Overs cut to attract players
TOP flight weekend cricket is set to be reduced to 40 overs per side in a measure that is hoped will provide a more attractive product for players.
In the open forum that followed yesterday's Guernsey Cricket Board annual meeting, clubs were presented with a review paper that formed the basis of the discussions.
In his introduction to the paper, domestic cricket officer Dave Piesing explained that the suggestions contained within it arose largely from a desire to address the problems of teams being unable to fulfil fixtures with a full complement of XI in both evening and weekend cricket.
'We are struggling to maintain a tough, robust, competitive weekend league structure,' he told the clubs.
'To an extent, it's also happening at the top end of the Evening League.'
During the ensuing debate, representatives of the four Swoffers Weekend Premier League clubs expressed their desire to shorten matches from 50 to 40 overs, which will allow games both to start later and finish earlier.
More in Tuesdays Guernsey Press.
