Darwin & Districts CC - Resources

Darwin & Districts Cricket Competition Rules

Contents 

Part A – General Administration 

1. Introduction 

1.1  Darwin and Districts Cricket Competition

1.2  Head of Clubs and Competitions HCC

1.3  Club Contacts

1.4  Rules

1.5  Alteration of Rules

1.6  Application of Rules

1.7  Interpretation

2. Registration 

2.1  Teams

2.2  Withdrawal from competition

2.3  Registering Players

2.4  Parental approval for Juniors to play Senior Cricket

2.5  Clearances 

3. HCCs, Sub-HCCs and Panels 

3.1  Sub-HCCs

3.2  Junior competition Sub-HCC

3.3  Umpires Appointment Sub-HCC

3.4  Permit Sub-HCC

3.5  Disciplinary Panel 

4. Fees 

4.1  Summary of fees

4.2  Ground fees

4.3  Fines 

 

Part B – Administering the Competition 

5. Grades 

5.1  Grading of Players

5.2  Interstate players (imports) 

6. Minor Round 

6.1  Competition draw

6.2  Percentage

6.3  Premiership points 

7. Bye Team 

8. Match Result

8.1  Forfeited Matches 

9. Umpires

9.1  Appointment of Official Umpires

9.2  Umpires’ report by Captains  

 

Part C – Match Day 

10. Duty Team 

11. Late Starting & Forfeits 

12. Dress

12.1  General dress conditions

12.2  Exceptions to dress conditions

12.3  Dress in lower grades

12.4  Helmets

12.5  Enforcement of dress conditions 

13. Preparation of the Pitch 

14. Implements of the Game

14.1  Balls

14.2  Prohibited Stumps 

15. Adverse Weather Conditions

15.1  Cancellation of play

15.2  Cyclone Watch or Warning

15.3  Lightning standard – 30/30 safety procedure

 

Part D – Behaviour, Conduct & Disputes 

16. Conduct

16.1  Introduction to Conduct

16.2  Member Protection Policy 

17. Code of Behaviour 

18. Breaches of the Code of Behaviour 

19. Disciplinary Panel 

20. Appeal from Disciplinary Panel 

 

Part E – Records, Awards & Representative Competitions 

21. Scoring

21.1  Provision of Scorer 

22. Match Reports

22.1  Match Reports – All Grades

22.2  Captains report on official umpire performance and appraisal of conditions

22.3  Umpires’ match report 

23. Trophies

23.1  Conditions for Trophies 

24. Representative Teams

24.1  Representative team selection

24.2  Replacement players 

25. Schedules to Darwin & Districts Cricket Rules

25.1  Darwin & District Playing Conditions 

Schedule 2 – Senior Cricket Playing Conditions 

Schedule 3 – Junior Cricket Playing Conditions 

Schedule 4 – Twenty 20 Playing Conditions 

 

 

COMPETITION RULES 

 

Part A - General Administration  

1.  Introduction  

1.1  Darwin & Districts Cricket Competition 

The Darwin and Districts Cricket Competition (DDCC) operates under the Northern Territory Cricket Association (Inc.) Constitution. NT Cricket have established the Head of Clubs and Competitions to oversee and administer the competition. 

1.2  Head of Clubs and Competitions HCC  

Members of the HCC can be found on the NT Cricket website, and contact information can be obtained from the NT Cricket office. 

1.3  Club Contacts 

Club contacts and information can be found on the NT Cricket website or by contact with the NT Cricket office. 

1.4  Rules 

1.4.1  The following shall be known as the Rules of the Darwin and Districts Cricket Competition (hereinafter called the Competition) and such rules shall be binding on all affiliated Clubs and financial members of the Competition.  

1.4.2  All Rules are to be read in conjunction with the Laws of Cricket.  Unless otherwise stated in the Rules, the Laws of Cricket take precedence and the game is played accordingly.   

1.4.3  Codes of Behaviour are also in place to protect players, spectators and officials from incidents that may bring the game into disrepute.  

1.4.4  The intention of these rules is to ensure that cricket in this Competition is played and administered in keeping with the true spirit of the game. 

1.4.5  Where a matter arises, which is not otherwise provided for in these Rules, the Playing Conditions, or the Laws of Cricket, the HCC shall have the power to determine the matter as it sees fit. 

1.5  Alteration of Rules 

No alteration shall be made to these Rules other than by the HCC, as provided for by the Northern Territory Cricket Association Constitution. 

1.6  Application of the Rules 

These Rules shall apply equally to male and female players, officials, administrators, spectators and supporters.  For the purposes of these Rules, references to ‘he’, ‘his’ and ‘him’ shall be deemed to include ‘she’, ‘hers’ and ‘her. 

1.7  Interpretation 

HCC: Any reference to the HCC within these rules is a reference to the NT Cricket Head of Clubs and Competitions 

Competition: Any reference to the competition within these rules, is a reference to the Darwin and Districts Cricket Competition (DDCC) 

Laws: Any reference to a “law” within these rules is a reference to that particular law in the MCC Laws of Cricket.  

PlayHQ (playhq.com) means the electronic online management system.  Any reference to “PlayHQ” within these rules is a reference to that system or the online competition management system in place for the competition. 

