Changes afoot for Tanner Cup

CRICKET: THE Tanner Cup, won this year by Uppermill after a replay, could feature bowl-outs and super overs in future seasons.

These are some of the proposals for approval at the annual meeting of the Saddleworth and District Cricket League on October 31.

Changes in player work commitments have brought unfinished ties in their wake that are difficult to conclude, so it is proposed matches in the first three rounds will be completed on the same day.

One suggestion is that a delayed start will lose one over for every seven minutes lost - mirroring the league rules. If there is no play, or the match is abandoned because of the weather, a bowl-out will take place. If conditions are so bad that teams are unable to even get on the outfield, the tie will be decided by a coin.

A tied game will be decided by a super over for each team.

The final, if required, will go into Monday and each following evening until a result is achieved.

An alternative proposal is that the “Weathertime” system should be used in first and second-round matches for games interrupted by rain or bad light. Match starts might also be moved to 1pm (from 1.45pm) to ensure the greatest chance of completion. Another proposal suggests all league games should also begin at 1pm.

Clubs have rejected the idea of fielding restrictions in league matches in the past, but will have another chance to vote.

Another suggestion is that players who have featured in the Tanner Cup in the same season as turning out in the Moore Cup, won’t be allowed to play in the latter.

In a bid to stamp out bad behaviour, clubs have the chance to vote on two suggestions. Instead of players being banned from playing, players punished by the league will be required to umpire, without fee, a number of games in Division Two.

The league’s executive committee wants to create a disciplinary panel to decide on serious matters of misconduct.

The Saddleworth League’s junior section could be set for an overhaul, with divisions at under-14s, 16s and 18s level, instead of 13s, 15s and 17s.

Other proposals —

Clubs failing to provide a scorer for a match must provide a player to be present in the scorebox during both innings. Failing to provide a scorer will be £25.

WHEN using ‘Weathertime’, instead of 75 per cent of the run rate calculated for the team batting second, it should be 60-per-cent. This would make it slightly more difficult for the team batting second — previous results show they have a slight advantage when chasing revised targets.

MOTIONS at special general meetings will only be accepted by a majority of five of those member clubs present, instead of a simple majority.

CLUBS resigning from the league must notify the league secretary in writing no later than June.

PLAYERS can be excused, with league permission, representative inter-league duty if it clashes with LCB Cup games.

NEW applications to join the league to be received no later than July.