It's that time of the year when everything is in the melting pot and relegation matches are just as exciting as promotion matches. Maybe we should abolish the three months before and let everything swing on the last few weeks of the season as that's when most things are decided.
It matters little whether it is North-West rules or NCU rules that are in the frame as everything is on the table in September cricket.
In the NCU Waringstown and North Down will have to play it out to the bitter end to see who wins their Senior League title and at the other end of the table at least six clubs will have a say in who joins Lurgan for the drop. Two relegation spots have certainly livened up September cricket and brought much more meaning to the last few weeks of the season.
But what of these complicated scoring rates? Are they good or bad for cricket?
Many people believe there is no place for ties or draws in limited overs games. That means there has to be a tie-breaker and although tied matches are rare in local league games, tied final league positions are quite common and should have some form of tie-breaker. The net run rate is as good as any other method to decide a winner, but why not go the whole hog and decide the league winners by the same format? Shared league winners are non events and if the English Premier League and La Liga can sort out these simple challenges then why not the NCU?
In an ideal world a playoff match to separate two teams at the top or bottom of the league is the fairest method but perhaps that's asking a lot given the horrendous challenges clubs and officials face trying to complete their normal league programme .
So why not go for net run rate throughout the leagues and produce conclusive league positions from top to bottom?
Clubs appear too keen to take a share of the honours these days rather than go for broke and we all remember the 1994 NCU Senior Challenge Cup final when North Down and Lisburn shared the trophy because the rules had made no provision for a tie. Both clubs appeared happy to share the win, but in essence neither won and neither lost. It was a non event.
Cricket development is moving at a rapid rate in the modern world and even the 50 overs format is under threat with Twenty/20 cricket and the option to reduce the length of matches when rain-affected. It all means there are only winners and losers so let's get with the times!
