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re start times - I don't have figures for across the union, just speaking from personal experience. Of the senior players I know who have packed in cricket in the last 5 years (there could be 30 of them) I can't think of a single 1 that did it because games start too early. There were a variety of reasons but by far the most common was the time it takes up of their lives when they have work and family commitments. Outside of premier league (and maybe section 1) cricket is essentially a hobby and having to give up 10 hours on a saturday, as well as sundays and mid week matches is becoming ridiculous. Many clubs would appear to be struggling and this would seem to me to be the main reason why.

On arranging an earlier start - when a team requests this the opposition always assumes they are seeking an advantage and usually refuses.

PS - I work until 11.30 every other Saturday but I would much rather try and rearrange this if I could be home by 6 each week

re David Edwards - of course I have no evidence nor can I remember when this was last voted on at an A.G.M. I was simply reflecting that on last Saturday morning there was a bit of hanging about with no time to really "start to do anything" because I was heading off round 11:00ish - will be the same this week. Some of my umpiring colleagues would, from conversations, share my view and indeed one of them has posted in agreement. Perhaps NIACUS might make a proposal for next season.

Glad to see Lisburn won the appeal. Might be regretting this statement over the course of this season but if clubs can afford these guys they should be able to employ their services. Can only help to have quality players playing here for the younger guys to learn from!

re Start times

Would any of these postulations about the effects of starting earlier or not starting earlier have any figures to back them up or are they just personal feelings? We seem to vote on this on a regular basis and there is no desire to change so, on the basis of a lack of any other evidence, it would appear that the majority would like to keep things as they are.

The start times are a latest start time so surely if it was so much in demand by players there would early starts agreed for all matches.

Have to agree with Andy on this one I could name a dozen former players myself included that could be enticed onto the pitch for an 11.00 am start. I am umpiring this year and already thinking as much as I am enjoying it so far I would be available for far more fixtures if we had early starts. 11.00 am start, lunch @ 1ish, finish 4ish. Doesn't have to apply to all cricket but might encourage a few more to play down the clubs.

Re - Gaz

Spot on

Ref Davy and early start times - I would suggest that the number of people lost to cricket due to not being able to make an early start would be significantly less that the number previously and currently being lost due to getting home at 9 o'clock.

Note your point Davy but what happens to the guys you describe when the start times change to 12:00 and then 11:30 later in the season?

Last Wicket Standing.

Following on from Ally McCalmont’s recent post, and as NCU Director of Cricket Development, can I just also encourage readers to enter the Last Wicket Standing competition.
Everyone who reads this forum has an interest in cricket and I would respectfully ask that you consider spending £10 to enter what should be a fun competition to raise funds which will be directly allocated to youth cricket within the NCU. Of course, all those entering get the opportunity to win an excellent prize of 2 tickets and accommodation for 2 for the Ireland v England game on the 3rd September.
You don’t have to be an cricket expert to enter and you don’t even need to be a player within the NCU area – you just need to be interested in supporting youth cricket . I understand that all clubs are trying to fundraise themselves but your support for this competition would be most appreciated.
To enter visit www.northerncricketunion.org
Entries need to be in by Wednesday of this week (1st May) to be included in the first week’s fixtures.
Good luck to all.

Ref start times
I remain opposed to earlier start times, as I know of a number of players that work Saturday mornings, night shifts etc, and in these times of austerity, there will be a right few I would say that the chance of 4 hours overtime on a saturday morning before heading to the ground for a 1pm start would be very welcome.
We have had a player that for the last number of seasons has arranged with their boss to let him start at 7am so he can get away at 11:30 for away games and about noon for home games, have the games starting earlier, and it would just mean another player lost to the game.

Saw a lot of games called off yesterday which is a shame already looking trying to find slots in a busy schedule does not suit many..... On other news, Great result for Lurgan. However is it true that 2 of the North West recruits did not turn up for C.I?

I realise that this topic has been raised before but I make no apologies for bringing it up again - starting times. Yesterday I spent a couple of hours trying to stay out of Flossie's way before starting off for Shaw's Bridge at just after 11:00 for a 13:00 start. To be fair both sides bowled their over "in time" and while the game didn't go the full distance, it was still a return home at 20:30. It was a good job that we had a bright day or the light could have been poor enough towards the end. Now I realise that the schools cricket debate will be put forward so my remarks are directed primarily at the First Division games - the matches that usually have official umpires. Lots of games were off yesterday but I simply ask "how many teams in the First division would not have been ready to start at 12:00 yesterday if conditions had permitted?" I know that all the points have been made before such as clubs can start earlier by agreement (don't know of any of those), schoolboys not available until after schools' games (don't know of too many of those in the higher Sections). As I pointed out I am referring to the "top" Sections, not the other Divisions where there is the facility for reducing overs. Any thought?

Thanks Roger

Hi Clarence, I share your congratulations to Gary on his hundred yesterday, and hope it's one of many he scores for Surrey in the future. However, it is not his maiden century for Surrey, as he scored 125 v Leicestershire in 2010.

Congratulations to Gary Wilson on his maiden county cricket century for Surrey. Great achievement and we wish him all the best for the rest of the season.