The Brigadiers of Block

There’s been some progression in the County this winter. New fielding restrictions have been introduced for the first five overs of the Harrison-Allen, postponed cup matches can now be played on Sundays if both sides agree and the 30 yard circle has been introduced for the first division; scanned copies of transfer forms are also permitted which certainly saves some hassle when players swap from club to club.

Having experienced the fielding restrictions in the Harrison-Allen at first hand on Tuesday evening it’s too early to say whether they will have made a huge difference to the way teams approach the competition, that may be noticed more in seasons to come but at least it shows a willingness to experiment in order to make the game more exciting.

It’s a shame such foresight can’t be expanded to the league where two matches last weekend  ended in draws despite the sides on the ‘losing end’ being shy by 123 and 78 runs respectively. Having not seen the games it’s difficult to comment on how the teams batting second approached the chase but if they went out with the sole intention of not losing then it makes a mockery of the rule.

In recent times tweaks to the draw rule have been announced in order to encourage teams to go for the win. According to the County handbook, rule 12 (c) states:

In the event of a draw at the end of whatever number of overs laid down as the full number  by Rule 13, fifteen (15) points will be available to be shared between both sides. The 15 points to be shared as ­follows:

-

The side batting second will receive:-

·         5 points if their total is within 10 runs of that of the side batting first;

·         4 points if their total is within 20 runs of that of the side batting first;

·         3 points if their total is within 30 runs of that of the side batting first;

·         2 points if their total is within 40 runs of that of the side batting first;

·         1 point if their total is within 50 runs of that of the side batting first;

Fair enough some might argue but if they don’t get within 50 runs should they be awarded a draw in the first instance? It’s certainly something that needs addressing sooner rather than later. It might not make a huge difference to the points teams are awarded but if you don’t get within a certain threshold why get anything from the game at all?

Detractors of win/lose cricket in league matches have many reasons for not introducing the format but even they must scoff at the notion of teams being awarded a draw for not trying to go for at least a share of the spoils.

The draw in cricket is one of the game’s idiosyncrasies that can make it appealing. Just cast you minds back to Jimmy Anderson and Monty Panesar’s heroics in Cardiff in the Ashes of 2009. For pure drama that rear-guard effort was as memorable as England’s win at Edgbaston in 2005 and is spoke about among supporters as an ‘I was there moment.’

That draw had heart-stopping drama where a single slip by the batsmen at the end would have meant losing the game. Sadly, the same can’t be said for the two draws mentioned earlier in this piece.

Cricket is a boring game according to many and in instances like that then it is, so why encourage it to be so when an easy solution can be found?

Team of the week

So, who were the star players in division one this week? Who would represent the county based on last week’s performances? The opening bowler spot goes to Adam James of Haverfordwest that’s for sure.

Not only is he capable of batting with Bothamesque brilliance he’s rumoured to be the quickest bowler in the County too and on Saturday he proved a little too hot to handle for St Ishmaels’ beleaguered batsmen with a 6-19 haul.

Stefan Jenkins of Cresselly also had a day to remember with 7-27 against Narberth so he can partner him at the other end.

Haverfordwest have some other players in there with Simon Holliday and Dai Davies joining the list (the later recovering well after a golden duck on his return to the club in the second week of games) but who else joins them?

1. Simon Holliday (Haverfordwest) 66 not out v St Ishmaels
2. Dai Davies (Haverfordwest) 61 v St Ishmaels
3. Jack Jones (Llanrhian) 49 v Saundersfoot
4. Paul Mansbrigde (Saundersfoot) 39 v Llanrhian
5. Simon Cole (Cresselly) 37 not out v Narberth
6. Andrew Miller (Neyland) 37 not out v Lawrenny
7. Nick Cope (Saundersfoot) 40 and 2-28 v Llanrhian
8. Gareth Davies (Llanrhian) 24 and 3-55 v Saundersfoot
9. Stefan Jenkins  (Cresselly) 7-22 v Narberth
10.  Adam James (Haverfordwest) 6-19 v St Ishmaels
11. Nathan Banner (Neyland) 4-10 v Lawrenny

Again no wicketkeeper makes the list based on performances so the gloves this week go to Andrew Miller as no doubt he’s the sort of player who could just put them on as though he was a regular.

It begs the question though; given keeping is such a specialised role, why are they not rewarded in the performances too? So, to all scorers out there if your keeper catches five and stumps three or performs heroics then add them to the list when you phone John Harries on a Saturday night.

After all, keeping is hard and people like Huw Scriven makes it look easy why can’t their good work be recognised as well?