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NEW PLAYING CONDITIONS SET TO BE INTRODUCED
· Restrictions on bat sizes, player send-offs and changes in DRS are the highlights of new playing conditions effective 28 September
· Video interview of ICC General Manager Cricket – Geoff Allardice, explaining the new regulations available for free download at the Online Media Zone
· Document reflecting major changes to the new playing conditions attached
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced a number of changes to its playing conditions which will be effective in all series starting 28 September or later.
The significant changes include a restriction on the dimensions of the bat, the introduction of player send-offs for misconduct and changes to the Decision Review System, all of which will commence from the two upcoming Test series – when South Africa hosts Bangladesh and the one between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates.
The ICC playing conditions will now incorporate the relevant clauses from the MCC Laws of Cricket (2017 Code), meaning that all the playing regulations will be captured in one document for each format.
ICC General Manager – Cricket, Geoff Allardice: “Most of the changes to the ICC playing conditions are being made as a result of changes to the Laws of Cricket that have been announced by the MCC. We have just completed a workshop with the umpires to ensure they understand all of the changes and we are now ready to introduce the new playing conditions to international matches.”
To maintain the balance between bat and ball, the playing conditions now restrict the size of the edges of the bats as well as their thickness. The restriction on the length and width of bats remain unchanged but the thickness of the edges can’t be more than 40mm and the overall depth can be 67 mm at the most. Umpires will be issued with a new bat gauge, which they can use to check a bat’s legality.
In a new playing condition pertaining to players’ conduct, a player can now be sent off the field for the rest of the match for any serious misconduct, meaning it will apply to Level 4 offences while the Level 1 to 3 offences will continue to be dealt with under the ICC Code of Conduct.
Threatening to assault an umpire, making inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with an umpire, physically assaulting a player or any other person and committing any other act of violence all constitute Level 4 offences.
The above changes will be applicable across all formats, as will be a change in the DRS rules by which a review will now not be lost in case of a decision that remains unchanged, solely as the result of an ‘umpire’s call’.
As for DRS in Test matches, there will be no more top-up reviews after 80 overs of an innings, meaning that there can only be two unsuccessful reviews in each innings, while the DRS will now also be allowed to be used in T20Is.
An important change with respect to run outs is that if a batsman is running or diving towards the crease with forward momentum, and has grounded his/her bat behind the popping crease but subsequently has lost contact with the ground at the time of the wickets being put down, the batsman will not be run out. The same interpretation will also apply for a batsman trying to regain his/her ground to avoid being stumped.
For boundary catches, airborne fielders making their first contact with the ball will need to have taken off from within the boundary, otherwise a boundary will be scored.
Also, a batsman can now be out caught, stumped or run out even if the ball bounces off the helmet worn by a fielder or wicket-keeper.

Andy (K)
Just to respond to your post regarding the ODI at Stormont.
Contrary to your 'rumour' the West Indies were very keen to get a game in and indeed a win as the no result adversely affected their ODi ranking which leads to automatic qualification for the World Cup.

Albeit a moot point now that England have won 2/3 of their ODi series v West Indies a win in Belfast might have given them a chance.

Further to mention that given the damp and cold conditions the West Indies players could have 'hid in the dressing rooms'
Instead they came out, engaged, signed autographs, took selfies and best of all took part in a coaching session on the 3G cricket zone with the children who had made the effort to go the game.
Wanting to play or not, fair play to them.

