Premier League champions Havant show off their smart new coloured kit.
Standing (from left): Jez Bulled, Rob Gibson, Brad Taylor, Josh McCoy, Pete Hopson, Chris Morgan.
Seated: Stu Ransley, Andy Gorvin, Ben Walker, Richard Hindley, Cameron Prentice.
The new ‘white ball’ 50-over format introduced by the British Gas Southern League at the start of the season has been given a massive thumbs-up by captains and players alike.
The SPL is the first ECB accredited Premier League in the country to play in pyjama kit league cricket.
And there’s a fair chance it will catch on farther afield, just as the split 50-over/time cricket game (initiated locally in 2001) has virtually country-wide.
Local Premier League cricketers got their white kit out of their bags for a return to the traditional ‘red ball’ time game this weekend.
But there’s little doubt they’ll be buzzing for more of the white ball action when the 50-over pennant competition resumes in August.
James Hibberd, captain of South Wilts who won their opening three games in coloured kit, described it as: “Very modern and far more interesting for the spectators.”
Andover opening batsman Ali Hooper agreed, saying the club’s first two matches (against St Cross Symondians and Burridge) had attracted more spectators to London Road.
“It’s produced bigger crowds, better cricket – and really not too much effort or expense to implement the required changes. I think it looks very professional.”
“The new concept has been a resounding success in our dressing room,” reports Alton captain Scott Myers.
“I think it's great that we now have two very different formats in the same season. “Previously, time cricket has been as an overs game, just a bit longer. Now there is a real differential between the two formats and I think it makes the league so much better and more interesting.”
The ‘white ball’ game has caught on in the Forest too.
“It’s been a positive change and definitely encouraged people who might not otherwise have had any interest in the competition to become interested,” reflected Lymington captain Simon Beetham.
“I couldn't however say if more people have joined the club because of it.
“From a playing standpoint, the white ball has definitely added new dimensions to the game.
“The ball offers less to the bowlers, which is why I think we've seen more high scores in this early part of the season when we might typically (with a red ball) see some lower scores.
“Also, playing in coloured clothing has caused some players to get more excited about playing and that can only be positive.”
Bashley (Rydal) front man Michael Porter, the youngest SPL captain, has previously played ‘white ball’ cricket for Southampton Solent University in the BUCS Championship.
Porter has really taken to the new format introduced four weeks ago.
He said: “It’s something new and exciting and personally for me its created a new buzz and enjoyment in the matches.
“I can understand why some of the older generations don’t enjoy it; however, it would be a hard task finding a player that hasn’t enjoyed the first four matches.”
Both Beetham and Porter maintain, however, there is still a place for ‘red ball’ cricket to be played as part of the Premier League structure.
Porter continued: “I still think that there is place for the red ball cricket. It is a more tactical game and perhaps gives the bowlers more to work with. Obviously, the white ball doesn’t swing as much.
“With there now being an 18-over per bowler restriction in Time pennant matches, it makes it a fairer contest and stops teams bowling one guy at one end for the whole match.”
Viewing the overall picture, Lymington’s Simon Beetham added: “I do think there is room for cricket played with a red ball and (players) in white’s.
“Whether that is in a 50 over format or timed all day format is a question all the clubs and the league need to decide together.
“I think there is space in the calendar, and demand, for timed all day cricket; but in my opinion the rules need considering/adjusting slightly further.”
So, everyone seems happy then – apart from the scorers and spectators, who struggle to identify the players in their smart coloured livery.
Time then for the other eight clubs to follow the example of Alton and South Wilts and have numbers on the back of their shirts !
“I’m on the case,” says Premier League chairman David Ridley.
Clubs have nine weeks to sort out the shirt numbering and for £50 or so outlay everyone will be happy ..…
Standing (from left): Jez Bulled, Rob Gibson, Brad Taylor, Josh McCoy, Pete Hopson, Chris Morgan.
Seated: Stu Ransley, Andy Gorvin, Ben Walker, Richard Hindley, Cameron Prentice.
The new ‘white ball’ 50-over format introduced by the British Gas Southern League at the start of the season has been given a massive thumbs-up by captains and players alike.
The SPL is the first ECB accredited Premier League in the country to play in pyjama kit league cricket.
And there’s a fair chance it will catch on farther afield, just as the split 50-over/time cricket game (initiated locally in 2001) has virtually country-wide.
Local Premier League cricketers got their white kit out of their bags for a return to the traditional ‘red ball’ time game this weekend.
But there’s little doubt they’ll be buzzing for more of the white ball action when the 50-over pennant competition resumes in August.
James Hibberd, captain of South Wilts who won their opening three games in coloured kit, described it as: “Very modern and far more interesting for the spectators.”
Andover opening batsman Ali Hooper agreed, saying the club’s first two matches (against St Cross Symondians and Burridge) had attracted more spectators to London Road.
“It’s produced bigger crowds, better cricket – and really not too much effort or expense to implement the required changes. I think it looks very professional.”
“The new concept has been a resounding success in our dressing room,” reports Alton captain Scott Myers.
“I think it's great that we now have two very different formats in the same season. “Previously, time cricket has been as an overs game, just a bit longer. Now there is a real differential between the two formats and I think it makes the league so much better and more interesting.”
The ‘white ball’ game has caught on in the Forest too.
“It’s been a positive change and definitely encouraged people who might not otherwise have had any interest in the competition to become interested,” reflected Lymington captain Simon Beetham.
“I couldn't however say if more people have joined the club because of it.
“From a playing standpoint, the white ball has definitely added new dimensions to the game.
“The ball offers less to the bowlers, which is why I think we've seen more high scores in this early part of the season when we might typically (with a red ball) see some lower scores.
“Also, playing in coloured clothing has caused some players to get more excited about playing and that can only be positive.”
Bashley (Rydal) front man Michael Porter, the youngest SPL captain, has previously played ‘white ball’ cricket for Southampton Solent University in the BUCS Championship.
Porter has really taken to the new format introduced four weeks ago.
He said: “It’s something new and exciting and personally for me its created a new buzz and enjoyment in the matches.
“I can understand why some of the older generations don’t enjoy it; however, it would be a hard task finding a player that hasn’t enjoyed the first four matches.”
Both Beetham and Porter maintain, however, there is still a place for ‘red ball’ cricket to be played as part of the Premier League structure.
Porter continued: “I still think that there is place for the red ball cricket. It is a more tactical game and perhaps gives the bowlers more to work with. Obviously, the white ball doesn’t swing as much.
“With there now being an 18-over per bowler restriction in Time pennant matches, it makes it a fairer contest and stops teams bowling one guy at one end for the whole match.”
Viewing the overall picture, Lymington’s Simon Beetham added: “I do think there is room for cricket played with a red ball and (players) in white’s.
“Whether that is in a 50 over format or timed all day format is a question all the clubs and the league need to decide together.
“I think there is space in the calendar, and demand, for timed all day cricket; but in my opinion the rules need considering/adjusting slightly further.”
So, everyone seems happy then – apart from the scorers and spectators, who struggle to identify the players in their smart coloured livery.
Time then for the other eight clubs to follow the example of Alton and South Wilts and have numbers on the back of their shirts !
“I’m on the case,” says Premier League chairman David Ridley.
Clubs have nine weeks to sort out the shirt numbering and for £50 or so outlay everyone will be happy ..…