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

It is clear from the performance from the Barbados team that cricket selectors across the region have got to be more imaginative about the composition of their sides when choosing for the different formats of the game.

And the negative response from some quarters about the expense to pay Hampshire and Somerset to participate in the competition has again raised the question about the need for a professional league in the region.

First, it was very evident from the competition that some of our players are clearly not quite suited for the vagaries of the Twenty20 competition.

It was painful to watch our captain Ryan Hinds, easily the best batsman in the island right now, struggle to get ball off the square, and his subsequent failings with the bat.

Hinds should not be fully blamed, but rather the lack of imagination from the selection panel, and cricket administrators in general has placed in this highly undesirable position.

Cricket is one of the few sports in the World that has attracted more than one code of play. Of the others, football is the one that comes to mind to provide the proof that the selectors need to understand that they cannot just include a player every version of the sport.

In football, there is the traditional game, which is played on open fields, the indoor version called Futsal, and beach football.

Here’s the question: Other than maybe a charity match of some sort, has Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Fernando Torres, or any of the World’s leading players currently members of all three of their nation’s national sides in the three different formats? The answer is a resounding, “No!!!”

So why pray tell, do cricket selectors not only in the Caribbean, but around the World believe that they should pick the same people to service Tests, One-day Internationals, and Twenty20.

This is not to say that there are not batsmen that can easily adjust. One that comes to mind readily is the former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene, but Ricky Ponting has sworn off T20s for not only Australia, but also the lucrative Indian Premier League.

So we should beseech our selectors – both national and West Indies – to be far more creative and not believe that established Test players or first-class players like Hinds should be able to easily make the transition. It is a very, very difficult thing.

Secondly, the idea of a professional league in the region has been on the table for a long time, and the West Indies Cricket Board had even commissioned a feasibility study on the issue.

They were however, advised that a pro league at this time may not be a viable enterprise because of the global economic recession. Really?

Is it not a long held view that one of the best times to invest in an enterprise is during a recession?

Financial experts reason that the investor can buy-in when the market is low, and when the market recovers and stiffens, the investor can sell their interest, if they so choose, at a decent profit.

The WICB may have accepted the advice of the study’s author because they too, have discovered that the regional market is very weak, and business executives are not keen to part with the precious little they have.

But the WICB should be, and should have been advised to look outside of the Caribbean for investors in a pro league, considering that there are people in Britain, India, and Australia all looking to cash-in on this new wave of money in the game, particularly the T20 version.

The WICB has two directions in which they can move. They can either go the route, which they did with Allen Stanford, by franchising particular tournaments out to an investor for an annual fee, or they can establish a league with say six to eight franchises and invite bidders to buy them.

Either way, the WICB cannot lose, and one of the benefits is that the regional governing body would be off-the-hook for financing and managing the three major competitions, while collecting a tidy sum every year in franchise fees to finance other development projects.

They can now also fully focus of the West Indies team, and making it stronger and more competitive.

Less the territorial boards feel left out, their role would be to produce teams that play in development tournaments, like regional age-group tournaments from Under-13 through to Under-19.

These are exciting times in the game, and our administrators have got to start thinking creatively to change the downward spiral in which cricket has found itself in the island and the region.

Players, officials, fans, and the media have bemoaned the points system in place for the Championship over the last few years.

It is clear that the Barbados Cricket Association has tweaked the point allocations over the last few years – but they still have not gotten it correct.

For the naysayers, the current points system is nothing magical, or new. It is borrowed from the English County Championship, where it has worked extremely well for years now.

Teams and players in England have also tried to “game” the system, like some in Barbados, and administrators there have also had to revise it to make it airtight.

So there is nothing inherently wrong with the system, except that the BCA has copied it – and have done a poor job of implementation, as they have catered to the whims and the fancies of blinkered club officials, players, fans, and of course, us, the ultra-critical media.

To give a bit of background, the batting and bowling points system introduced by English cricket officials way back in 1968 to challenge teams to play more competitively and, indeed, attractively to fight for a win.

Back then, teams were given bonus points for their batting and bowling performance over the first 85 overs of each first innings. For batting, one point for each 25 runs above 150 scored, and for bowling, one point for each two wickets taken.

The English points system has undergone a series of reviews at the end of almost every season, so the BCA should not be too concerned that they have not settled on the right formula yet.

Following an ECB board meeting two Decembers ago, it was decided that effective from the start of the 2010 season, teams will receive 16 points for a win and three points each for a draw.

Bonus points remain unchanged (a maximum of three batting points and three bowling points available during each side’s first innings), but the threshold for achieving them was reduced to 110 overs from 120 overs two years ago.

This now brings us to the present, and with this understanding, the BCA should consider revising the current points system in Division 1 – again.

Though the points system in England is described as a “bonus points system”, it should not be misconstrued in this way in Barbados.

Instead, it should be viewed as a straight means to an end – to determine first innings points – and that’s it!

In fact, the points earned from the victory should really be contextualised as “bonus point”, since they are essentially awarded in addition to whatever earned over the course of the first innings.

As a result, the BCA should be advised that there is no need to allocate the 3-and-1 for first innings lead, as was done under the old points system.

