It makes sense in many ways, but sceptical about a number of points. Ie NEDCL has a full compliment of umpires, would we ever see that again. Paid players, no longer playing overs cricket (major stumbling block), and the cost of fines which would bankrupt many NEDCL clubs.
Agree, it makes sense in many ways, so, lets do it.
Paid players is a scourge on all levels of cricket and if clubs want to pay "ordinary" players then, sadly, it is up to them, and if they go bankrupt then it is nobody's fault but their own. The same clubs cannot then claim that they cannot pay "fines". Just heard this week that one DCL club has had "money offers" made to 2 of their second team players from other DCL clubs !!
Agree with the fines comment, dock points not money from the clubs who do not have money to waste.
Still playing "overs cricket", just it is 95 instead of 90. Yes it does have the "draw" option and I still feel that cricket, at all levels, should place as much emphasis on taking 10 wickets as it does on scoring runs to win games.
As for the Umpires, yes the NEDCL has enough umpires but every other league is short. Share them out so all games get at least one qualified umpire.
I have no problem calling the merged league the NORTH EAST CRICKET LEAGUE, as it could attract clubs from just over the Durham borders, e.g Northumberland, Cleveland and even North Yorkshire.
Also would propose shorter games, 40 overs per side ?, for second team cricket, if that is what clubs would want ?
Get the debate moving, and for the good of local cricket sit down and talk sense with each other.
Do not have one club or one league digging their heels in and stopping progress. We saw what that did for the Durham Senior League.
