Running the rule over new dawn

CRICKET: CLUB officials in the new Pennine Cricket League season are sifting through a mountain of draft rule proposals.

The amalgamation of the Central Lancashire League and Saddleworth and District Cricket League has meant much work for the new executive committee.

The 24 clubs have already been given proposals regarding professionals, umpires’ changing rooms and ground admission prices. Clubs have until January 19 to respond. The first annual meeting, where these rules will be ratified, is on January 26.

The league is to adopt a player points system for the inaugural season if clubs give it the go-ahead. The maximum number of points for any first XI team must not exceed 21, reducing to 18 points in 2018. The league hopes this will encourage clubs to give players a chance who have shown loyalty in sticking with their respective set-ups.

It is also proposed that proof of any inducement offered to a club member to obtain a player’s services for another club will result in the offending club being fined £250. If a player accepts an inducement he will be disqualified for an appropriate period.

Each Premier Division club must register a professional before the start of the season, while Championship clubs have the option to register a pro. Any club signing a pro who has a county contract will be fined £250 for every game he can’t play due to county commitments. In this event a deputy pro won’t be allowed to stand in for a cup match.

If any Premier Division fixture is played without a pro in each side, the offending club will be fined.

Another proposal is that only English will be spoken on the field. This was in the CLL regulations and will be introduced to aid umpires in the control of games.

There’s a proposal to adopt the CLL points-scoring system for the PCL in all first, second and third XI matches, while no bowler may bowl more than a third of the available overs in an innings. The maximum in a 50-over match is 17 per bowler.

Other proposals include clubs being allowed to charge up to £3 for league match admission, with gate proceeds split for cup games.