Custom Bats Cricket Forum
General Cricket => Cricket Admin, Facilities and Fundraising => Topic started by: Boondougal on September 12, 2016, 03:45:43 PM
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So the end of season is all but here bar he last game (we were relegated about 3 games ago) the club is going through a huge transition period and the committees attention has been turned to to the question of player numbers and pros.... yes we play in a league structure why quite often even second teams have played players... its crazy.
Anyway thats another debate... what i am interested in is wether or not the cost of cricket has an impact on peoples willingness / desire / ability to play.... If we take my own example which i don't think is too far off the mark but i am sure you can play for cheaper... Annual subs are 90 (down from 150 last year) and 10 a game for teas... if you pay all 22 then you are potentially looking at 310 GBP to play cricket all year. Then you add in the cost of the transport, a post match beverage and the odd night out you can easily hit 400/450. Oh and then whats that other thing that takes our cash away.. oh yeah the gear. Ok most on here will be average or above when it comes to the choice of gear and as such the cost but even looking at below average prices to add up whites, pads, bat (yes guys you can write it without an "s", gloves, thigh pad, helmet, shoes socks bag then you are easily going to spend 200-300 on that little lot unless you go second hand or SD of course.
How much does that play on the mind of players? Especially those that used to play at school and would love a game but its too prohibitive a cost... especially if your rose tinted memories of your bowling don't materialise into reality whilst in your late 20's and you give it up.
I have proposed we offer some free to play memberships and create a proper kit bag... as a club we are lucky to have some income streams and as such can afford to loose subs and match fees. The key driver here is heads...quality and standard of play is something that i think will work itself out (we have dropped a league and as such have found the core of the teams level) the problem is we just don't have enough "heads" to keep the club buoyant during that holiday period mid season... or towards the end as footy / rugby kicks in.
I would be interested to know what people think? Would a low cost year of cricket be attractive? do you think it would get people playing? Would people potentially move clubs because of it?
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costs wise there is a club in our league that pays players and there's no annual fees...that's very unusual normally everybody pays to play. would it encourage players to go there? yes it would and it does...
personally although I do like a bit of kit all my stuff is second hand, either off the forum or ebay. my pads were £5.00 and gloves were £6.00. two bats £80.00 and £112.00. oh...just got shoes as well £12.00
all second hand
most other players don't do what I do, everything is new and lots of kit flying about....
cost wise to play it's 100 annual subs and 11 quid a game league and 6 quid on sundays.
I don't have a lot of spare cash so I don't buy new kit or new bats.
as long as I have 20 quid in my pocket for Saturday im happy.
our club has held the annual subs for the last 4 years as it's borderline putting people off with the fees. Personally I think we have got it about right fees wise.
I don't really think of the cost of playing as such, I save money n the kit I buy. I don't know anyone else (at my club) who buys second hand gear, but i'm happy doing it
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personally although I do like a bit of kit all my stuff is second hand, either off the forum or ebay. my pads were £5.00 and gloves were £6.00. two bats £80.00 and £112.00. oh...just got shoes as well £12.00
all second hand
I was just thinking about managing my kit's budget. I have to set some goals for 2017 to control the spending.
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I think it is more a question of exposure.
Since sky the playing number have gradually dwindled as not everybody can afford sky sports and when they do, there is quite often a number of other more exciting sports on at the same time on other sky channels. I personally don't think the cost puts many/anybody off. Any sport has a considerable cost to play nowadays, even football can cost around 300-500 per season when you look at boots, shin pads, socks, base layers a beer after the game and the likes.
I do think cricket struggles to keep players between the age of 13-18 and (in my mind anyway) the issue is a lot to do with how long the game is. Kids around the age who need cash work part time, the predominant time they can work is Saturday/Sunday, straight away this means straight away these people can't play and as such fall out of love with the game.
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Would the low cost of cricket be attractive players Yes
Would it get people playing No
Would players move clubs because of it Probably not as most clubs cater for there worse off players my club fifty percent off match fee and Annual Subs
I also sell kit on to help with playing costs always at a big loss.
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Annual subs are 25 and match day subs are 2/4/6 pounds for juniors, unemployed and employed. We have a nice ground with terrace & a bar (although both need HUGE renovations really) yet we still cant get out 22 players on a saturday
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Annual subs are 25 and match day subs are 2/4/6 pounds for juniors, unemployed and employed. We have a nice ground with terrace & a bar (although both need HUGE renovations really) yet we still cant get out 22 players on a saturday
We only have one team a ground in a village proffessional groundsman excellent teas tennis courts and for Years can't get 11 on the pitch
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We have 2 issues, 1) keeping 15-19 year olds playing, they will play u16 and u19 Cricket but not senior cricket because of the length of the game. 2) Getting senior players to play down the teams I.e 3's and 4s as they get older . For some money maybe an issue but in general its not.
