KCL General Conduct Regulations 2026
Kent Cricket League
General Conduct Regulations
Index
KCL General Conduct Regulations Section 1 – Introduction
Section 2 – Conduct Obligations
On and around the field of play
Offence Levels
Captain / Team Responsibility
Off field conduct
Section 3 – Disciplinary Process
Section 4 – Personal Hearing
Section 5 – Sanctions
Section 6 – Sanction Guidelines
Appendices
Document 1 – Umpires Indemnity
Document 2 – Spirit of Cricket
Document 3 – Discipline Points Penalties (Tier 1A) (17)
Date of Last Amendments – 26.02.26
Approval by Clubs at AGM – February 2026
Kent Cricket League General Conduct Regulations
KCL General Conduct Regulations
Section 1 – Introduction
1. The England & Wales Cricket Board [ECB) is committed to maintaining the highest
standards of behaviour and conduct in the game of cricket. The ECB Premier Leagues,
including the Kent Cricket League (KCL), will operate within the jurisdiction of the ECB, share
this commitment, and take it very seriously.
2. The ECB issued in 2022 its General Conduct Regulations for Recreational Cricket (GCR)
and the use of these is mandatory for all ECB Premier Leagues. Leagues are empowered to
adapt the GCR, as they feel appropriate for their own local needs, provided the general
principles and processes to be used are consistent. This document defines the disciplinary
process that will apply to all matches in the jurisdiction of the KCL.
3. The purpose of the GCR is to set consistent standards of conduct and behaviour and
provide a single set of regulations, which can be applied consistently at the top end of
recreational cricket. This will ensure that disciplinary matters are dealt with in a fair,
efficient and consistent manner by cricket organisations and aid cricket organisations when
establishing and running their disciplinary processes. The regulations also contain sanction
guidelines, which will ensure there is more consistency across recreational cricket. It is to
the benefit of cricket that broadly the same process and sanctions that will apply to a
participant, whether they are based in the North-East or the South-West. Conducting a fair
and transparent disciplinary process will also help to protect cricket organisations from legal
or reputational damage.
4. For all matches within its jurisdiction the KCL is responsible for both the disciplinary
process and the appeal process. The KCL remains committed to working with Clubs who play
in the league. Whilst retaining responsibility for ensuring all disciplinary issues are dealt with
appropriately and in keeping with the requirements of the GCR, the KCL will continue to
expect each Club to engage appropriately with the KCL and apply appropriate sanctions
accordingly.
5. The regulations cover both on-field offences and off-field offences (such as inappropriate
comments on social media). As cricket organisations will be aware, there has been (and will
no doubt continue to be), an increase in cases involving off-field offences and the
regulations will help cricket organisations to navigate the disciplinary process when such
complex issues arise.
6. Whereas the GCR deal with poor behaviour, generally reported by an umpire/witness, the
responsibility for upholding standards of behaviour always lies squarely with the Clubs, and
particularly the captain of each team on the day.
Note: The Spirit of Cricket, which is now incorporated in the Laws of Cricket (and is set out in
Appendix 2).
7. All Clubs must take a firm stand to uphold high standards of behaviour, whether an
incident is reported or not, and to ensure that any appropriate action is taken.
Each member Club MUST have in place a disciplinary procedure within its own rules.
NOTE: Copy of Club Code of Conduct / Discipline Process to held on file by the League.
8. Every player registered to play in the KCL explicitly acknowledges by virtue of their
registration the constitution of the KCL and in particular the powers of the KCL in relation
to conduct and breaches of the rules, including the procedures specified and undertakes
to be bound by them, including the powers of suspension, without recourse to appeal
unless such appeal is so specified.
9. Independent Discipline Adjudicators to which the GCR applies and any executive member
of the KCL (including, but not limited to, the Discipline Manager and Appeal Panel Members)
involved in any proceedings subject to the GCR, shall not be held liable for any acts or
omissions in relation to any such proceedings.
Section 2 – Conduct Obligations
On and around the field of play
1. Any cricketer shall be in breach of these regulations, at the relevant level of offence detailed
below, if they do not conduct themselves fairly and properly on and around the field of play and
otherwise in accordance with the Laws of Cricket or the Spirit of Cricket. Such conduct, which will
result in a breach of these regulations, shall include any misconduct of a cricketer on any match day
as specified in Law 42 of the Laws of Cricket, namely:
** Offence Levels **
Level 1
(a) Willfully mistreating any part of the cricket ground or any equipment or implements
used in the match.
