Firstly, I would like to apologise for the issues earlier in the week, when an email update landed in many of your inboxes on multiple occasions. This was due to a technical fault with the website and email provider - we have raised this with them and hope that it is all sorted now.
Balls
Hopefully, all clubs have now received, collected or got a plan to collect today or tomorrow morning from Morrant your club’s ball allocation. As mentioned last week there have been issues that Dukes have had to deal with, and they have put in great efforts to get them to us before the first cup matches.
A reminder, both clubs should come to each cup and plate fixture with two balls, two will be used for the match and two given to the winning team for the next round.
League Cup
For regulations can be found at this link - https://images.secure-club.com/clubs/4852/docs/Rules%20and%20Regulations/2026/03-Dukes-League-Cup-Regulations.docx
But an overview is as follows
12noon start - 2 hours 40 mins for each innings
40 overs
Pink ball
Coloured kit
30-yard Fielding Circle required - 3 power plays (1-8 overs, 9-32 overs, 33-40 overs)
Free hits for no balls - leg side wides
Teas provided by home club (if no 2nd XI reciprocation, then a cost may be involved, please confirm before the day of the match)
Scorer to be provided
Umpires provided by the panel
List of umpire appointments can be found here https://www.essexcricket.com/pages/page_35032/Umpires-Information.aspx
No 1st XI captain form required
Results to be uploaded onto Play Cricket ASAP on the day of the match
Next round draw / matches for losing teams confirmed by Monday
League Plate
For regulations can be found at this link - https://images.secure-club.com/clubs/4852/docs/Rules%20and%20Regulations/2026/04-Dukes-League-Plate-Regulations.docx
But an overview is as follows
12noon start - 2 hours 40 mins for each innings
40 overs
Pink ball
Coloured or White kit
Players who play in the League Cup will not be able to play in the League Plate without league approval.
30-yard Fielding Circle required - 3 power plays (1-8 overs, 9-32 overs, 33-40 overs)
Free hits for no balls - leg side wides
Teas provided by home club (if no 1st XI reciprocation, then a cost may be involved; please confirm before the day of the match)
Scorer recommended but not mandatory in early rounds
Umpires provided by the panel for matches involving just 1st XIs - clubs to provide officials for 2nd XI matches/ players.
List of umpire appointments can be found here https://www.essexcricket.com/pages/page_35032/Umpires-Information.aspx
No captain form required
Results to be uploaded onto Play Cricket ASAP on the day of the match
Next round draw / matches for losing teams confirmed by Monday
Hopefully the sun continues to shine, and we get a good day of cricket tomorrow - we will be working hard to get fixtures for the following week confirmed asap.
As ever any issues please get in touch.
Regards
Tom Clarke
HFEL Chairman
tpc1981@hotmail.com
07763607076