Please be patient tonight when entering scores as play-cricket has some issues which they are attempting to resolve….  Leniency will be given tonight in the event of results not being entered within the timescale allocated.

Just to reinforce even though this has already been sent out to all clubs………….  The below Law changes apply to all matches played in the Championship

Law 18.11   This now been changed so that, when a batter is out Caught, the new batter shall come in at the end the striker was at, i.e. to face the next ball (unless it is the end of an over).

Law 41.3  This Law will not now permit the use of saliva on the ball, which also removes any grey areas of fielders eating sugary sweets to alter their saliva to apply to the ball. Using saliva will be treated the same way as any other unfair methods of changing the condition of the ball.

At long last I have updated the above on the Member Clubs tab  – can I ask that the Championship Representative check their various entries and email me with any errors please?

At a productive meeting last Tuesday with Umpires and Div 1, 2 and 3 captains, the feeling from both sides was that the current legside wide rule was ambiguous and could cause issues.  Following a meeting with a couple of umpires and some 1st team skippers it was agreed and decided to adopt the wording below from all Division 1, 2 and 3 matches (where there are Panel Umpire(s) officiating) for the 2023 season starting this Saturday 15th April.

The feeling of the MSC is that we should change, even at this late stage, to make the life easier for players and officials.  This simpified rule will also help in matches in Division 1, 2 and 3 where there are no Panel Umpires present and player/umpires are standing.

We have today also emailed Championship Reps and would ask that you spread the word.  The website Rule 14i has been amended.

“Any ball that is bowled and passes down the leg side and behind the batter shall be interpreted as negative tactics and called wide; irrespective of where the batter starts from or moves to.  That ball will then be re-bowled by that bowler.  If a batter changes stance for a switch-hit, they lose all the benefit of a leg side wide.”

Just a gentle reminder that the above Zoom Meeting will take place on Tuesday 11th April at 7.30. There is a substantial fine for non-attendance!

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82600203007?pwd=cFBiZnhJb2dSMlAxdDU2S3VRc0drUT09

Meeting ID: 826 0020 3007
Passcode: 364239

When you join please do so with your name and the club that you represent.

There is much to discuss and it is hoped that all 1st Team skippers will attend (or send a suitable replacement) and the meeting will look at rule changes and the new Disciplinary Code from the start of this season. It will be run by Steve Lilley – Chairman of the Umpires’ Panel.

The EAPL decided at their EGM last Thursday to move their fixtures from the Saturday 15^th April to Saturday 16^th September.  However the view of the MSC is that this will cause substantial disruption to clubs in the Championship both in terms of ground and player availability on that date, so the fixtures scheduled for this Saturday will take place as normal.  Obviously if pitches or grounds are not suitable for play then the 6 point rule for a cancelled match will apply.

All clubs are reminded that Rule 14b and 14c will apply with regard to these and all cancelled matches – these rules can be found under the Rules tab on the website.

Further to this, to maintain the integrity of the Championship for this Saturday, no player who has played in two of the last three EAPL matches in 2022 will be permitted to play in the Championship fixtures on Saturday 15^th April.

We have also today forwarded this information to all Championship Representatives

At the MSC meeting last evening Jeremy Jayasuriya (Easton CC) was appointed Acting Chairman for the remainder of this season.  We would expect this appointment to be ratified at the AGM in October.  Welcome aboard Jerry!

Below are details of the meeting via zoom with members of the Umpires’ Panel.

The purpose of this meeting is to go through the new conduct regulations and disciplinary regulations ahead of the 2023 season.  This meeting should last around 1 hour and attendance is compulsory from each club in the top three divisions.  The penalty for non-attendance will be the same as not attendance of the AGM (2 years subscriptions).

The meeting will be held on the 11th of April 2023 at 7:30pm.

We encourage that either the captain, vice-captain or senior player attends the meeting from the team that is going to be playing in the top three divisions.  For identification purposes we ask that each attendee joins using their own name followed by their club name.

Below are the details of the meeting;
Topic: Two Counties meeting
Time: Apr 11, 2023 07:30 PM London

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82600203007?pwd=cFBiZnhJb2dSMlAxdDU2S3VRc0drUT09

Meeting ID: 826 0020 3007
Passcode: 364239

The meeting will be chaired by Stephen Lilley (Chairman of the Umpires’ Panel) and admininistered by Scott Button (MSC)

It is with regret that we advise that Geoff Eveling has decided to step down from his position as Chairman of the Two Counties Management Committee for personal reasons.  Geoff willingly stepped into the role following the death of long-standing Chairman Norman Atkins and all of the Committee have enjoyed an excellent, productive and successful relationship with him since he took over and we thank him for his contribution.  He will be sorely missed.

The matter of a replacement for Geoff is in hand and any appointment will be temporary until the position is voted in at the AGM in October.  We will advise on progress as soon as we can.  In the meantime please address any communication to the secretary at:

rickjones01473@gmail.com

The Pear’s funeral will be at Ipswich Crematorium IP4 2TQ at 2.15 on Thursday April 13th.  It is requested that all who attend wear something blue ………………