Rules: Any reference to a “rule” within these rules is a reference to that particular rule number within these rules. 

   

2.  Registration  

2.1  Teams 

2.1.1  Prior to the commencement of each season, a date for the receipt of nomination of teams to participate in the competition will be published by the HCC. Nominations must be accompanied by:  

• • Club affiliation fees and team nomination fees as determined by the HCC;  

• • A list of officials and delegates of the Club, with position, name, address and telephone numbers; 

• • A postal and email address for receipt of all recognised HCC correspondence. 

2.1.2  Acceptance of all team nominations shall be at the sole discretion of the HCC. 

2.1.3  A team of an affiliated Club shall be registered with the Competition on receipt of team registration fees. No unregistered team may earn competition points. 

2.1.4  A Club from within the Competition’s Region shall be deemed to be affiliated with the Competition on lodgement with the HCC of the required nomination and accompanied by the affiliation fees. 

2.1.5  The HCC may impose a penalty of up to $250 on a Club for a team nomination submitted outside the nomination dates set be the HCC. 

2.2  Withdrawal from Competition  

2.2.1  Where the HCC is advised in writing by a Club that either the Club, or one of its teams, is withdrawing from the competition, points for teams drawn to play that Club or team will be allotted as though those games had been forfeited.  

2.2.2  If a Club withdraws a team from the Competition, the team from the lowest level of the Competition on that day must be withdrawn before any other withdrawal can occur. 

2.2.3  Where a team forfeits three (3) consecutive matches, that team shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the competition, and points earned by clubs drawn to play against that team in future matches will be allocated as above.  

2.2.4  The HCC may impose a penalty of up to $500 on a Club withdrawing a team from the competition after the first four weeks of the competition. 

2.2.5  If possible, when teams withdraw from the competition, the draw shall be rearranged to maximise playing opportunities. This is aimed at preventing situations where one team has a scheduled bye and another team does not play due to the forfeit. Consideration will be given to the remaining games in the season, availability of grounds, and fair and equitable allotment of points. 

2.3  Registering Players  

2.3.1  The team or teams of any Club shall consist of only those persons who are registered with the Competition. Persons may be registered in accordance with the following provisions:  

2.3.1.1  Player registration fees being received by the HCC prior to the conclusion of the first competition match;  

2.3.1.2  All players duly registered with a Club in the preceding season shall be automatically registered with the same Club for the current season;  

2.3.1.3  Players not registered in the preceding season may be registered by:  

2.3.1.3.1  if necessary, complying with the provisions of Rule 2. (Clearances).  

2.3.1.3.2  Lodgement and administration of player registration must be undertaken via the PlayHQ system by the Club. 

2.3.2  These steps must be taken before playing with a Club. 

2.3.3  Players not registered in accordance with these Rules shall result in the teams that these players represented forfeiting all match points for the match or matches concerned. 

2.3.4  Players shall be allowed to play one (1) match (if allowed within the PlayHQ insurance provisions) prior to registering in PlayHQ and playing as a ‘fill in’ player. Should insurance provisions not allow this to occur, this will refer to 2.3.1.3.2. An unregistered player may only take part in a match where the consent of the opposition captain is sought and obtained before the commencement of play. Should this permission not be sought, the team in question will be deemed to have forfeited.  

2.4  Parental Approval for Juniors to Play Senior Cricket 

2.4.1  Clubs wishing to play juniors aged 13 and under must comply with the following procedure: 

2.4.1.1  Clubs shall seek written approval from player’s parents or guardian. Such approval shall be held by the club, with a special circumstances form being completed and sent to the HCC along with the written approval.  

2.4.1.2  The penalty for non-compliance of above will result in the team playing the junior losing all competition points for that match 

 2.5  Clearances  

2.5.1  An application for a transfer between DDCC clubs, whether directly from a player or through a club, shall be lodged via the “Transfers & Permits” in PlayHQ.  

2.5.2  This transfer must be entered into the PlayHQ system by the new Club. An email will be forwarded to the previous club and DDCC indicating the clearance application process has commenced.  

2.5.3  If the player submits a Transfer request to their previous DDCC Club and that Club does not respond to this request within 14 days, the Application may be forwarded to the HCC for determination. The player has the onus of proving that the required 14 days has elapsed since the formal delivery of the clearance request to the Club.  

2.5.4  Any application for clearance lodged after 30 June in any year may only be resolved by the agreement of the Clubs concerned. Should the HCC grant a clearance to a player under this rule, the Club with which the player was formerly registered may appeal to the Competition HCC, provided that it can produce documentary evidence of the debts to the Club. 

2.5.5  A player who was registered with a Club from the past five seasons but has neither played nor registered with a Club during the current season, shall be granted a clearance within three days by his previous Club, provided the player has no financial debts to that Club.  

2.5.6  Failure to observe the provisions of these Rules will result in the Club to which the player has transferred forfeiting all competition points obtained in games in which the player participated prior to advice being received by the HCC that the clearance has been granted. 

2.5.7  Where a Club has two teams competing in the same grade, a player may play two (2) games for either team in that grade. Once that player plays their third (3) game for a particular team, they must remain only in that team for the rest of that season. A Clearance Form must be completed by the Club and duly submitted to the HCC for noting. Until such advice is given, the player concerned shall not participate in competition games for their new team. 

