Cricket Update November 2024
Prior to the AGM on Tuesday November 26th 7.30 start this is an update on the cricket leagues
1) EAPL Fixtures have been agreed and these are I assume on the website. I have a copy.
2) Saffron Walden have been replaced by Downham Market
3) Two Counties League I attended the AGM on Tuesday October 14th.
To summaries what is relevant to Bury St Edmunds the ball trial for Division 2 clubs was inconclusive so the league will stay with the existing ball. 1300 fixtures were provided in the league during 2024
Next season starts on April 19th (Easter Sunday) and finishes on September 13th. Lakenheath who are in Division 9 (west) were re-elected despite conceding 10 games. There is a rule change which might help Division 9 allowing a loan player to take part from another Division 9 club. It was stated the management committee needed to agree a loan in advance, I queried this as it was unworkable since often a loan would be last minute, I also stated in answer to a comment from a league member to some amusement that a club is very unlikely to loan their best player!
There were 60 fines during the season (none for BSECC) Two new clubs were elected BT Waldingfield who will play at Old Newton and Dedham. There was a report from Essex Cricket Board and some discussion on the challenge of incorporating women and ladies’ teams. The County Grant Scheme will continue (We received £8,000 toward the new nets last year)
Bury St Edmunds 2nd team will remain in Division 2 with Relegated clubs Mistley and Witham 2nds plus Kelvedon and Feering, Kesgrave, Dunmow, Felixstowe, Copdock 2nds Woolpit 2nds Haverhill plus promoted clubs Abberton and Sudbury 2nds.
Bury’s 3rd team will be in Division 6 along with relegated clubs Abberton 2nds, Stowupland, Melton St Audrys, West Mersea, Mildenhall 4th, East Bergholt 2nds, Felixstowe 2nds Kesgrave 2nds and promoted clubs IPSCOL and Braintree 2nds.
Bury’s 4th team will be in Division 9 West not sure of the full league but Tuddenham 2nd, Haverhill 3rds, Woolpit 4th, Mildenhall 5ths Worlington 3rds and Lakenheath 2nds are all likely to be with us.

4) Hunts Bats Sunday League AGM held at Bury St Edmunds on Wednesday October 30th.
Three teams have been elected to the league for 2025 these are Hadleigh 2nds, Haverhill 2nds and Brockley 2nds the league will consist of 43 teams 8 clubs in Divisions 1 and 2 and 9 clubs in Divisions 3, 4 and 5. It was reported that results and pitch score must be texted by the away team by Monday 12 noon and the home team need to place the full result on playcricket by Wednesday 12 noon this is a full scorecard with a player of the match highlighted in the box.
It must be remembered that any blue lines used in a previous match are not in force on Sundays and need to be ignored.
Cups were presented to the league winners Copdock, Tendring Park, Newmarket, Melton St Audry’s and Battisford. Newmarket won the £250 Team of Season award.
The Les Francis award was presented to Gerald Artindale of Woolpit for his outstanding contribution to the league.
Leagues for next season I did not take a copy but Division 1 now includes Tendring and Brantham with the bottom two dropping down to Division 2.
The 8 teams in Division 2 are Bury 2nds, Newmarket, BT, Long Melford, Cavendish, Bardwell, Hadleigh and Twinstead.
We then came to the most contentious and long-drawn-out part of the evening a resolution tabled by the Management Committee which stated.
Rule 1 Definition of a Professional Cricketer
Amendment to now read: No member club shall select a player who has played professional cricket at National (Minor) Counties Level or above, including their international equivalents, within the past 5 years.
There followed a long and sometimes crazy discussion it was pointed out that it was unfair to ban a young player who had just made his Suffolk debut and has never received any payment the ban would be for for 5 years. I spoke out because it would be unfair for a young player who having played for our club from 13 years old and Sunday cricket for many years should not be banned for 5 years if selected to play for Suffolk. The rule would it was pointed out contravene ECB inclusion and discrimination guidelines. Newmarket spoke out strongly against the proposal there was a lot of inconclusive discussion and comments about the difference between National (Minor) Counties and other leagues and grades of cricket around the world, when put to the vote it appeared 50% were against the resolution and 50% abstained therefore clubs should revert to the existing rule.
A proposal from Stonham regarding points to be awarded in shortened matches was passed.
A proposal from Brantham that all matches commence at 1.00 pm was lost.
A proposal from Newmarket to introduce a 30-yard fielding circle was lost 11 for 16 against the idea was to stop a team placing everyone on the boundary while fielding.
The existing officers were re-elected on bloc.
Steve Lilley gave a report as League Safeguarding Officer.
The league fixture meeting will be held at our club on Wednesday December 4th commencing at 7.30 pm.
We appreciate that officers and committee do an exceptionally good job in making sure in this and the Two Counties League operate successfully both leagues would like more volunteers to help spread the work load, the problem is so many are helping at club level. Volunteers are in short supply across cricket and other sports, but volunteering can be rewarding and if on reading this anyone might want to help contact this club or the leagues or other clubs.
David Barker November 2024.