OCC competition regulations for 2016 released

Principal Amendments to Open Competition Regulations 2016

General Playing Regulations:

1. Div 1/2 Promotion / Relegation – For the 2016 season a play-off will be held between the team finishing second last in Div 1 and the team finishing second in Div 2. This will determine the second promotion/relegation place.
2. Starring – there is now uniformity between cup and league. Only one player from the bottom three may play on the next lowest team irrespective of the grades involved.

• A revised protocol on the procedure for dealing with Suspect Bowling Actions has been agreed with LCUSA. This is listed separately but is cross referenced in the General Playing Regulations.

1. Cricket Exchange Programmes – a completely revised regulation on this was agreed by the Executive and circulated to clubs towards the end of 2015.

Midweek Cup Competitions – Alan Murray, Tillain etc.

From the results of the questionnaire survey of clubs the format of these has been revamped substantially.  Clubs/fixture secretaries  should familiarise themselves with the new formats.

Divisions 1-4

Changes  adopted following their introduction in the ICC standard ODI regulations

1. There are substantial changes in respect of Law 41 – restriction on fielders at various stages of an innings and movement of fielders.
2. Any kind of no-ball now results in a free hit.

Other

• No result refixes involving Cork County – where a T20 refix is happening, it will take place in Laois irrespective of the original venue.

1. The table on starting times now includes times for T20 refixes at various stages of the season.
2. No result refixes are now confined to Division 1 and 2. In Divisions 3 and 4, no result matches will not be refixed unless both matches between the teams are off. League placings in these divisions will now be determined on a percentage basis.

Divisions 5 – 16

No substantial changes.*

Introduction of D/L in Division 5 – The survey  of clubs likely to affected by such a change showed general support in principle. However several clubs indicated that it would cause problems with e.g finding competent scores etc. . Accordingly OCC has decided that it will not apply in 2016 but will be introduced in 2017, thus giving clubs time to prepare. 

Senior Cup

The amendments indicated for Divs 1- 4 resulting from changes in ICC ODI regulations have also been implemented here.

Cups below Senior

The amendments indicated for Divs 1- 4 resulting from changes in ICC ODI regulations have also been implemented for the Senior 2 Cup. There are no substantial changes* in the other cups.

Protocol for dealing with Suspect Bowling Actions

A revised protocol has been agreed with the LCUSA and is listed at http://www.cricketleinster.ie/media/Guidance/619_suspect-bowling-action-reporting-process/619_suspect-bowling-action-reporting-process-84746986.pdf

(*No substantial changes means that there may be minor amendments in wording for the purposes of clarification or to correct omissions, typos etc.).