The NATIONAL CRICKET LEAGUE is a proposed semi-professional men’s cricket league, which shall feature the top eight clubs in Barbados. If sanctioned by the Barbados Cricket Association, it would form the top tier of cricket in the island.
There shall be three competitions contested under the NCL, under the three different versions of the game: three-day; a One-day, 40/50 overs-a-side; and Twenty20.
The NCL is not meant to be a traditional competition, so a number of innovations are being proposed to try to make the game more exciting for clubs, players and spectators; attractive for sponsors; and marketable for potential broadcast partners.
SUPER EIGHT TROPHY CHAMPIONSHIP
Format
The NCL Super Eight Championship comprises a total of 41 matches
Matches of three days duration with a minimum of 80 overs a day (calculated @ 3 mins, 45 secs an over)
Each side shall have a maximum of 120 overs available for the match
The first innings of each side shall be restricted to a maximum of 80 overs
The second innings of each side shall be restricted to a maximum of 40 overs plus any overs resulting from (a) or (b) below:
(a) If a side is dismissed in the first innings or declares its first innings closed prior to the completion of 10 overs, the remaining overs shall be added to the second innings of that side, and
(b) If a side is dismissed in the second innings or declares its second innings closed prior to the completion of the maximum available overs, the remaining overs shall be added to the second innings of the other side.
No overs shall be lost for the change of innings
Preliminary rounds
Eight teams equally divided into two groups play under a non-elimination format
Teams to be grouped according to previous year’s position, with Group-A comprising 1st, 4th, 5th, 8th; and Group-B consisting 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th
Teams shall be seeded according to previous year’s position to determine their group:
(a) The previous year’s champions shall be ranked Team 1
(b) The runners-up shall be ranked Team 2
(c) The remaining teams are seeded according to the previous year’s preliminary competition points, with the team with the highest number of points ranked Team 3, the team with the second highest number of points becoming Team 4, and so on
(d) The promoted side shall be ranked Team 8
(e) The tie-breaker rule for the competition to determine final placings when two or more teams have the same number of points
Each team shall play 10 matches during the preliminary rounds, including at least five home matches
Each team in Group-A shall play each of the other teams in Group-A twice on a home-and-away basis, plus each team in Group-B once
Each team in Group-B shall play each of the other teams in Group-B twice on a home-and-away basis, plus each team in Group-A once
The Grand Final
The Grand Final shall be contested between the teams with the highest number of points from each group
If teams are even on points at the conclusion of the preliminary rounds, the right to play in the Grand Final shall be decided in the following order of priority:
(i) The team with the most wins
(ii) The team with the highest net run rate, calculated to three decimal places
(iii) The team with the higher number of wickets per balls bowled, calculated to three decimal places
(iv) The team which was the winner of the head-to-head match played between them
(v) The drawing of lots
The Grand Final shall be staged at Kensington Oval
The Champions shall be the side that wins the Grand Final outright, OR accumulates the most points in the match
Playing Times
Day matches = 12:00-14:30 & 15:00-17:30
Day/night matches = 15:00-17:30 & 18:00-20:30
Scoring of Points
a. Where a match is completed, the winning team shall be awarded 8 points, plus any points scored in the first innings
b. Where a match is completed in equal scores, each team shall be awarded 4 points, plus any points scored in the first innings
c. Where a match is drawn, each team shall be awarded 2 points, plus any points scored in the first innings (see also paragraph f)
d. Where the scores are equal in a drawn match, the team batting in the fourth innings shall be awarded 4 points, plus any points scored in the first innings; and the team fielding in the fourth innings shall be awarded 2 points, plus any points scored in the first innings, if that team led on first innings
e. First Innings Points (awarded only for performances in the full 80 overs of each first innings and retained whatever the result of the match):
(i) A maximum of five batting points to be available as under:
2 points = 200 runs
3 points = 201 to 250 runs
4 points = 251 to 300 runs
5 points = 301 runs or more
(ii) A maximum of three bowling points to be available as under:
2 points = 7-to-9 wickets taken
3 points = 10 wickets taken
For the avoidance of doubt, “wickets taken” shall relate exclusively to batsmen dismissed under Laws 30 to 39 inclusive and to batsmen retired out.
