England up for Test match championship
HUDDERSFIELD YMCA RUFC Under 14s were beaten 36-21 by Littleborough in a hastily arranged match.
YMCA were looking to build on their win against Cleckheaton but from the off Littleborough controlled the contest.
James Heywood and Jaden Dayes coming close in the first half but YM created little and were camped in their own half for long periods. ENGLAND are to take part in a Test cricket world championship after the sport’s governing body gave the goahead to a nine-team two-year series to begin in 2019.
Joe Root’s side could also be involved in four-day Test matches in new proposals accepted by the International Cricket Council at its board meeting in Auckland, New Zealand.
The ICC has also given the green light to a 13-team one-day international league which will begin in 2020 and lead to direct qualification to the Cricket World Cup.
Nine teams will play six series over the new two-year Test championship - three each home and away - with
And it was long before the visitors dominance was rewarded with points, who went in at the break 17-0 up.
YMCA came out firing from the restart with Archie Roberts beating three men on the touchline to score under the posts – Luke Earnshaw added the extras.
Player’s man of the match Elmo Morgan and Ellis Roberts were leading from the front to help their side mount a comeback.
However, despite mounting pressure on the Littleborough line, the home side were able to break clear to increase their lead. each series having a minimum of two Tests and a maximum of five.
The top two teams will contest a play-off final to determine the Test champions in England in June 2021.
For the ODI league the ICC’s 12 full members and the winners of the current World Cricket League Championship will contest four home and four away series, each comprising of three matches.
ICC chairman Shashank Manohar said: “I would like to congratulate our members on reaching this agreement and putting the interests of the development of the game first.
“Bringing context to bilateral cricket is not a new challenge, but
Two converted tries from YMCA’s Layton Morries and second rower Teddy Sharp ensured the score was 24-21 going into the final four minutes.
But two late tries from Littleborough extended their lead and walk away victorious.
YMCA can take heart from their performance and will be hoping to bounce back tomorrow when they travel to Wath-on-Dearne.
YMCA’s Under 15 side were unlucky not to record a unlikely victory away at Cleckheaton – drawing scoring. this is the first time a genuine solution has been agreed on.
“This means fans around the world can enjoy international cricket knowing every game counts and in the case of the ODI league, it counts towards qualification to the ICC Cricket World Cup.”
The ICC also approved the trial of four-day Tests if both sides agree but all Test championship matches will be five-day contests.
ICC chief executive David Richardson said: “Four-day Tests will also provide the new Test playing countries with more opportunities to play the longer version of the game against more experienced opponents,
The injury hit squad were led by a man-of-the-match display from James Nichols, while the defensive performances of Josh Winstanley and Ben Oldfield kept the hosts from snatching victory.
The sides were level at 5-5 at the interval, but shortly after the break YMCA were in front after a jinking run from winger Nichols, but he was injured soon after and Cleckheaton levelled the scores at 10-10.
Despite the best efforts of Ethan Harrop in the final few minutes, YM were unable to find the score that would to win the game. which, in turn, will help them to hone their skills.”
Somerset are prepared for a legal battle should Middlesex win their appeal against the points deduction which contributed to their relegation from Specsavers County Championship Division One.
Middlesex were docked two points for a slow over-rate during their match against Surrey in August, which was abandoned when a crossbow bolt was fired into The Oval.
The county were subsequently relegated by one point after losing their final match of the season to Somerset, who maintained their top-flight status as a result of the victory.