Clubs' bulletin no 10 of 2023 - 15 June
Ball trials. The first tranche of Premier Section ball trials, using the Dukes ball, takes place this Saturday in all games in the Premier and Championship Divisions. Clubs are reminded of the need to complete a ball evaluation form using this link. The second tranche of trials, using Reader balls, will take place in July on a date to be confirmed. Please note that clubs may retain the Dukes balls for further use, but we have been asked to return the Reader balls for testing after the trials.
Cancellation of games. Following issues arising around cancellations earlier in the season, we are seeking volunteers to sit on a small working group to consider several suggestions that have been made, and develop proposals for dealing with the issue in the future. The initial group will predominantly consider suggestions for adoption within the Premier Section, but proposals made by the group will then be examined for possible adoption within the Senior Section. Click here for more details.
Injury reporting tool. For the League to achieve one element of the ECB Performance Related Fee Payment, at least 12 of our clubs will need to have completed the Injury Report template on Play-Cricket. We would like to take this opportunity of encouraging all clubs to use the template. It is not only clubs’ first teams that can use the system, but also junior teams, women’s & girls’ teams, Sunday and midweek teams. Anyone with Play-Cricket club administrator rights can upload the information, or even simply use an extract from the club accident book.
Match conduct. Three issues have been highlighted by umpires so far this season that we would like to bring to the attention of clubs:
Incoming batters. As a means of ensuring that overs are bowled in the allotted time, we strongly recommend that the outgoing and incoming batters should ‘cross’ on the field of play.
Taking the field before an innings. Batting and fielding sides should not enter the field of play before the umpires.
Vaping on the field of play. Under no circumstances should players or umpires vape on the field of play during games.
Promotion & relegation in the Senior Section. League tables on our website and on Play-Cricket are now showing the promotion and relegation places as they will be if a Pontefract & District team is promoted, in accordance with our published 2024 structure. Only one team in the P&DCL top division has indicated that they would wish to take their place in our league if they finish in the top two places in the P&DCL, and, whilst they are currently outside the top two, it is too early to write off that possibility. If and when they can no longer finish in the promotion places, we will amend our tables accordingly.
Shortage of umpires. The shortage of umpires is now acute, with holidays, illness and other unavailability meaning that we are 50 umpires short of what we need this coming Saturday. We appeal to all clubs to help us recruit more umpires urgently. Please consider actively and if you know of anyone who would be prepared to help our league by doing some umpiring, please contact David Ward.
