Evening all,
I wanted to update you all following the advice we received from the ECB on Monday, and following an Exec Committee meeting on Wednesday evening.
ECB Update
Many of you would have seen that ECB updated their Covid guidance on Monday - this can be seen at https://www.ecb.co.uk/covid-19
As we have said throughout the past 18 months we will continue to not push clubs into doing anything that they don’t want to do. We also continue to express the need for all clubs and members to continue to be cautious and act sensibly.
Most of the ECB guidance has now been removed, and following the league’s exec meeting yesterday we wanted to give some specific clarification.
Sanitizing
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As per the ECB guidance the league no longer requires players to sanitize every 6 overs.
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However we suggest that sanitizing does take place when it can i.e drinks breaks and wickets etc.
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If clubs do want to sanitize every 6 overs then they can of course choose to do so.
Shining the ball
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The ECB guidance does not mention specifically about shining the ball.
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The league committee feels that for the remainder of the 2021 season there should still be no sweat or saliva used to shine the ball.
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This will allow for the halting of sanitizing every 6 overs, and also means that the games are played under the same conditions for the entire season.
Umpires and Scorers
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Umpires are now allowed to take caps and jumpers
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However it is the personal decision of each umpire if they wish to take a cap or jumper or not.
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As per all cricket decision the umpire’s decision should be respected.
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We continue to only require home teams in 1st XI matches to provide a scorer.
Clubhouses and Changing Rooms
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Changing Rooms and showers can be used - but clubs should continue to talk to their opposition around if there needs to be any restrictions.
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Again it is up to clubs if they provide changing rooms and showers or not.
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Bars and hospitality restrictions are mainly lifted - this does not mean that we will start to ask clubs to provide teas - as per the communication recently clubs will not have to provide teas, but they are able to if they wish.
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As ever with this it is vital clubs talk to oppositions and officials so that everyone knows the situation for each match.
Please can this updates be communicated to all your members and officials so that they know the new guidance.
Promotion and Relegation Clarity
As was communicated to clubs at the start of the season we will be having promotion and relegation this season as long as 66% of games have the possibility of being played. That mark is met with the league games scheduled for this Saturday.
Promotion and Relegation will happen in all the divisions in the following way
1st XI Prem - Bottom 2 relegated
1st XI Div 1 - Top 2 promoted - bottom 2 relegated
1st XI Div 2 - Top 2 promoted - bottom 2 relegated
1st XI Div 3 - Top 2 promoted
2nd XI Prem - Bottom 2 relegated
2nd XI Div 1 - Top 2 promoted - bottom 2 relegated
2nd XI Div 2 - Top 2 promoted - bottom 2 relegated
2nd XI Div 3 - Top 2 promoted
3rd XI Prem - Bottom 2 relegated
3rd XI Div 1 - Top 2 promoted - bottom 2 relegated
3rd XI Div 2 - Top 2 promoted - bottom 2 relegated
3rd XI Div 3 - Top 2 promoted - Bottom 2 relegated
4th XI Prem East - Top 1 promoted - bottom 2 relegated
4th XI Prem West - Top 1 promoted - bottom 1 relegated (due to there being only 9 teams in the division)
4th XI Div 1 Central - Top 1 promoted
4th XI Div 1 East - Top 1 promoted
4th XI Div 1 West - Top 1 promoted
The runners up from Div 1 Central, East and West that have the most points will also be promoted to 4th XI Prem for 2022 season
Safe Hands Compliance
I have spent most of the evening contacting clubs who are not currently Safe Hands compliant - deadline for this is of course July 31st.
Failure to be compliant on that date may result in the ECB removing the Clubmark accreditation from your club.
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League Rule 7.f states
f. Any club which does not have a valid ECB Clubmark accreditation (Or equivalent ECB accreditation) by 31st October of the preceding season will only be allowed to compete in 1st XI Division 3.
If the Executive Committee, in consultation with ECiC, determine that the club has made sufficient effort to attain Clubmark status and there are extenuating circumstances, that club’s 1st XI will play in 1st XI Division 3 and there will be no further sanctions applied.
If the Executive Committee, in consultation with ECiC, determine that the club has not made sufficient effort to attain Clubmark status and there are no extenuating circumstances, the club’s 1st XI will play in 1st XI Division 3 and they must gain Clubmark status by the following 31st October. If they fail to do this, the Club and all of their teams will be expelled from the league with no exceptions.
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To make sure that your club does not fall foul of the league rules and that the club keeps its Clubmark accreditation please make sure that you are Safe Hands compliant by the 31st July.
Any questions on any of the above please do get in touch.
Regards
Thomas Clarke
HFEL Chairman
07763607076
tpc1981@hotmail.com