2.5.8  Clearance granted 

2.5.8.1  The previous Club must select ‘Granted’ via the PlayHQ system. This will become an official electronic signature of approval from the previous Club. 

2.5.8.2  After this time, DDCC must select ‘Granted’ via the PlayHQ system. This will become an official electronic signature of approval from DDCC. 

2.5.9  Clearance denied 

2.5.9.1  The previous Club must select ‘Denied’ via the PlayHQ system and provide reasons as to why the Clearance has been refused. 

2.5.9.2  The previous Club must select ‘Denied’ via the PlayHQ system and provide reasons as to why the Clearance has been refused. 

 

3.  Committees, Sub-committees & Panels (Karl to go through Section 3 and confirm)

3.1  Sub-Committees  

3.1.1  The HCC may vest any of its powers to such sub-committees and panels as it may from time to time appoint, with or without power to act.   

3.1.2  Such sub-committees may include a Match committee, a Permit committee an Umpires Appointment Sub-committee and a Disciplinary Panel.  

3.1.3  The composition and duties of these sub-committees shall be at the discretion of the HCC unless otherwise provided by these rules. 

3.2  Umpires Appointment Sub-Committee 

3.2.1  All official umpires’ appointments for the Competition’s minor round fixtures shall be made by the Northern Territory Cricket Match Officials’ Association (NTCMOA), depending on availability. 

3.2.2  Where the NTCMOA cannot provide official umpires, the HCC has the power to appoint alternate umpires. 

3.2.3  A sub-committee shall be convened each season to appoint umpires to major round games. The Umpires Appointment Sub-committee shall comprise two NT Cricket members, one of whom shall be the convenor, and one NTCMOA representative. 

 3.3  Permit Sub-Commitee 

3.3.1  The Permit Sub-Commitee shall have the power to decide all matters relating to player registration, clearances and passing from one grade to another.  The Permit Sub-Committee shall report on the outcome of all cases it deals with to the HCC. 

3.3.2  In the event of the Permit Sub-Committee deciding not to grant registration, clearance or transfer between grades, the player, or a Club representing him, may appeal to the HCC. 

3.4  Disciplinary Panel 

3.4.1  A Disciplinary Panel comprising a Chief Commissioner and other Commissioners shall be appointed by NT Cricket and be available to determine all disciplinary appeals and reports arising from the DDCC and unable to be dealt with under the Competition fixed penalty provisions. 

3.4.2  The Disciplinary Panel shall have the power to set procedures, conduct hearings and set penalties as it sees fit. 

3.4.3  Any report may, after due inquiry, be determined solely by the Chief Commissioner or, in their absence, a deputy nominated by them, without recourse to a formal hearing. 

3.4.4  Either where the Chief Commissioner (or their appointed deputy) considers the matter to be of a complex nature, or the person subject to the report so requests, the Chief Commissioner shall convene a panel, comprising three Commissioners, to conduct a formal hearing and to decide the report.  The panel will be chaired by the Chief Commissioner or, in their absence, a deputy nominated by them. In considering all reports:

3.4.4.1  the Commissioners shall have regard to the Cricket Australia Code of Behaviour but retain the right to apply an alternative to any penalty prescribed by the Code, where such an alternative appears more appropriate. 

3.4.4.2  All procedures of the panel will be conducted under the Spirit of Cricket. 

3.4.4.3  The Disciplinary Panel shall have the power to hear any case that it believes falls within the scope of its role and to amend a charge where it considers such action to be appropriate in the circumstances. 

3.4.4.4  The Disciplinary Panel is not a legal tribunal.  However, the Disciplinary Panel shall have the power to allow advocates to appear in support of persons who appear before it. 

3.4.4.5  The decisions of the Disciplinary Panel shall apply only to the Competition.  However, where the Disciplinary Panel believes the conduct of the charged person is sufficiently serious, it may refer this information to any other association or club with which that person subsequently becomes involved if such involvement would occur within the period of the penalty handed down. 

3.4.4.6  in the event of an appeal against a determination by either the Chief Commissioner or their deputy or a hearing panel, the appeal may be heard and determined by a panel of up to three Commissioners, appointed by the CEO of NT Cricket and not previously involved in the matter.

 

4.  Fees 

4.1  Summary of Fees 

4.1.1  All affiliated Clubs have the following financial obligations to the Competition: 

4.1.1.1  Club Affiliation Fee (Rule 2) 

4.1.1.2  Umpires' Fees

4.1.1.3  Team Nomination Fee (Rule 2) 

4.1.1.4  Ground Fees 

4.1.1.5  Fines (Rule 4.3) 

4.1.1.6  Players Registration Fees (Rule 2) 

4.1.2  These obligations are due and payable (unless otherwise stated in 4.3), no later than 28 days after issue of invoice by the Competition.  Clubs which fail to meet their obligations under this Rule may be subject to action by the HCC. The HCC shall have discretion over the application of this rule. 

4.1.3  Without specific consent of the HCC, teams representing a Club will be ineligible to earn competition points, until such time as liabilities under this Rule are extinguished. 