This is defeating the whole purpose of establishing a first innings points system in the first place (pardon the pun and repetition), since teams have shown a willingness to settle for batting and bowling points, plus three first innings points, rather than push for an outright victory.

Another reason for the new points system was to eliminate the draw as much as possible without taking it completely out of the game, ensuring a far more competitive and attractive competition.

Keeping the 3-and-1 helps to keep the draw as a respectable result, and also creates the anomaly of some teams benefitting from getting more points than their opponents when they have lost, as happened last season.

It is recommended that the English version of allocating the same number of points to both teams when a match has ended in a draw is more balanced and fair.

Remember, the main aim of the introduction of this points system by administrators was to see higher levels of scoring by our teams, so the emphasis should be placed on runs scored, rather than wickets taken, since we have all accepted that teams are being dismissed too cheaply in the competition in recent times.

The BCA, therefore, should continue to award eight points through batting and bowling points, but they need to add a little twist to get the desired result, and make the system far more balanced.

It is, therefore, being recommended that they adopt the attached points system for next season’s Division 1 championship.

This should bring far greater clarity and parity to the batting and bowling point allocations, and make the Division 1 championship far more competitive.

REVISED DIVISION 1 POINTS SYSTEM

Proposed by Adriel “Woody” Richard

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

e.         First Innings Points (awarded only for performances in the first 75 overs of each first innings and retained whatever the result of the match):

(i)        A maximum of five batting points to be awarded as follows:

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 awarded as follows:

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 75 overs in their first innings, or completed their first innings before they had faced 75 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 75 overs in their first innings, or had previously completed their first innings after they had faced 75 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

h.         The team which has the highest aggregate of points gained at the end of the season shall be the Division 1 club champions. Should any sides in the Championship table be equal on points, the following tie-breakers will be applied in the order stated: most wins, fewest losses, team achieving most points in contests between teams level on points, most wickets taken, most runs scored.

For the second straight year, players, club officials, and spectators have been weighing-up the value of the promotion and demotion system, which the Barbados Cricket Association introduced from last year.

Having covered matches much closer than in previous years over the last couple of seasons, it has been discovered that there are as many proponents as they are opponents to the idea of promotion and demotion.

But the BCA should not slink away from its responsibility to rationalise its competition, since almost every major national sports association has been forced to do it over the last decade, some increasing, many decreasing, and the BCA should be no different.

Let’s be honest and face the truth, we simply do not have between 150 to 180 quality cricketers to feed what had become an intensely cumbersome, and mediocre Division 1 championship.

It is to be expected that many of the clubs, particularly some of the so-called shareholders, would not find comfort in the realities of promotion and demotion, but the way some sides have responded to the challenge this season is precisely why the BCA needed to make this bold move.

It was clear for a long time that there was urgent need for action, but successive BCA hierarchies never possessed the men with either the mental, abdominal, or testicular fortitude to make such a brave decision, so this group has to be greatly applauded, even though other crucial developmental areas remain untouched.

The BCA has indicated its aim is to reduce the number of teams in the Division 1 Championship to 10, but they should really cut the number to eight.

Making this suggestion will draw a response from players, officials, and fans similar to the national response to Chris Sinckler’s budget, or taking Buckley’s Cough Mixture when you are ill – it sounds/tastes awful, but let’s hope/it will work.

There are many are good reasons for the suggestion to reduce the number of teams to eight and not 10.

First, one of the best suggestions proposed for a long, long, long time was that the BCA should introduce a division higher than the Division 1.

In this way, they could elevate the most consistent eight teams over the last five to 10 years to that division, possibly called the Premier League, or Super League, or something more fanciful like the Super Eight Championship.

This would have mitigated against the backlash from clubs that may feel hurt by suffering the indignity (sic) of being demoted back into the Intermediate competition.

Secondly, the reduction to eight would then allow the BCA to further rationalise its competitions by creating far more streamlined divisions and zones, as well as eliminate the repetition of teams throughout the competition with the introduction of a Reserve Division, where the second XIs of all the clubs can play competitively.

In this regard, the BCA should also strongly consider removing individual school teams and the Barbados Youth (inter alia Combined Schools) from the Division 1, Intermediate, and Division 2 competitions.

This is another brave suggestion, and is also likely to meet stern resistance from the schools, as well as youth cricket aficionados.

The major reason behind this is that our clubs are suffering from a lack of players, and we need to find ways of creating a pool of players, not only to secure the short-term, but also long-term survival.

One way to fortify the clubs would be to allow schoolboys to play for their schools, i.e. in an enhanced Goddards Schools’ competition, and when they reach the age of 17, they should have the freedom to either remain with the school team, if they are still at school, or sign with a club through a Player Draft organised by the BCA, and similar in style to major pro sports leagues.

This arrangement would now place greater focus on the schools’ competition, which no one on the BCA’s board of management or operations should resist, and should help to make it more attractive and marketable.

It should also lead to less of a tug-o-war between the individual schools and the management of the Barbados Youth that has bedevilled this relationship over the years.

Thirdly, another significant reason for the reduction of teams in the top division to eight is this should allow the BCA to include in its annual budget, match fees/stipends for players.

