PROPOSED TWENTY/20 FORMAT FOR 2009

The League Committee acknowledges the fact that some clubs, particularly those in the lower divisions, are somewhat less than enthusiastic about competing in the Readman Trophy. The problems seem to centre around:

• Some players being reluctant to play two full length games over a weekend
• Travel distances involved – particularly on Spring Bank Holiday Monday
• Lower division teams having little chance of winning the cup despite the handicap system

The Committee remain of the opinion that all teams be required to enter the Readman Trophy (apart from the 16 teams in the Hunters Premier Cup) in order to fulfil the commitment to the sponsors. The deal with Hunters did include the Readman Trophy as an intricate component when arriving at the financial agreement.

It is felt that, by removing the requirement to enter, the number of entering clubs could well be halved and that the competition would then be in terminal decline.

Nevertheless the Committee does appreciate the need for radical change and, consequently, proposes the following apply for the 2009 season.

• The format be changed from 40 overs per side to a twenty/20 competition
• Games to start at 2 pm with a 15 minute break between innings and no tea to be provided – although host clubs may consider laying on refreshments for after the match
• First round games to be scheduled to be played on Spring Bank Holiday Monday
• First round games to be zoned. (in five geographical zones)
• Any preliminary round games to be played either on a Sunday or an evening by agreement between the two clubs
• Second round games to be regionalised into two zones with a central nucleus of clubs being split between the two zones
• The two semi-finals and final all to be played on the same day – starting at 10.00am, 1.00pm and 4.00pm. Thus finishing at about 7 – 7.30pm (or two semi-finals to be played simultaneously on nearby grounds at – say 11 am with final at around 2 pm)
• Handicap starts to be reduced to 10 runs per division (i.e. Div. 1 = scratch; Div 2 = 10, Div. 3 = 20, Div 4 = 30, Div. 5 = 40)

If the above is implemented the amount of travelling will be greatly reduced in the early rounds and, with the time saved and the length of the game reduced, the disruption to ‘family Sundays’ will be minimised.

Obviously the Competition Rules will need to be totally revised in order to meet Twenty/20 requirements

Changes will need to incorporate

Interval
The interval will be of 15 minutes duration.

Number of  Overs / Time
Teams have one hour 15 minutes to bowl 20 overs.

The six-run penalty for each over not bowled will apply - all sides are expected to be in position to bowl the first ball of the last of their 20 overs within one hour 15 minutes playing time.

Thus, in the event of the side bowling first exceeding their allocated time – six runs per over will be added to their opponents total. In the event of the side bowling second exceeding the time their first innings total will be reduced by six runs per over.

Umpires will need to adjust times on account of justifiable stoppages

Reduction of Overs

No reduction of overs shall apply until one hour’s playing time has been lost.

Reduction in overs shall be calculated at the rate of 3.75 minutes per over

In the first innings each side will lose one over for every full 7.5 minutes lost (on an accumulative basis)

Once the first innings has been completed, over reductions shall apply at the rate of one over per full 3.75 minutes lost (on an accumulative basis)

The Result
Each side must have faced (or had the opportunity to face) ten overs in order to constitute a match.

Where the side batting second is prevented from completing their allocated overs (or agreed reduced number of overs) the result will be decided on run-rate per over

In the event of a team being all out in less than its full quota of overs, the calculation of its net run rate shall be based on the full quota of overs to which it would have been entitled and not on the number of overs in which the team was dismissed.

In the event of a ‘No Result’ the game will be replayed in its entirety on a mutually agreed date. However, the two sides may jointly agree to deciding the tie by a ‘bowl out’

Restrictions on the Placement of Fieldsmen
Fielding restrictions apply for the first six overs of each innings.

Number of Overs per Bowler
Each bowler may bowl a maximum of four overs. In a delayed or interrupted match, no bowler may bowl more than one fifth of the total overs allowed unless such a number has been exceeded before the interruption.

Free Hit after a Foot Fault No Ball
This will apply.

Time Wasting
Umpires are instructed to apply a strict interpretation of time-wasting by the batsman or fielders(five-run penalties). Specifically, batsmen are expected to be ready for the start of a new over as soon as the bowler is ready.

READMAN TROPHY –  POSSIBLE ZONING  FOR 2009

NORTH

Sheriff Hutton Bridge, Crayke, Huby, Duncombe Park, Hovingham, Sheriff Hutton, Stillington                  

 WEST

Studley Royal, Tadcaster Magnet, TABS, Harrogate, Ripon, Bolton Percy, Dringhouses

CENTRAL

Heworth, York, Osbaldwick, Civil Service, New Earswick, Rowntrees, Yapham, Huntington

EAST

Driffield, Pocklington, Fenner, Scarborough, Sewerby, Hull & YPI, Londesbrough Park, Wilberfoss

SOUTH

Whitkirk, Selby, Castleford, Carlton Towers, Cawood, Bubwith, Welton           

Under the above grouping, there would be one preliminary round game in each zone. First round games will then be contained within each of the five zones. For second round purposes North & West will combine as will East & South to form two regions; the central group will be split between these two regions.

Completing the draw will be rather complicated but not insurmountable but will need to be done outside the AGM, which is when the draw for the Readman Trophy has traditionally taken place.