4.1.4  A Club that has failed to meet its obligations under this Rule shall not be eligible to compete in the Competition’s major rounds unless those liabilities are finally extinguished.  The final time for these liabilities to be extinguished shall be set by the HCC, prior to the first major round fixture. 

4.2  Ground fees 

4.2.1  Where Clubs are playing on their own grounds, the HCC may exempt the Clubs from all or part of the ground fees which would otherwise have applied. 

4.2.2  Teams will be ineligible to play in the major rounds unless all their minor round ground fees have been paid or an appropriate arrangement has been made with the HCC. 

4.3  Fines  

4.3.1  If a fine incurred by a player or Club, is not paid within 30 days from the date on which the fine was imposed, the Club concerned shall not receive any match or bonus points in any match, nor compete in any major round fixture, until the fine is paid.  

 

Part B: Administering the Competition 

5.  Grades 

5.1  Grading of Players 

5.1.1  Teams competing in the premiership competitions of the Competition shall be divided into grades, and will be subject to these Rules: 

5.1.1.1  No player shall be allowed to transfer to any lower grade after he has played a total of more than 10 matches in any one higher grade, (or combination of higher grades), without the approval of the HCC or its designation. 

5.1.1.2  No player shall be permitted to downgrade more than one grade, from the previous grade in which that player participated, without prior approval from the HCC or its designation. 

5.1.1.3  In A Grade, the team selected for the game preceding the assigned bye round should be the same team selected for the bye round game. A club may select one (1) player from the nominated side in the preceding game in the B Grade competition 

5.1.1.4  Any player named in an A Grade side at any time and/or classified as an interstate player within a season is no longer eligible to play in the Sunday 2 & 3 competitions without express permission from HCC. 

5.1.1.5  Any player named in an A or B Grade side at any time within a season is no longer eligible to the play in the Sunday 3 competition. Player Eligibility is restricted to U18’s and Over 40’s players, with female exempt from these criteria. All other suitable players require express permission from the HCC. 

5.1.1.6  Failure to comply with this Rule shall result in the forfeiture by the offending team of all competition points gained in the match or matches in which the offending player participated. 

5.1.1.7  Applications for downgrading are to be made in writing and lodged with the HCC 48 hours prior to the commencement of the match.  Any approval given under this Rule shall become null and void should the Player concerned subsequently play in a higher grade. 

5.2  Interstate Players (Imports) 

5.2.1  Any team in the A Grade competition may have a maximum of six (6) interstate players in the A Grade starting XI (or on the field at any one time) for any competition fixture. B Grade teams may include a maximum of four (4) with C and D Grade teams including a maximum of two (2) interstate players. Additionally, players with “First Class” and “Premier 1s” experience in the last two (2) years from the competition are not eligible to participate in B, C and D grades. 

5.2.2  If a club participates in a competition fixture with more than permitted number of interstate players participating in a match, that match will be deemed a forfeit in accord with Rule 8.2 of the Darwin & District Cricket Competition Rules. 

5.2.3  For the purpose of these Rules, an interstate player is defined as “Players temporarily in Darwin for the primary purpose of playing cricket. 

Exemptions: 

• • • Returning locals (see rule 5.2.3.1) 

• • • Players who can demonstrate a primary purpose other then playing cricket that extends to the end of the calendar year of the DDCC season 

• • • A ‘loyalty’ exemption for players who have player 30+ A Grade matches with their current club (see rule 5.2.3.2) 

5.2.3.1  A club may select ‘Returning locals’ who can show that they have lived in Darwin for 3 consecutive calendar years or more and do not hold a professional cricket contract.  

5.2.3.2  A club may select one (1) ‘loyalty’ Player who has: 

5.2.3.2.1  Played 30+ A Grade matches (not including T20) prior to the start of the season for their current DDCC club to be exempt from Rule 5.2.1 

5.2.3.2.2  30 A Grade matches must be reached prior to the season commencing 

5.2.3.2.3  One (1) ‘loyalty’ player per club per season  

 

6.  Minor Rounds 

6.1  Competition Draw 

6.1.1  The HCC shall make the competition draw and allocate grounds for matches as it sees fit. 

6.2  Net Run Rate (NRR) & Percentage (Quotient) 

6.2.1  Throughout the season, a ladder shall be kept by the HCC of each grade in order of premiership points gained. In the event of two or more teams having an equal number of points, their position on the ladder shall be determined according to NRR or percentage, depending on the format and the competition.   

6.2.1.1  Net Run Rate = (Total runs scored/Total overs faced) − (Total runs conceded/Total overs bowled) 

6.2.1.2  If a team is bowled out within their full allotment of overs, for the purpose of the calculation, the team will be deemed to have faced their full allotment of overs 

6.2.1.3  NRR applies to all One-Day and T20 matches in the DDCC Senior, T20 and Women’s Competitions. 

6.2.1.4  Percentage = (Total runs scored/Total wickets lost) ÷ (Total runs conceded/Total wickets taken)

6.2.1.5  Percentage (Quotient) applies to all grades in the DDCC Junior Competition and in the Two-Day matches in the DDCC Senior Competition. 

