PREMIER LEAGUE PLANS TO PENALISE CLUBS WITH NO SCORER

Date: 9th January 2012

Leicestershire's Premier Division proposed rule would see Teams lose 3 Championship points

Leicestershire's Premier Division, the top flight of club cricket in the county, is set to introduce a rule during the coming northern summer that would see a side lose three championship points if it fails to provide a scorer for any game, says a report published in the 'Leicester Mercury' on Wednesday. Some clubs are said to be 'blessed with scorers who do a magnificent job week in and week out" but not all in the league are as fortunate.

The Stoughton and Thurnby side, who did not have a regular first-team scorer last summer, are said to be looking to ensure they do not fall foul of the proposed new rule. Club secretary Leigh Moore has advertised widely in the county for expressions of interest, but so far he has had no response.

Moore is said to be hoping that situation will soon change, although he admits that "the rewards of the job", a free tea every Saturday afternoon during the season, "might not seem great" at first glance. However, he points out that transport can be arranged to away matches and the club are willing to send any would-be applicants on an England and Wales Cricket Board scorers' course. He believes that the post could suit a retired person or anyone who has an interest in cricket.

If the club is unsuccessful in their quest it could be faced with the prospect of naming a second or third-team player as the first-team's twelfth man and, effectively, scorer. Such a move would not, he says "be popular because they all want to play". Moore did not elaborate on what would happen in that situation should the player concerned be needed on the field during a match.

League secretary Rod Watts, who is also an umpire, told the 'Mercury' that having two reliable scorers takes pressure off the umpires "because it means they do not have to check the scores so often".