Sunday Grade Playing Rules

Rule 1Laws and Rules to Apply

1.1The competition will be played under the Senior Playing Rules of the ECA except as varied hereunder.

1.2The Laws of Cricket, as published by the Marylebone Cricket Club, except where otherwise provided in these rules.

1.3All matches will be played as one day games of 40 overs under the provisions of Rule 5 of the ECA Senior Playing Rules.

1.4Players will wear white or cream shirts and trousers.

1.5Kookaburra Red balls will be used. For Sunday 1 the Regulation or Club Match ball and for Sunday 2 or below, the Regulation, Club Match or Senator ball shall be used. Existing supplies of MCA stamped Kookaburra balls as above can be used until that supply is exhausted.

Rule 2Eligibility of Players

2.1 Player Eligibility

ECA Rules 3.14.2, 3.14.3 and 3.14.15 do not apply to the ECA Sunday Grade.

Players must be registered players of the Club they are representing.

Any player who in the previous or current season has played three or more games in Dunstan, Wright or Macgibbon Shield is ineligible to play in any ECA Sunday Grade. This rule does not apply to players under 19 years of age or 45 years of age or older as at 1st September in the current season.

A maximum of 2 players per team can play or be named to play in any ECA Sunday Grade 1 match who have, in the previous or current season, played two or less matches in Dunstan, Wright, or Macgibbon Shield.

Any player who in the previous or current season has played in three or more games in Dunstan Shield to A Turf (inclusive), Macgibbon Shield, or LOC 1 (McCarthy Shield) is ineligible to play in the ECA Sunday Grade 2 or below. This rule does not apply to players under 18 years of age or 45 years of age or older as at 1st September in the current season.

A maximum of 2 players per team can play or be named to play in any ECA Sunday Grade 2 or below match who have, in the previous or current season, played two or less matches in Dunstan Shield to A Turf (inclusive), Macgibbon Shield or LOC 1 (McCarthy Shield).

Any player who has not played competition cricket in the current or previous two seasons is eligible to play in any ECA Sunday Grade.

A suspended or disqualified player in any CV, VSDCA, VMCU or VCCL competition, or any other competition, is ineligible to play in the ECA Sunday Grade.

2.2 Players from other Competitions

Refer to Appendix A which details the equivalent grades in the current or previous season in which a player may play in the ECA including in the same round. This rule does not apply to players under 18 years of age (Under 19 years of age for Sunday 1 only) or 45 years of age or older as at 1st September in the current season.

Where an adult competition is not listed in the Appendix, its highest turf and highest synthetic/matting grade are each regarded as ineligible as an allowed grade for the ECA Sunday Grade. Its second grade, and any second or ‘reserve’ division of its highest turf or synthetic/matting grade, shall be regarded as equal to this Association’s Sunday 1 Grade. Its third and lower grades shall be regarded as equal to this Association’

2.3 Team Sheets

All players are to be named in full on the team sheet (either printed hand-written or posted on Play HQ by 11.30am on match day). Players who are restricted, and/or playing on a permit, must be clearly marked. All under-age (defined by Rule 3.21) and/or over-age players to be highlighted on the team sheets. The captains are to notify the umpire/s, or if no official umpires, each other, of any under-age and/or over-age player participating in the match. The toss will be delayed until both teams have provided their team sheets.

2.4 Number of Players on Team Sheet

12 players may be named on the Team Sheet in all Sunday Grade matches. Only 11 of the 12 may be on the field, with unrestricted interchange provided no time is lost. Where 12 are named, bowlers may resume bowling immediately after returning to the field in place of another in the 12. Only 11 of the 12 named may bat.

2.5 Two Grades in the Same Round

No player shall play in 2 grades in the same round unless 1 of the following applies:

1. They have a permit from the Executive Committee; or
2. The following are deemed equivalent grades and may be played in the same round:
   1. A Turf, B Turf/Burt Shield/LOC 2 and below for Sunday 1 Grade &
   2. B Turf/Burt Shield/LOC2 and below for Sunday 2 Grade and below.

2.6 Anti-stacking

A player shall not be named to Play in Sunday 2 or below if the player has played 14 days or more in Sunday 1 in the current season.

2.7 Professional and Higher-Level Players

A permit shall be required each season for any player who during the current or last two seasons has played First-class, International ODI or T20 cricket.

2.8 Club Onus to Check Eligibility and Registration of Players

The onus is on each club to ensure that players are eligible and correctly registered with the Association. Penalties for breaches of these rules apply as per the ECA Senior Playing Rules.

A player with an existing Play HQ registration must play under that ID. A player with multiple MyCricket IDs must play under the ID used in their most recent summer season, unless exempted by the ECA.

2.9 Restricted Players

Where authorised by earlier clauses of Rule 2, a player who is otherwise ineligible for a grade may be named as a “restricted player” in that grade. They must be registered playing members of the club. A “restricted player” must “retire out” immediately upon reaching 30 (35 in Sunday 1 Grade only), and may only bowl 4 (5 Overs in Sunday 1 Grade only) overs. Only two “restricted players” may be used in an XI, and must be nominated at the toss.

Any player who plays as a Restricted Player will be required to request a player permit from the Executive Council in accordance with Rule 2.11 below before they are able to play. If you wish to play more than 2 ‘restricted players’ a permit will be required in accordance with Rule 2.11.

A player who relies on a game as a “restricted player” to qualify for a match (eg for a final) may only play in the match as a “restricted player”.

2.10 Eligibility and Qualification for Semi Finals and Finals Matches

To be eligible to play or be named with a club in a team in a semi final or final, a player must have played or be named to play in at least 5 of the scheduled playing days in the home or away season within that club within this Association or as set out in Appendix A.

A player must have also played or been named to play with that club in at least five of the scheduled playing days for a team in the grade, or lower but not more than half (½) the scheduled playing days in a team in a higher grade in the home and away season than the equivalent grades as detailed in Rule 2.5 above or Appendix A, except when:

Furthermore, to be named to play in a semi-final or final, a player who did not satisfy the above requirements, would need to apply for a permit from the Executive Council in accordance with Rule 2.11 below.

ECA Senior Playing Rule 11.8.3 does not apply.

2.11 Player Permits

For all other players, not covered under the above rules, a permit can be requested from the Executive Council for an exemption to these rules. A request for such a permit, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to the ECA General Manager and/or the Convenor of the ECA Sunday Grades, will only be considered provided a written request from the club has been received by either of the above no later than 8pm on the Thursday before the start of the match. The player may only participate in round when the requested permit has been granted and the club has been advised in writing.

2.12 Players Under 12 Years of Age at 1st September

Notwithstanding the provisions of ECA Senior Playing Rule 11.2.1, players under the age of 12 may apply for a Permit in accordance with Rule 2.11 above, however the other provisions of Rule 11.2 will still apply.

Appendix AAllowed Grades for Players from Other Competitions

See Rule 2.2 and Rule 2.10.

• No ECAIf played in current or previous season
• OnlySunday 1
• OnlySunday 3 & above

Related Links

• Laws of Cricket
• ECA Senior Rules
• Appendix A (PDF)