New twilight cricket contest

Press, 16 September 1976, Page 36

New twilight cricket contest

By

R. T. BRITTENDEN

Daylight saving, and a desire to provide cricketers with a secondary competition to give more play in match conditions, have led to the introduction of a new twilight contest for the coming season, to be sponsored by “The Press.” The scheme was put forward by the St Albans Cricket Club, which for the last two seasons has been playing in a similar competition at the R.N.Z.A.F. station at Wigram. The chairman of the Canterbury Cricket Association’s management committee (Mr D. J. Elder) has congratulated the club for its initiative in organising the twilight competition, and “The Press” for its support. “It provides a style of cricket which may not be quite as serious as grade matches but will undoubtedly be of considerable value to the players, to public interest, and to club spirit,” Mr Elder said. "Although it is a limited-over competition, it will provide open wicket experience in match conditions, ancL it will be a keen and interesting competition for the public as well as the players.” ' It is expected that the eight senior clubs, with Marist and Hagley Old Boys, will compete for "The Press” trophy (illustrated). In addition. ‘•The Press” will

provide $2OO for the winning club, $lOO for second, and $5O for third. As well, it will give $lOO for a “sixes” competition. The total number of sixes hit during the nine-round contest will be divided into $lOO, and the clubs will benefit accordingly. There will also be awards for individuals. Goya International has given 48 male cosmetics packs, each valued at $7, and one will be awarded to the “Man of the match” in each game. There will also be sponsorship for the “Player of the week” awards which will take the total backing for the contest to more than $lOOO.

The new competition will be an exercise in tactical skills as well as the more obvious ones. The teams will consist of nine players, and an innings can last no longer than 21 six-ball overs. The seven fieldsmen must be set specifically — four on the off-side, three on the onside. A bowler is restricted to a 10-yard run-up, to a maximum of five overs and of three wickets, although he may finish the over in which he has his third victim — and therefore might capture more. Batsmen must retire when they have made 35, Five points are awarded to the winning team, and there are also bonus points — one for every complete 20 runs, one for every two wjcketß taken.

A team batting second may continue on for its 21 overs, to score bonus points, even if it has passed its opponent’s total.

The competition will begin on November 29, and will be played on the three subsequent Monday evenings thereafter. It will be resumed on January 10, and run through to the final round on February 7. The matches will all be played at Hospital Corner — two on artificial pitches, three on grass. Only used balls will be legal. * < An approach will be made to the Umpires’ Association for support. It should be a swift-mov-ing and exciting contest. The lack of numbers will require particularly energetic fielding, and the need to look for runs from every ball will be good for the batsmen. But there will be a need for a firm tactical control. It may well be in the best interests of a team for instance, if its top bowler does not reach his maximum of three wickets too soon — he might be better used for his full five overs, restricting scoring. The matches will begin at 5.30 p.m. and are expected to end about 8.30 p.m. It seems likely to be a very well-organised competition ' — there are even penalties (loss of one point by each side) for every 10 minutes of late starting.