Rule changes to come into play in Julian Cup
As expected, several rule changes for this season’s Julian Cup have been adopted following the competition's recent AGM.
After a review of last season’s competition, several amendments were proposed and it's been agreed that the main cup competition will return to straight knock-out matches, rather than the Champions League style group matches which proved unpopular with players and led to some slightly distorted results.
However, the group phase format worked well in the plate competition and that will be maintained for the 2023 competition. The exact details will be based on how many teams enter; however, the best placed sides will go through to knock out semi-finals and then the final.
Teams and players who play in Thames Valley Division 2 and above are not eligible to play in the plate competition, which has an emphasis on bringing through younger, talented colts.
It's also been agreed that games can be reduced in length if the weather appears to be a concern, however, teams will still need to play a minimum of 16 overs per side.
A change to the rules with regards to ‘no balls’ has also been agreed to bring the competition in line with Saturday cricket that most players are familiar with. This will see no balls become a free hit. Games in both the cup and plate competitions are set to start from May 16 and the semi-finals in the cup competition are to take place at Marlow and Taplow, with the final, as always, at Boyne Hill Cricket Club.
Plate competition semi-finals will be held at the clubs who’ve finished highest in the league stage.
Organisers have also given some thought to marking the 100th anniversary next summer.
New president Chris Dozell is putting together a subcommittee to work out the best way of celebrating the milestone. He is also set to contact the Guinness Book of World Records as the belief is this is the world’s oldest evening, limited overs competition.
W Teams are also gearing up for the start of the Thames Valley Cricket League and Home Counties Cricket League seasons, which both get underway on Saturday, May 6.
In the Home Counties competition, Slough host Wargrave on the opening day, while Datchet face a tricky opener at Finchampstead CC.
In the top level of the Thames Valley league, Cookham Dean travel to Tring Park on May 6, while Stoke Green host Boyne Hill in a match between two potential promotion hopefuls. In Division 2A Marlow host Beaconsfield and Wraysbury visit Hounslow & Whitton. In 2B Burnham travel to Harpsden and Hurst host Slough 2nds.