Tasmania University Cricket Club
Latest News (13th. May 2005)
Proposed Amendments to TCA By Laws and TCA Grade Competition Format.
Over the last three months the Grade Cricket Committee (GCC) has held several Consultation Meetings with the eight clubs to review the TCA By Laws and the Grade Cricket format.
The recommendations listed below are the first changes to be proposed since the Grade Cricket Review was undertaken and implemented at the commencement of the 2003-04 season.
The GCC recommends the TCA Board approves the changes to the By Laws in principle and so empowers the GCC to proceed with the drafting of the alterations which will be undertaken by Board Director Andrew Gaggin (also a member of GCC) in order that the changes may be implemented next season, 2005-06.
(University C.C.'s position and voting on the proposals are included in red.)
The main recommendations are:
1 - By Law 9 Player Registration
The amendment requires all players be registered annually. Players will be permitted to move between clubs without clearances at the completion of the season, provided club subscriptions are not outstanding.
The changes will assist regulating the National Club Insurance register and enable registered player numbers to be accurately measured.
2 - By Law 10 Clearances
The amendment will reflect the change in registration procedures above but still allow players to apply for a clearance during the season up to January 31 each year.
Clubs voted 4-4 for the two recommendations above.
3 - By Law 9 Player Registrations
Unfinancial Club Members - Black List
The change will formalize an existing procedure which has been unofficially in place for many years, with a strict interpretation that the term "unfinancial" will only apply to the non-payment of Club Subscriptions.
Clubs are to provide the TCA, by April 15 each year, with a list of players who remain unfinancial due to the non-payment of club subscriptions. The club must also officially inform the player of this action.
Until the club removes the player from the Black List, he will not be permitted to register with another club.
Clubs voted 7 for 1 against.
Vote : NO
The current system is working satisfactorily.
The TUCC presented the following points at the meeting:
1. Do we really want all players to fill in a registration form every season? We have enough paperwork to plough through each season as it is.
2. Do we want all clubs having access to the ‘blacklisted’ players from every other club? That will give clubs the opportunity to say to a ‘blacklisted’ player from another club ‘we will pay your outstanding membership fees from your previous club if you play for us’.
3. Why should only membership fees count as outstanding debts to a club? There are other debts players rack up that they should have to pay before they leave a club. One day shirts are often unpaid debts at clubs. A player cannot go on the field without a shirt and often say they’ll pay later but do not. The same could be said about other club clothing. There are other debts should count as outstanding debts as well.
4. - Roster Format
TCA rosters in ALL Grades to consist of 7 two-day matches and 7 one-day matches.
This change will necessitate 3rd Grade and Under 17's to play two matches during the season on (both) Saturday and Sunday in the same weekend.
Club voted 6 for 2 against.
Vote : NO (on 7x2 and 7x1 for First Grade)
Vote : YES (on 7x2 and 7x1 for 2nds, 3rds and U17s)
Vote : YES (on more 2 day games for 3rd Grade and Under 17's)
We feel there is too much emphasis on one day cricket under this model. Traditionally, we, as a Club, have excelled in 1-day cricket so such a model would suit us but it is not conducive to producing the hardened batsmen and bowlers required in the longer version of the game. With less CA Cup cricket our 1st grade competition must prepare our cricketers for the demands of 4-day cricket.
The TUCC presented the following points at the meeting:
A greater emphasis on one-day cricket and a lesser emphasis on two-day cricket in the TCA roster will not produce first-class cricketers.
The argument that the CA Cup will develop first class cricketers has lost credibility as the number of CA Cup matches has been reduced from 10 to 5 matches and there is no guarantee this 2nd XI competition will always be there.
As such our first grade competition should play a major role in preparing players for the demands of first class cricket. The proposed model will not do that.
It wasn’t long ago that we played 10 two-day matches and 7 one-day matches in the first grade competition. Under the proposed model we will lose 6 days worth of 2 day cricket compared to this. Realistically, given our weather we could easily drop to 5 or 6 two-day matches in the season. If we ended up playing 5 two-day matches this would equate to less than 1 two-day match per month. This is a real concern.
The proposed model will place a much greater emphasis on 1 day matches. Who loses out in one-day matches? The talented, young players miss out.
In one-day matches only the top 4 or 5 batsmen get a chance to build an innings. At all clubs, the talented, younger players are often batting in lower positions. They will be forced to throw away their wickets regularly at the end of the innings, they will lose interest and we will lose them to the game.
Also, in one-day cricket the talented, young bowlers (and spinners of all ages for that matter) don’t get the opportunity to bowl longer spells or come back to bowl 3rd and 4th spells.
As it is Tasmania is not producing batsmen to cope with the demands of first class cricket. Are we happy to have players who developed their game interstate prop up our batting order?
With no disrespect to Dighton, Dawson, Birt, Bevan, Marsh and Lockyear why do these players fill the top order of Tasmania’s batting line-up? The answer is because there is a market here for them because we are not producing first class batsmen. Why not? Will the proposed model help?
Don’t forget the likes of Jamie Cox and Dene Hill learnt their craft in an environment with virtually no 2nd XI cricket and a first grade competition that put an emphasis on two-day cricket.
For the reasons stated, we wish to have it noted in the minutes that our club strongly objects to the 7 x 2 day, 7 x 1 day first grade roster format.
5. - By Law 39 Scheduled times of play.
