Neil Bramwell Speaks Out

THE Lancashire League should have no trouble finding a sponsor when the current agreement with EW Cartons expires.

Every major computer software company will be clamouring for a slice of the action if new proposals are passed.

For every fan will need a calculator just to work out the result of the game.

A variety of moves have been proposed in order to restore the fading appeal of the league.

I think these measures could have just the opposite effect.

There was nothing wrong with the old league format of 46 overs per side.

The system for calculating rain-reduced targets needed an overhaul, but other principles were well founded.

Under the new plans, there are so many distracting side issues as to drown the actual cricket in a deluge of figures and sub-plots.

Obviously there are a number of positives to be extracted from the proposals.

Recommendations to limit bowlers' overs in the cup, restricting bowlers to 14 overs in the second XIs, starting earlier and not replaying washed-out games all make good sense.

But the other proposals are riddled with pitfalls.

One proposal limits the first innings to 55 overs in a game of 100 overs.

One of the failings of the league is that too many games are all but won or lost in the first few overs of the second innings when the batting side starts badly and decides a run chase is no longer feasible.

That is a result of the poor standards of a number of sides rather than a flaw in the rules of the competition. And allowing the chasing side just 45 overs compared to the 55 of the first innings will only increase the frequency of that scenario.

Another proposal is to scrap the minimum number of overs needed for a result in a rain-reduced game.

Do not complain, though, when a five over thrash-about settles the league title.

I think the proposed points system, 10 for a win, two for a draw and nothing for defeat is just about right as there has to be an incentive to hang on for the draw.

But the bonus points, only applicable for the second innings, need looking at again.

Pity the side batting second on a deteriorating wicket.

In any case, bonus points both reinforce the superiority of certain sides throughout a season and tend to encourage result wickets.

Let the best side win the title on the back of winning the most games.

These attempts to adapt in order to survive are founded on honest beliefs including the fact that too many games are tedious one-sided affairs.

But that is because there are too many poor sides in the league, not through any fault of the rules.

I fear the proposals are mere window dressing, obscuring more deep-seated shortcomings.

And, more worryingly, they could serve to alienate the league still further from potential spectators.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.