Milton Keynes Champions League (MKCL) Constitution 2026
1. TITLE AND AIM
- Title: The League shall be known as the Milton Keynes Champions League (MKCL).
- Aim: To provide and encourage quality competitive cricket, embracing the highest standards of both play and sportsmanship.
- Equity: The League shall execute its objectives fairly and without prejudice to age, gender, disability, race, religion, social status, or sexual orientation
2. MEMBERSHIP AND ELIGIBILITY
- Affiliation: Membership is open to bona fide cricket clubs who are members of the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
- Team Composition: Every team must register a minimum of 15 players and a maximum of 30 players before the tournament commences.
- Location: There are no traveling time or specific geographic location criteria for member clubs.
- Professionalism: Professional players are strictly prohibited. Clubs must not pay or in any way remunerate any person playing in the League.
Teams are expected to conduct themselves in manner fitting ECB club cricket rules - Uniform: Coloured clothing is mandatory; all players must wear the same coloured
uniform. (Please note cladding on pads is also considered part of uniform)
3. FINANCIALS AND FEES
- Registration Fee: The total registration fee per team is to be determined annually by the General Committee.
- Initial Retainer: Upon application or renewal, clubs must pay an initial retainer of 25% of the total registration fee or as agreed with the Committee.
- Match Balls: White balls are provided by the League. Teams must select two extra used balls before the match for use if the match ball is lost or damaged. All balls must be returned after the match.
- Fines for No-Show: A team “No Show” results in a 15-point deduction and a £90 fine (£60 to the opponent and £30 to the organizer).
4. PLAYING RULES (25-OVER DOUBLE-HEADER)
Format: Matches consist of one innings per side, limited to 25 overs. No bowler shall bowl more than 5 overs in an innings.
| Event | Morning Match | Afternoon Match |
|---|---|---|
| Toss Time | 12:45 PM | 4:30 PM |
| Start Time | 01:00 PM | 04:45 PM (Strict) |
Timing & Delays:
- Innings Structure: 1 hour 40 minutes per innings. Phase 1 (13 overs) – 49 mins; Break – 5 mins; Phase 2 (12 overs) – 45 mins.
- Changeover: 10 minutes between innings.
- Over Deductions: If the 1st innings starts late, 1 over is deducted per every 4 minutes from both innings.
- Late Arrival Penalty: If delay is caused by teams, 1 point is deducted for every 4 minutes delay (includes Play Cricket setup)
Fielding Restrictions:
- Powerplay (Overs 1-7): Max 2 fielders outside the 30-yard circle.
- Non-Powerplay (Overs 8-25): Min 4 fielders inside the 30-yard circle.
- General: Max 5 fielders on the leg side; max 2 behind square on the leg side.
5. SCORING AND POINTS
| Points | Batting Bonus | Bowling Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Points | > 200 runs | All Out under 100 runs |
| 3 Points | 175–200 runs | All Out |
| 2 Points | 150–174 runs | 7+ wickets taken |
| 1 Points | 125–149 runs | 5–6 wickets taken |
General Points: Win = 10, Tie/Washout = 5, Loss = 0. No bonus points for youth players.
6. TOURNAMENT STRUCTURE
- League Stage: Each team plays every other team twice.
- Weather: The Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method will be used for interruptions.
- Results: Results and scorecards will be available from Play Cricket website. (Individual Teams should ensure that their statistics are correct before leaving the field after the match)
Winner
The team that has maximum points at the end of the League will be declared the winner.
There will be a trophy and medal presentation at the end of the League. All Teams will be invited
7. ADMINISTRATION
- Scoring: Must be conducted via the Play Cricket Scorer app.
- Readiness: Players must be at the ground 45 minutes before start. All players must be in Play Cricket by start time.
- Penalty: If a team takes longer to add players after match start, 1 over is deducted for every 5 minutes.
- Player Names: Full legal names must be used for all custom players