(b) Showing dissent at a match official’s decision by word or action.
(c) Using language that, in the circumstances, is obscene, offensive, or insulting.
(d) Appealing excessively.
(e) Advancing towards a match official in an aggressive manner when appealing.
(f) Any other misconduct, the nature of which is equivalent to a Level 1 offence.
Level 2
(a) Showing serious dissent at a match official’s decision by word or action.
(b) Making inappropriate and deliberate physical contact (direct or indirect) with another
cricketer.
(c) Throwing the ball at a cricketer, match official, or another person in an inappropriate and
dangerous manner.
(d) Using language or gesture to another cricketer, match official, team official or spectator
that, in the circumstances, is obscene or of a seriously insulting nature.
(e) Any other misconduct, the nature of which is equivalent to a Level 2 offence.
Level 3
(a) Intimidating a match official by language or behaviour; and/or
(b) Threatening to assault a cricketer or any other person except a match official; or
(c) Any other misconduct, the nature of which is equivalent to a Level 3 offence.
Level 4
(a) Threatening to assault a match official.
(b) Physically assaulting a cricketer or any other person; and/or
(c) Committing any other act of violence.
(d) Any other misconduct, the nature of which is equivalent to a Level 4 offence.
Level 4 Plus
(a) Making inappropriate and deliberate and/or dangerous physical contact (direct or
indirect) with an umpire; and/or
(b) Physically assaulting a match official.
2. A cricketer shall also be in breach of these regulations on and around the field of play if they:
(a) commit any breach of Law 41; or
(b) act in a manner contrary to the ECB’s Anti-Discrimination Code; or
(c) conduct themselves in a manner or act in a manner which is improper, or which may be
prejudicial to the interests of cricket, or which may bring the ECB, the game of cricket or any
cricketer or group of cricketers into disrepute.
3. Any coach, match official or Club official shall be in breach of these regulations if they fail to
conduct themselves fairly and properly on any part of the cricket ground on any match day. Conduct,
which is not fair and proper and will therefore result in a breach of these regulations shall include,
but not be limited to:
(a) making inappropriate and deliberate and/or dangerous physical contact with, threatening to
assault, physically assaulting or committing any act of violence towards any other participant
(including a match official) or any member of the public;
(b) showing dissent at a match official’s decision by language or behaviour, advancing towards a
match official in an aggressive manner when appealing or intimidating a match official by language
or behaviour;
(c) using language that, in the circumstances, is obscene, offensive, insulting or seriously insulting;
(d) making an obscene or seriously insulting gesture;
(e) conducting themselves in a manner or acting in a manner which is improper, or which may be
prejudicial to the interests of cricket, or which may bring the ECB, the game of cricket or any
cricketer or group of cricketers into disrepute; and/or
(f) acting in a manner contrary to the ECB’s Anti-Discrimination Code.
4. If a match official considers that there has been an on-field breach, they will make a written
report to the KCL Discipline Manager (DM).This written report shall be made irrespective of any
action the match official may have taken on the field of play. Other individuals can also report on-
field breaches either to a match official, in which case the match official will make a written report,
or to the DM directly by way of written report (for example, if the on-field breach relates to a match
official). If there is no match official appointed to a particular match, individuals can report on-field
breaches to a captain or Club official who can then make a written report to the DM on their behalf.
Captain / Team Responsibility
5. If any cricketer commits two or more breaches (Conduct Obligations on and around the field of
play), which take place during or immediately before or after a match, when playing for the same
Club in a season it shall automatically be a separate offence of failing to ensure that the relevant
cricketers have complied with their obligations for each of:
(a) any person who captained the team in each of the relevant match(es); and
(b) the Club the cricketer was playing for.
6. Clubs shall also be held responsible for disorderly behaviour at any part of the cricket ground on
any match day by their members and spectators, unless they can show that:
(a) they took adequate steps to ensure that their members and spectators behaved in an orderly
fashion; and/or
(b) they did not or could not control entry to that part of the cricket ground by the relevant
spectators and it would therefore not be fair for them to be held responsible.