6.3  Premiership Points 

6.3.1  The following points system shall be applied to all minor round matches to decide the minor premiership. 

	Two-day match
Bye	0 points
First Innings Loss	0 points
First Innings Tie	3 points
Abandoned match before first innings result	3 points
First Innings Win	6 points
Outright Win	10 points
Reverse Outright  First Innings  Second Innings	4 Points  6 points
Win by Forfeit	10 points

  

	One-day match
Bye	0 points
First Innings Loss	0 points
First Innings Tie	2 points
Abandoned match before first innings result	2 points
First Innings Win	4 points
Loss by Forfeit	0 points
Win by Forfeit	4 points

 

No bonus points in One-Day matches

6.3.2  DDCC Senior Competition Two-Day matches: Bonus points 

In the A & B Grade Two-Day matches only, the following additional point allocations will apply for second innings performances: 

6.3.2.1  1 bonus batting point will be awarded to any team for every 100 runs scored. Each 100 runs scored will be awarded with an additional bonus point. 

e.g., 100 runs = 1 point, 200 runs = 2 points 

6.3.2.2  1 bonus bowling point will be awarded to any team for every 5 wickets taken. Maximum bowling points a team can accumulate is 2.  

6.3.3  Standard match penalty points 

The HCC may impose penalties (premiership points or fines) for the following transgressions: 

6.3.3.1  Match Report not produced  

6.3.3.2  Umpires report not produced  

6.3.3.3  Playing unregistered/ineligible player  

6.3.3.4  Non-attainment of overs required  

6.3.3.5  Non-conforming clothing 

6.3.3.6  Any other action determined by the HCC. 

6.3.4  It is possible for a team to record negative points in respect of a given match.  

 

7.  Bye Team 

7.1  In a competition where there is an uneven number of teams, the members of the team having the bye shall be regarded as the list of players to take the field in the previous match. Any player from the previous round seeking clearance to participate in a game that round must submit a request to the HCC prior to participating in any game. 

7.2  In the first round of the season, bye teams must be named in each grade that the bye occurs. No more than 1 change may be made to that named team for the next round of matches, unless an “exceptional circumstances” request is made, and approval is given by the HCC. 

7.3  Penalty for not seeking downgrading approval or playing in excess of one player in the lower grade will be the loss of all competition points in all grades played on that day.  

For example, if A Grade has bye, and B Grade plays some of A Grade’s players without approval, both B Grade and C Grade will lose all competition points for that round of matches.

 

8.  Match Result 

8.1  Law 16 of the Laws of Cricket applies. In addition, Playing Conditions may include provisions for reduced overs and revised targets in order to achieve a result. 

8.2  Forfeited Matches 

8.2.1  In the event of a forfeit, a list of players selected to play shall be forwarded, within 24 hours of the scheduled completion of the match, to the HCC by the team receiving the forfeit, and these players shall be deemed to have taken part in the match. 

8.2.2  Should any Club have to forfeit a game for any reason, then the team to be forfeited will be from the lowest grade on that day. If Clubs failure to comply with this Rule, the HCC will declare all matches played by that Club’s teams competing in lower grades to be forfeited and all points to be awarded to the opposing teams. 

8.2.3  Penalties for forfeits may be imposed by the HCC. 

 

9.  Umpires 

9.1  Appointment of Official Umpires 

9.1.1  Dependent upon availability, at least one official Umpire will be appointed to matches. 

9.1.2  The Club with the Bye in the Premier Grade Competition are encouraged to make available 2 players to be appointed as Umpires in a DDCC fixture. 

9.2  Captain's Report by Captains  

9.2.1  The Captains of both teams shall submit a Captain’s Report at the end of the match along. The penalty for non-compliance is deduction of penalty points for that game, as per rule 7.3.  Captain’s Reports submitted in a format other than the standard format agreed to by the HCC shall be deemed to have NOT been received. 

 

Part C: Match Day 

10.  Dress (Please refer to the 2025 DDCC Uniform Guidelines for the full uniform policy) 

10.1  General Dress Conditions 

10.1.1  All players and paid official Umpires participating in matches arranged by the HCC shall be properly attired. 

10.1.2  In all scheduled Two-Day matches, Players’ shirts, trousers and footwear shall be predominantly white. Tennis shoes and white shoes with markings will be deemed as acceptable footwear. Cream clothing (shirts, trousers and hats) shall be deemed white. Caps worn during all scheduled Competition fixtures shall be those of the Club the player is registered with.  Floppy hats shall be white or respective Club colours. 

10.1.3  All players who bowl on turf wickets in A Grade, B Grade must wear spikes while bowling. C Grade and Sunday Grade players are strongly recommended to wear spikes when bowling on turf pitches. 

10.1.4  Players representing the DDCC shall not wear caps other than the official caps issued by the DDCC and must wear long trousers. 

10.1.5  Paid official Umpires shall wear blue or white shirt with collar, black or navy shorts or long trousers, white socks (if shorts worn), and predominantly white shoes and white hat. 

10.1.6  In all scheduled one-day fixtures, affiliated Clubs shall be allowed to wear approved coloured clothing. The clothing must be approved by the HCC and shall be worn in an identical fashion in that grade.  Sponsors’ logos will be allowed as per this Rule, apart from the back of the shirt where any HCC approved logo(s) may be displayed.  Failure to wear identical clothing will incur a penalty of $200 in A Grade, $100 in B Grade and $50 in C Grade & Below. 

