HUNDRED BALL BUSINESS LEAGUE COMPETITION (HBBL - 2024)

Based on the success of the 2023 competition and in response to enquiries, Cricket Leinster is now inviting applications from corporate/business entities to enter the Hundred Ball Corporate League for 2024.

As last season, this League will provide individuals with the opportunity to organise a team to represent their company in a series of matches over the summer months against other companies.

At this stage, we are seeking expressions of interest (EoI) in participating and it is requested that any EoI is sent from a company mail address with confirmation that the individual is authorised to represent the company in this way.

The details required are as follows:

- Individual’s Name
- Individual’s Contact Details (email address & mobile number)
- Company Name & Contact Details
- Profile of likely participants e.g., beginners, mix of beginners & club cricketers, mainly club cricketers etc
- Confidence in sourcing a ‘home’ venue (High/Low) and intended location (if high)

Note: Cricket Leinster will assist with ground secural where required – all games must take place in a cricket ground setting (club/school) and on an artificial wicket.

To be sent to nominations@cricketleinster.ie by 19th January 2024.

We will contact each applicant/company to support all team competition entries, league compositions etc.

If you wish to enter a team, you can also do so on the following link:
https://buytickets.at/cricketleinster/1095011

All HBBL fixtures, results and league tables will be posted on the Cricket Leinster website and the winning team(s) will be presented with a trophy (and individual medals) at the conclusion of the competition.

From a regulations standpoint, this competition will largely mirror the HBL (as launched in 2018) with CL providing one umpire per match and score-sheets etc.

This is a coloured clothing (ideally t-shirts with corporate branding/logos) and pink ball competition.

All matches will take place on week-day evenings over the June/July period and will start at 6.00pm.

Some key reminder points to note at this stage:

- Every team will face and bowl 100 balls
- Wides and no-balls will not lead to any extra balls but will count for one extra run. The next ball will be a free hit so batters will be encouraged to play with more freedom and it will also give them opportunities to play shots they might not have tried in conventional league games
- Every batter's first ball will also be a free hit
- Other rules include batters having 30 seconds to get to the wicket, which will speed up games and stop batters from sulking too much on their way off
- The other main rule is that batters have to retire after 20 balls. This means that more players will get to bat, but it also gives ample time to players to get a decent score.

Akin to mixed tag rugby, all teams are required to have at least 3 female players whose runs scored will be counted as doubles.

The emphasis is on achieving an appropriate mix of performance, participation & fun – and a sporting chance to represent your company after the daily toil is complete!

Last season's competition included teams from Deloittes (who won the tournament), Glanbia (finalists), PWC, EY, Grant Thornton and others.