Planning for a rainy day

A system of obtaining a positive result in rain-affected matches could be adopted by the Armstrongs Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League.

The league has asked a sub-committee to come up with a workable proposal, on the lines of ‘Duckworth-Lewis’, to present to clubs by the middle of next year.

But whether Dave Chaloner, a member of the executive and chairman of Glodwick CC, umpire Mike Dunkerley and former league secretary Graham Oldham go ahead with their study hinges on the support of clubs.

A hand-out presented to delegates said the panel “would not wish to enter into a great deal of work, only to be told nine months that clubs aren’t really that bothered”.

The working party, who would like to co-opt at least one current and experienced first-team player, want confirmation, or otherwise, at this month’s league meeting.

If the response is positive, they will look to stage a meeting with an experienced representative from each club, preferably a playing member, to present first thoughts, discuss different methods, implementation and the points system.

All drafts would be put to clubs for reaction prior to the final scheme being presented in June 2010 with a view to it being in place by 2011.

The Lake Garage CLL introduced their own variation of Duckworth/Lewis for first-team games only at the start of the 2009 season.

Meanwhile, clubs will vote on 16 rule change proposals at this month’s annual meeting (October 29).

One submission is for all overseas amateurs to be under the age of 25 on April 1 of the season in which he is registered. But any player registered in the league as an overseas amateur prior to season 2010 is exempt from this rule, providing he then plays continuously with the club registered with prior to 2010. Any break in registration then renders him ineligible.

Fielding restrictions could also come into force — four players plus the wicketkeeper and bowler to remain inside semi-circles joined by parallel lines 25 yards from each wicket — in all league and cup games.

Droylsden want the disciplinary committee to made up of a nominated person from each club in the league, but not a registered player within the league, umpire or member of the league executive.

They say the disciplinary committee’s decision will be final and no appeal procedure will be allowed.

The Oakfield outfit also want teams to forfeit the game and their opponents be given all 20 points if they leave the field of play without the umpires’ permission.

Another submission is that the captain will have to provide a player from his own team to score when the team’s official scorer is unavailable. However, a registered player from the club will be allowed to act as a substitute fielder.

Bamford Fieldhouse have proposed that all balls delivered down the leg side should be called a wide, while another suggestion is that senior clubs enter all their junior teams in the league junior section at the appropriate age level, but if any such age level does not exit in the league they may enter that age group elsewhere.

And in a proposal submitted by Glodwick, the home club would provide teas for both teams, scorers and umpires in league fixtures, but expenses would be shared for all cup ties.