If penalty runs are awarded to a team which at that time had faced less than 80 overs in their first innings, or completed their first innings before they had faced 80 overs, those penalty runs will be considered as counting towards the total as far as the award of batting and bowling points is concerned.
If penalty runs are awarded to a team which had already faced 80 overs in their first innings, or had previously completed their first innings after they had faced 80 overs, those penalty runs will not be considered as counting towards the total as far as the award of batting and bowling points is concerned.
f. Where play starts with less than five hours of playing time remaining (in which event the first innings of each side shall automatically be forfeited and a one innings match shall be played), no first innings points shall be scored.
The side winning on the one innings shall be awarded 8 points. In a tie, each side shall be awarded 4 points. In a drawn match, each side shall be awarded 2 points. If the scores are equal in a drawn match, the side batting in the second innings shall be awarded 4 points and the opposing side shall be awarded 2 points.
g. Where a match abandoned without a ball being bowled, each side shall be awarded 2 points
Explanations of innovations
-Format similar to most modern professional sports leagues, which supports cross conference play, and ensures all teams still get to play each other
-The format also provides a meaningful pathway to get to a final, which should be the showpiece of the competition
-The format also provides a high number of matches that would also make the experience of playing the game at a high level nationally very meaningful
-Introduction of a final also gives teams something for which to aim
-Restrictions on overs is drawn from an experiment with the Cricket Australia Futures League
-Restrictions on overs should make matches more spectator friendly, since public has shown greater interest in limited-overs type cricket; it keeps the teams and the spectators in the game
-First innings points awarded to make teams play more competitively
-Introduction of day/night matches allows further experiments with the pink cricket ball
-Every side should be allowed at least one match during the season to play under the lights
SUPER CUP ONE-DAY CHAMPIONSHIP
Format
The NCL One-day Championship comprises a total of 33 matches
OPTION-A: Matches of one-day’s duration with a minimum of 50 overs-a-side, split into two new innings of 25 overs (calculated @ 4 mins an over), OR
OPTION-B: Matches of one-day’s duration with a minimum of 40 overs-a-side, split into two new innings of 20 overs (calculated @ 4 mins an over)
Matches shall be played between two sides, each of 12 players
Only 11 players shall be permitted to bat in each innings
Only 11 players shall be permitted to field at any one time
All 12 players may bat in the match
One bowler can deliver 12 overs
Two bouncers-an-over are permitted
A new ball at the start of each innings
No Power Plays
Field restrictions apply for only the first six overs in each innings in 40 overs-a-side
Field restrictions apply for only the first eight overs in each innings in 50 overs-a-side
Preliminary competition
Eight teams equally divided into two groups play under a non-elimination format
Teams to be grouped according to previous year’s position, with Group-A comprising 1st, 4th, 5th, 8th; and Group-B consisting 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th
Teams shall be seeded according to previous year’s position to determine their group:
(a) The champions, or the highest placed finisher, shall be ranked Team 1
(b) The runners-up, or the next highest placed finisher, shall be ranked Team 2
(c) The Final Four losers seeded according to the previous year’s preliminary competition points, or the next highest placed finishers, shall be ranked Teams 3 and 4
(d) The remaining teams are seeded according to the previous year’s preliminary competition points, or the next highest placed finishers, shall be ranked Teams 5, 6, and 7
(e) The promoted side shall be ranked Team 8
(f) The tie-breaker rule for the competition to determine final placings when two or more teams have the same number of points
Each team shall play six matches during the preliminary rounds, including at least three home matches during the preliminary rounds
Each team in Group-A shall play each of the other teams in Group-A twice on a home-and-away basis
Each team in Group-B shall play each of the other teams in Group-B twice on a home-and-away basis
Generally, all matches shall be played on Sundays
Final Four Playoff Series
Four teams qualify for the semi-finals (“The Final Four”), or the playoffs
