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[A-Swing-And-A-Miss]

With the cricket season starting to draw to an end, I suspect many of you are in clubs that have some of their teams pushing for promotion/avoiding relegation this season or have experienced it in the past.

Now am I being stupid in thinking that when the end of the season draws near and the top teams at the club are in a position where they are unable to go up or down that they move players down to help out the lower teams?

Now abit of background to what I am talking about: I joined the club this year and have become a key 2nd team player, taking a very decent amount of wickets including a 5-fer in a must win game, so I would say I am/was a fairly major part of the team. A couple of weeks ago I got called up to the 1st team and helped them to get 2 wins from the 2 games I have played for them, these 2 wins have put them in a position where unless the team below them receive a miracle the 1st team are now safe.

Now I suggested to the 1st team captain that he should consider dropping me and maybe a few others down to the 2nd team to help them get a win against the 3rd bottom team this Saturday which would bring the 3rd bottom team right back into the relegation scrap and hopefully guarantee the 2nd's to be in the same division next season.

He completely ignored everything I said and has asked me to play for the 1st team again this week, so what do I do? Do I try and complain enough that he changes his mind and calls somebody else up(Who might take my place in the 1st team next season) or do I turn my back on the 2nd's even after all the help they gave me this season and let them go down while I focus on my own future?

Does this happen at any of your clubs? What is the approach other teams take to dropping players down to secure promotion/safety for the lower teams?

[alexrickyponting]

Backfilling teams with higher quality players once a higher team is safe is definitely not sporting in any way or really on. It's pretty much cheating tbh.

[Colesy]

Just had a call from our 1s skipper to ask if I was ok to play for the 3s this week to ensure promotion. Our 1s are safe and 2s as good as relegated so I said as long as I don't push a regular out of the team I'd do it. Fortunately we're a couple short so I'd slot right in. Hope for a win now.

[A-Swing-And-A-Miss]

Backfilling teams with higher quality players once a higher team is safe is definitely not sporting in any way or really on. It's pretty much cheating tbh.

Let me explain myself, We aren't pushing County players down to play at a low division, alot of players left our club at the end of last season so half the 1st team are players that played cricket regularly for the 2nd team either last season or this season. Effectively they are only a very small amount above the normal 2nd team players in terms of ability.

Lets go back to the example of me, I was playing 2nd team cricket 'til only a few weeks ago, so surely I am not much of a "higher quality player" then those already in the 2nd team, but the team only have 3-4 bowlers so need more options to help with the bowling, would you consider me dropping down to help them cheating?

[roco]

I've seen it done but up to the club as if the team are down there it's because they are not strong enough to be in that division usually so what's the point of helping them out for it to happen next season

I know there is a rule in our league if you play 11 1st xi games you cannot play last 2/3 games in the 2nds to try and stop this

[Played and Missed]

Your 1st team has priority of all the best avaiable players in the club, even if the 2nd are on the drop.

Some boards in different regions can fine the club, for allowing 1st team regulars to go into the 2nds and help them out, trying to beat relegation.

[Colesy]

So is there anything wrong with what we're doing?

[thecord]

I think you are ok with it in our league Colesy although it is a bit of a grey area.

[Played and Missed]

For example in my league (Glamorgan & Monmouthshire cricket league) if someone has played over 5 games in the 1st team, and then placed in the 2nd's and gets alot of runs, with the team winning. The result can be over turned if you avoid relegation or if you get promoted.

[Colesy]

Yeah my mate said something like x amount of 1s games then you can't play for the 3s

[Played and Missed]

Not sure about 3XI, different rules and regs in different parts of the country i think.

[thecord]

Colesy I can dig out our league handbook if you like and tell you for sure but I believe that no such rule exists.
Let me know if you want me to check.

[Played and Missed]

Sometimes if the league hasn't spotted certain players, playing in different teams. The opponents can complain to the league about it, and it will be looked at.

[alexrickyponting]

Let me explain myself, We aren't pushing County players down to play at a low division, alot of players left our club at the end of last season so half the 1st team are players that played cricket regularly for the 2nd team either last season or this season. Effectively they are only a very small amount above the normal 2nd team players in terms of ability.

Lets go back to the example of me, I was playing 2nd team cricket 'til only a few weeks ago, so surely I am not much of a "higher quality player" then those already in the 2nd team, but the team only have 3-4 bowlers so need more options to help with the bowling, would you consider me dropping down to help them cheating?

Same principle, you should be picked on merit, if you are being placed in a lower team than you are in to help that team out you are basically cheating. As roco said, if the team are going down then theyre probably not strong enough for the division and so shouldn't be "saved" by higher teams players.

I would consider you dropping down to help them out cheating if you are going to be straight back in the 1's, if you are dropped then fair enough.

[Red Ink Cricket]

12 1st team games and you can't play lower. Think the same applies in all teams in our league. Each league is dif tho. If you play and your not eligible you get a max point fine, in our case 30 points