Clubs vote for cups revamp

CRICKET: 

CLUBS have shown their support to a revamp of the Tanner and Moore Cups in 2015.

A proposal to prevent first and second round ties being completed midweek in case of bad weather was given the green light at the Saddleworth and District Cricket League’s annual meeting.

The suggestion was made by the league’s executive committee following concern by players and officials.

With work shift patterns changing, players have found it difficult to make a 6.30pm start time midweek. Some ties were conceded last season because sides were unable to field an XI when games were carried over to Monday and Tuesday evenings.

Matches in the first and second rounds will now begin at 1.15pm — 30 minutes earlier than before — with a maximum of three hours allowed to bowl their allotted 45 overs.

If there is a delayed start but play starts before 1.45pm, a full 45-over game will be played. If play starts after 1.45pm, for every seven minutes lost the game will be reduced by an over per side, down to a minimum of 20 overs. Once a match begins there will be no further over-redutions, and a bowl out will decide any game that goes on after 8.30pm - unless the batting side is within 30 runs of the total needed to win or has lost eight or nine wickets. Play will continue if conditions are suitable.

If play hasn’t started by 4.45pm, a bowl-out will take place. Artificial wickets are allowed if both captains agree. If a bowl-out isn’t possible, the winner wil be decided on the toss of a coin. In the event of a tie, a super over will decide the winner except in the final when there would be a replay.

There were far more proposal rejections than approvals on the night. Voted down were the scrapping of teas for players; penalising sides for slow over-rates and; amending the leg-side wide rule, among ohers.