10.1.7  Garments such as long sleeved “skins” may be worn by players. The garment shall be the same colour as the playing shirt or “skin” coloured, if short sleeved shirt is worn, or alternatively, a long-sleeved playing shirt to cover the garment if garment colour is different to playing shirt. Penalty of $10 fine per player will apply if this rule is not adhered to. 

10.2  Exceptions to Dress Conditions 

10.2.1  With the consent of the HCC, Club logos and sponsors logos, or a combination of both, may be permitted on shirt pockets or sleeves of players’ uniforms.  Each logo shall be no larger than pocket size. Up to a maximum of four different logos positions are permissible as follows: 

10.2.1.1  Club logo on left hand breast of shirt; 

10.2.1.2  Competition logo on right hand breast of shirt; 

10.2.1.3  One logo on the right sleeve; 

10.2.1.4  One logo on the left sleeve; 

10.2.1.5  One logo on the lower half of the front of the shirt; and / or 

10.2.1.6  One logo on the lower half of the back of the shirt. 

10.2.2  All sponsors’ logos must be presented to the HCC for approval prior to Clubs having logos printed.  Each Club must advise the HCC prior to each season commencing, of that Club’s logos for the coming season, regardless of whether those logos were approved for the previous season.  Official umpires will penalise respective teams under Rule 15.4, for the use of non-approved logos. 

10.3  Shorts 

10.3.1  Players in Junior and Sunday Grade may wear Club coloured shorts instead of trousers. 

10.4  Helmets 

10.4.1  Junior Cricketers must wear a British Standard 7928:2013 compliant helmet, complete with face grill and side protection whilst: 

10.4.1.1  Occupying the batting crease as a batter; 

10.4.1.2  Fielding close to the wicket; 

10.4.1.3  Acting as wicket keeper and standing up to the stumps for any bowler. 

10.4.2  The NT Cricket strongly encourages all players to wear a British Standard 7928:2013 compliant helmets from the 2020 season onwards when batting, wicket-keeping up to the stumps and fielding in close to the batter. 

10.5  Enforcement of Dress Conditions  

10.5.1  Umpires and Captains shall include a report of offences against dress conditions in their matches. A penalty of $10 per player capped at $30 for B grade and below shall be applied for each individual piece of clothing which does not comply. 

 

11. Preparation of the Pitch 

11.1  During minor round matches, the pitch may be swept, watered, mown and/or rolled prior to play on each day allotted for play. In major round matches, any work carried out after play commences on the first day shall be at the direction of the Umpires after consultation with the Curator. 

11.2  Prohibited Stumps 

11.2.1  The use of metal shod, and metal ferruled stumps is prohibited in all Competition fixtures.  

 

12.  Adverse Weather Conditions 

12.1  Cancellation of Play 

12.1.1  In the event of inclement weather, the HCC is empowered to call off all play for the day in matches that have not previously commenced. Such a decision shall be made before 10.30 am and will be immediately communicated to Club Presidents and / or Team Captains. 

12.2  Cyclone Watch or Warning 

12.2.1  When a cyclone watch is declared, matches may continue at the discretion of the umpires of the game in progress, and/or the HCC. 

12.2.2  When a cyclone warning is declared, all matches for the duration of that warning must be abandoned immediately, including any match that is in progress at the time of the declaration. 

12.3  Lightning Standard – 30/30 Safety Procedure 

12.3.1  Darwin Cricket shall comply with the AS1768-2007, entitled the Lightning Protection Standard, published on 10 January 2007 (Lightning Standard). While the Lightning Standard will not necessarily prevent damage or personal injury due to lightning, it will reduce the probability of such damage or injury occurring.  

12.3.2  In the absence of specific information from weather radar, a lightning location system, or a specialised warning device then the 30/30 Safety Procedure should be used.  

12.3.3  According to the 30/30 Safety Procedure, when lightning is considered to be a possible threat to cricket, the following procedures are applicable: 

12.3.3.1  The observation of approaching storm clouds, the first flash of lightning or clap of thunder, no matter how far away should heighten lightning awareness. 

12.3.3.2  A simple method of determining the distance to the storm cell is to measure the time elapsed from when the lightning flash is observed and when the associated clap of the thunder is heard. 

12.3.3.3  Light travels faster than sound. Assuming that the light from the flash reaches the observer instantaneously and knowing that sound takes approximately three (3) seconds to travel one (1) kilometre, the distance can be determined by using the following rule: Distance (in KM) = Time from observing the flash to hearing thunder (in 3 seconds). 

12.3.3.4  It is important to remember that lightning may be obscured by clouds so it must be assumed that when thunder is heard, lightning is in the vicinity. In such cases, careful judgement must be used to determine whether a threat exists.  

12.3.3.5  The first part of the “30/30” rule is a guide to the suspension of activities. Most experts agree that the accepted “safe” distance from lightning is greater than 10km. This means that as the time interval between observing the flash and hearing the thunder approaches 30 seconds, all those in exposed areas should be seeking or already inside safe shelters. A storm cell with lightning activity within 10km constitutes a threat. 