WOLVES TO PLAY IN BANGLADESH
Andrew Balbirnie (Captain) (Pembroke/Lightning), John Anderson (Merrion/Lightning), Peter Chase (Malahide/Lightning), George Dockrell (Leinster/Lightning), Shane Getkate (Instonians/Knights), Andrew McBrine (Donemana/Warriors), Barry McCarthy (Durham), Jacob Mulder (CIYMS/Knights), Stuart Poynter (Durham), James Shannon (Instonians/Knights), Simi Singh (YMCA/Lightning), Nathan Smith (Instonians/Knights), Jack Tector (YMCA/Lightning), Sean Terry (The Hills/Lightning), Stuart Thompson (Eglinton/Warriors), Lorcan Tucker (Pembroke/Lightning).
SUPPORT STAFF
Chris Siddell (Team Manager), John Bracewell (Head Coach), Rob Cassell (Assistant Coach/Fast Bowling Coach), Ed Joyce (Batting Coach), Brendan Connor (Strength & Conditioning Coach), Scott Irvine (Performance Analyst), Niamh Connolly (Physiotherapist).
MATCH ITINERARY
October 11-14, Ireland Wolves v Bangladesh A, 4-day game
October 17, Ireland Wolves v Bangladesh A, 1-day game
October 19, Ireland Wolves v Bangladesh A, 1-day game
October 21, Ireland Wolves v Bangladesh A, 1-day game
October 24, Ireland Wolves v Bangladesh A, 1-day game
October 26, Ireland Wolves v Bangladesh A, 1-day game

As another season draws to a close, 2017 could be described as one of the more interesting in the history of Cooke Collegians CC. Disappointment in the first XI just failing to stay in section 2 was somewhat tempered by the seconds jointly winning their division.
On field achievements,however, don't tell the full story. There are many people who have helped us this year and I think it is appropriate now to share our thanks.
Firstly to the NCU and in particular Callum Atkinson. Callum successfully guided us through the club accreditation scheme. A key part of our development plan was the installation of an artificial wicket at Fullerton park and as of today work has commenced on this.
Secondly there have been many of our friends and colleagues in the cricket family.
Cregagh and Saintfield supported us by moving fixtures from Saturday to Sunday when it became apparent we had a clash.
Templepatrick, Saintfield (again), North Down,and Derriaghy all offered us the use of their facilities when ours were unavailable.
This generosity is one the things that makes our game great, very many thanks to each of you.
We are a stronger club now than we were at the start of the season and you have all helped in no small way in making that happen.
See you all next season

Graeme

Far be it from me to 'rise the hare' but I was interested to see that a Section 5 game between Academy 3 and Muckamore 4 due to be played last Sunday has been voided after the ground had been declared 'Unfit' by the home side and I am aware that the home side has the call on that. I find it strange that the same ground - that is not graded for Senior cricket - hosted a Senior game between Academy and Bangor (with the approval of the Competitions Committee) 90 minutes later! I understand, from the social media, that Muckamore offered to switch the game to Moylena but this was turned down on the grounds that Academy had no transport! If that is the case then how did they hope to get to Roughfort and Moylena is only a few miles down the road. I hope that the rule changes that were made last weekend will hold for this weekend should the weather turn!

RE:YMCA CRICKET CLUB BLADON DRIVE.
SOMEONE MENTIONED THEY PLAYED ON THE TEAM THE YEAR THEY MADE IT INTO THE SENIOR LEAGUE.
AS A FELLOW PLAYER THAT YEAR I AM INTERESTED IN COMPARING NOTES ON THAT EXCITING YEAR.

Still a lot of fun in cricket.
Two incidents in the North Down 2s game v. Downpatrick if recorded on u tube would have had numerous hits.
Firstly as Billy Adams marked out his run up from the Billy Adams end ( he doesn't allow anyone else to bowl from the top end) and the skipper set the field something didn't look quite right. Yes we had an exceptionally tight field but one position was not filled. We had NO wicketkeeper!!!
Second incident as we expected a close finish Burns opened up 6 4 4 and finally a straight 6. Skipper Josh yelped in delight on the boundary jumped in the air but before his feet returned to the turf delight turned to horror as the ball sailed over the fence and smashed into the rear window of his car!!!!
You couldn't write the script.

repeat of the England game a few years ago. One has to ask if there really was any appetite to play on the part of the West Indies? A couple of 'whispers' that I heard would indicate not. The whole event puts the gaining of Test status into perspective. The article referred to earlier describes the reality for Cricket Ireland and confirms what a few of us have been saying since Test status was first mooted - the infrastructures weren't in place and still aren't. I recall being criticised for talking about the story of the Emperor's new clothes but Wednesday told a tale!