Following the preliminary matches, the two teams from each group with the highest number of points shall progress to the Final Four
If teams are even on points at the conclusion of the round robin, the right to play in the Final Four Play-off Series shall be decided in the following order of priority:
(i) The team with the most wins
(ii) The team with the highest net run rate, calculated to three decimal places
(iii) The team with the higher number of wickets per balls bowled, calculated to three decimal places
(iv) The team which was the winner of the head-to-head match played between them
(v) The drawing of lots
Any points gained from the result of the match between the two sides progressing from the same conference shall be carried forward to the Final Four series
Each team will play four matches during the Final Four Play-off Series
Each team shall play each of the teams from the other group twice
All matches are day/night fixtures and can be contested at either Kensington Oval and/or Three Ws Oval
Grand Final
The Grand Final (day/night) shall be contested at Kensington Oval between the two teams in the Final Four with the highest number of points
The tie-breaker rule for the competition to determine final placings when two or more teams have the same number of points
Two reserve days shall be allocated for the match in case of inclement weather, NOTE: Reserve days may be midweek days
The first reserve day to restart the match; and the second reserve day for the match to be completed – not restarted
Competition Points
a. Where a match is completed, the winning team shall be awarded 4 points, plus any points scored in the first innings
b. Where a match is completed in equal scores, each team shall be awarded 2 points, plus any points scored in the first innings
c. First Innings Points (retained whatever the result of the match):
(i) A maximum of two batting points to be available as under:
1 point = 151 to 175 runs
2 points = 176 runs or more
(ii) A maximum of two bowling points to be available as under:
1 point = 7 to 8 wickets taken
2 points = 9 to 10 wickets taken
For the avoidance of doubt, “wickets taken” shall relate exclusively to batsmen dismissed under Laws 30 to 39 inclusive and to batsmen retired out.
Penalty runs will be considered as counting towards the total as far as the award of batting and bowling points is concerned.
d. Where play starts with less than two hours of playing time remaining (in which event the first innings of each side shall automatically be forfeited and a one innings match shall be played), no first innings points shall be scored.
The side winning on the one innings shall be awarded 4 points. In a tie, each side shall be awarded 2 points.
e. Where a match is abandoned without a conclusive result, each side shall be awarded 1 point
Playing Times
OPTION-A (25-over innings)
Day matches = 10:00-11:40, 11:50-13:30, 14:00-15:40, 15:50-17:30
Day/night matches = 14:00-15:40, 15:50-17:30, 18:00-19:40, 19:50-21:30
OPTION-B (20-over innings)
Day matches = 11:00-12:20, 12:30-13:50, 14:10-15:30, 15:40-17:00
Day/night matches = 16:00-17:20, 17:30-18:50, 19:10-20:30, 20:40-22:00
Explanations of innovations
-Format keeps traditional formats, but introduces return matches to give players greater exposure to this version of the limited-overs game
-The format also provides a meaningful pathway to get to a final, which should be the showpiece of the competition
-The format also provide a high number of matches that would also make the experience of playing the game at a high level nationally very meaningful
-Round-robin semi-finals guarantee more competitive matches, and indicate to the public that the best teams played hard enough to reach the Grand Final
-50 overs and split innings follows the Worldwide experiments, which are trying to make this version of the game more spectator and TV friendly; it is essentially a little more than two T20 matches in one
-Two-innings match similar to a first-class match allows the best batsmen to appear more than once in the game, and creates excitement to keep the crowds and the viewers entertained
-Time allowance makes the game more TV friendly, allowing it to fit into a similar pocket as two T20 matches scheduled for the same day
-12 players a side, as well as 12 overs for one bowler allow teams to deploy resources to make the match more competitive
-Two bouncers-an-over brings bowlers back into the match
-First innings points replaces the bonus point rules now in place for most international competitions
SUPER20 BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP
Format
The NCL Super20 Championship comprises a total of 17 games
Matches of one-day’s duration with a minimum of 20 overs-a-side (calculated @ 3 mins, 45 secs an over)