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Annual Sub: £20
Match day: £10 Waged / £6 unwaged/juniors
Subs in: £240.
Behind the bar: £100
Total into club: £340
For 9 months entertainment. £40 a month. For a hobby, that's quite cheap. Some people spend £100 a month on TV packages.
I don't think the cost is the problem. Would I (25 years old) prefer a 20/20 game on Saturday? Definitely. Start it at 9am, have it over with by 1pm. Spend the afternoon with the missus or in the pub.
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Annual subs £50
Match fee £5 or if you play both days it's £7.50 for both. At home games we bring 'tea for 2" you don't pay oppo for teas as there is a home & away game as we play league cricket sat and Sunday
It's not cost that stops people at our club it's the football rugby season at both start and end of cricket season we play 2nd fiddle to these sports
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Our membership is £90, although if you pay for it before a certain date it's £75. £10 of this goes towards the pavilion which is run buy the sports association and is essentially a "rent" for the cricket club...
£10 every game, £5 for U18 and students.
I've will have played 31 games this year after this weekend. I'll leave the maths to you...
What i've found the main problem is isn't the money it's the length of it and when it starts. games start at 1:30pm mostly and if you play the full quota you can finish at 8:30 or later and some away games are an hour away... being 9:30/10pm before you get home... To me as long as i'm not playing im not bothered. When you look at it from a family man's view the earlier the better, finish 5/6pm and have an evening or atleast dinner with your family or even go out to party arrangement ect...
people seem to drop things because they have plans that start at 5 that they could potentially be 3/4 hours late for, if you could only be an hour late for something not many people would see that as a problem. As sunday captain i've opted for 35 over games this year to finished earlier as not only does it suit me it suits everyone alot more than playing that extra 10 overs or even you standard time (2.5 hours, 30 min tea, 1 hour then 20 overs) game.
As a club with very little facility in terms of nets or decent covers ( we have some but not as nice as we would like) I would happily pay £100+ for a couple of years as membership to raise money for these things and have the facilities to encourage the younger ones to practice and get into playing again.
That's just me as playing the game I love and my life does admittedly revolve around, money has no meaning.
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Few have mentioned shorter games..im in favour of cutting our league games to 90 instead of 100 overs as it takes the whole day and part of the evening..
The question is thou presume 'we' still represent grass roots cricket if the games are short how to young guys come thru to play the longer form of the game? Or is the club role no longer that aim?
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Subs £25
Match fee £5
Got a grant of £22000 for new nets and other improvements
We get massive teas.
Happy days.
Get a lot of kit second hand. Buy last years pads/gloves. Also not a full kit w**ker so that saves me money.
Add a few pints at the end of each game. I would average out about £600 a year all in.
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Few have mentioned shorter games..im in favour of cutting our league games to 90 instead of 100 overs as it takes the whole day and part of the evening..
The question is thou presume 'we' still represent grass roots cricket if the games are short how to young guys come thru to play the longer form of the game? Or is the club role no longer that aim?
No neccesarily much shorter, but earlier. That would me my suggestion, start at 11, thats 2.5hours earlier and its not even an early meet time for the away game that are an hour+ away
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45 membership
30 cricket membership
£7 per 40+ over game
£3 for a 2020
£6 for indoor
Assume you have 3/5 pints post match - £17 say
Fuel costs.. Who knows.. A lot though I suspect
I think I'm at 42 games for the season so far (7x42=£294)
294
45
30
So 370 before fuel, kit, beer or indoor cricket (or nets of course!)
Id estimate at 6-700 by the time I've done a Summer season. Add 10x£6 for indoor cricket as well on top..
It is expensive. Do I think it puts people off? Not overly but probably doesn't help make it easy to get into for casual players. Do I think length of game makes a difference to overall participation?? Not at all.
Maybe 13-20 yr olds would prefer 2020 but I'd wager the massive majority of 21+ yr olds would not want to play 2020 all the time. I suspect those 30+ would significantly drop out as well. Who runs clubs?? Older players not youth. Kill off the interest for oldies and you'll destroy clubs.
Personally, our team would see the immediate retirement of over half the side if you only olayed 2020. Our club would die too, I doubt you would get 11 out regularly for 2020 from a club with currently 3 senior teams. 50 overs is fine in length but the start time needs to be earlier and cut tea out so people are home and can have a full evening which is what people seem to want.
