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[Howzat]

Yep. Unfortunately I will have the pleasure of visiting Osterley this year.

[ppccopener]

Good luck with that, there are worse grounds thou. I've played in some right dumps with no changing rooms and syringes and needles all over the shop.

Have heard thou 2018 there is a planned restructuring, you obviously know my league. The plan is div 1 championship(where I play) is moved to a brand new div 4 of the county league...

That's quite a big change and also more limited overs gamez(45 overs each win or lose) are coming in slowly.

The idea to attract younger players to the games...there's even talk of a few league matches being 20/20.

Middlesex and let leagues around are desperate now to get young players in. So finally the penny has dropped.

Personally I've played 'time' league cricket for donkeys years, I think limited overs(45 each) is a good idea.

I'm sure I'm not the only one on here still been on the field at eight thirty in the evening 

[Howzat]

Yep apparently there will be no promotion/relegation to or from Middlesex champ.

[ProCricketer1982]

Good luck with that, there are worse grounds thou. I've played in some right dumps with no changing rooms and syringes and needles all over the shop.

Have heard thou 2018 there is a planned restructuring, you obviously know my league. The plan is div 1 championship(where I play) is moved to a brand new div 4 of the county league...

That's quite a big change and also more limited overs gamez(45 overs each win or lose) are coming in slowly.

The idea to attract younger players to the games...there's even talk of a few league matches being 20/20.

Middlesex and let leagues around are desperate now to get young players in. So finally the penny has dropped.

Personally I've played 'time' league cricket for donkeys years, I think limited overs(45 each) is a good idea.

I'm sure I'm not the only one on here still been on the field at eight thirty in the evening 

So by attracting younger players you start the decline in standards

Sad times. You'll not see it happen quickly but over 10 years you'll notice top order batting and bowling standards will decline. Middle order hitting will improve though.

[uknsaunders]

Fair enough, have heard since that the other club is indeed Ickenham.
 
Sounds like the TVL ground inspection party were pretty thorough with their inspections! Some amusing rejection reasons I've heard including where there's no car park saying cars might get muddy/stuck if it rains 😂

Getting stuck in the mud is perfectly valid. Played on a wet day at one ground and watched one poor sod get his car completely stuck!. TVL standards are perhaps the reason many clubs want to join? Played in the TVL for many years and you don't get many poor grounds at 1st/2nd Xi standard.

[Seniorplayer]

Good luck with that, there are worse grounds thou. I've played in some right dumps with no changing rooms and syringes and needles all over the shop.

Have heard thou 2018 there is a planned restructuring, you obviously know my league. The plan is div 1 championship(where I play) is moved to a brand new div 4 of the county league...

That's quite a big change and also more limited overs gamez(45 overs each win or lose) are coming in slowly.

The idea to attract younger players to the games...there's even talk of a few league matches being 20/20.

Middlesex and let leagues around are desperate now to get young players in. So finally the penny has dropped.

Personally I've played 'time' league cricket for donkeys years, I think limited overs(45 each) is a good idea.

I'm sure I'm not the only one on here still been on the field at eight thirty in the evening 

Time cricket  proper cricket the game where you needed a cricket brain and  the  game that learned  you how to play  spin set the scene  batting second  6 wickets down at no seven  at 7pm on a Sunday last 20 overs 183 to win  low  sun in your eyes spin at each end nine players around the bat  yelling like crasy every time the ball hits your pad playing with soft hands on the front foot  outside the line trying to hang in there for a draw really miss it.

[meats]

Getting stuck in the mud is perfectly valid. Played on a wet day at one ground and watched one poor sod get his car completely stuck!. TVL standards are perhaps the reason many clubs want to join? Played in the TVL for many years and you don't get many poor grounds at 1st/2nd Xi standard.

There are a few horrible grounds in TVL to be fair who probably wouldn't be admitted now if they applied to join. Not sure the ground standards is the main reason new clubs want to join, being able to play a higher standard would probably be the driving factor in a lot of cases especially with the Chilterns clubs as plenty of nice grounds in that league.

