…during the season rather than wait for the Annual General Meeting in October when so many players have switched off for the season and gone elsewhere. Although it is the most democratic forum for decision-making, unfortunately AGMs have a history of poor debates and parochial decisions, sometimes by delegates who have little knowledge or interest in the topics being discussed. Worse still, some clubs don’t even bother to send their quota of delegates.
So let’s give this initiative the ‘Thumbs up” and let’s hear the views of the cricketers who are involved as they are the people most affected. The Discussion Paper has three central cords namely; resurrecting representative matches with the North-West, changing the league structures, and introducing some buzz into the cup competitions.
Bringing back representative matches with the North-West is a no-brainer in the absence of any regional competition, but hopefully it will not be restricted to Under-23 level as bragging rights between the two unions should be enough incentive to entice the best players to participate. We have to leave out the overseas pros or there would be few local players involved, and picking the best from the rest should not be restricted by age or Ireland eligibility. Promoted professionally on a bank holiday Monday this could be a major fixture.
The proposal to restrict the leagues to eight teams has some merit but are we messing around with the format too soon after introducing the two-up, two-down promotion and relegation structure that gave the leagues such a boost last season? The league structure is a hierarchy system based on performance and it matters little whether the leagues are called premier or qualifying, because the best teams will ascend. It begs the question why change? As for open leagues down the ranks that spells chaos.
The proposals surrounding the cup competitions are much more interesting and certain to arouse some passion. Introducing pajamas has been on the table for oinks but bringing in the Twenty20 culture through the back door of minor cup competitions might be a sign of things to come. There’s no doubt that the Twenty20 format is going to change the face of all cricket and perhaps cup competitions are the best starting point if local cricket is to climb on the band-wagon. Mind you, it has been around the local scene for years, but operating under the banner of mid-week league was hardly going to stir the imagination of the media or the public.
Changing the participants in the traditional Senior Challenge and Junior Challenge Cups is certain to be more controversial. The senior showpiece has recently become a one-day final but restricting the participants to the top sixteen teams won’t give it any major boost and creating a secondary competition for the ‘also-rans’ has limited merit. Admittedly the minnows have little chance to win the senior cup but they often produce a surprise or two and surely that is what knockout cricket is all about? The same could be said for the junior cup where second elevens relish the opportunity to play against the other clubs so why deny them an ongoing rivalry that has been around since 1891?
These proposals are certain to stir the passions of traditionalists and radicals alike, but when all’s said and done, change for change’s sake is not progress. There has to be overwhelming support for any change as these competitions are integrated into the fabric of NCU folklore and perhaps need tweaked rather than re-invented.
But then, that’s only one opinion!
Clarence Hiles
Editor
