Incoming weather system goes to vote

Pictured are Gary Armstrong (back row, left), David Armstrong, of league sponsors Armstrong Office Furniture, Craig Ramadhin (league treasurer), David Chaloner (executive committee member), Eddie Bayliss (chairman), sponsor John Armstrong (front, left), registration secretary Peter Lilley, president Roger Tanner, Trevor Harrison (general secretary), Iain Johnston, of sponsors 20-20 Vision.

NEW PROPOSAL SAID TO BE ‘POSITIVE’ STEP FORWARD
CRICKET: CLUBS will vote on the ‘Weathertime System’ at the Armstrong Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League’s annual meeting at Uppermill CC tomorrow (8pm).

A sub-committee was formed to formulate a procedure to determine the result of matches when rain or bad light intervenes, and now it’s up to clubs to give it the thumbs up or down.

A proposal document, approved by the league’s executive committee, was circulated to all clubs and it was presented to them at a special meeting at the end of March.

Captains, players, scorers and umpires were present and the unanimous view was that its introduction would be a positive step forward.

If ‘Weathertime’ is approved, there will be training sessions for umpires, players and scorers before the 2011 season gets under way, while several existing rules will need to be amended.

For instance, any overs forfeited via a declaration or not used by the side batting first will not be added to the side batting second. This applies to all fixtures and not just those affected by ‘Weathertime’.

Also, if the side batting first declare their innings, they would be considered all out and the bowling team would receive five bonus points.

Meanwhile, in trying to avoid a repeat of last season when Greenfield were ordered to replay their Tanner Cup semi-final against Uppermill, the league have proposed a rule change concerning deputy professionals.

For clubs to call up a stand-in pro because of illness or injury, this must have been sustained or contracted while in the UK. A medical certificate must be provided in English from a UK-based medical practitioner within three days of the match being played.

And a club will not be allowed a deputy for any reason unless the registered paid man has arrived in the UK.

The registration secretary would also need to see a copy of the pro’s valid Visa issued by the UK Border Agency, along with documents already listed in the handbook, before the start of the season.

Other stand-out proposals include that all amateurs can’t have played first-class cricket in the previous seven years and that they must live within a 20-mile radius of a Saddleworth League club.

In an attempt to speed up play, the 45th over must commence within two hours 45 minutes playing time of the start. If not, the umpires will note the number of uncompleted overs and the innings will continue until 45 overs have been bowled, the side batting first are all out or have declared.

The team bowling in the first innings will, when it is their turn to bat, receive in return the number of overs it had completed in two hours 45 minutes.

There will also be a vote on fielding restrictions — four players plus wicketkeeper and bowler inside a marked off area — and for all deliveries in Division One and Tanner Cup matches which pass on the outside of the batsman’s pads on the leg side to be called a wide.

Clubs could be blocked from acquiring the services of a professional that season if they don’t have basic playing facilities, which are set by the league’s executive committee.

And in other proposals, teams would be awarded 12 points for a win instead of 10, while fixtures in September would start at 1pm and finish at 6.30pm, rather than 1.15pm and 6.45pm.

Picture:

WELCOME PARTY... the Saddleworth and District Cricket League celebrated the 2010 season with a dinner and prize presentation at Uppermill Civic Hall. Pictured are Gary Armstrong (back row, left), David Armstrong, of league sponsors Armstrong Office Furniture, Craig Ramadhin (league treasurer), David Chaloner (executive committee member), Eddie Bayliss (chairman), sponsor John Armstrong (front, left), registration secretary Peter Lilley, president Roger Tanner, Trevor Harrison (general secretary), Iain Johnston, of sponsors 20-20 Vision.