League attack last-day frolics

CRICKET: CUT it out. That was the clear message from officials at the Saddleworth and District Cricket League meeting.

Clubs were told, in no uncertain terms, to play the game properly after a spate of last-day-of-term shenanigans.

Swapping batting orders, giving nearly every player a bowl — 10 bowlers were used in one innings between Friarmere and Droylsden and nine in two others — and players told to play certain shots may have caused amusement in some quarters, but the league’s executive committee were not amused.

Secretary Trevor Harrison said: “There was a situation in one match when the wicketkeeper bowled with his pads on.

“We’re one of eight leagues who are invited to meetings at Old Trafford. You can imagine how those other leagues will view this.

“Some people think it’s funny, but we’re not laughing. It’s more bad publicity and it’s an issue that the league feels very strongly about.”

League chairman, Eddie Bayliss, said it was not in the spirit of the game and unfair to those clubs who were chasing one of the end-of-season competitions.

He added: “This type of behaviour won’t be tolerated. Captains changing the bowling every two overs puts a strain on umpires, who have a hard-enough job as it is.

“Most clubs have a professional and overseas amateur, but this was like schools cricket and we’re not here to umpire schools cricket.”

Gareth Dent picked up a two-game ban on the final day of the season.

It was alleged that the Droylsden player, who was due to bat at number 10, was not changed when the eighth wicket fell against Friarmere, which, it is claimed, caused a declaration by the skipper to avoid the player being timed out.

The league ruled that Dent’s actions — he was Droylsden’s last man as they only had 10 players — was not in the spirit of the game.