[RoCo Da Pixie]

I have played at some below average grounds in the past couple of years. However most in the 1XI and 2XI are alright. It is when you go lower you have to worry!

[mdg20]

Time cricket  proper cricket the game where you needed a cricket brain and  the  game that learned  you how to play  spin set the scene  batting second  and at no seven  at 7pm on a Sunday last 20 overs 183 to win  low  sun in your eyes spin at each end nine players around the bat  yelling like crasy every time the ball hits your pad playing with soft hands on the front foot  outside the line trying to hang in there for a draw really miss it.

Sometimes hanging in for a draw is just as satisfying as a win, at least I find it is when I'm batting. Everyone round the bat, ohhing and arghhhing at every shot, 9 down 6 overs to go number 11 in with you but only 10 runs needed for another batting point. Do you take the runs or not, trying to pick the ball to get the single on the 5/6th ball of over. Bowlers trying to bowl to plans, captains trying all sorts of plans in setting the field. It's brilliant, don't know why people don't like it.

[ppccopener]

So by attracting younger players you start the decline in standards

Sad times. You'll not see it happen quickly but over 10 years you'll notice top order batting and bowling standards will decline. Middle order hitting will improve though.

I can see this argument against limited overs and shorter games absolutley-i agree with a few of you on here-no one can really make a sensible argument shorter bowler limited(overs) games prepares anyone for playing at a higher level simply as the games are longer the higher you play.

But for a lot of leagues the question is do nothing and ameteur numbers continue to decline....
I think myself it cannot stay the same-something has to change.

The ameteur game needs a shot in the arm and it needs it now i think

[GoodLeave]

Why can't we have 2 different league set ups?

Saturday - Short format 20/20 league - No teas, cheaper subs, coloured clothing?
Sunday - Traditionalist 50/50 or time - full tea, whites

Or the other way around if people prefer, obviously a vote/poll of teams is required.

You can play either, or both if you're really keen.

Plus twice the takings behind the bar/match day subs.

Would need more volunteers though.

[meats]

Why can't we have 2 different league set ups?

Saturday - Short format 20/20 league - No teas, cheaper subs, coloured clothing?
Sunday - Traditionalist 50/50 or time - full tea, whites

Or the other way around if people prefer, obviously a vote/poll of teams is required.

You can play either, or both if you're really keen.

Plus twice the takings behind the bar/match day subs.

Would need more volunteers though.

Not sure 2020 is going to bring in much takings behind the bar, you'd be finished by 3 or 4 I'd assume and more people than at present would shoot off him due to the early finish.

[ProCricketer1982]

Why can't we have 2 different league set ups?

Saturday - Short format 20/20 league - No teas, cheaper subs, coloured clothing?
Sunday - Traditionalist 50/50 or time - full tea, whites

Or the other way around if people prefer, obviously a vote/poll of teams is required.

You can play either, or both if you're really keen.

Plus twice the takings behind the bar/match day subs.

Would need more volunteers though.

That's what I'd do. Saturday for proper stuff and Sunday cba be 2020

[six and out]

I can see this argument against limited overs and shorter games absolutley-i agree with a few of you on here-no one can really make a sensible argument shorter bowler limited(overs) games prepares anyone for playing at a higher level simply as the games are longer the higher you play.

But for a lot of leagues the question is do nothing and ameteur numbers continue to decline....
I think myself it cannot stay the same-something has to change.

The ameteur game needs a shot in the arm and it needs it now i think

I think the HCPL have done it right they play half the season 120 overs full on all day cricket etc... and the other half is 50 over win/lose.... so essentially you play 1 type of game each against all the other sides.

[GoodLeave]

Not sure 2020 is going to bring in much takings behind the bar, you'd be finished by 3 or 4 I'd assume and more people than at present would shoot off him due to the early finish.

True enough. I guess I was hoping people would put their hand in their pocket for crisps/bar snacks in lieu of the tea. I know lots of people think teas are bad value, so hopefully they'll feel better about spending a couple of quid on some snacks instead and eating whilst they watch their team bat.