Off-field conduct
7. A participant shall be in breach of these regulations if they commit any misconduct as set out
below which either relates to their participation in recreational Cricket and/or is of a sufficiently
serious nature to justify disciplinary action being taken in relation to their participation in
recreational Cricket:
(a) making an abusive, obscene, offensive or otherwise insulting comment or gesture (in any form) in
relation to any other participant or any other person;
(b) any act of violence towards another person;
(c) engaging in behaviour that constitutes any form of abuse or harassment, whether physical,
sexual, emotional, neglectful or bullying in nature;
(d) any breach of the ECB Anti-Discrimination Code;
(e) making any adverse public statement or comment in any form and by any means about the
performance and/or decision(s) of any match official(s);
(f) failing to report to their Club, any relevant criminal offence for which they have been subject to
investigation and/or charged with;
(g) conducting themselves in a manner, or doing or omitting to do anything which is or may be
prejudicial to the best interests of cricket, or which may bring or does bring the game of cricket or
the KCL/ECB into disrepute; engaging in any corrupt conduct in relation to cricket, in particular:
(i) fixing the result, progress, conduct or any aspect of a match;
(ii) ensuring the occurrence of a particular incident in a match;
(iii) accepting a bribe to conduct the activities described in (a) or (b) above; and/or
(iv) receiving a custodial sentence for any of the activities described in (a)-(c) above; and/or
(h) failing to comply with any decisions or sanctions validly imposed on them following due process
as prescribed by these regulations.
8. A Club shall be in breach of these regulations if, at any time:
(a) it fails to take reasonable steps to ensure the good behaviour and conduct of their participants
for any breach of these regulations;
(b) it knowingly permits a cricketer who is suspended as a result of a previous breach of these
regulations to play in any match or competition;
(c) any of its participants commit any serious, collective or repeated breaches of these regulations;
(d) it commits any breach of its obligations under the ECB Anti-Discrimination Code; and/or
(e) it fails to comply with any decision(s) and/or sanction(s) validly imposed on it or on any person
within the organisation, which has arisen following due process as prescribed by these regulations.
9. Participants are considered responsible for any relevant posts on their social media accounts and
may be in breach of these regulations for posting, repeating, commenting or supporting posts or
comments by others (e.g. ‘retweeting’ or ‘liking’) on social media.
Section 3 – Disciplinary Process
1. The disciplinary process commences on confirmation of receipt of a written report via
email to kcldiscipline@outlook.com
This MUST be by 5pm Monday following the match at which the alleged incident took place
or within seven [7] days after the event occurred, in the case of off-field conduct.
In exceptional circumstances, if the written report cannot be sent within these deadlines,
a phone call MUST be made to the DM to explain the brief nature of the report and why it
can’t be sent in time.
Any reports submitted after these deadlines, without a phone call being made, will not be
considered.
2. ALL reports will be investigated by the DM or Deputy DM. The investigation MUST be
concluded within fourteen [14] days after the written report of the alleged incident is
received.
3. The DM must consider whether there is sufficient information and/or grounds to charge
the relevant participant or Club with a breach of these regulations.
If further information is required, the DM shall conduct any further investigation that is
necessary within fourteen [14] days of the receipt of the written report.
4. If the DM considers that there is sufficient information and/or grounds, the DM will issue
a charge letter (outlining the alleged offence and offence level) to the respondent (or the
participant’s Club to share with the participant charged).
If the DM considers that there is not, the DM will inform the individual who submitted the
report that no further action will be taken and will provide written reasons why.
The decision made by the DM not to charge, can be appealed by the Chair of the KCL.
5. If a participant is charged with a Level 4 offence or a repeat offence where there is a
realistic chance of a match ban of ten [10] or more matches or expulsion from the KCL, the
participant will be automatically suspended from ALL cricket activities until the case has
been dealt with. In that case, the hearing MUST be completed within fourteen [14] days
unless dispensation has been granted by the Independent Discipline Adjudicator (IDA) and
written reasons for the delay given to the participant charged.
6. If the charge and level of offence is accepted by the participant/Club, the case will be
heard by an IDA. They will be totally independent of the KCL. They will then decide the
applicable sanction. The respondent may accept the charge but elect to have a personal
hearing so that the IDA can hear their plea of mitigation. This will normally be heard no later
than fourteen [14] days after the charge being accepted.
(See Section 4 in relation to Personal Hearings).
7. If the alleged charge or offence level is not accepted, the respondent can have their case
considered by the IDA on the basis of written statements alone or they can elect to have a
personal hearing.
