out in Paragraph 5.3 above.

7.6 Appeal Jurisdiction

  The Appeals Panel may confirm, vary or reverse the decision of the Disciplinary Panel and it shall have the power to increase the penalty and award costs of the Appeal hearing and forfeit the whole or part of the deposit. Decisions of the Appeal Panel shall be by majority vote; where necessary, the Chairman shall have a casting vote.

7.7 Appeal Decision

  The decision of the Appeals Panel or, if no appeal, of the Disciplinary Panel, shall be final and binding.

7.8 Reporting

  The League shall report match bans in writing to the relevant club's County Board for national circulation. Players should understand that match bans will normally apply to all cricket played under the auspices of the ECB.

Appendix 1 - Breaches of Discipline

  Certain conduct, whether on or off the field of play, amounting to a breach of the Laws of Cricket and/or the Spirit of Cricket have been categorised into 4 levels which are set out below:

Level 1

    (a) time wasting by either the fielding side or the batting side

    (b) abuse of the cricket ground, equipment or fixtures

    (c) showing dissent at an umpire's decision by word or action

    (d) using language that is obscene, offensive or insulting and or the making of an obscene gesture

    (e) excessive appealing

Level 2

    (a) showing serious dissent at an umpire's decision by word or action

    (b) inappropriate and deliberate physical contact between players in the course of play

    (c) charging or advancing towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing

    (d) deliberate and malicious distraction or obstruction on the field of play, regardless as to whether such conduct is deemed to be fair under law 42.5

    (e) throwing the ball at or near a player, umpire or official in an inappropriate and dangerous manner

    (f) using language or gesture that is obscene or of a serious insulting nature to another player, umpire, team official or spectator

    (g) changing the condition of the ball other than as permitted by Law 42.3

    (h) the bowling of fast short pitched balls that result in the bowler being disallowed from bowling further in that innings

    (i) causing avoidable damage to the pitch contrary to Laws 42.13 and/or Law 42.14 that results in a five run penalty being awarded

Level 3

    (a) intimidating an umpire

    (b) threatening to assault another player, team official or spectator

    (c) using language or gesture that offend, insult, humiliate, intimidate, threaten, disparage or vilify another

    (d) person on the basis of that person's race, religion, sexual orientation, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin

    (e) the deliberate bowling of any high full-pitched ball contrary to Law 42.8

Level 4

    (a) threatening an umpire

    (b) physical assault of another player, umpire, official or spectator

    (c) any act of violence on the field of play

    (d) using language or gestures that seriously offend, insult, humiliate, intimidate, threaten, disparage or vilify another person on the basis of that person's religion, sexual orientation, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin.

Appendix 2 - Sentencing Guidelines

Guidelines

  The following is a guide to the match bans that may be imposed by Disciplinary/Appeals Panels for individual breaches of discipline, as set out above:

    (a) Level 1 Warning and/or suspended ban for first offence. Possible ban for subsequent offences (Carried over to subsequent season)

    (b) Level 2 2 to 8 matches

    (c) Level 3 4 to 10 matches

    (d) Level 4 A minimum of 10 matches

Contributing Factors

  Panels will take the following factors into account when determining the penalties to be imposed:

    (a) If the accused player/club has pleaded guilty

    (b) His previous disciplinary record

    (c) If the player is also the captain

    (d) The conduct of the player subsequent to him being warned and told that he will be reported

    (e) If an appeal is considered to be spurious

You can download a copy of these regulations here