12.3.3.6  The second part of the 30/30 rule provides the criteria for the resumption of activity which is applicable to decisions made with BOM access as well. Here, it is recommended that people wait a minimum of 30 minutes after the last sighting of lightning or sound of thunder. This figure is based on the observation that the typical storm moves at about 40km/h. Thus, waiting 30 minutes allows the thunderstorm to be about 20km/h away, minimising the likelihood of a nearby lightning strike. 

12.3.3.7  It is important to emphasise that blue skies and lack of rainfall are not adequate reasons to breach the 30 minutes minimum return-to-activity rule. 

12.3.4  In Summary: If thunder is heard within 30 seconds of a lightning flash, all activities should stop, with participants seeking shelter immediately. Resumption of activities should not occur until after 30 minutes have elapsed since the last sound of thunder or sight of lightning.  

  

Part D: Behaviour, Conduct & Disputes 

13.  Conduct 

13.1  Introduction to Conduct 

13.1.1  NT Cricket expects all players, officials, umpires, spectators and staff to demonstrate exemplary conduct in connection with the playing of cricket within this Competition and to uphold the Spirit and Laws of Cricket. 

13.2  Member Protection Policy 

13.2.1  The Competition accepts and adopts the Member Protection Policy of Northern Territory Cricket. 

 

14. Code of Behaviour 

14.1  The Cricket Australia Code of Behaviour and the Code of Conduct will provide the basis for determining fair and unfair behaviour.  However, the HCC retains the right to depart from the strict application of the Code in exceptional circumstances. 

14.2  Schedule 2 of the Competition Rules provides for the fixed penalties and Code of Conduct of the Competition. 

14.3  Appeal 

14.3.1  An appeal may be lodged by the player/club within 48 hours as per section 27.1.  However, the player may NOT play in any Northern Territory Cricket sanctioned Cricket match until he has faced the Commissioner or Tribunal. 

 

15. HEADING MISSING

15.1  Procedures for Breaches of the Code of Behaviour 

15.1.1  All players, officials, Club members and spectators are liable to be reported for breaches of the Code of Behaviour or A Grade Mentions System under these rules. 

15.1.2  An alleged breach of the Code of Behaviour may be reported by: 

• • a player participating in the particular match in which an alleged breach occurs; 

• • either or both Umpires; 

• • an executive member of the Clubs participating in the match in which the alleged breach occurred; 

• • the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NTCA; 

• • any Board member of the NTCA or any member of the Competition HCC. 

15.1.3  A breach of the A Grade Mentions System may be reported by: 

• • either or both Umpires 

15.1.4  Where an Umpire wishes to report an alleged breach of the Code of Behaviour or A Grade Mentions System, the Umpire shall, at the end of the match, complete the prescribed Umpire’s Report Form and shall forward a copy of the Report, together with any further written submission to the HCC by 4:30 pm on the first business day after the completion of the match. 

15.1.5  Where an Umpire reports a player, Club official or spectator for an alleged breach of the Code of Behaviour or A Grade Mentions System, the Umpire shall at the end of the match (or at the end of the playing day) advise the captain of the relevant team of that Report. Where a Player or Official wishes to report an alleged breach of the Code of Behaviour, that person shall forward a written submission to the HCC by 4:30 pm on the first business day after the completion of the match. 

 

16. Disciplinary Panel 

16.1 Disciplinary Panel Powers & Procedures 

16.1.1  The HCC shall utilise the services of NT Cricket's Code of Behaviour Commissioners appointed as per Rule 3.5 as its Disciplinary Panel. 

 

17. Appeal from Disciplinary Panel 

17.1  Appeal Panel Powers & Procedures 

17.1.1  Any appeal against the decision of the Disciplinary Tribunal must be lodged with the CEO, NTC, within 48 hours of that decision being handed down. 

17.1.2  Only parties involved in the original Disciplinary Tribunal hearing are eligible to lodge an appeal. 

17.1.3  Any appeal lodged shall be accompanied by a Fee of $250.00, refundable upon Appeal being upheld or at the discretion of the Appeals panel. 

17.1.4  Any Appeal must be heard within seven (7) days of lodgement. 

17.1.5  The decision of the Disciplinary Panel shall stand until the Appeal is heard. 

17.1.6  The Appeals Panel shall act in accordance with the Guidelines provided by NT Cricket. 

17.1.7  The decision of the Appeals Panel is final. 

 

Part E: Records, Awards & Representative Competitions 

18.  Scoring 

18.1  Provision of Scorer 

18.1.1.  It is the responsibility of each team to provide a scorer. In the event of a dispute arising over scores where one team has not provided a scorer, their opponent's record of scores shall be accepted by the HCC as a true and accurate record. 

18.1.2  It is the responsibility of the home team scorer to use PlayHQ e-scoring online in all grades 

18.1.3  It is the responsibility of the away team scorer to use PlayHQ e-scoring offline in all grades 

18.1.4  In A Grade it is encouraged that both scorers also use a running sheet and/or a paper scorebook to score in addition to 18.1.2 and 18.1.3 

18.1.5  In the unlikely event of catastrophic failure of both PlayHQ e-scoring devices it is the responsibility of the away team scorer in B Grade or below to score using a running sheet and/or a paper scorebook 

18.1.6  If the away team scorer in B Grade or below cannot continue to score the game in the event of catastrophic failure of both PlayHQ e-scoring devices the home team will be awarded a forfeit win. No forfeit fine to apply for the away team for this forfeit loss. 