(See Section 4 in relation to Personal Hearings).
8. The IDA will determine whether the alleged offence(s) has been committed and if so, at
what level. ALL decisions by an IDA or by an Appeal Panel (see below) will be accompanied
by full written reasons. These written reasons will be provided to the DM and the
respondent and their Club, normally within three [3] working days of the hearing’s
completion. The burden of proof for all decisions made is based upon the civil test of
‘balance of probabilities’, that is whether the offence is more likely than not to have
occurred.
9. The IDA’s decision can be appealed to an Appeal Panel by the relevant participant or their
Club or by the Chair of the KCL. The appeal hearing will consist of an IDA (that did not hear
the original case) who will Chair the Appeal Panel, and two independent members. The
Appeal Panel’s decision will be final and there is no further right of appeal.
10. There is no right of appeal for any Level 1 offence in Tier 1A or KCL cup competitions
where one or more panel umpires are officiating, and the report(s) is/are by panel
umpire(s), except where there is a case of mistaken identity, this must be backed by video
evidence or where the alleged offence is committed by a match official. This also includes
where an IDA finds an offence proved at Level 1, even if it was originally charged at a higher
level.
11. The notice of appeal must contain at least one of the following grounds of appeal.
i) The IDA came to a decision to which no reasonable Adjudicator could have come to
regarding verdict only.
ii) There was a serious procedural irregularity, which includes the IDA or DM not following
the procedure set out in these regulations, in a way which significantly impacted the rights
of the appellant to have a fair hearing and caused the decision to be unjust.
iii) There is fresh evidence (in which case the notice of appeal must state why the evidence
could not be presented at the original hearing or before the original decision was made and
is, or would have been, material to the decision).
iv) The sanction imposed was manifestly excessive or lenient by reference to the sanction
provisions of these regulations.
(See Section 5 and 6 below in relation to Sanctions).
12. The Appeal Panel will consider whether the grounds for appeal have been made out.
Where an appeal is not upheld, the Appeal Panel can implement a new sanction that may
differ from (and may be greater than) the original sanction. The Appeal Panel will make its
decision based on written statements, unless the appellant requests a personal hearing.
(See Section 4 in relation to Personal Hearings).
Section 4 – Personal Hearing
kcldiscipline@outlook.com 1. An individual or Club subject to a charge or who wishes to appeal against the decision of
the IDA may request a personal hearing.
To do so, the respondent shall submit:
a) A notice of a personal hearing/appeal/plea of mitigation to the DM via email to
within seven [7] days of receipt of the charge or, in the case of
an appeal, within seven [7] days of receipt of the decision in writing. This must include their
reasons for a personal hearing/appeal/plea of mitigation.
b) An invoice for £330 to cover the standard administrative costs of a personal hearing will
be issued to the participant or the participant’s Club. This must be paid before the personal
hearing commences. If the personal hearing/appeal is successful, the participant/the
participant’s Club will be refunded in full.
c) The participant or Club can appeal the decision of the personal hearing before the IDA
following the above procedure. If as a consequence a second personal hearing is held, a
further £330 invoice will be issued.
2. Personal hearings will be heard via Microsoft TEAMS on weekday evenings only.
(a) The IDA will Chair personal hearings and the DM will act as Secretary.
(b) The DM will run through the finer details of how the hearing works with all participants
in advance of the hearing.
(c) Evidence will be heard from witnesses of the alleged incident first. The IDA will then ask
any questions of the witnesses. The respondent can then ask any questions they may have
of the witnesses. This is repeated for all witnesses. Once all questions of the witnesses have
been asked, they will be asked to leave the meeting and they will play no further part in the
hearing. Any other relevant evidence, e.g. pictures/video footage/screenshots etc. can be
exhibited by the Secretary at request of the IDA where applicable.
(d) The respondent will then give evidence and the IDA will ask any questions. The
respondent then can call their witnesses/present any other evidence. The respondent can
then ask their witnesses any questions. The IDA will then ask any questions of the
respondent’s witnesses. The IDA can ask questions first at the discretion of the respondent.
(e) The respondent will then have an opportunity to sum up their defence to the charge.
They cannot add any new evidence at this stage.
(f) The IDA will then confirm that the respondent has had the opportunity to present all
their evidence and that they have had a fair hearing. The IDA will then make their decision.
