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New Forest clubs challenge league over overseas players
Mike Vimpany - 27 January 2001
Bashley (Rydal) and Lymington have appealed to the Southern Premier League for a policy change over the implementation of stricter restrictions on overseas cricketers playing in the competition this summer.
They want the league to reverse a decision accepted in March to restrict overseas players to one per club during the coming season.
They have asked that clubs should continue to be free to 'sign on' as many overseas players as they like, provided only one 'foreign national' plays in a particular match.
The New Forest pair, whose plea is to be heard at a special SPL general meeting on Monday (January 29), are among the five clubs whose 2nd XIs play in the Premier League's third division.
They argue that it is '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.
But the Premier League, whose 'clampdown' plans are firmly backed by the Hampshire Cricket Board, are to stand 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 Lawrie Prittipaul, Andrew Sexton and Chris Tremlett 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 recalled.
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 but says : "They should be quality players turning out in 1st XI cricket - and not taking up places in 2nd and 3rd XIs."
Irrespective of which way clubs vote on Monday, 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.
Five promising young Academy players from South Africa and Western Australia have already been earmarked to play ECB Southern Premier Division 1 cricket this summer.
"The five players, all with coaching qualifications, have been recommended to us by Jimmy Cook (the Hampshire coach) and former Hampshire opening batsman Paul Terry, now coaching top Perth Grade club Melville," Bundy confirmed.
The Premier League will stress to its clubs on Monday 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
| Teams | England. |
| Players/Umpires | Lawrence Prittipaul, Andrew Sexton, Christopher Tremlett, Jimmy Cook, Paul Terry. |
| Tournaments | Southern Premier League |
| Season | English Domestic Season |