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SPCL throw out clubs plea for no restriction on overseas players
Mike Vimpany - 8 February 2001
A bid to get the Southern Premier League to change its policy over the implementation of stricter restrictions on overseas cricketers playing in the competition this summer has failed.
Bashley (Rydal) and Lymington wanted the league to reverse a decision accepted last March to restrict overseas players to one per club during the coming season.
The New Forest pair pleaded that clubs should continue to be free to 'sign on' as many overseas players as they like, provided only one 'foreign national' played in a particular match.
But the joint plea fell on stoney ground - the SPL calling a special meeting where rival clubs gave a resounding two-thirds majority vote in favour of the previously approved overseas player clampdown.
Bashley (Rydal) and Lymington are among the five clubs whose 2nd XIs play in the Premier League's third division.
They argued that it was 'unfair' for their second teams to be restricted to English-only players when 13 other clubs - whose 1st XIs play in Division 3 - could theoretically turn out overseas players against them.
"It is a classic case of an unlevel playing field," argued recently elected Lymington cricket chairman Peter Tapper.
"Penalising successful clubs with two Premier League teams will act as a de-motivator, with fringe players moving on."
But the Premier League, whose 'clampdown' plans are firmly backed by the Hampshire Cricket Board, stood firm with their agreed policy.
"The Southern Premier League has an important development role to play in the ECB's Raising the Standards," reminded League chairman Alan Bundy.
"Clubs should see themselves as part of that development process and groom the young cricketers of tomorrow, as many of them are doing already."
Last summer 'home grown' players like Bashley's Andrew Sexton, Lawrie Prittipaul (Portsmouth), and Hursley Park all-rounder Chris Tremlett, who is currently playing for England Under-19s in India, made their mark in the Hampshire first team.
"These lads have come up through club cricket and underlined the goals that aspiring young players can achieve," Bundy said.
It is the Premier League's belief that, unless tighter controls on overseas players are introduced, promising 'home grown' youngsters could lose their opportunities and lose interest in the game.
"It is therefore important that club 2nd and 3rd XIs are used for the opportunity of developing rising young players," adds the Premier League chairman.
Mr Bundy stressed that the Premier League was not against overseas players and reminded clubs that : "They should be quality players turning out in 1st XI cricket - and not taking up places in 2nd and 3rd XIs."
This season it will be a requirement for all 'foreign nationals' playing for a Southern Premier club this summer to possess a proper coaching qualification. The Premier League wants overseas players turning out in the league to get involved in coaching and help run junior cricket in the clubs.
Two promising all-rounders from South African provincial side Griqualand West and Stephen Cook, 18 year old son of Hampshire coach Jimmy Cook, have already been earmarked to play ECB Southern Premier Division 1 cricket this summer.
"The two lads from Kimberley have been recommended to us by Jimmy Cook, whose teenage son - a top-order right-hand batsman, is currently in New Zealand with the South African Under-19 side."
Former Hampshire opener Paul Terry, now coaching top Perth Grade club Melville is arranging for other players to come to the Southern Premier League from Western Australia.
"Players of this quality will be of huge benefit to the league - both on and off the field," Bundy added.
The Premier League stressed that no visiting cricketer from overseas, whether in the country socially or to work, need not be denied the opportunity of playing cricket in Hampshire this summer.
"There are 140 affiliated clubs playing weekend cricket in the county, so no one should be denied the opportunity of having a game," Bundy pointed out.
© SPCL
| Players/Umpires | Jimmy Cook, Paul Terry, Andrew Sexton, Lawrence Prittipaul, Christopher Tremlett. |
| Tournaments | Southern Premier League |
| Season | English Domestic Season |