Match 2s in the Northern Cricket Union will continue to be 20 over matches after Muckamore’s proposal to give teams the option of playing a two-night game was rejected at this week’s AGM.
The basis of Muckamore’s argument was the chance to give everyone the chance to play more cricket. They also suggested a bowl-out to decide the points rather than settle for two each for a no result.
Arguments against, however, proved stronger with players unwilling to give up an extra night travelling now “they are used to a 20-over refix”. The proposal was lost on a show of hands.
Muckmore also lost their proposal to increase 40-over games in Junior League One to 50 “to prepare players for promotion to the 1st XI”.
Delegates did, however, agree to bring forward the start time for a 20-over midweek match to 6pm (from 6.30pm) in April, May and June, while putting back the latest start time to 5.30pm in August and 5pm in September.
In other proposals passed, a player can move clubs a maximum of twice during a season; the following day (Sunday) rather than the following Saturday is now the reserve date for clubs who, because of a lack of grounds cannot host two or more cup matches on the same day; and there will be a new Development Cup for teams below Junior League 8.
Michael Humphreys took over as chairman, with Andrew Cowden named his vice-chairman for the next two years and presentations were made to outgoing chairman Peter McMorran and Richard Johnson (pictured above), past chairman and president, who is retiring after 34 years’ service to the NCU.