Rules make sense - but I would increase the overs
THE new rules proposed by the North Staffs and South Cheshire League for next season really excite me.
They have followed the Birmingham League model of playing half of the games as the traditional win/lose/ draw and the other 50 per cent as straight win/lose.
It’s worked really well in the Birmingham League since it was introduced and I know the players love how the season unfolds.
I understand that there will be traditionalists who want the draw to be in operation in all games, so I’m pleased that is still an option in half of the matches.
An argument is that taking away the draw denies players the chance to learn how to build an innings and thwart the opposition - but there’s more to cricket education than that.
In fact, playing win/lose cricket offers a great chance for players to develop. It’s all about game management and is an important tool for players to have if they want to reach their potential.
Let’s say, for example, you’re set 160 to win in 40 overs. It’s not just a case of going out and blasting the ball, there are so many ways to build an innings in that scenario.
A player - whether it be young or old - has to pace an innings, work out which bowlers to attack and where their scoring options are.
And if a couple of wickets fall at the other end, how do you approach that next passage of the game?
It teaches players to move through the gears, going up and dropping down, when the situation dictates.
For captains and the bowling side it can make you more aware of tactics and field placings, rather than being able to stick men anywhere if a side is just batting out for a draw.
There’s room for both styles and league cricket is about striking the right balance. It needs to be a stepping stone for bigger and better things for some, the chance to improve for others, but most of all about participating in the great game.
League cricket is an important breeding ground. Any promising youngster will be able to get their fill of multi-day cricket in county age groups.
Playing on a Saturday afternoon is about learning. It’s the nitty-gritty of league cricket where the wickets are not always the best and you don’t have a coach who wipes your backside for you.
Players have to solve problems for themselves and become better players as a result.
There is one area which I would change in the NSSCL rule proposals.
I see the win/lose/draw format in the top divisions is 50 overs with each bowler able to bowl 11 overs.
Personally, I think that’s not enough. I’d leave the win/lose at 45 overs, but push the traditional format to 55 overs and maybe let bowlers have 15 or 16 overs.
That way, you’d still need four bowlers and it would give bowlers the chance to get more overs in their legs.
As a country which has struggled to produce top spinners, limiting young slow bowlers to 11 overs is arguably not the way to go.
And that rule could have a big impact on clubs’ recruitment over the winter.
Plenty will now perhaps shy away from signing an overseas bowler as their pro for next year if they are only able to bowl 22 per cent of the overs.
We all know that the days of the big-name overseas pros have gone,
but you can still get good value from looking abroad.
If you get a young lad - someone who is a batter who bowls a bit - then it can help the club, especially if they also coach the juniors in their spare time.
It also develops the player coming in. I’ve experienced it when I’ve been out to play club cricket in my younger days in both South Africa and Australia.
South Africa was a life lesson for me, while my stint in Australia really did help my cricket.
Some clubs prefer to stuck with the ‘home’ market to strengthen - and I see that Hem Heath have already tied down Liam Banks to a new two-year contract.
Liam was recently released by Warwickshire and it will be good for
him to know he’s playing at a club which is in his DNA for the next two years.
I also would be surprised if Liam isn’t turning out for Staffordshire next year. I really would recommend it.
I had to move back to minor counties cricket before going back in to firstclass and it did me the world of good.
And despite what people say, firstclass counties do take notice of what happens in minor counties cricket.
At Worcestershire we keep tabs on all the locals leagues and minor counties to see if there is anyone who tickles our fancy.
If Liam could have a stellar season with the bat for Staffordshire next summer, it might well open new doors for him.