Forum

Picking upon Bruce Topping's suggestion of having half a season of t20 games below, what about structuring the season something like this:

The season starts as it does now last weekend of April/1st week of May. The 8 teams in each junior league are split into 2 groups of 4 based on previous season's finishing positions for a T20 competition. Games are played on a Friday evening or Saturday afternoon. Whichever the clubs agree to. You play the other teams in your group once so that covers the first 3 weeks. There is then a final and trophy/medals for the winner of each group played on the last Friday evening of May.

Other benefits are these shorter games can start at 1pm on a Saturday after school cricket and be finished by 4pm. Or be played on Friday evening, or any weeknight potentially. Also as they're shorter those doing exams may not be as unlikely to be unavailable. As it is T20 you get a chance to replay each game any time the following week if off due to weather.

At the beginning of June you begin your 50/40/35 over league. You have 14 league games to arrange with one game per weekend and start times of 11am as now happens in July.

I think if you have your league having a mix of 20 over and 40/50 over it kind of devalues it overall.

The Junior/Intermediate/Minor Cups don't need to be polished off by early August - push the finals back to the mid/end of August and have the first rounds later also. The Ulster Plate, which I think was a good idea, probably has to go as I don't think it works.

Maybe radical, and probably a lot of holes to be picked but just developing ideas.

Steven Hiles suggestion has a lot of merit even if it was in five over chunks instead of ten. I think you could get through 35 overs in two hours , that way games from Junior 4 and below will last a maximum of four and a half hours.
May and June even starting at 1.30pm you are home by 7pm and in July and August starting at 11am home by 5.30pm and most weeks everyone will have had a chance to contribute

Since we are getting zero coverage on the other websites or media I guess we hav to promote our own league . All section 1 final on Sunday in the Ulster shield at carrick 12 start. Would b nice to get a decent crowd down to watch Downpatrick v muckamore. Carrick always put on a great day.
Section 1 getting interesting at the top and bottom. Downpatrick, muckamore and Woodvale pushing for the title and saintfield, lurgan and ballymena trying to stay up.

In the interests of speeding the game up bowling consecutive overs from the same end (batsmen change at end of the over) every 10 overs reduces the need for fielders to forget where they are meant to be and captains to have to start thinking and wasting time.

I think reducing the number of overs constantly will improve things, however reducing the time to play the number of overs might help.

In reality, trying to create greater inclusion of friends and family is the key to longevity and perhaps making games more of a social occasion (or at least some of them) will increase and longevitise participation.

We all need to work on this as one club problems today are another clubs problems tomorrow!

Hiler (still junior)

20 over cricket is too short for a match 1 in my opinion. Not enough opportunity for all eleven to contribute.

The inner circle should definitely be introduced at all levels. I cannot think of a valid reason not to.

Can Eagleson select himself for the Northern Knights?

The border league plays 15 x 8 ball overs. Two runs for a wide or no ball and no extra delivery. It's working well so far, matches begin at 6:30 and are finished by 9pm-ish. Three from the five clubs grounds in the border league use turf pitches, and the pitches have all been very good. All games have to be played, but double points/ headers are allowed, no questions asked, rearrangements are accommodated at all costs (empathy is priceless).
Border league is a single league with a final between the top two teams, means you can win the league but lose the final and of course there is nowhere to be promoted to, so the winners just have to spend the substantial cash prize on beer and rich food.
Millpark are hosting the final this season, more beer and rich food ;-)
The teams have mixed abilities, but always competitive, some guys might have played in section two or junior 1 and some might just play for the pub team, or even an opposition team, if you're stuck for a player. However, over the two or three years that the league has been running there hasn't been a single mismatch recorded like the ones you see every week in the regular Saturday leagues these days.

I think if we have a good look at the playing regulations on www.northerncricketunion.org you will discover the Union already gives a good degree of flexibility in the Junior Leagues regarding starting times and number of overs.
I think Andy McCrea is closer to the issues than most and over the years he has probably coached more young players than most .
Let's hope that the forthcoming roadshows arranged by the NCU are well attended and views aired.
My biggest fear of this cry for 20 over games is that if that doesn't get more people playing cricket in big numbers is - "where do you go next ? ".

Another issue I think clubs need to ask and the stats maybe give us the answer is " is there any need for professionals below the PL ? ".

Are these professionals improving local club players ? Or are they stopping them taking responsibility for playing long innings or bowling tighter spells ?

Are there local coaches who could work on players mid week and then let them go and play on a Saturday knowing that they have a job to do ?

Lots of interesting proposals in the debate.

I agree that the 30 yard circle should be in all cricket. One simple rule - 5 fielders inside the ring at point of delivery.

I am not sure about the idea of allowing variable overs in the same league except in the event of rain reduction.

Not sure about 9.30 am starts as there would be problems with dew and wet outfield.

Taking other ideas from the debate, I would propose for junior cricket:

J1 : T20 league for first third of season. 50 over league for the rest of the season.

J2 and below: T20 league for first third of season. 35 over league for the rest of the season.

These would be separate leagues (probably eight teams). Over the years the T20 league and longer formats would diverge in each division as promotion and relegation takes place.

I would possibly play the t20 league on the mat to help batters develop power hitting, reverse shots, ramps, uppercuts, whips though midwicket from offstump etc alongside the more traditional strokes as the mat is more consistent and batter friendly. Bowlers need to learn variation.

Longer leagues (36 over/50 over) to be played on grass where possible especially in J1 & J2.

Re Ivan - I would suggest that shot selection was a contributory factor in some of the low scoring games.

Tend to agree with Clarence, Andy & Ivan on this one...

What's wrong with the skipper lifting the phone and chatting to his opposite number a day or two before the game about a possible reduction in overs if need be ?

It may suit both sides it may not, however, home team have the call and likewise for the return fixture, so these things generally tend to pan out over the course of a season.

Think Andy hits the nail on the head, with good club infrastructure, willing coaches, common sensed captains and enthusiastic volunteers, you'll find them cueing up at the door and reducing overs won't be an option that needs consideration.

Just need "McCormick' up there to come out more often during the season, shine brightly and gives us all a break !

Great post Ivan. Kids need to learn to bowl, bat and field for long spells.

Good debate on the pros and cons about shorter overs. But surely there is be room for everyone? If both teams want the shorter games then agree it. If both games want a longer game then continue.
At least give it a try for a couple of years.
Also, make sure the proposals are timely and correctly before the AGM. This is the place to debate and some of the best thinkers are involved.

early start early finish is a common theme. 930 starts in July and August. especially in lower junior leagues whare the majority of games are played on astro pitches.
standard of cricket outside of the premier league has declined over the years and therefore retaining any ex senior player is a bonus.

Standards ? The four losing teams in Section 1 on Saturday scored 95, 67, 52 , 46 and today we had losing scores of 58 and 45 involving Section 1 teams .
All these teams with one exception are paying a professional.

In five of these games the losing team batted first meaning games are finished within three hours.

Does no one coach " how to build an innings anymore ?"

I can't believe the bowlers in Section 1 are that outstanding.