White ball action at Alton v Academy
Relegated from the ECB Premier Division at the end of the season, Alton are seeking to introduce 'white ball' 50-over cricket into Division 1 in 2022 and are lobbying clubs to back their proposal at Thursday's league AGM.
Brewers chairman Richard Myers points out: "We play in the Hampshire cricket pyramid and as such we feel that Division 1 should be playing at least some of the same cricket as the Division above i.e., the Premier Division
"All being well, the Premier Division will return to playing 50-over White Ball and Timed cricket in 2022, neither of which are being played in Division 1. This will make it harder for clubs who are promoted to the Premier Division when they arrive, as they will have to play 2 different types of cricket they don’t currently play.
"We accept that it is unrealistic to expect to play exactly the same cricket at all levels but feel that as we are in a pyramid there should be a progression and White Ball is the natural one rather than Timed Cricket which would involve longer games and earlier start times.
"Also, by playing half the games White Ball and half Red Ball it achieves two things.
"The aim of the pyramid in that any one being promoted to the Premier Division will have experienced White Ball in their promotion season, and any one being relegated from Division 1 will still have played Red Ball cricket in their relegation season.
Struggled
It also achieves the aim of the pyramid in that a side being promoted from Division 2 will still play half their games in Division 1 based on the games they were promoted on.
"If you revisit teams who have been promoted to the Premier Division in the past 15 years, it is circa two thirds who are relegated the following year. One reason may be that they have struggled to adapt to a different type of cricket on promotion, and currently it is now the whole season which is different not just the half (Timed Cricket) it was previously.
Alton feel it would freshen up Division 1 from the current 18 games of Red Ball 50 over Cricket, if half the games were played with a White Ball and half with a Red Ball.
Myers continued: "I’m certain that most players in the Premier Division would agree that the introduction of White Ball cricket there has freshened it up. The half and half season worked well last season and the games were different.
"There is also the possibility of creating a White Ball and Red Ball pennant, which would give Clubs more to play for as there is only one Club promoted.
"I’m aware that there is some anti feeling generated around this topic usually based on cost, but I honestly don’t believe these are insurmountable to give most players what they want."
"Cost areas are usually based around 2 areas:
Kit
Alton players own their own kit, which we bought at the time of the introduction to white ball cricket. The way we financed it was that we got a new kit sponsor for the coloured kit, (we managed to get 3 – one for the front, one above the name/number on the back and one for the sleeve) and used the first year of sponsorship to subsidise the players costs. Year 2 and 3 of the sponsorship has then provided additional income to the club.
Sight Screens
Having visited many grounds since the introduction of white ball cricket there have been several options used:
* Painting one side black – South Wilts I believe now do this
* Use of existing black germination sheets, which have been attached to the screens using clips – Alton have used this method as have South Wilts and Burridge
* Use of a thick black polythene which has been fixed to the screen – St Cross Symondians are one of a few that have done this
* Use of Black Gorilla tape onto one side of the sight screen – Bashley Rydal do this
None of the options above are particularly expensive and are relatively easy to achieve the desired effect.
"My understanding is that the Southern Premier League would likely look favourably on making the same £300 payment made to Premier Division Clubs if this change came in, but clearly would not pay to a club that has already received the initial payment through the Premier Division.
"I think that none of the above are really ‘showstoppers’ and most of the players I’ve spoken to and who have played White Ball Cricket have enjoyed the experience."
In 2022, Alton will play alongside Basingstoke & North Hants, Calmore Sports, New Milton, Portsmouth, Rowledge, Sarisbury Athletic, Sparsholt, Ventnor, and newly promoted Liphook & Ripsley, who have seconded the proposal.
What do you think ? If you are a Division 1 cricketer, are you keen to play 'white ball' 50-over matches alongside the traditional 'red ball'' games ? Email [email protected] with your thoughts.
Brewers chairman Richard Myers points out: "We play in the Hampshire cricket pyramid and as such we feel that Division 1 should be playing at least some of the same cricket as the Division above i.e., the Premier Division
"All being well, the Premier Division will return to playing 50-over White Ball and Timed cricket in 2022, neither of which are being played in Division 1. This will make it harder for clubs who are promoted to the Premier Division when they arrive, as they will have to play 2 different types of cricket they don’t currently play.
"We accept that it is unrealistic to expect to play exactly the same cricket at all levels but feel that as we are in a pyramid there should be a progression and White Ball is the natural one rather than Timed Cricket which would involve longer games and earlier start times.
"Also, by playing half the games White Ball and half Red Ball it achieves two things.
"The aim of the pyramid in that any one being promoted to the Premier Division will have experienced White Ball in their promotion season, and any one being relegated from Division 1 will still have played Red Ball cricket in their relegation season.
Struggled
It also achieves the aim of the pyramid in that a side being promoted from Division 2 will still play half their games in Division 1 based on the games they were promoted on.
"If you revisit teams who have been promoted to the Premier Division in the past 15 years, it is circa two thirds who are relegated the following year. One reason may be that they have struggled to adapt to a different type of cricket on promotion, and currently it is now the whole season which is different not just the half (Timed Cricket) it was previously.
Alton feel it would freshen up Division 1 from the current 18 games of Red Ball 50 over Cricket, if half the games were played with a White Ball and half with a Red Ball.
Myers continued: "I’m certain that most players in the Premier Division would agree that the introduction of White Ball cricket there has freshened it up. The half and half season worked well last season and the games were different.
"There is also the possibility of creating a White Ball and Red Ball pennant, which would give Clubs more to play for as there is only one Club promoted.
"I’m aware that there is some anti feeling generated around this topic usually based on cost, but I honestly don’t believe these are insurmountable to give most players what they want."
"Cost areas are usually based around 2 areas:
Kit
Alton players own their own kit, which we bought at the time of the introduction to white ball cricket. The way we financed it was that we got a new kit sponsor for the coloured kit, (we managed to get 3 – one for the front, one above the name/number on the back and one for the sleeve) and used the first year of sponsorship to subsidise the players costs. Year 2 and 3 of the sponsorship has then provided additional income to the club.
Sight Screens
Having visited many grounds since the introduction of white ball cricket there have been several options used:
* Painting one side black – South Wilts I believe now do this
* Use of existing black germination sheets, which have been attached to the screens using clips – Alton have used this method as have South Wilts and Burridge
* Use of a thick black polythene which has been fixed to the screen – St Cross Symondians are one of a few that have done this
* Use of Black Gorilla tape onto one side of the sight screen – Bashley Rydal do this
None of the options above are particularly expensive and are relatively easy to achieve the desired effect.
"My understanding is that the Southern Premier League would likely look favourably on making the same £300 payment made to Premier Division Clubs if this change came in, but clearly would not pay to a club that has already received the initial payment through the Premier Division.
"I think that none of the above are really ‘showstoppers’ and most of the players I’ve spoken to and who have played White Ball Cricket have enjoyed the experience."
In 2022, Alton will play alongside Basingstoke & North Hants, Calmore Sports, New Milton, Portsmouth, Rowledge, Sarisbury Athletic, Sparsholt, Ventnor, and newly promoted Liphook & Ripsley, who have seconded the proposal.
What do you think ? If you are a Division 1 cricketer, are you keen to play 'white ball' 50-over matches alongside the traditional 'red ball'' games ? Email [email protected] with your thoughts.
Alton spinner Julian Ballinger teases the Academy batsmen with the white ball. Howard Gadsby photos.
