The Southern Premier League is anticipating a return to normal service in 2022, with the ECB Premier Division back to its familiar split format of all-day 'time' and 50-over 'white ball' matches and traditional red ball cricket being played in Divisions 1, 2 and 3.
It means all-day cricket lunches and teas being back on the meal tables when play begins on Saturday May 7. The final 18th round of SPL fixtures is on September 3.
Time pennant matches in the Premier Division, which will occupy the normal nine-week slab of fixtures in mid-summer, will begin on June 4, with umpires calling 'play' at 11.30am.
All 50-over matches across the four divisions will begin at 12.30pm.
"The Management Committee has decided to reset all of the SPL playing conditions to what they were in the 2019 season, save applying Duckworth Lewis to rain affected matches across the board," explained SPL chairman Steve Vear MBE.
"We know there has been much debate in the past 18 months about whether teas should return. We also know that it is simply not possible to keep everyone happy, so for the time being, the status quo shall return.
"In terms of the future of our playing format, we are committed to conducting a formal and focussed playing survey at the end of the 2022 season."
The Hampshire League programme also begins on May 7 and concludes on August 27, one week earlier than the Premier League.
It means all-day cricket lunches and teas being back on the meal tables when play begins on Saturday May 7. The final 18th round of SPL fixtures is on September 3.
Time pennant matches in the Premier Division, which will occupy the normal nine-week slab of fixtures in mid-summer, will begin on June 4, with umpires calling 'play' at 11.30am.
All 50-over matches across the four divisions will begin at 12.30pm.
"The Management Committee has decided to reset all of the SPL playing conditions to what they were in the 2019 season, save applying Duckworth Lewis to rain affected matches across the board," explained SPL chairman Steve Vear MBE.
"We know there has been much debate in the past 18 months about whether teas should return. We also know that it is simply not possible to keep everyone happy, so for the time being, the status quo shall return.
"In terms of the future of our playing format, we are committed to conducting a formal and focussed playing survey at the end of the 2022 season."
The Hampshire League programme also begins on May 7 and concludes on August 27, one week earlier than the Premier League.