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personally although I do like a bit of kit all my stuff is second hand, either off the forum or ebay. my pads were £5.00 and gloves were £6.00. two bats £80.00 and £112.00. oh...just got shoes as well £12.00
all second hand
Are you some kind of hobo - or have you been hanging round the clothing recycling bins again?
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So our senior. Subs are 180 per year, paid by dd per month (15pm).
Students, 75. Juniors 45.
Only match feed are juniors £3 per game.
I played around 25-30 games, fantastic value.
We play a good standard. But had to pull our u15s and u13s due to lack of numbers....
Unfortunately. We have around 15 clubs within 8 miles of us.... Hard to compete with the premier sides, but we take anyone and ensure they get a game (juniors and 3's).
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Assume you have 3/5 pints post match - £17 say
Fuel costs.. Who knows.. A lot though I suspect
5 & drive? ???
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5 & drive? ???
1 away from home, back to the ground which I live next too so can walk. Cheers.
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225 quid annual membership, 11 match fee no tea, and depending which ground we play at (only two here) a 4 or 9 quid taxi one way, saying that 9 is around a 40km ride so not bad compared to UK prices, nasty jugs of Tiger or Heineken at 8 quid a pop.
Then the rape that is import duty if you buy any kit.
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On the flip side we could pay nothing not play and die miserable. And new kit doesn't have be expensive just look at the deals john @red ink has at the moment.
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At our club it's £8 per game (over 18's and not in FTE) and £100 per season. It's a lovely ground with excellent facilities. The max I would want to pay per game would be £10. The cost of equipment is crazy but we love it!!! I was clearing out some receipts the other day and whilst I shudder at the money I've wasted/enjoyed on kit I was able laugh at the bits of kit I've bought then sold and then bought again (at a big loss).
I think most of us who play 45 overs plus on a Saturday would actually prefer to start earlier at say 1100 or 1030 and be finished by 1630-1700. We have to travel a fair distance in the two counties league and some places I would just rather get to and back from ASAP!
I would hate it if they number of overs were shortened on a Saturday to less than 40 overs. I would give serious consideration on whether or not to carry on playing.
Early start and finish would be my preference.
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Agree start earlier also shortening the overs will push players away as some won't get a bat or bowl they will paying to to field the ball.
Also to save time scrap teas.
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60 membership
10 quid a game
Kits like a lot of sports/hobbies, you pays your money, you take your choice.
Bats I've spent a fortune on, the rest I'm not too fussed .
Start earlier would suit me
Less overs is pointless , as it would mean fewer people getting a bat or bowl and would pee the older players off, who without them, most clubs probably wouldn't survive
By all means set up additional teams/leagues to play 20/20 but not at the expense of 45/50 over cricket.
It's funny when this was posted, I'd just had a conversation with my son. Who'd said a lot were getting more and more fed up of the time travelling and late finishes etc, and that he he thought the game was dying because of these things
They would rather play t20 and lms
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It's funny when this was posted, I'd just had a conversation with my son. Who'd said a lot were getting more and more fed up of the time travelling and late finishes etc, and that he he thought the game was dying because of these things
They would rather play t20 and lms
That's the general feeling amongst our 15-16 year olds.
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Very lucky down here. £35 annual subs, which includes team kit, and £3 Saturday, midweek free.
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annual subs 75 and match fees 10, 40 and 5 for unwaged/students
i think thats outstanding value considering our facilities are great, what other sport or recreation can you get for £10 a go with some food thrown in
what do people do on a saturday/sun that say they cant afford £10?
expense is a red herring its the time you need to give up to the game thats the issue for most people
11am starts and 6pm finishes could help
3 hour t20 games on a sunday might see more people play 2 days on a weekend
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Our league are introducing a standalone 30 over Saturday league for lower level cricket next season with no teas, enforced retirements etc will be interesting to see what impact that has.
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100% agree @hopwoodbear time is the real killer.
I like the longer format but finishing at 7:30/8 is frankly too late to be social and that is the killer for the game.
I've played football for years and finishing at 5:30/6PM whilst can be tight for an away game makes the world of difference to my weekend
Cost wise it's very good value £110 per year plus £10 per game. you could charge 15 and people couldn't complain given the time, food and facilities on offer.
I like the 30 over games sounds an interesting concept keep us updated if it's successful @thecord
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I think this 30 over or 35 over matches for lower divisions or lower leagues will catch on in Middlesex as well. Not yet but i'm convinced it will.
the games take too long, no doubt. I finished some matches this year at 8pm...from a 1pm start. 100 overs matches.....