(g) If the charge is not proved, that is the end of the hearing; the hearing fee referred to in
paragraph 1 of this Section will be returned as set out in that paragraph. If the charge is
found proved, the Secretary will read out the respondent’s discipline record for the last 3
years. The respondent can give any mitigation to the IDA to take into consideration before
deciding any sanction.
(h) The IDA will make their decision and the respondent will be notified of the decision by
the Secretary. This concludes the hearing. The reasons for the IDA’s decision will be
provided in writing, normally within three [3] working days, whether the case is proved or
not.
(i) The process on an appeal is the same, apart from there will be three [3] members of the
Appeal Panel as referred to in Section 9 above.
(j) ALL under 18 participants in the hearing MUST be accompanied by an appropriate adult
who cannot take part in the hearing. Special protocols are in place for when children give
their evidence, including only the Chair being able to ask questions and where applicable
cameras of other participants will be turned off.
(k) Only participants who are 12 years and over can be charged or be a witness in a hearing.
Section 5 – Sanctions
Paragraphs 1-8 below set out the standard sanctions that apply. The IDA or Appeal Panel
can deviate from these standard sanctions in the circumstances set out in paragraph 9
below.
1. Any participant guilty of a Level 1 offence shall be suspended by their Club for a minimum
of the next ONE league match played.
The Club will also be fined a sum between £0 – £125.
2. Any participant guilty of a Level 2 offence shall be suspended by their Club for a minimum
of the next TWO league matches played.
The Club will also be fined a sum between £125 – £250.
3. Any participant guilty of a Level 3 offence shall be suspended by their Club for a minimum
of the next FOUR league matches played.
The Club will also be fined a sum between £250 – £375.
4. Any participant guilty of a Level 4 offence shall be suspended by their Club for a minimum
of the next TEN league matches played.
The Club will also be fined a sum between £375 – £500.
5. Any participant guilty of a Level 4 Plus offence shall be suspended by their Club. The
participant shall also be expelled from the Kent Cricket League with immediate effect.
The Club will also be fined a sum between £375 – £500.
6. If the participant guilty of an offence is the captain (of the team at the time of the
incident) their suspension by their Club will be doubled. The fine will remain the same.
7. If the offence is aggravated by a breach of the ECB’s Anti-Discrimination Code the
sanction (ban & fine) MUST be uplifted. The uplift MUST be shown in the written reasons.
The amount of uplift is at the discretion of the IDA/Appeal Panel.
8. Any participant guilty of a repeat offence in any one season, will be sanctioned as per the
table below:
Level / Offence 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
Level 1 1 / £0 – £125 2 / £0 – £125 6 / £125 – £250 18 / £250 – £375
Level 2 2 / £125 – £250 4 / £125 – £250 8 / £250 – £375 Exp. / £375 – £500
Level 3 4 / £250 – £375 8 / £250 – £375 Exp. / £375 – £500 n/a
Level 4 10 / £375 – £500 Exp. / £375 – £500 n/a n/a
Level 4 Plus Exp. / £375 – £500 n/a n/a n/a
The match bans as indicated above are for KCL matches and are minimum guidelines.
9. The IDA or Appeal Panel can deviate from the standard sanctions in paragraphs 1-8 above
including, but not limited to:
Suspending some or all the suspension period for up to a maximum of two years.
A calendar date ban rather than number of league matches.
A ban from ALL or some cricketing activities within the KCL.
Expulsion of participant from the KCL.
Expulsion of a Club from the KCL.
Relegation of a Club (or a team) to a lower division.
A fine of no more than £500 per offence.
Letter of apology.
Awarding costs up to a maximum of £300 per offence.
Deduction of a Club’s league points.
Any other sanction/action that the IDA or Appeal Panel consider is appropriate in the
circumstances.
In considering whether to so deviate the IDA or Appeal Panel will take into account the
Sanction Guidelines in Section 6 below.
10 (a). The commencement date of any suspension imposed will start on a Monday and will
allow for the permitted 7 days for an appeal. Suspensions will be carried over to the
following season if applicable.
10 (b). Subject to paragraph 10 (a) above, and unless the IDA or Appeal Panel determines
otherwise, any order or sanction shall come into effect immediately at the date of the
notification of the decision.
10 (c). The IDA or Appeal Panel may issue such further order, requirement or instruction as
it considers appropriate for giving effect to its decision.
