Update from the Women's Competitions Committee
Be it at home, at school or at the office,we’ve all had the conversation as we drag our gigantic cricket bags behind us…
“You play cricket?!”
a) Ah leave it out, I didn’t know girls playcricket!
b) Y’what?! I didn’t even know there was cricket in Ireland.
c) Everyone wears the same colour, how doyou know who’s on your team?
d) Never could get my head around the rules.e) It’s just a lot of standing around really isn’tit?
So, here at Cricket Leinster, we decided we had some major work to do to break these misconceptions and show off our sport at its best. And here are the top 5 things that we think will make the biggest difference.
1. WOMEN’S CRICKET:NOW SHOWING IN FULL COLOUR
No more shouts of “Go on the team in white” from The Pav. Next summer, every women’s team in Cricket Leinster will play in coloured clothing. Clubs can go for full coloured clothing, or keep the white trousers and just go with coloured tops –whatever suits their budget. Anything goes, once the whole team are in the same kit.
2. CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY
All women’s games (that’s right, all divisions) will play with pink cricket balls. They’re scientifically designed for better visibility, work with black or white sight screens, and from our investigations are really good value. From our pilot of the ball in last season’s senior cup finals, the pink ball is sure to be popular with players and spectators alike. Cricket Leinster is in talks with suppliers to get the best deal, and once done will place all orders for clubs. We’ll be in touch in the new year with more details.
3. THE UMPIRES
We are currently in talks with the Leinster Cricket Union Umpires and Scorers Association to secure official umpires for all Division 1 games and Div 2 cup games for 2013. This is a crucial step to increase the professionalism in the women’s game.
4. NEW FOCUS ON DIVISIONS 2 & 3
A new league structure for 2013 is designed to focus on more, higher quality games in Division 2 and development of new players in Division 3. The eight-team Div 2 league will be strengthened this year with The Hills 1 coming down from Div 1; new entrants YMCA 1 with a strong line-up (still underwraps to the public!); and the promotion of Malahide 2 -runners up in the third division to non-promotable Hills 2 (due to their firsts already being in Div 2) and hosts to a number of strong emerging players and veterans of Irish Cricket. The Division will also be strengthened in cup competitions by new proposed starring regulations. Details to be confirmedat the clubs’ Spring Meeting. Div 3 will focus on playerd evelopment with regulations proposed to be tweaked to maximise player opportunities including batters retiring at 20 runs to get more people out to the middle;bowlers having a max of four overs each; and lighte rregulations on extras to balance out the need to use more bowlers than previous years.
5. PILKINGTON PRO40
Clarissa Pilkington’s Plate has taken many forms over the last ten years, altering to meet the changing needs of women’s cricket. Following much feedback and consultation with clubs and players, we believe the 50-over format has played its crucial part for now. Our elite and developing Irish players are now getting more than enough exposure to longer formats of the game with the County Champs in the UK. A gap has been identified for a shorter, more engaging format of the game to increase participation. The Pilkington Plate will get a make-over in 2013 and be re-presented as the Pilkington Pro40. We’re sure our dearly missed Clarissa, who worked so hard to promote the women’s game in Ireland, would support the change.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
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