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I think this 30 over or 35 over matches for lower divisions or lower leagues will catch on in Middlesex as well. Not yet but i'm convinced it will.
the games take too long, no doubt. I finished some matches this year at 8pm...from a 1pm start. 100 overs matches.....
Especially when you throw in the strict off/leg side wides, we've had games where another 6-10 overs have been bowled in the match due to wides (and some no balls). We had one match go onto 8.15 from a 12.30 start! I raised the strict leg side wide issue with the Essex league, especially for lower levels, but their response was typically draconian.
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Agree start earlier also shortening the overs will push players away as some won't get a bat or bowl they will paying to to field the ball.
Also to save time scrap teas.
See what you're saying about the not getting a bat or bowl. The joys of being a number 8 eh? I'd prefer it if we played 20/20, but set the line up so everyone gets a go. Doesn't matter if you're the best at batting and bowling, if you prefer opening the bowling, you bat 11. If you can't stand bowling, you open the batting.
It's meant to be fun. Not an ego trip (I'm the best at batting and bowling so I open both kinds of people)
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Here's the 30 over format for the Bristol League:
30 overs per side
Start: 1.00
End of 1st innings: 2.45 (ie 1 hour 45 minutes to bowl overs)
15 minute break any refreshments to be provided by players
Start of 2nd innings: 3.00
End of match: 4.45
Maximum overs per bowler 20% ie 6
Batsman to retire at 50 can resume innings on the fall of the penultimate wicket. This is intended to prevent a match becoming one-sided or dominated by a player of a better standard
1 ball per match
Matches to be played on Saturdays but could be arranged for Sundays if both teams agreed. (This could enable some 1st team grounds to be available)
I'm wondering what happens if clubs can only get players to play this format in what should be their lower teams? There is the potential for one club in particular who only has two teams and has entered this 30 over league with their 2nds to have to cancel their 1st team matches in that instance :(
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Agree start earlier also shortening the overs will push players away as some won't get a bat or bowl they will paying to to field the ball.
Also to save time scrap teas.
Scrap teas? Leave. Don't bring your negativity here again. :D
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This year marks the first year that i've had to pay full subs, it costs me £40 for the season (shirt included for this season only), £5 a week for winter nets and £7 a game. The unemployed, students and juniors pay £15 a season and £5 a game.
Like everyone else the major issue is getting 22 people to turn up each week. We have a lot of shift workers and family men on the books so availabilities can go crazy at times, especially during holiday season. Time is also an issue, one of the first XI players actually got himself in quite a bit of trouble with his partner this year because he got selected for all three games of a bank holiday weekend :D
Not having a junior set up tends to hurt us as we're not really getting many young players in, those that do usually come with their dad/grandad when they move clubs, which causes a selections nightmare.
I personally don't have a problem with the length of the games, i'd rather spend all day playing cricket on my saturdays off (which I have to fight for anyway, especially during football season) than being stuck at home with the inevitable visiting relative or at some mundane social event. I know quite a few in my club share the same view of things and would probably give up if they were subjected to 35 overs or less.
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West Sussex Cricket Inviation League, are proposing to change all divisions to a 40/40 game, starting at 12:30, first innings to be completed by 15:10 (or penalty point deduction), 20 min tea. Game to finish by 5:50 (or penalty point deduction).
There idea s that more people will be able to plan their day if they know what time they will finish in the evening.
I think its a good idea, but i would rather play in a 5 day test match......
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West Sussex Cricket Inviation League, are proposing to change all divisions to a 40/40 game, starting at 12:30, first innings to be completed by 15:10 (or penalty point deduction), 20 min tea. Game to finish by 5:50 (or penalty point deduction).
There idea s that more people will be able to plan their day if they know what time they will finish in the evening.
I think its a good idea, but i would rather play in a 5 day test match......
Love this, I hope the East Sussex do something similar... although 45/45 would be nice!
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Love this, I hope the East Sussex do something similar... although 45/45 would be nice!
you can't please everyone of course but the leagues are changing things and it's catching on. if there was one change I would make it's to 45 over per side...or 40...
not sure about scrapping teas i'm a traditionalist :) but.....unless something is done younger guys wont play.
this is well overdue.
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you can't please everyone of course but the leagues are changing things and it's catching on. if there was one change I would make it's to 45 over per side...or 40...
not sure about scrapping teas i'm a traditionalist :) but.....unless something is done younger guys wont play.
this is well overdue.
Agreed, plus starting later, there's a chance of rearranging fixtures if you get called out for the end of the season (if you league are happy with that) as our point system destroys you if you get 2 rained off game when others luckily dont get rained off at all! 30 points for a win, 9 points for cancelled game.
