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IMPORTANT
A recent well-argued appeal against penalties under the regulation below flagged up a number of anomalies in how the slow over rate regulations work. Consequently, the League set up a sub-committee which has recently undertaken a review of all results in weeks 1-7 to assess the fairness and suitability of the above rules.
Alas for a number of reasons the sub-committee came to the conclusion the existing rules as they stand are not fit for purpose.
The main reason is because of the way the match cap works, it perversely penalises games that require the maximum (or close to) overs as it is such games that most often come into scrutiny. These are often amongst the best and the most competitive matches.
Another clear injustice that was identified is that a side can bowl very slowly but evade punishment because the opposition bowl them out well within the overs, on a day when other sides with better over rates are punished because their total game time was longer.
Other factors worthy of note are that the rule pre-dates the introduction of fielding circles with additional considerations for field setting, the 5 minute extension of the tea interval which was not accounted for by an extension to the time allowed before penalties are imposed, and an inherent unfairness towards Premier league teams, who only get an extra 30 minutes allocated to bowl an extra 10 overs, an effective rate of 20 overs per hour for these extra overs.
Taken together these led the sub-committee to the view that the Regulation as written was unfit for purpose. To replace the rule requires a two thirds majority of clubs voting at an SGM so we are intending to hold a SGM vote of all full member clubs seeking a mandate from clubs to adopt the changes detailed below. These changes are highly recommended by the Sub-Committee and the League Executive and have been endorsed by the Cricket Committee. We sincerely hope that the clubs will back their officers by accepting these considered proposals.
Slow Over Rates – The Current Regulations
17. In all 1st XI games teams must bowl at an average of 17 overs per hour. Failure to do so will result in points being deducted as described below. In 110 over games teams will be allowed 3 hours 15 minutes playing time to bowl 55 overs. In 100 over games teams will be allowed 3 hours to playing time to bowl 50 overs. In both cases innings in which there are more or less overs bowled, the time allowed will be pro-rata. e.g. in a 25 over innings in a 100 over game the time allowed would be 1 hour 30 minutes.
Playing time excludes drinks breaks and any other delays or stoppages as determined by the umpires will be added to the time allowed. The umpires match report on the CCCL website will be the definitive basis used for calculations.
18. Teams will be penalised 1 point for every complete 3 minutes 30 seconds by which they exceed the allowed time. All the above is subject to;
• If the game is rain affected or if the ball needs constant drying at the start of the game, no penalty will be applied.
• If a 110 game finishes no later than 7 hours 10 minutes from the start, or a 100 over game no later than 6 hours 40 minutes from the start there will be no penalties applied.
• These times include a 30 minute allowance for a tea break and one drinks break in each innings.
Proposed new rule 17.
In all 1st XI games teams must bowl at a rate consistent with completing the innings within the allotted time. Failure to do so will result in points being deducted as described below.
In 110 over games teams will be allowed 3 hrs 35 mins playing time to bowl 55 overs or bowl their opponents out.
In 100 over games teams will be allowed 3 hrs 15min to playing time to bowl 50 overs or bowl their opponents out.
In both cases innings in which there are excess overs bowled, or less overs because of a late start, the time allowed will be changed pro-rata.
Playing time includes one drinks break. Any other delays or stoppages as determined by the umpires will be added to the time allowed. The umpires match report on the CCCL website will be the definitive basis used for calculations.
18. Teams will be penalised 1 point for every complete 3 minutes 30 seconds by which they exceed their allowed time. Exclusions If the game is rain affected no penalty will be applied. If the ball needs regular drying at the start of the game.
Major differences:
• The rule is based on the ECB Generic rules for 50 over matches…………. and so ……
• The rule is more consistent with slow over rules used in other Premier Leagues
• The rule makes each team responsible for their own bowling performance in all games (except when wet/rain affected where there will be no over rate assessments)
• All clubs will have significantly longer to bowl their overs than under the old regulations
• Penalties will no longer be subject to a match time cut off point
• No club guilty of a slow over rate will be saved by the performance of their opponents
• Penalties, when imposed, will be at a more modest level than previously due to the longer allowances proposed
What we propose to do
1 Circulate clubs with this document to enable them to vote in a virtual SGM
2 Total the votes for and against on Monday 4th July
3 Report the vote result to the clubs What we propose to do if clubs agree to the proposal
4 Replace the rule with a rule based on the ECB Generic 50 over rule (with adaptation for 55 over matches) from week 12 matches onwards
5 Disregard any late finishes in weeks 1 – 11
6 Give clubs the chance to comment on the new rule, and to prepare for its introduction
7 Get clubs to vote on the changes
8 Start reviewing matches against the new rules from week 12 (July 9th)
ACTION NEEDED Can all clubs respond to the email sent to Club Contacts with the name of their club casting their vote and whether their club supports the proposal (YES) or not (NO).