Preliminary competition
Eight teams equally divided into two groups play under a non-elimination format
Teams to be grouped according to previous year’s position, with Group-A comprising 1st, 4th, 5th, 8th; and Group-B consisting 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th
Teams shall be seeded according to previous year’s position to determine their group:
(a) The champions, or the highest placed finisher, shall be ranked Team 1
(b) The runners-up, or the next highest placed finisher, shall be ranked Team 2
(c) The Final Four losers seeded according to the previous year’s preliminary competition points, or the next highest placed finishers, shall be ranked Teams 3 and 4
(d) The remaining teams are seeded according to the previous year’s preliminary competition points, or the next highest placed finishers, shall be ranked Teams 5, 6, and 7
(e) The promoted side shall be ranked Team 8
(f) The tie-breaker rule for the competition to determine final placings when two or more teams have the same number of points
Each team shall play three matches during the preliminary round
Each team in Group-A shall play each of the other teams in Group-A
Each team in Group -B shall play each of the other teams in Group -B
Generally, all matches shall be played on Fridays (x1), Saturdays (x2), and Sundays (x1) either at Kensington Oval and/or Three Ws Oval
Final Four
Final Four berths shall be determined by points in the standings upon completion of the preliminary competition
The four teams with the highest number of points, regardless of group, will contest the Final Four
If teams are even on points at the conclusion of the round robin, the right to play in the Final Four Play-off Series shall be decided in the following order of priority:
(i) The team with the most wins
(ii) The team with the highest net run rate, calculated to three decimal places
(iii) The team with the higher number of wickets per balls bowled, calculated to three decimal places
(iv) The team which was the winner of the head-to-head match played between them
(v) The drawing of lots
Teams shall be seeded after the round robin games according to competition points, with the team with the highest number of points becoming Team 1 in the Final Four and so on
The Final Four shall feature Team 1 vs Team 4, and Team 2 vs Team 3 in single elimination matches
Best-of-Three Finals
The Twenty20 Championship shall conclude with Best-of-Three Finals at Kensington Oval featuring the two teams that won the two Final Four matches
Playing Times
Fridays (20:00-21:15 & 21:30-22:45)
Saturdays (16:00-17:15 & 17:30-18:45, AND 20:00-21:15 & 21:30-22:45)
Sundays (16:00-17:15 & 17:30-18:45)
Competition Points
Win = 4 points
Tie = 2 points
No result = 1 point
Loss = 0 points
There are no batting and bowling points in the Twenty20 Championship
Explanations for innovations
-Twenty20 is already an attractive format and needs little or no innovations
-Format keeps the tournament short and sharp in keeping with most T20 competitions around the World
-The format also provides a meaningful pathway to get to the Finals, which should be the showpiece of the competition
-The format also provide a high number of matches that would also make the experience of playing the game at a high level nationally very meaningful
PROPOSED MATCH FEES/PRIZE MOENY
NCL TROPHY
Players paid a match fee of BDS $150 (20 per cent premium for captains)
Maximum of 12 players remunerated
Suggested prize money structure (Total team prize money = BDS $20,000)
Each member of winning 11 = BDS $1,000 + Championship rings + Trophy
Substitutes on winning side share = BDS $1,000
Management team on winning side shares = BDS $1,000
Each club in the Final = BDS $2,500
NCL CUP
Players paid a match fee of BDS $75 (20 per cent premium for captains)
Maximum of 13 players remunerated
Suggested prize money structure (Total team prize money = BDS $15,000)
Tournament winners = BDS $6,000 to the players + gold medals + BDS $4,000 for club + Cup
Tournament runners-up = BDS $3,000 to the players + silver medals + BDS $2,000 for club
NCL BOWL
Players paid a match fee of BDS $50 (20 per cent premium for captains)
Maximum of 12 players remunerated
Suggested prize money structure (Total team prize money = BDS $12,000)
Tournament winners = BDS $4,500 to the players + gold medals + BDS $2,500 for club + Bowl
Tournament runners-up= BDS $3,500 to the players + silver medals + BDS $1,500 for club
Explanations for prize structure
Prize money has been structured to emphasise to the clubs and the players the primacy of the three-day competition over the shorter versions of the game
The introduction of match fees takes the NCL into the realm of semi-professional
