‘Weathertime’ meeting for cricket league

Saddleworth and District Cricket League by KEVIN RICHARDSON

OFFICIALS from the Armstrongs Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League are to hold a get-together with umpires, players and scorers to discuss the new ‘Weathertime System’.

The procedure, which determines the result of matches when rain or bad light intervenes, was given unanimous backing at the league’s annual meeting.

‘Weathertime’ only applies to matches in Division One and comes into operation at the start of season 2011. It has meant several rules, with the clubs’ approval, have been amended.

For instance, any overs forfeited via a declaration or not used by the side batting first will not be added to the team batting second. If a side batting first declare their innings, they will be deemed all out and the bowling team will receive five bonus points.

Also adopted by clubs was a proposal to tighten up on rules with regard to deputy professionals.

And instead of 10 points for a win, teams will receive 12 from next season, plus any bonus points accrued in the match, while all fixtures in September will start at 1pm and finish at 6.30pm as opposed to 1.15pm and 6.45pm..

Clubs will also have to pay £25 if they wish to lodge an appeal rather than £10.

However, proposals to introduce fielding restrictions — four players plus bowler and wicketkeeper in a circle when the ball is in play — and leg-side wides were defeated.

A request that all amateurs cannot have played first-class cricket within the previous seven years and that they must live within a 20-mile radius of a Saddleworth League club also failed to receive enough backing, so too an attempt to speed up play by docking overs from the perpetrators.

Also rebuffed was a suggestion that players must wear all white clothing (this was except for cricket caps and helmets), along with size restrictions on logos and that shirts had to be tucked in at all times.

The proposal which would force clubs into supplying basic playing facilities — for example, sight screens and adequate flat sheet covers — before they are allowed to sign a professional was also defeated.