Statement by North East Premier League on the resumption of NEPL Cricket for The 2020 Season

By NEPL Editor

The League Management Committee (LMC) met on 8 July shortly after the ECB had issued their document, 'ECB Return to Cricket Plan for Step 4.

The LMC was therefore able to take into account our governing body’s guidance and requirements. The ECB ACO has also issued guidance for umpires and scorers. Subsequently the ECB has issued a Q&A document providing clarification on various issues raised in its document.

The adaptations for the game required by the ECB allow 11 a-side matches to return within ‘bubbles’ of 30 participants that includes players, coaches and officials. Crucially during matches social distancing of 1m+ is permitted, allowing wicketkeepers to stand up to the stumps and slip cordons to be deployed. Other on-field adaptations include running lines for batsmen being marked on the square, no sweat or saliva being applied to the ball, ‘hygiene’ breaks every 6 overs or every 20 minutes whichever is the sooner and at any drinks breaks and umpires to have no contact with the ball or players’ clothing. The LMC considered that these adaptations were acceptable allowing NEPL cricket to resume.

All Clubs will need to study carefully the ECB and ECB ACO documents in planning for matches on their grounds. As previously indicated the NEPL will be requiring Clubs to complete a Covid-19 Risk Assessment before any NEPL match can be played at their grounds. The risk assessments will need to pay particular attention to the requirements and guidance in the ECB and ECB ACO documents. Further guidance will be issued soon to Clubs.

At the meeting the LMC thoroughly debated various options for NEPL competitions. The decisions made (including competitions, start dates, length of matches etc) took into account a wide variety of unique circumstances that apply for the remainder of this season whether from the Covid-19 pandemic or other factors, including the following.

- continuing restrictions on travel and the desirability therefore of minimising the length of journeys to matches as far as practicable,
- ground preparation and availability,
- pressure on grounds that need to make provision not just for NEPL matches but also junior matches, women and girls matches, senior and junior practice, All Stars Cricket, festivals etc.,
- the additional time required during matches for hygiene breaks and possibly other factors associated with Covid-19,
- the need to travel to and from matches changed,
- the possibility of wet weather interruptions during matches and the resulting need for shelter,
- the reduced numbers of umpires able and willing to stand,
- the logistics of finalising competitions, fixtures, playing conditions, player registration, Play Cricket issues etc. and,
- the need to allow time for the League and Clubs to do all that will be required to plan for the safe resumption of NEPL cricket.

The possibility of playing half a season of league cricket starting on 18/19 July and continuing until 19/20 September was again considered but the main factors in discounting this were that not all grounds would be available on each of these weekends and the length of journeys for some matches would be excessive bearing in mind the continuing restrictions on travel. The possibility of playing longer matches and additional midweek cup competitions was also considered but for the various reasons set out above it was decided not to do these.

Having regard to all these factors the LMC agreed the following:

1. For 1st XIs a Banks Salver competition with 24 Clubs in geographic groups with 8 teams in each group and each team playing 7 group matches. Durham Cricket Academy will take the place of Shotley Bridge. Most group matches will be played on Saturdays starting on 25 July with the final Group matches being played on Bank Holiday Monday 31 August. Durham Cricket Academy will play their matches on Sundays starting 19 July against Sacriston and ending on 30 August. Rules related to DCA’s participation will be circulated later but DCA will not be able to qualify for the quarterfinal stage of the competition. Quarter finals comprising the 3 winners, 3 runners-up and best two third placed teams will be played 5/6 September, semi finals 12/13 September and the final will be played on 19/20 September. All teams not qualifying for the quarter finals will compete in a plate competition to be played over the same three weekends in September, the details of which will be advised later. Matches will be 40 overs each innings, starting at noon (DCA matches to start at 1pm) and played in coloured clothing with orange balls.

2. For 2nd XIs a Banks Bowl competition with 22 Clubs in geographic groups with 8 teams in one group (each team playing 7 group matches) and 7 teams in two groups (each team playing 6 group matches). Blaydon and Shotley Bridge will not take part in the competition. Most group matches will be played on Saturdays starting on 25 July with the final Group matches being played on Bank Holiday Monday 31 August. Quarter finals comprising the 3 winners, 3 runners-up and best two third placed teams will be played 5/6 September, semi finals 12/13 September and the final will be played on 19/20 September. All teams not qualifying for the quarter finals will compete in a plate competition to be played over the same three weekends in September, the details of which will be advised later. Matches will be 40 overs each innings, starting at noon and played in white clothing with red balls.