18.1.7  If a Club is unable to provide a scorer in the A Grade Competition, the HCC reserves the right to appoint a member of the NTCMOA to serve as a scorer and charge the Club for the service. 

18.1.8  If there is a functioning electronic scoreboard at the ground, it is the responsibility of the home team to ensure the scoreboard is updated. 

 

19. Match Reports 

19.1  Match Reports – All Grades 

19.1.1  Procedure for Data Entry in the PlayHQ Online Database 

19.1.1.1  Each Club in each Grade competing in the Grade Cricket Fixtures shall enter the names of the selected players in each of their teams prior to the commencement of the match. 

19.1.1.2  The first named Club in the A Grade shall enter the result and full first day scorecard no later than midnight following the completion of the first day of a two-day match.  

19.1.1.3  The first named Club in all other Grades competing in the Competition Fixtures shall enter the result of the match no later than 24 hours following the completion of each match. If the away team wishes to enter the result of the match, it may do so. 

19.1.1.4  The home team and the away team shall enter the full scorecard for their respective teams, no later than 48 hours following completion of each match. 

19.1.1.5  The second named team in each Grade competing in the Grade Cricket Fixtures shall review and either confirm or dispute the result and/or full scorecards within 72 hours of the completion of the match. 

19.1.1.6  In respect of all Competition Fixtures, for teams receiving a forfeit, an entry of the result on the database is required listing the result of the match, and the names of the selected players. 

19.1.1.7  Should any Club commit any breach of this Rule, a penalty of 2 Match Points may apply: 

19.1.1.8  To avoid the above penalty being applied, the following match data will need to be included in all scorecards;

• • • Player’s name and Initials 

• • • Correct Batting and Bowling orders 

• • • Fall of Wickets 

• • • All catches by wicketkeeper and fielders 

• • • All boundaries scored by batter 

• • • Balls faced by batter and minutes (if known) 

• • • Any special Fielding events such as Hat Tricks etc 

The HCC reserves the right to waive or vary any such penalty. 

19.2  Captains’ Report on Official Umpire Performance and Appraisal of Conditions 

19.2.1  Captains’ Reports on PlayHQ/OfficialsHQ covers appraisal of umpire performance and ground conditions. 

19.2.2  In a match in any grade where there is one or more official umpire, both captains must complete and lodge the Captains’ Reports on PlayHQ/OfficialsHQ within 48 hours of the completion of each match. 

19.2.3  Penalty for non-compliance of above by captains will be 0.25 match points. 

19.3  Umpires’ Match Report

19.3.1  Within 48 hours of the conclusion of each match the umpires shall together lodge an Umpires’ Match Report on PlayHQ/OfficialsHQ.  

19.3.2  In the event of any umpire not lodging this report or his votes or any of the awards under these Rules, within the required time frame, fine of $10 shall be deducted from that umpire's match fee. 

 

20. Trophies 

20.1  Conditions for Trophies 

20.1.1  Trophies shall be awarded by the Competition at the end of each season as it sees fit.  Conditions for consideration of trophies are: 

• • Batter - must have played in at least half the games in that grade and scored at least 250 runs. 

• • Bowlers - must have played in at least half the games in that grade and have taken at least 20 wickets. 

• • Players found guilty of an offence and dealt with under Part D of these Rules will be ineligible to win Ralph Wiese Medal or Cricketer of the Year awards. 

20.1.2  Players found guilty of an offence under Part D of these Rules and suspended for a period of 4 games (or more) will be ineligible to win any award.  

 

21.  Representative Teams 

21.1  Representative Team Selection 

21.1.1  Any team selection that forms part of the Northern Territory Cricket player pathway shall fall under the control of the Northern Territory Cricket Head of Cricket. 

21.2  Replacement Players 

21.2.1  Should any player during a match, be required by the HCC, the Northern Territory Cricket selectors or Cricket Australia National selectors for representative playing duties, these duties shall take precedence.  The player's Club will then be able to select a similar standard replacement player for the remainder of the match concerned. 

21.2.2  The player's Club will submit nominations to the opposing Club captain prior to the start of the match, seeking approval for the replacement player.  This approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. 

21.2.3  If, after a replacement player has been chosen, the replaced player's services are no longer required by the HCC, the player may resume his place provided that his replacement has not batted or bowled in his absence.  If the replacement has batted or bowled, the player may take no further part in the match and his replacement must continue in his stead. 

21.2.4  The replacement player law will apply down through the grades, so that Club will be able to replace each replacement player right to the lowest side of that Club. In the case of the bottom side, the Club will be able to nominate a "qualified" reserve not previously selected in that round of matches, to fill this last vacancy. 

 

22.  Schedules to Darwin & Districts Cricket Rules 

22.1  Playing conditions for the Senior, Juniors and Twenty20 competitions can be found as schedules to the Darwin and District Cricket Competition Rules.