Bassetlaw and District Cricket League Official Handbook 2017

i Foreword When I was invited to be President of the Bassetlaw and District Cricket League for  2017, I was lost for words.  Those who know me well will be aware that is something  that does not happen very often!  It is an honour and a privilege to hold this office.   To be the 100th President and only the second lady to hold that office makes it even  more of an honour.  It is also an honour for Papplewick & Linby Cricket Club to have  one of their many volunteers recognised in this way.  My love of cricket predates being married to a cricketer and having two cricketing  sons.  I grew up listening with my father to John Arlott and Brian Johnstone on the  radio and I still love the traditional versions of the game but I know like all things  cricket must change to survive.  It is a fantastic game with all its intricacies,  terminology and laws – what is LBW?  Why 6 balls in an over?  Why 11 players in a  team?  However, I hear you say, we can play with less than 11 – six‐a‐side  tournaments for example; we can have more than 6 balls in an over – some midweek  leagues play 8‐ball overs.  There is a version of indoor cricket that plays matches of 16  overs, 8 players (4 pairs) in a team with each pair batting for 4 overs known as a skin,  with everyone bowling.  As Michael said in his Foreword of 2016, we need to embrace  change and start to shape our game to ensure it lives on. Michael started the process  in discussions with both the League Management Committee and latterly with the  clubs and at the AGM.  To continue this, the BDCL League Management Committee  will be undertaking a process of consultation with all clubs and more importantly with  the players in 2017; I will be leading this initiative.  Please keep your eyes open for  emails, posters etc. informing you of what is happening.  The proposals formulated  from this consultation will be put to the vote at the 2017 AGM in November.