This is just to advise all our member clubs that we have still not had any direct consultation or communication from the EAPL regarding the above …….

We have managed to obtain some information via their Twitter account however and this confirms the proposed plan will be for  1 club to be relegated from the EAPL1 and the balance of a 10 team EAPL2 will be drawn from 3 clubs each from the Two Counties, the Cambs league and the Norfolk league and the competition will consist of 50 over matches.

We do ask that clubs do not regard the proposed plan as a fait accompli as it is far from that and the MSC have received several emails of support and indications that in their view the proposed plan is flawed. 

Please watch this space for further information as we will be in contact with our “leading” clubs as well as those 6 clubs from the Championship currently in EAPL1 who must be allowed to have their say – if any are relegated from EAPL1 then they may not wish to drop to EAPL2 but prefer to rejoin their feeder league.  We will also be in contact with the other feeder leagues to ascertain their thoughts and pool our ideas.  The results will be forwarded to all our member clubs – and I can assure you that it will not be via Twitter feed as seems to be the case in some quarters ………..!

The content below was posted on December 3rd and is the current position regarding the provision of teas for the coming season.

1. The default will be for there to be no provision for teas by the home team in the break between the innings.
2. If a club wishes to provide teas for all participants, they must contact the opposition by the Tuesday of the week of the match to confirm that this is what they wish to do.  They should also inform at the same time any paid official, such as an umpire or scorer. Any cost will be the responsibility of the home club. There will be no requirement for the opposition to provide reciprocal facilities in a reverse fixture.
3. Whenever a home club decides that they would not provide a tea in the break between the innings but would instead provide catering facilities of any type after the match for the participants and officials then all should be advised by Tuesday of the week of the match. The cost for this will be met by those who participate.
4. It will be a requirement for all home clubs (regardless of a decision on the above) to provide tea, coffee or soft drinks for all players in the match in the break between innings.  This cost will be the responsibility of the home club.

As a result of Burwell and Exning CC’s withdrawal from the EAPL, teams in that competition will have two ‘Match Free’ weeks throughout the season.  To ensure the integrity of the Two Counties Championship is maintained, the MSC has decided to implement a new rule for this season.

“On a ‘Match Free’ Saturday, when a club’s EAPL team do not have a Premier League fixture, no player who has played 2 of the previous 3 EAPL games will be permitted to play in the Two Counties Championship on the Saturday of that weekend.  In addition, any Category 3 players registered by the EAPL on play-cricket will not be permitted to play on the Saturday of that weekend in the Two Counties Championship”

You may recall that during the winter of 2020/21, the Suffolk County Cricket Board conducted a player survey with regard to the possible creation of EAPL Division 2. Similar surveys were also conducted by the Norfolk and Cambridgeshire Boards.  Following the completion of their surveys, it was understood that the proposed Division 2 would be put on the “backburner”.

Without further consultation from the EAPL, the Management Sub Committee have now learnt that it is the intention of the EAPL to create this new division with a proposal to start in season 2023 and we understand that the make up of the new division will be by invitation and not based on the results of the current season. The implications are that this new division may well require a re-organisation of the Two Counties with particular regard to promotions and relegations.  

It is worth pointing out at this stage that the MSC have a lukewarm attitude to this proposed 2^nd division of the EAPL, just as we did during the winter of 2020/21 when this was first mooted.

However, if a club in any division has any views or input (either for or against the proposal) then it is very important that you do so by email to the Secretary, Rick Jones, as soon as possible.

Updated Rules (together with the ECB Model Disciplinary Regulations) can now be found on the Rules tab above…….. The ECB Guidelines for Young Cricketers and the ECB Fast Bowling Directives are posted on the same Rules tab.

This will now take place on Monday April 11th at Ipswich CC any time from 5.30 until 7.30

As we are now reasonably confident that the container with the balls will be docking in Felixstowe within a few days we can set the date for distribution for Monday April 11th at Ipswich Cricket Club  from early evening – full details will follow.  If your club has not sent your contact details to Alan Rogers please do so by Sunday  20th March at the latest.

A list of Category 3 players who have been accepted by the MSC to play in season 2022 can be found by following the link found under the Overseas Players tab above

Please note that the funeral for Alan Burt will be on Wednesday 6 April at 12,45pm at Seven Hills Crematorium, Felixstowe Road, Ipswich IP10 0FG.

Message from John Gallant, Two Counties Seniors Manager

The request for information has shown that the results from 64 clubs running a Saturday team/teams:

51 have opted NOT to provide a tea in between the innings – just tea/coffee or a soft drink.

13 have opted to revert to providing a tea between the innings.

Additional information provided:

• In some instances a tea will be provided at the home club ground but this may not be possible where one of their teams is playing at an alternative venue.
• Several clubs have said they will provide a snack (cake/biscuits) as well as a drink but not a full tea.
• 1 club has said that they will revert to providing a tea if the majority of clubs in their league opt to do so. There is no clear majority for the provision of a tea in the league in which this club competes.
• 1 club has opted to provide a tea but not if a majority of clubs in their league opt not to do so. There is no clear majority not to provide a tea in the league in which this club competes.

The logistics of how exactly this will work out will follow later.  Should any club wish to change their stated option in view of the above then please contact me

There are changes imposed by the ECB/Home Office in respect of visa type and Player Category

The visa changes tend to be rewording of visa type or changes as a result of the UK leaving the EU…… The following visa changes however are significant:

1. The Tier 5 Creative and Sporting (Player Coach) which is the normal route used in the Championship for Player/Coaches is now renamed the International Sportsperson Visa (Player/Coach). We understand that the conditions/requirements are exactly the same as they were last year so it will not affect Player/Coaches returning for a second or subsequent season.
2. Tier 2 IT/MOR is replaced by a Skilled Worker visa.
3. There is a new Health & Social Care Visa.

All visa types could be subject to restrictions imposed by the Home Office and the Championship which can be found in the document TwoCountiesOverseasRegulation2021_5 under the More tab on the website.

With regard to the ECB classification of Category type, the Category 3 (Exempt) is removed and all players are now either Category 1 (defined as Ordinarily Resident or Home Players) – or Category 3.  The implications of this change for the Championship can be found in the document Player Registration Category 2022-5 under the More tab on the website.

In brief though all clubs can apply to register one Category 3 player per team each year and all other Category 3 players seeking registration to enable them to play in the Championship will need dispensation from the MSC. This dispensation will be given readily if the conditions outlined in Player Registration Category 2022-5 document are met.

A new 2 part Amateur Declaration form (AmateurDeclaration_2022) for completion where appropriate can also be found under the More tab on the website.

Clubs intending to register any Overseas Player under the Category 3 type or even if they are not sure should contact Rick Jones (Secretary) at:

secretary@twocountiescricket.co.uk

This posting will also be sent to Championship Reps.