Although the temperatures are lower and the conditions fresher yesterday and this moning it would be wise to take note of the text below sent by Rob Jones, Suffolk Cricket Operations Manager

“As I’m sure you’ll know we’re expecting a heatwave over the coming days so although I appreciate you’ll have factored this in, the following advice (which includes tips from the ECB) will simply either reinforce or maybe provide additional tips;

EXTREME HOT WEATHER

1. Ensure that there are regular drinks breaks; which, when possible, are taken in the shade (please see signs and symptoms of dehydration pdf below).
2. Apply a broad-spectrum product with an SPF 30 or higher, paying special attention to your ears and nose, as well as other exposed areas prone to burning.
3. Using a sunscreen applicator, stick, or cleaning palms with a small towel and alcohol gel, is a good way to avoid a greasy grip whilst playing.
4. Once applied to the skin, reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, or more often if you are prone to excessive sweating, or playing hard!
5. Remember to wear a cap, and when fielding a brimmed hat which offers greater protection.
6. After the batting helmet comes off, remember to reapply sunscreen (it will be wiped off) and top off with a wide-brim hat.
7. Fielding but the sun is in your eye? Wear wraparound sunglasses keep your eyes safe from all angles.
8. Wear light clothing that protects arms and legs. Consider flipping the collar up on tops for added protection, and using sun sleeves which provide flexibility when pitching and bowling.
9. The sun is strongest between 11am and 3pm so, if possible, look to play/train outside of these hours, particularly on clear, sunny days.
10. Get into the habit of applying sunscreen before you start outdoor activity.
11. Whilst spectating or waiting for play do so in a shaded area, out of direct sunlight.
12.  Consider setting up gazebos to protect your team if there is no natural shade available.

U18’s (Additional information)

Coaches and managers have a Duty of Care with Under 18’s playing in youth fixtures or open-age cricket, and they should consider the guidance below.

Hydration

• Ensure that there are regular drinks breaks; it is suggested ten overs maximum between drinks, which, when possible, are taken in the shade.
• All under 18 will wear helmets when batting or standing up, keeping wicket. Umpires should regularly check for signs of overheating and, where necessary, have additional drinks breaks. A wicket-keeper could be wearing a helmet for their entire game.

See below pdf.
This includes the Pee test; copies should be in all urinals to raise awareness.

Signs and symptoms of dehydration pdf

Sun Safety

• Encourage all to wear long-sleeved shirts with collars up and a floppy hat rather than baseball-style caps.
• Advise youngsters not to play casual cricket before a match or between innings. They should be encouraged to wait in the shade.
• Sun blocker/creams should be provided by parents/carers and have spare available to top up. A minimum SPF 30 blocker should be applied liberally to all exposed areas with special attention to ears and noses by parents. Parents must be consulted to ensure there is no risk of an anaphylactic or allergic reaction to any product.

Playing Regulations

If you cannot move the date or starting time when the sun is strongest, consider:

• Using smaller boundaries
• Decrease the number of overs bowled.
• Playing 12 or 13 aside to enable rotation.
• Ensure batting side wait in shade during game

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Outdoor Kids Sun Safety Code

Sport Sun Safety Guidelines

Hydration info from NHS

Of course the advice not only applies to players, but umpires, scorers, coaches, spectators, grounds people etc as well.

I hope that helps and that everyone has a safe and enjoyable week of cricket.”

Many thanks Rob …………

Following a decision agreed at East Anglia Premier League AGM in November 2021 to investigate establishing a second tier Premier League competition, it has been confirmed that their intention is to commence a second tier Premier League competition described as EAPL Championship (EAPL2) for the 2023 season. There has been very limited information provided to Feeder Leagues and the plan awaits ratification by EAPL which is likely to be achieved at EAPL AGM in November 2022. This offers little time for Feeder Leagues and clubs to introduce the necessary restructures that will be needed if this proceeds.

In the absence of substantive clarity from EAPL and the unreasonable speed with which they wish to proceed the Two Counties League Committee are presently opposed to the establishment of EAPL2. We are engaging in dialogue with the other Feeder Leagues affected by this plan, and also speaking to ECB and EAPL. It is clear that this proposed plan will have an impact on Feeder Leagues and the clubs who are members of those Feeder Leagues, and also logically for players of those clubs. Due to the absence of information from EAPL and their unwillingness to provide details of the proposed EAPL2 beyond broad generalisations it is not possible to undertake an impact assessment on the behalf of all our member clubs.