Please note, this match fee structure is not set for perpetuity, but this is a starting point to get the NCL moving in the right direction
Match fees and all prize money shall be reviewed every year to ensure players and clubs are getting the benefits
FOREIGN PLAYER DRAFT (aka “Marquee Player Draft”)
To increase the competitiveness in the NCL, teams shall be allowed the use of a maximum 2 foreign players, also known as “Marquee Players”, in their final selections
Any player that is neither a citizen, a permanent resident (work permit holder), nor the holder of other special status (e.g. refugee, asylum status) in Barbados shall be deemed “a foreign player”
The foreign player system shall be operated on a restricted free agent basis, where foreign players new to the NCL shall be bound to a club for a minimum of two seasons, after which they are free to be signed with any club
Foreign players shall be centrally contracted through the Barbados Cricket Association
The BCA shall be responsible for match fees, a round trip ticket to the foreign players’ country of residence, accommodation on a case-by-case basis, and medical expenses
Clubs shall be responsible for meals for foreign players on a case-by-case basis
Foreign players shall be expected to arrive in the island no less than 10 days before the start of the season
Foreign players shall be assigned to clubs via a draft system in order to maintain balance in the competition
The Foreign Player Draft shall take place no later than 90 days before the scheduled start of the new season
The selection order shall be determined by the club’s mean final position in the NCL from the previous season
Any promoted club always gets first pick
To determine the clubs’ mean final position in the NCL from the previous season:
(i) Teams are ranked under the seeding rule of each competition
(ii) The final position of each club in each competition is added together and divided by three
(iii) The result of the division is described as the “mean final position” of the club, which is used to determine its selection order
The club with the highest mean final position shall get second pick; the club with the second highest mean final position shall get third pick; and so on until all foreign players are assigned
Clubs are not required to participate in the Draft
Recommended standard match fees for all foreign players are as follows:
(a) For first-class or List-A players only
Trophy: US $150-a-match
Cup: US $75-a-match
Bowl: US $50-a-match
(b) For Test, One-day, or Twenty20 International players
Trophy: US $500-a-match
Cup: US $250-a-match
Bowl: US $150-a-match
Foreign players can also be assigned to clubs via a lottery process
Any club assigned a foreign player through the lottery in any particular season shall not be assigned another lottery player that season unless and until all clubs have received a lottery player, or have agreed to waive their option to participate in a lottery
Only foreign players not signed with the NCL through the BCA prior to the Draft shall be assigned through the lottery
Clubs are not required to participate in the lottery
Foreign players are assigned via the lottery system in order to prevent a player from potentially influencing his destination club
PROPOSED DATES
*Indicative of a 2011 season
This schedule illustrates that the season can be accommodated with relative ease. Some weekdays have been utilised to ensure the season reaches a climax either on, or before a target date of Independence Day, November 30, with the high-octane Twenty20 competition bringing a rousing conclusion to the season, appropriately on a day the island celebrates all things that make us proud to be Barbadians, among them our proud cricket heritage.
The introduction of a few weekday One-day and Twenty20 matches is also an innovation, which seeks to build on the interest generated by other minor, local competitions. This also allows the competitions to be scheduled in a way that would afford the national selectors more than enough time to identify prospects for the national team, in keeping with the current schedule of competitions under the auspices of the West Indies Cricket Board.
TROPHY R1 – May 7, 14, 15
CUP R1 – May 8
TROPHY R2 – May 21, 28, 29
CUP R2 – May 22
TROPHY R3 – Jun 4, 11, 12
CUP R3 – Jun 5
TROPHY R4 – Jun 18, 25, 26
CUP R4 – Jun 19
TROPHY R5 – Jul 2, 9, 10
CUP R5 – Jul 3
TROPHY R6 – 16, 23, 24
CUP R6 – Jul 17
MID-SEASON BREAK – Jul 30, 31
CUP SEMIS – Aug 5, 7, 12, 14
TROPHY R7 – 20, 27, 28
CUP FINAL – Aug 21
TROPHY R8 – Sep 3, 10, 11
CUP FINAL RESERVE DAYS – Sep 4, 5
TROPHY R9 – Sep 17, 24, 25
TROPHY R10 – Oct 1, 8, 9
TROPHY FINAL – Oct 15, 22, 23
BOWL R1 – Oct 28, 29, 30
BOWL R2 – Nov 4, 5, 6
BOWL R3 – Nov 11, 12, 13
BOWL SEMIS – Nov 19
BOWL FINALS (d/n) – 25, 27, 30
