Hopefully everyone is aware by now that Earlswood 1s and 2s will be playing in Division 1 and Division 6 of the Warwickshire League this season. There are 17 divisions in the league with regional splits from Division 8 downwards.

Our 1s will play in Division 1, just one division below the top division (Premier), from where promotion to the Birmingham League can be achieved.

Each of our sides is in a division of 12 teams playing home and away on Saturdays from 22nd April to 9th September plus one game each on the August Bank Holiday Monday. Promotion and relegation is usually on a two up and two down basis but sometimes changes based on teams folding, new clubs entering and the number of Warwickshire clubs being relegated from the Birmingham League. It is sometimes restricted based on clubs not reaching sufficient ground and facilities standards appropriate to the level of cricket.

There is a large panel of neutral umpires and the 1s will get two umpires for each game whilst the 2s may get the odd one during the season. The Warwickshire League has a comprehensive website (www.warcricket.org) where all results, up-to-date tables and sometimes complete scorecards can be viewed within a couple of hours of games finishing.

[Note - the Play-Cricket to Pitchero intergration also allows us to see fixtures, results and the league table within our team pages]

Since its inception, Warwickshire League matches have been based on a 100 over game with a maximum of 50 overs for the team batting first. A win can only be achieved by the team batting second scoring more runs than the team batting first or by the team batting second being bowled out. Highlights of the points system are outlined below :-

• Win 24 points (except where a team win toss and win batting second – 20 points)
• Lose 0 points
• Winning Draw 10 points (where the team batting second is not bowled out, the run rate determines which team earns the winning draw – weather interruptions and declarations affect this but under normal circumstances a team batting second cannot achieve a winning draw)
• Losing Draw 2 points (this can be increased to 4 points if 75% or more of the opposition runs are scored
• Tie (or Draw with scores equal) 10 points
• Batting Bonus Points – maximum of 4 at 125, 150, 175 and 200
• Bowling Bonus Points – maximum of 4 at 3, 5, 7 and 9 wickets
• Bonus points apply in all circumstances except win

Each bowler is allowed a maximum of 12 overs and a 30 yard fielding circle applies throughout the game. New rules for leg side wides have been introduced for 2017 with any ball travelling down the legside to be called a wide.

Please note for 2017 the Warwickshire League are running a trial in the Premier and First Division only where 50% of the games will be 50 over a side straight win / lose matches.

More information on all of the above can be found in the various documents available on the Warwickshire League website. Particular attention should be given to the Player’s Charter which all prospective players should take note of before the season begins.

Ian Hughes