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Our second team's division went from 45 to 40 overs. However, you have to hit the same number Of runs to get maximum batting points (200) and match fees were the same.
Remember, the fewer overs you play the less balls you face, less balls you bowl. Therefore, the likelihood of 'not getting a decent game' increases.
Additionally, if you drop to 30 overs, I see it as a stepping stone to 20/20 cricket. Whilst this is great for mid week cricket, it will kill off weekend cricket as clubs cannot justify a £5/£7 match fee for this format and therefore would not be able to maintain the ground and facilities.
Personally don't find a 8pm finish a problem. Still 3 hours of drinking left, I don't want to start at 6pm, I'd be wasted by 10.
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Good to get different views on this, in Shanghai we have 3 divisions. D3 25 overs, D2 30 overs, D1 40 overs. Games have to finish by 6pm due to light. However all clubs charge the same match fee per division.
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The realistic view is less youth are playing cricket regardless of format.. Correction.. Less of all ages !
If you shorten the game you reduce the amount of players getting a game (even Lms and indoor basically still mean only the front couple get a good game so it still holds true) drops, which anyone sensible will realise is a big factor in player retention to clubs and the sport in general
Shorter games will still cost the same because it costs that to produce the wicket, meaning less value for money
£x quid to bowl less overs or forced to retire ??
I think regardless what you do you will lose similar amounts of players to the sport, with the extra factor that by shortening the format you force a section of your natural playing people out the game as they can't or don't want to slog (that's not just eeyore, there are kids who are simply never picked for their team unless desperate not due to ability but because they can't muscle the ball around and in 2020, that's what matters).. I know at least 6 under 15's who are never picked by their club becUse they can't clear the ropes.. Yet, they are decent players but because yth cricket demands hitting they don't fit in..where is their role in short game ? Simple answer, they won't have one so are lost to the game)
It is interesting and I know some that would play short games but that's not a time issue, it's because they suit that format. He issue is with anyone batting 4+ would simply rarely bat.
The game doesn't need formats changing IMO, it needs re-balancing by enforcing rules to ensure all11 players have a active role.. Ie
Top six must not bowl more than 3 overs each and include the wk.. The 7+ players can bowl upto 20% of the total overs
This would ensure all 11 get a game
Currently what age group generally keep clubs running and do the groundsman jobs ?? 50+ yr olds?? Fast forward 25 years.. If you've shortened the game and potentially lost your 30+ yr olds .. Who will run clubs etc?? I doubt the youth will as a general rule.. And so, clubs die.
It will be interesting to see which way they decide and if over time it makes any difference
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Really appreciate all the post to my original question.
So in short it looks like the financial cost of playing really doesn't seem to impact the majority but it could be appealing to some existing players to play for free.
The biggest impact that everyone feels is the length of the game and there are a few points on here that have been really interesting, especially some of those that warn against the proliferation of the 2020 format.. i think there is a lot of value in that point of view.
I would also say in the league i play in its 55 overs or an 8pm finish, the issue we have as a club is that we can often have 3/4 spinners playing.. often opening with them. Both this year and last the 8pm finish and our skippers preference for batting first has resulted on me being int he field for 68 overs..... its madness, And as a young player why would i want to do that - especially in a team where 1-5 is generally locked up by paid / pro level players...
i'm a massive fan of an earlier start and a fixed 45 over game... i think if we had that and then could also offer the chance for people to play for free i think our club and cricket generally in the area would strengthen in its participation.
thanks for all the input everyone.
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As an opener often spend 80 plus overs on the field on a Sat after getting out early in my innings having to umpire 20 overs but this is what happens when you can't get 11 players
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@procricket - you make an interesting point. one I generally agree on and would love to discuss further
There are a number of teams in our league, and to a point us too, who rely on 3 or 4 players to do the bulk of the work, This happens because better cricketers are more adapt at being stronger at all 3 skills, this causes single skill cricketers to become marginalized or less required in a team and become fill-ins . it's a long day if you don't do a great deal or a young player watching the adult bowl 15-20 overs. neither make clubs better but does help to make clubs win more in the short term
10 overs should be the limit for each bowler. It would make better cricketers, better captains, a more team based game and better experiences for all involved.
should probably start a different thread but there lots of good point in this one already
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Love this, I hope the East Sussex do something similar... although 45/45 would be nice!
It's currently 45/49 And it can still take ages. Without a League Umpire, you can't even attempt to say that their over rate is slow!
Prefer 40/40 win/lose.