T-Rippon Mid Essex League
Plans for 2021 Season.
Following our recent Committee meeting, we are pleased to confirm that the League plans to commence the 2021 Season on 1st May and intend to play an 18-game season.
Obviously, there are Covid-19 restrictions that will need to be taken into consideration and the potential issues these restrictions may cause some clubs.
We would like to take this opportunity to remind clubs that the Covid-19 restrictions are Government lead and therefore out of our control and in no way should be amended or ignored.
Captains Meeting – usually held at the ball collection evening.
This will not be taking place – Lead Umpire (Mick Elliott) will be sending information out to all Premier and Division 1 Captains. Please ensure this information is read and disseminated where appropriate to team players. The Umpires will also be discussing these points with Captains in the early games.
Balls, Handbook and Teams Sheets Meeting – usually held around mid-April.
This will not be taking place – Most clubs already have this seasons Ball allocation; Debbie is still awaiting delivery of additional balls and will be in contact with individual clubs when they are ready for collection.
Handbooks are in process of printing; we will be in contact shortly with a local Committee member who you can collect the handbooks from, please do collect them since contact details for teams Captains will be useful.
Team Sheets are not being issued this season, due to Covid-19 restrictions minimal contact with other members is required and these are not considered Covid safe. There is a template available on the website and it is still the Captains responsibility to notify the opposition, and where applicable the appointed umpire(s), of bowler ages to ensure they are keeping within restrictions.
Play Cricket –This is our first season using the Play Cricket format, you will only be required to submit a summary of the game, there are no requirement for player registration currently. We will issue a short instruction guide for anyone that is not familiar with the site.
Getting the game on – It is the Club’s responsibility to ensure they are up to date with the latest Covid restrictions / roadmap. We will communicate any information that we receive from ECiC and ECB, but clubs still need to be proactive in keeping up to date on the ever-changing guidelines and restrictions.
We would however, like to highlight a few essential guidelines that we require all clubs in the league to follow...
Clubs should not be encouraging spectators, if your ground is on a public space you cannot be expected to stop people from using the space but please discourage members or friends from spectating.
If your team has under 18 year olds playing then one parent / guardian is allowed to stay for the duration of the game from a safeguarding perspective, however, this does not extend to the whole family coming along to watch.
Car Sharing – We know that this is going to cause many clubs and teams serious issues but we
re-iterate – it is Government Advice and there are no exceptions to car sharing. It is not an option to hire a minibus or use a taxi, these are for essential travel only and Cricket is not (unfortunately) classed as essential travel. Each and everymember of your teams must only travel alone or in their household bubble. We will have to accept that this may impact team ability and, in some cases, may even lead to inability to fulfil fixtures – please let us know as soon as possible if this is the case.
We are hoping this restriction will be lifted on May 17th so hopefully will only impact the first 3 games.
Clubhouses must remain closed, access to toilets should still be made available.
Teas – The League will not be requiring clubs to offer teas/drinks at any point this season. The Committee felt that a clear decision on no teas would allow clubs to know where they stand for the whole season rather than changing it halfway through.
Relegation and Promotion – As previously mentioned we plan to complete an 18 games season so relegation and promotion will stand. We will deal with emerging issues as they happen and communicate to clubs any amendments to this decision although we are hopeful that this will not be the case.
Playing Conditions
PPE – The ball and players hands will need sanitizing every 6 overs so good practise would be to have the kit behind the stumps to reduce time on and off the field.
Personal Equipment – Bowlers personal belongings cannot be held by the Umpires nor should it be left on the field. Captains need to agree common sense approaches on the day if Official Umpires are not present.
Whilst this list is not exhaustive, we have tried to cover the most common discussions / issues.
Communication between teams will be key this season, where possible please check with your opposing Captain for any specific ground considerations prior to turning up on a Saturday.
We understand that some clubs may have football / rugby clashes which may prevent start of play at the correct time. Please refer to the Handbook for late start conditions and open discussions between clubs. If they cannot be resolved, then please let the Committee know via an email to the League Secretary as early as possible.
As a Committee we cannot foresee every eventuality of the strange circumstances this first season back may bring. Whilst we will continue to apply our Constitution and Rules to the Season, we will be open to discussion on a case-by-case scenario for individual club circumstances but lets us know in good time.