LWC Drinks Cornwall Cricket League officials have praised clubs for their enlightened thinking and support for the league and ECB after a number of positive rule changes were embraced and voted in at the annual meeting held at County Hall, Truro on Wednesday, January 24.

Out of 25 proposals only two failed to be carried on the night. In recent seasons the ECB have conducted a number of player surveys in a bid to understand the playing formats preferred by players in the recreational game, as numbers have declined countrywide. The feedback has been a preference for win/lose and shorter games, earlier start times and less travel time. The ECB’s ‘Get the Game On’ campaign advocates that leagues should provide formats that best suits players to deliver a five to six hour ‘perfect day’ game; allow for rain rules in order for matches to be completed, have flexible player eligibility rules and ensure that Women and Girls cricket is available. The Cornwall League has been moving in this direction and the trend continues with a number of changes being endorsed by clubs to endeavour to make the game more attractive.

It was voted in that clubs can now mutually agree to bring forward a start time to as early as 11am. Also, outside of the countywide divisions, the captains can agree to play a minimum of 20 overs per side if wished. This could see games concluded before any forecasted bad weather closes in. Teams can also start 30 minutes later without a reduction of overs, either by mutual agreement or in the event of a delayed start.

Division Two has been moved to Tier 2 so will play under the same format as Division Three. Matches will be of 45 overs instead of 50, bowler restrictions will be 25% of the available overs instead of 20% and there will be no fielding restrictions. Division Two and Three East will start at 1pm.

Division Four has been moved to Tier 3 so has a reduction from 45 to 40 overs, but 1.30pm starts remain. Divisions five, six and seven remain at 40 overs but will start 30 minutes earlier at 1.30pm. Bowling Restrictions remain at 25% of the available overs.

Other changes see a relaxation of player eligibility rules although points penalties will automatically apply for all conceded matches. Additionally, after issues last year, should a Premier or County One club concede there will be a £200 fine imposed. Also a five-point penalty per player will be levied on any clubs fielding short-sided teams in the top two divisions. The definition of a higher level player has been revised to reflect involvement in his/her club’s more recent matches; league administration rules are to be more flexible; eligibility criteria and a timeline introduced for promotion to the Premier and County One divisions and the annual rule proposals process will be streamlined, with the LMC taking greater control of the process.

Looking ahead to 2019, divisions four and below will comprise of 10 instead of 12 teams, playing between May and August only. The LMC will formulate the promotion and relegation scenarios required to achieve this for the lower divisions, and announce prior to this season commencing.

In the Premier League this year the Duckworth/Lewis/Stern (D/L/S) method will be used for the first time in all rain interrupted games. Premier clubs voted nine to three in favour of its adoption. It will be the responsibility of the home club to make sure a competent person is available to calculate the target and make sure that the ‘par’ score for the end of the over is correct.

A proposal to relax the ‘one current or former first-class player rule’ to exempt any player who has not played first-class cricket in the last five years was the other proposal that failed on the night in addition to a 1pm start in Division Two and Three West. Of the 12 Premier League clubs, six clubs voted for and six against, but a clear majority is required to change any rule.

Jonathan Lambert and Mike Kent, who had filled vacant results administrator posts last year, were formally elected as result officers. Co-opted management committee members Chris Leathley (Helston CC) and Colin Phillips (Menheniot-Looe CC) were also formally elected as full members.