The hours of play in TCA Grades to be amended as follows:
Two-day matches.
1st & 2nd Grade; 11.00 am-6.00 pm with two breaks. 96 overs minimum
Vote : YES
3rd Grade & Under 17; 12.30-6.00 pm with two breaks. 84 overs minimum
Vote : YES
One-day matches.
1st & 2nd Grade; 11.00am-6.00pm with one break. 50 overs
3rd Grade & Under 17; 12.30pm-6.00pm with one break. 40 overs
Clubs voted as follows:
1st Grade hours 7 for 1 against
2nd Grade hours same as 1st Grade 4 for 4 against
All clubs agreed for the need to provide more time in 3rd Grade & Under 17's to bowl 40 overs.
6. - By Law 41 Required Overs in a Day's Play and Extra Time Available
The By law amendment will allow
· play to extend up to a maximum of 30 minutes on day one of a match to make up for any lost time on day one;
· if the time lost on day one exceeds 30 minutes, play on day two may commence 30 minutes prior to OR at the end of the scheduled playing hours, should the time lost on day one exceed one hour OR that further time is lost on day two.
All 8 clubs voted for this change.
7. - By Law 43 No Play on 1st Day of a Two-Day Match.
If day one in ALL grade fixtures of a two-day match in any grade are washed out, the match will be played as a one-day limited overs match on day two. If at least one match (in the grade) is able to commence on day one, the existing By Law to apply - ie the match will be played out as a normal two-day fixture.
The clubs requested the change to a one-day limited overs match apply if any match is a washout on day one but the GCC favoured the recommendation above because -
· GCC supports non declaration cricket,
· In fixtures that commence as two - day matches there is no guarantee a result will be achieved. If a fixture is played as a one day limited overs match there will be a result in these matches which could disadvantage those teams which were able to get a start on day one.
Clubs voted 6 for 2 against on the following:
Any match washed out on day one will be played on day two as a limited overs match.
Vote : YES
8. - By Law 16 (3) Bonus Points
Replace bonus points with a quotient system to separate teams finishing on the same points at the end of the season.
Clubs voted 4 for 4 against.
Vote : YES
We suggest that results head-to-head be the first criterion used to separate teams on equal match points at the end of the season. If this is even then some other system comes into play e.g. percentage.
9. - By Law 44. Early Termination of Match
Presently when both captains' agree, termination can occur no earlier than one hour before the scheduled completion of the match in two-day matches.
The change will permit termination, subject to captains' agreement, to occur no earlier than the tea break.
Clubs voted 7 for 1 against.
Vote : YES
10 - By Laws 41 & 45 Over rates
Include an additional calculation to ensure that the maximum number of overs possible will be bowled in an interrupted match or when an innings is closed during the days play.
Clubs voted 8 for.
General
Twenty Twenty Competition
GCC to implement a competition to be held mid week, if at all possible, but not on public holidays, on a knock out basis with finals.
Clubs voted 4 for 4 against.Vote : YES
Other matters, agreed by the GCC, of a minor nature requiring By Law amendments.
That the TCA Vacation Cricket competition be abolished
The original intent of vacation cricket was to introduce players to the TCA clubs. Now that all clubs have under age teams from U9 to U15 in TCA Youth League rosters the Jan/Feb Vacation competition is duplicated and adds unnecessary pressures/expectations on clubs.
Vote : YES
Helmets to be worn by all Under 15 players in all grades.
Vote : YES
A ball pitching off a synthetic surface in ANY Grade shall be called no ball - dead ball.
Vote : YES
In TCA competitions for age groups of Under 15 and below the normal wide "law of cricket" will apply in both two - and one-day match formats.
Vote : YES
Recommendations discussed and not supported by the GCC included:
Replace Under 17's with an open 4th Grade
1 club for 7 against.
Vote : NO
Changes to By Law 37 - sightscreens movements
4 clubs for 4 against.Vote : NO
In TCA Under 15 competition; maximum 8 balls per over be removed
4 clubs for 4 against.Vote : NO
3rd & Under 17 play 50 overs in limited overs matches
5 clubs for 3 against.Vote : YES
Compulsory Declarations in all Grades
5 clubs for 3 against.
Vote : YES
Introduce compulsory declarations in lower Grade Finals
5 clubs for 3 against.Vote : YES
Introduce a full final four system in all Grades
4 clubs for 4 against.
Vote : NO
Remove 12 players in 1st Grade
2 clubs for 6 against.
Vote : NO
Introduce 12 players in all Grades
2 clubs for 6 against.
Vote : NO
Turf balls be used in 1st Grade
3 clubs for 5 against.
Vote : YES
If we use a ball which makes it harder to achieve swing and seam it will become very obvious who the outstanding bowlers are. Also, batsman will face a ball which is used at higher levels and will this will prepare them for conditions at that level.
Toss of the coin to occur one hour before play
4 clubs for 4 against.Vote : NO
That a final four system be introduced in TCA under 15
5 clubs for 3 against.Vote : NO
Why are we so keen to introduce such a competitive philosophy at such a young age? Participation is the key element of sport at this age. Cheap bragging rights for clubs should not dictate what we do at this age. Get rid of ladders, get rid of finals - the sooner it happens the better!
Added (if you've found this interesting and want even more) is a copy of the TUCC's Initial Submission to the GCC.
As of the 18th. May all the above recommendations have been accepted by the TCA Board.
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