Roughly speaking, something like $150-a-three day match, $75-a-Super Cup match, and $50-a-Twenty20 match would help to make the Division 1 competition more attractive for players financially.

It’s an expenditure that would cost the BCA close to $160,000 annually. Is that too much to spend on our players?

With weekly incentive awards from the corporate sector, this would also be another way to boost players’ interest and earnings.

At the risk of incurring the wrath of the goodly gentlemen that give-up their weekends to umpire matches, some of whom are greatly admired, it is excruciating to know that they, along with match referees are being paid fees/stipends, and the players, the main actors in this whole drama, walk away penniless.

This is unjust, and the BCA needs to act immediately to address this anomaly as soon as it is financially and humanly possible.

Another result of the reduction to the Super Eight is that the BCA would find it far easier to administer the top level of our cricket.

The season can be shortened for one thing, allowing the national team more time for preparation for regional competitions.

Since players are now being paid, the BCA could also introduce four-day matches, i.e. Saturday, Sunday, Saturday, Sunday, or could even switch to three straight days, i.e. Friday, Saturday, Sunday – all still over 75-to-80 overs.

The BCA can also now market the Super Eight more effectively, particularly the limited-overs competitions, which can be played at Kensington Oval under the lights.

In this regard, they should also consider reducing the Super Cup from 50 overs-a-side back to 40 overs-a-side, with two innings and substitutes, as it is currently being experimented in other jurisdictions.

One final word on the promotion and demotion of teams: If they were to introduce the Super Eight concept, the BCA should only promote teams into this competition on a biannual basis.

Annual promotion and demotion should be executed between Division 1, Intermediate, and Division 2, thus eliminating the complaint that has been rampant in the last couple of seasons about some clubs being ill-prepared for playing at the higher level.

They would now have an even opportunity to prepare themselves, and also to fight to remain in the top deck.

There have been several good suggestions put forward, and this is another attempt to put the issue under microscope, and make a recommendation of another structure for the WICB which can be considered.

Following studies of the structure of the other full members of the International Cricket Council, as well as other sports organizations inside and outside of the Caribbean, the best model for a reconstituted WICB – to be rechristened Cricket West Indies – would be one that is fully representative of all the nations under its umbrella.

This model would also allow associate and affiliate members to be part of the process of West Indies cricket, and to make their contribution to the management of the game in the Caribbean.

First, all 16 national cricket associations currently recognised by the WICB – i.e. Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Montserrat, Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, and United States Virgin Islands – should comprise the Active (Full) Membership of the WICB.

Secondly, all the other countries in the Caribbean – i.e. Aruba, Bahamas, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominican Republic, French Guyana, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Martinique, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico, St. Martin, Suriname, and Turks & Caicos Islands – should be invited to hold Associate Membership of the WICB.

Thirdly, all cricket-related associations and civil society organizations with a vested interest in West Indies cricket – e.g. West Indies Players Association, West Indies Cricket Umpires Association, West Indies Women’s Cricket Federation, Caribbean Community, and the University of the West Indies – should be invited to hold Affiliate Membership of the WICB.

Finally, all organizations willing to advance the cause of West Indies cricket, and commercial enterprises, specifically the several sponsors of West Indies cricket, should be invited to hold Honorary Membership.

With this structure in place, there is now a greater scope for accountability from the WICB, since the power will not rest in the hands of a few people, and it would also allow for a wider exchange of ideas.

All categories of members – except Honorary Members – will have the privilege to attend and to vote at all general meetings of the WICB, but only a delegate from one of the Active Members can hold the posts of President or Vice President.

A delegate from one of the Associate Members can hold no posts higher that that of Director on the Executive Committee.

Affiliate and Honorary Members will have no right to hold a position on the Executive Committee, except in an honorary capacity – i.e. ex-officio role – to allow the directors the freedom to co-opt them in specific cases. Additionally, Honorary Members have no voting rights.

All positions must be filled from the representatives of the countries attending the annual general meeting, or the special meeting called for the sole purpose of the election of officers and directors of the WICB, as is done in many other sports inside and outside the Caribbean.

Once an NCA representative is elected to a post on the WICB Executive, he can no longer serve on that NCA.

The Executive Committee of the WICB would comprise nine members, specifically a President, a Vice President, the Chief Executive Officer in the role of General Secretary, the Chief Financial Officer in the role of Treasurer, the Chief Operations Officer in the role of Director of Cricket, and four other independent directors.

The President and the Vice President can hold office for four years and no more than two terms, while the four directors will be elected on a rotational basis, with the two directors gaining the least votes under this new scheme up for re-election for a full four-year term after two years, and the two directors gaining the most votes under this new scheme up for a second term after four years.

The Executive Committee would meet no less than quarterly to discuss the affairs of the WICB, outline policy, and set targets for the staff working in the corporate headquarters in Antigua to attain from time-to-time.

The day-to-day business would be fully managed by the CEO with a full complement of staff to cover all the areas of operation, and this would help to decrease the micro-management of the WICB that is so prevalent today, so the tenor of its operations becomes more corporate.