I think a few changes need to be made;
- Earlier start times (based purely around food, I start at 12:30pm - so if we're playing away, breakfast in the morning but then you start at around lunch time and the next time you eat (if you're fielding) is usually around 3:30pm). I have personally struggled in relationships when I arrive back at 8:30-9pm on a Saturday evening after playing an away game (I had to reword that one), as my partner isn't happy that I'm gone for the whole of Saturday. There are a few other factors in this, mainly that I don't think as many people only work Saturday mornings these days and one of the biggest factors - whilst you can go out and have a few drinks on a Friday night, since I've hit 30 - the hangovers last longer and longer, meaning that I tend not to drink the night before a game, then you cannot really make plans on Saturday evening as you may not even get back until 8:30-9pm etc.
- Less time wasted, I agree with some that less faffing around and stricter punishments on over rate. When I played in the Worcester League there was so much faffing around (but also this can be contributed to 'leg-side wides', as sometimes teams would concede 50 or so extras, meaning that's nearly 10 extra overs bowled.). Now playing in the Warwickshire Prem, it's a lot quicker and teams take the over rate seriously.
- Only Win/Lose games - I've never been a fan of win/lose/draw - for me this does not relate to any cricket that I've ever seen play on the international/county circuit, so why do we, as amateurs play this format? There's literally nothing more boring than posting a total of 250+ batting first, to see the oppo come out and block for the draw from ball one. Whilst I enjoy the challenge of trying to get batsmen out, I feel that this promotes negative cricket from all parties and the result becomes a formality. This could mean that a lot of games finish a lot sooner, making it more enjoyable for everyone. The only positive about win/lose/draw is for the team finishing the game 9 down and scraping the draw. Maybe there needs to be a higher swing in points to promote pushing for the win. I would suggest that the winning team still gets maximum points, then the team with the losing draw gets a few additional points for not being bowled out.
- Whilst 50 overs is played at the elite level, and therefore teams up around that upper echelon would need to play that format - I don't think 45 / 50 overs is required. Since T20 has been introduced and given it's popularity - I think there should potentially be a T20 only league for people that cannot commit to playing the whole day to play cricket. Also for the batsmen out there, there's nothing worse than dedicating your day to playing cricket but you get a first-ball duck - so another format could be 2 x cumulative T20 cricket games. This then gives people a chance to redeem themselves and not feel like their Saturday is wasted if they don't perform well with the bat. I've seen too many batsman walk away from the game due to poor form, thus losing their enjoyment - so I feel that this would improve the rate of people falling away from the game. Ultimately the team could win it in one game, by posting 200+, then bowling the team out for 50 both times. So the only negative is I find is if there is a complete mismatch where it may be less enjoyable for the losing sides.
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Topic: Changes to cricket games that you think would encourage more participation (Read 20789 times)