10 (d) i). Where an IDA or Appeal Panel is satisfied that a Club has failed to observe or
comply with a sanction or order imposed by the IDA or Appeal Panel, the IDA or Appeal
Panel shall have the power to order that the Club be suspended immediately from all KCL
matches.
10 (d) ii). Where an IDA or Appeal Panel is satisfied that a participant has failed to observe
or comply with a sanction or order imposed by the IDA or Appeal Panel, the IDA or Appeal
Panel shall have the power to order that the participant be suspended immediately from all
KCL matches and shall NOT be invited to join any other Kent League Club or Umpire’s Panel
for such period and on such conditions as it considers appropriate.
10 (e). In respect of any appeal made by a participant/Club against a decision of an IDA, the
IDA shall have the power, upon application by the participant/Club or of its own volition and
its absolute discretion, to stay the effect of, or compliance by the participant/Club with, a
sanction or order of the IDA.
11. A participant suspended for any reason shall not be selected to participate in Kent
League representative matches in the season or seasons in which the suspension applies.
12. Any participant who is expelled from the KCL shall NOT be invited to join any other Kent
League Club or Umpire’s Panel at any time in the future.
13. The outcome of any disciplinary cases along with the relevant sanctions will be
published / displayed on the KCL website unless the IDA or Appeal Panel state in their
written reasons that they should not be published and the reasons why.
Cases where the respondent is Under 18 will not be published.
14. In addition to the sanctions (namely, players being suspended and fines) as outlined
under the KCL General Conduct Regulations (see paragraph 9), the following costs can be
awarded by the IDA.
This will be actioned at the conclusion of the case, if the IDA proves the charge or it is
accepted by the participant/Club.
a) £300 for a personal hearing. Please note that the admin fee of £330 is in addition to
this. Total £630. (See Section 4 in relation to personal hearings).
b) c) d) £190 for a deny correspondence hearing.
£125 for an accept correspondence hearing.
£60 for an accept correspondence hearing. {Level 1 offence, Tier 1A Only}
Section 6 – Sanction Guidelines
1. The IDA or Appeal Panel shall consider all aggravating and mitigating factors when
determining the appropriate sanction.
2. These may include but not limited to:
Aggravating factors
(a) The ages of the participant and any victim at the time of the offence, particularly where
the victim was a child, and the participant was not.
(b) The profile of the participant, including whether they hold a position of responsibility
within their Club (e.g. club/team captain, chair, or member of senior management).
(c) Any previous disciplinary record over the previous three years. (This is not applicable for
repeat offences in the same season, the sanction guidelines already reflect this aggravating
factor).
(d) Failure to co-operate with the DM whilst conducting the investigation or during relevant
hearing.
(e) Any attempt to conceal the breach.
(f) The extent of any premeditation or planning.
(g) The level of harm and/or distress to the victim.
(h) The public nature of the offence (such as commission of the offence in a public place,
children present or via broadcast media/social media platform, a closed or open forum).
(i) Use of discriminatory language or conduct, or any other behaviour that breaches the
ECB’s Anti-Discrimination Code, whilst also carrying out a separate offence under the
regulations. (Uplift for this offence MUST be included in the written reasons).
(j) Any other aggravating factor that the IDA or Appeal Panel consider is relevant.
Mitigating factors
(a) Good previous disciplinary record over the previous three years.
(b) The age of the participant at the time of the offence.
(c) Admission at the earliest opportunity, where the factual conduct forming the basis of the
charge would be capable of being disputed.
(d) Demonstration of genuine remorse.
(e) Co-operation with the DM and during the relevant hearing.
(f) Inexperience of the participant by reference to their age or background at the time of the
offence. This includes any medical conditions relevant to the charge.
(g) In respect of social media posts, the age of the post and the participant’s age at the time
of the post and whether in a public or private domain/group.
(h) Any action to put the breach right and any education programme undertaken so that
there is no repeat of the breach.
(i) Any other mitigating factor that the IDA or Appeal Panel consider is relevant.
Appendices
Document 1 – Umpires Indemnity
At the AGM each Club gave the confirmations set out below.
It is the responsibility of each Club and in particular of the relevant team captain to ensure
that they are complied with. It is not the responsibility of the umpires.
Clubs should seek to encourage their umpires to be trained and to become members of the
ACO, which will also provide the umpire with the benefit of insurance.