3. For 3rd / Academy XIs a Banks Cup competition with 21 Clubs in geographic groups with 7 teams in each group and each team playing 6 group matches. South Shields will play in the competition. In addition to Shotley Bridge, Ashington, Burnopfield and Castle Eden will not take part. All group matches will be played on Sundays starting on 26 July with the final Group matches being played on Sunday 31 August. Quarter finals comprising the 3 winners, 3 runners-up and best two third placed teams will be played 5/6 September, semi finals 12/13 September and the final will be played on 19/20 September. All teams not qualifying for the quarter finals will compete in a plate competition to be played over the same three weekends in September, the details of which will be advised later. Matches will be 35 overs each innings, starting at 1.30pm and played in white clothing with red balls.

4. A Banks Shield competition will be arranged for the 7 Midweek League Clubs (Boldon, Chester-le-Street, Gateshead Fell, Philadelphia, Sacriston, Washington and Whitburn) who have decided to enter. Those Clubs will be advised of the arrangements as soon as possible.

5. An U15 competition will be arranged for those NEPL Clubs (plus South Shields) who choose to enter. At this stage a number of Clubs have confirmed entry, a number have declined and a number have reserved their position pending details of the fixtures to be arranged by the two County Cricket Boards. Iain Bestford will contact all Clubs to confirm participation and advise of proposals as soon as possible.

The playing conditions including points to be awarded for the various matches are currently being reviewed and will be circulated to Clubs and umpires as soon as possible. The intention will be to use as closely as possible the playing conditions for certain competitions as set out in the 2020 handbook with any changes to these rules set out on a couple of sheets of paper. Similarly any changes to other NEPL regulations, e.g. the Disciplinary Regulations, will be set out on these sheets.

The situation regarding umpires is that we expect to provide a minimum of 1 umpire to each NEPL match. We have quite a large number of umpires on the Panel who are unable to umpire this season for health reasons associated with Covid-19. The appointment of umpires will reflect the level of the match and the experience of the umpires. We have a number of new umpires on the Panel and the aim will be to try ensure that they do not umpire on their own but stand with an experienced colleague. So it may be that a 2nd XI match will have two umpires but a 1st XI match on the same day only has one umpire. Harry Stephenson and his appointing colleagues will do their best to ensure that all Clubs are treated fairly. Further information will be issued as soon as possible.

We know that we will not be able to satisfy the desires or expectations of all Clubs or all players. Even before we issue these proposals we are aware that some players are already making comparisons with what they think our proposals might be and what other leagues are
proposing to do. We seek to make no comment on what other leagues are doing but we do know that what we are proposing is similar to many Premier Leagues across England and we believe that it reflects what is safe and achievable given our circumstances in the NEPL.

The groups for the Banks Salver, Banks Bowl and Banks Cup will be as follows and fixtures should be available not later than 13 July 2020

Banks Salver (DCA playing instead of Shotley Bridge)

North Group: Ashington, Benwell Hill, Blaydon, Felling, Gateshead Fell, Newcastle, South Northumberland and Tynemouth

East Group: Boldon, Burnmoor, Castle Eden, Eppleton, Hetton Lyons, Philadelphia, Sunderland and Whitburn

West Group: Burnopfield, Durham Cricket Academy, Chester-le-Street, Crook Town, Lanchester, Sacriston, Washington and Willington

Banks Bowl (Blaydon and Shotley Bridge not playing)

North Group: Ashington, Benwell Hill, Felling, Gateshead Fell, Newcastle, South Northumberland and Tynemouth

East Group: Boldon, Burnmoor, Castle Eden, Eppleton, Hetton Lyons, Philadelphia, Sunderland and Whitburn

West Group: Burnopfield, Chester-le-Street, Crook Town, Lanchester, Sacriston, Washington and Willington

Banks Cup (Ashington, Burnopfield, Castle Eden and Shotley Bridge not playing. South Shields playing)

North Group: Benwell Hill, Blaydon, Felling, Gateshead Fell, Newcastle, South Northumberland and Tynemouth

East Group: Boldon, Eppleton, Hetton Lyons, Philadelphia, South Shields, Sunderland and Whitburn

West Group: Burnmoor, Chester-le-Street, Crook Town, Lanchester, Sacriston, Washington and Willington

NEPL LMC 10 July 2020

Where next?

NEPL Round Up: Week 1 The group stages of the Banks Salver saw cricket return to the North East this weekend.
ECB statement for Counties and Premier Leagues – June 19th The Secretary of State's message on Tuesday evening outlined plans for earmarking an early July date as being the earliest possible return for recreational cricket.

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