Batsmen lose their caps, helmets essential

Albany Cricket Association has announced rules changes for the upcoming one-day competition and also released fixtures ahead of the first ball being bowled later this month in the 2019-20 season.

There have been rule changes made regarding power-plays, free hits, short-pitch bowling and helmets as teams prepare for the ACA to start on Saturday, October 19.

Fixtures are out for the three competitions, with a separate B-grade and C-grade competition after Collingwood Park added a third team.

At the annual general meeting in August it was confirmed longstanding outfit North County would not field a team in the top grade.

The six teams who nominated A-grade teams all remain but the ACA executive was mulling over whether to put all B-grade and C-grade teams into the same competition and play once before splitting or have two separate grades.

Manypeaks, Collingwood Park, Railways, North County, Narrikup and Royals will compete in B-grade.

Collingwood Park, Narrikup, Railways and Manypeaks also have C-grade teams and will be joined by Mt Barker and Denmark to make both even six-team competitions.

Under rule changes, all no-balls will now be free hits and powerplays have also been introduced with fielding restrictions in overs 1-10, 11-40 and 41-50.

Bowlers are allowed one short pitched delivery between the shoulder and head of a batsman each over.

Any ball passing above the waist on the full shall be a called a no-ball and the bowler issued with a warning only if the umpire considers the delivery dangerous.

That will be a first and final warning and such incurrance will result in the bowler being removed from the attack.

The final change will be regarding helmets, with the ACA stating all batsman must wear a helmet at all times.

Wicketkeepers keeping up the stumps must wear a helmet and fielders within 7m of the batsman also must wear a helmet.

The new season begins on October 19 with defending premiers Railways tacking last year’s wooden spooners Denmark while Manypeaks face Collingwood Park and Mt Barker host Royals.

Full fixtures will be published in Tuesday’s Advertiser.