Just looking ahead to next year, why not start the season with a few T20 matches in 4 mini leagues format with 5 teams in each, all of the Premier and League 1 and the top 2 sides in League 2 over a 3 year period.

2 sides from the prem in each group with 3 sides from lge one in 3 gps and the rem lge one side with the 2 lge 2 sides. 5 matches per side played on the first 2 Saturdays and Sundays and then the May Bank Holiday, with the top side playing in Semis and then the Final on the Sunday at Stormont or a neutral venue after the Irish and National Cup weekend. This would be the new T20 comp (for the Prem sides)

Then the league programme could then start in Mid May and have leg room for any cancelled matches which then could be played as a T20 refix in midweek or as a normal 50 over encounter the following day.

The League 1+2+3 sides would still have a T20 comp of their own and play the finals of all at the same ground over a weekend.

Does anyone else agree with me.

Why did they not cover the whole field with tarpaulin, canvas sheets or something waterproof the evening before, it's not as if the rain on Tuesday night wasn't forecast?

Seems like an own goal on Cricket Ireland's part, and once again, it's the travelling fans who bear the brunt of this potentially massive 'gaff! '

Clarence, the media sure did get it right.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/20691604/washout-belfast-was-costly-farce-unbecoming-test-nation

The media got it right!
Match abandoned at Stormont.
Huge disappointment for everyone.
PS
Still raining in Barbados too!

Editior in all honesty I thought the relegation scrap would be between Muckamore and CSNI with Carrickfergus and yes Lisburn maybe involved, but the main thing between the 4 of the sides was Lisburn could'nt get any significant scores on the board which led to their relegation.

It will be interesting to see will they (Lisburn) bounce back at the 1st time of asking or will it be someone else.

But that is the beauty of Sport and especially Cricket if were played on paper we the public would not turn up

I have to say I am a neutral when it comes to following the NCU as I think you enjoy matches more so than the biting of nails unlike my LCU side Balbriggian in Div 2 and the local side near to me Dundalk (Div 10 going back up to Div 9 next year). I also take an interest in Knockharley (going well in Div 4) and Ashbourne (Div 11 champs and up to Div 10 in 2018) results being in the same region.

Thanks Ed for your quick response

I hope the pundits aren't correct. Quote from Ian Callender...
"...certainly in the media tent, is that the umpires are just waiting for the rain to arrive so that they can call it off!"
Huge disappointment so far, but you have no control of weather. After all, it has been raining in Barbados! Ugh!

Fortescue's dilemma?

Lord Fortescue could not sit alone
and bide away precious time,
always by the book, no babbling brook
straight talking his regime

A retired colonel, a decorated career
served King and country well,
though civvy street, gave him itchy feet
so he began to rebel

After dinner parties at his grand home
guests, ceremoniously drilled,
and any gentleman, whose boots were bland
made aware of his déshabillé

And when the vicar called for weekly visit
he too, subject of short shrift,
shown the front door, for nothing more
than asking for philanthropic gift

Though once a colonel, his wife, the general
finally had enough,
the good Fortescue name, must not be shamed
so took him by the scruff

"Horace, my fine fellow, now listen here
relinquish your dominion,
accept your station or take permanent vacation
none regard, inflated opinion!"

But Smithers the family butler, long standing
listening with keen antenna,
knew the master's malcontent, not his natural bent
sought cure for this dilemma

He organised a local cricket match
the venue, Fortescue's estate,
his Lordship chipper, appointed himself skipper
of that, there was no debate

A fine, competitive game ensued
Fortescue led by example,
his innings prolific, his leadership terrific
courageously, he bore the mantle

Out LBW on ninety-nine, adjudged by umpire Smithers
but acceptingly, he departed,
as applause pulsated, reputation reinstated
ne'er again, stand-offish nor cold hearted

The old military officer, now back to former self
willow replaced, the swagger-stick,
aided by stellar gent, Smithers, his manservant
knew what made the master tick

And as for Lady Fortescue, a woman of substance
content she turned the worm,
no more in dread, her husband brings his bat to bed
between them, things now feel firm!