Revised targets a positive move

OLDHAM CRICKET CLUB 2010, from left to right, back: Mohammed Hanif (professional), Mel Whittle, Craig Joy, Neil Inkpen, Rod Moran, Adnan Shafiq. Front: Abid Fazil, Dane Fletcher, Chris McDonnell (capt), Gary Crossley, Zafar Jatoi. Not on picture: Paul Thompson (vice-capt), Keelan Gossayn (overseas amateur).

CRICKET: THE Lake Garage CLL’s version of the Duckworth-Lewis Method has, on the whole, been a success since it was brought in last season.

Rain-affected matches were having such an impact on the outcome of the league that clubs who had been fortunate with the weather were often those involved in the race for honours.

Something had to be done and revised targets in the CLL are now the norm.

But spectators are not totally happy.

Some claim they are unaware of new targets and overs to be bowled and there was certainly some confusion at Werneth’s home game against Radcliffe on Sunday.

After restricting Radcliffe to 203 for eight – Joe Taylor (one for 30) and Mark Dronsfield (three for 37) were the pick of the bowlers – Werneth collapsed after Andy Fink and overseas amateur Chris Erasmus had shared an opening stand of 31 in pursuit of a new target of 145 from 31 overs.

The rain-affected match seemed to be heading towards a Radcliffe win when Werneth needed 50 runs off the last five overs.

But the visitors were unable to complete their allocation before the cut-off time of 8.15pm and, with six balls remaining and Ian Dronsfield and skipper Andy Walker having blocked a couple of overs, the teams walked off and were awarded two points apiece.

Clearly, the new system is designed to avoid draws so in that respect it failed.

Whether Radcliffe could have done more to fit in their overs is something only they will know, but they had much more to gain towards the end of the match than Werneth and it is surprising that they fell an over short.

Frustration among onlookers was understandable, but the new rules are, on the whole, a welcome introduction even though there are bound to be teething problems.