We are keen to have clarity around the following issues urgently as it may lead to restructure of our own leagues and indeed some amendments to Two Counties rules to protect the interests of our member clubs, and their players.
1. Intended teams to be invited from Two Counties Championship
2. Promotion and Relegation systems to be applied
3. Umpire/Scorer provision
4. Transport implications
5. Additional cost implications

It is our understanding that a meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday 19 July 2022 by EAPL with clubs who may be considering joining EAPL2. The Feeder Leagues understanding is that the meeting will discuss the proposals relating to EAPL2 with the clubs. The Feeder Leagues approached EAPL to ascertain whether they would be welcome to attend the meeting to listen and observe, and as a result be better informed. EAPL have confirmed that the meeting is scheduled and solely for clubs, and that Feeder Leagues will not be welcome to attend. This is naturally disappointing for all the Feeder Leagues who are seeking to ensure that the interests of all their clubs are fairly and properly considered.

We will continue to press EAPL for answers to these and other pertinent questions that may arise. Once we have these answers and can therefore provide our member clubs with a fully informed impact assessment of the plan we will communicate this to all clubs and stakeholders.

Should you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us.

The Two Counties Management Sub Committee

So what is remarkable about that you may ask…………….?

What is remarkable is that this was in Division 7 of the Two Counties Championship by a young lady of just 16 years of age. Bella Johnson of Chappel and Wakes Colne CC scored a run a ball ton for the 1st team in the match against Maldon on Saturday last, out of a total of 231 for 1 in their allocated 45 overs. They went on to win the match, bowling the opposition out for 214…..

Bella has been at Essex CC since the age of 7 and is now in the Essex Ladies 1st XI squad. She also bowls, her stats for the season for Chappel and Wakes Colne show she has taken 11 wickets @ 18 at an average of 26.

Clearly a name to look out for in the future and I hope that this will encourage many more youngsters to become interested in playing our beautiful game. Well done Bella …….!

A Twitter account for the Two Counties Championship has been set up to assist with communication.  It is felt that maybe the method of website postings and emailed Circulars could be perceived as a little “old hat” and it is hoped that this will improve things, particularly with the younger element.  The posting below will be our first Tweet ………

Many of you will be aware of the announcement from the EAPL of their intention to form the EAPL Championship as a second tier of that competition.  The Management Sub Committee (MSC) are concerned about the lack of consultation and information given to us, as well as the viability of the plans and the impact that they will have on participating clubs and the Two Counties Championship.

Two members of the MSC recently met with two members of the EAPL committee to discuss the proposed implementation but no substantial progress was made to allay our concerns or provide much further information.

We have written to the ECB to explain our thoughts and concerns and we await a reply. That letter was copied to officers of the other two feeder league committees to ascertain their views on the announcement.  Since this notification we have received confirmation from the Chairman of the Cambridge and Hunts League that they too share our concerns.

The MSC will continue to work on behalf of all our member clubs and will inform you as soon as we have more information to provide.

The information below will be also sent to Championship Reps by email.

As we are now a third of the way through the season, we would draw your attention to the following for immediate action please:

• There have been several complaints from both the umpires and from other clubs regarding the behaviour of players (and in one case supporters) in matches recently. This trend is considered totally unacceptable by the MSC and firm action will be taken henceforth.  You are reminded that captains are responsible for the conduct of players and that any offences by a player defined by the ECB Code of Conduct can also be imposed on the relevant captain.  You are also reminded that according to Law 42 any offence can also carry points deduction.  The relevant Law has been posted under the Rules tab on the website.
• You are reminded that all mid innings drinks are to be taken ON THE FIELD OF PLAY and the home club should facilitate this for each match. Now that all COVID restrictions have been removed, there is no need for players to leave the field of play except in exceptional circumstances for comfort breaks and certainly not to spend time on their mobile phones, have a fag break or even to start to pile into some of their tea!  You are also reminded that the home club should, in the event of a tea not being provided, make a hot or cold drink available for the players and officials between the innings.
• The relaxation of the rules on the provision of a non playing scorer as a result of travel restrictions during COVID has been removed and all matches where umpire or umpires officiate should have a non playing scorer from each team. Whilst we appreciate the difficulties involved for smaller clubs a match has traditionally been officiated and agreement reached by umpires and scorers jointly and we see no reason why this should not continue to happen.  Several fines have now been issued and you are reminded that a points deduction can be levied according to our rules for continual offenders.
• Finally you are reminded that before the commencement of a match, captains MUST exchange team sheets showing the names of all players and showing the age group of players aged under 19. All scorecards including those produced digitally MUST be agreed by both captains before the away team leaves the ground.  This should improve the quality of the submissions of scores to play-cricket and make the onerous task of the Results Secretary much easier.

There seems to be confusion about this….. The new rule stating that even if the batsmen cross when a wicket falls, the new batsman will be on strike does NOT come into force until October of this year.  So no change for this season …….

Now that the restrictions with regard to drinks breaks during play have been removed, all drinks breaks should now be taken on the field of play please as they were pre-COVID – this will decrease the length of the match and this has the added advantage of enabling players and officials to get to the bar sooner…………. !!

This is really good news and a top start to the season – well done to all who sent in their results ….. keep it up!!