Conditions for the Use of Covers for all turf grades & teams and ECA Veterans teams that are playing on turf 2023-24 season (Refer ECA Senior Rule 3.7)
The following Conditions for the use of covers in the 2023-24 season apply to all turf grades & teams and ECA Veterans teams that are playing on turf. Clubs are reminded that the laying of covers in all grades includes the laying of hessian as an underfelt between the pitch to be played on and the cover. The Conditions are:
1. Covers measurements
Covers shall be a minimum length of 27 metres and a minimum width of 9 metres. Covers shall be in sufficient condition to prevent water penetrating to any area under the Covers. Tears, holes and leaking seams must be repaired before use. Any club that requires a variation to the minimum covers size must apply and receive permission from the Turf Wicket Committee (TWC) before the season commences. Covers for bowlers run-ups are recommended, if possible, but are not compulsory.
2. What happens if ground managers or curators advise clubs that covers and/or hessian must not be laid?
When ground managers or curators advise clubs that covers and/or hessian must not be laid (when covers/hessian are to be laid under these Conditions or ECA Senior Rules), clubs must inform as soon as possible the TWC, Operations Manager or Veterans Committee (if game to be played is in the Veterans competition).
3. Laying covers on Sunday (except when required for Sunday play), Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday (Instructed by TWC)
In the regular season it will be unlikely that the TWC will instruct clubs that covers must be laid, or recommend covers be laid, on Sunday (except when required for Sunday play), Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.
4. Laying covers on Wednesday night and/or Thursday night (for Thursday and Friday) (Instructed by TWC)
In the regular season, if circumstances require (possible adverse weather on Thursday and/or Friday), it is possible that the TWC may inform clubs by Tuesday night that covers must be laid by Wednesday night. If clubs are unable to lay covers by Wednesday night they must inform the TWC as soon as possible.
In the regular season, if circumstances require (possible adverse weather on Friday), it is possible that the TWC may inform clubs by Wednesday night that covers must be laid by Thursday night. If clubs are unable to lay covers by Thursday night they must inform the TWC as soon as possible.
5. Removal of covers (if covers had to be laid before Friday night under clause 3 or 4 of Conditions)
In all circumstances where covers are laid before Friday night (when clause 3 or 4 above has been applied), it is expected that clubs will make arrangements to remove the covers when the adverse weather ceases.
6. Laying covers any time before 8pm on the day before match days (ground managers, curators and clubs)
Ground managers, curators or clubs (at their own discretion) may lay covers any time before 8pm on the day before match days to attempt to obtain the best possible conditions for play on match day. If covers are laid in these circumstances it is not necessary to inform the TWC that covers have been laid.
7. Laying covers by 8pm on the day before match day: Friday night (Saturday play) and Saturday night (Sunday play)
Covers must be laid by 8pm on the day prior to match day, unless directed otherwise by the TWC or Rule 3.7.9 applies. The TWC will not be issuing reminders to clubs to lay covers by 8pm on the day prior to match day.
8. Removing covers by 9.30am on match day (Saturday and Sunday play)
If there are good prevailing weather conditions (no adverse weather is forecast, likely or occurring), covers must be removed by 9.30am on match day, unless directed otherwise by the TWC, ground manager, curator or Veterans Committee (if game to be played is in the Veterans competition).
If adverse weather is forecast, likely or occurring after the covers should have been removed but before the umpires (or captains in the absence of any umpires) take control of the covers, the home team shall be responsible for the relaying of the covers to attempt to obtain the best possible conditions for play. The TWC can also instruct clubs that covers must be re-laid in such circumstances.
9. Control of covers by umpires (or captains in the absence of any umpires)
The umpire(s) or captains in the absence of any umpires, shall assume control of the covers on arrival at the ground, subject to any instructions from the ground manager or curator. The umpires or captains shall then make all decisions regarding the use of the covers until the end of the day’s play. At all interruptions during play the umpires or captains shall direct and supervise the laying and removal of the covers. Covers must not be laid once play has ceased if an active thunderstorm, lightning or electrical storm is in the immediate vicinity of the ground.
10. Labour for laying or removing covers
Until the scheduled starting time of play, the home team shall provide any labour required for the laying or removal of the covers. After the scheduled starting time of play, both teams shall assist with laying and removal of the covers.
11. Semi Finals and Grand Finals
These Conditions shall apply to semi final (including play on a Monday) and grand final matches in the absence of any direction from the TWC or Veterans Committee.
12. Failure to comply with Conditions
A club or team failing to comply with these Conditions shall be dealt with as the TWC or Veterans Committee see fit.
13. Application to Vary Conditions
If a club wishes to vary these Conditions, written application must be made to the TWC or Operations Manager in advance.
ECA Turf Wicket Committee Issued: October 2023