Clubs should review their membership terms and parental consent forms to ensure that
they are consistent with these obligations.
Each Club has confirmed that:
a) b) c) d) e) f) g) the team captain will notify the umpires of any players playing in a Kent League
match prior to the toss. This will be done by completion of the standard ECB Team
Card and delivery of it to the umpires
all necessary parental consent forms will be obtained prior to the relevant match.
all players under the age of 18 must wear a helmet while batting or when standing
up to the wicket when keeping wicket
the ECB Fast Bowling Directives will be followed for all players playing in any match
it has read and has drawn to the attention of each team captain the ECB safety
guidelines
it will take out and maintain appropriate insurance, which must include personal
accident cover for its players
it confirms that ensuring compliance with the above confirmations is solely that of
the Club and not of the umpires and that it will not hold any umpire responsible for
any injury or loss resulting from failure to comply with them.
Prior to the toss the team captain must complete the relevant ECB Team Card and deliver it
to the umpires. The match should not start until this has been done. At the conclusion of
the game the ECB Team Cards should be given to the home team and attached to the
scorebook for future inspection or checking, if required.
Document 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. 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 that any player failing to comply with instructions by an umpire, or criticising by
word or action the decisions of an umpire, or 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 and instruct the
latter to take action.
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.
3. The umpires are authorised to intervene in cases of:
• Time wasting * Damaging the pitch Dangerous or unfair bowling
• Tampering with the ball * Any other action that they consider to be unfair
4. The Spirit of the Game involves RESPECT for:
• Your opponents * Your own captain and team
• The role of the umpires * The game’s traditional values
5. It is against the Spirit of the Game:
• To dispute an umpire’s decision by word, action, or gesture
• To direct abusive language towards an opponent or umpire
• To indulge in cheating or any sharp practice, for instance:
(a) to appeal knowing that the batsman is not out, (b) to advance towards an umpire in an
aggressive manner when appealing, (c) to 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.
6. Violence
There is no place for any act of violence on the field of play.
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.
Document 3 – Discipline Points Penalties (Tier 1A)
In addition to any players being suspended under the KCL General Conduct Regulations, the
following Disciplinary Point Penalties will be enforced by the Independent Discipline Adjudicator
(IDA).
This will be actioned at the conclusion of the case, if the IDA proves the charge or it is accepted by
the Club/Player.
The IDA or Appeal Panel can impose further point penalties as part of any relevant sanction, as
detailed in Section 5 – Sanctions of the General Conduct Regulations.
These penalties will only apply in the following divisions of the KCL.
Tier 1A – Premier, Championship and Division 1.
The point penalties below are the mandatory minimums and the IDA must impose them in all cases
relating to Tier 1A matches
Level 1 Offences
1st offence: Club and player will receive a first and final warning, which will remain in place for the
remainder of that season.
2nd offence: Club will receive a 2-point penalty, actioned immediately.
3rd offence: Club will receive a further 4-point penalty, actioned immediately.
4th offence: Club will receive a further 8-point penalty, actioned immediately.
Level 2 Offences
1st offence: Club will receive a 2-point penalty, actioned immediately.
2nd offence: Club will receive a further 4-point penalty, actioned immediately.
3rd offence: Club will receive a further 8-point penalty, actioned immediately.
4th offence: Club will receive a further 16-point penalty, actioned immediately.
Level 3 / Level 4 Offences
1st offence: Club will receive an 18-point penalty, actioned immediately.
2nd offence: Club will be automatically relegated at the end of the season.
3rd offence: Club will be expelled from the league.
It should also be noted that further penalties and sanctions can be addressed by the Management
Committee under the Constitution of the League.
For ease of reference, please refer to Section 8 – Management Committee and Section 18 – Conduct
and Breaches of the Constitution.
8.3 The Management Committee shall be empowered to interpret and enforce the Constitution and the Playing
Conditions of the League, and to take such action as it sees fit in its unfettered discretion to uphold the
reputation and standards of the League.
18.1 The Management Committee shall have the power to take appropriate action against individuals or
member clubs in the event of misconduct or breaches of either the Constitution or the Playing Conditions of the
League.
18.2 These powers shall include, but shall not be limited to, the imposition of fines, the suspension of players,
the deduction of points, the awarding of matches to the opposition, the relegation of a Club to a lower Division,
and the expulsion of a Club from the League.