Spikes for Batsmen. (Reg 8.1.6, 8.1.7) (DROPPED)

WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?

Batsman wearing spikes.

DISCUSSION

This year a particular club seemed to imperiously want to impose its own 'batsmen must wear spiked shoes' rule for its own grounds. Which was faintly ridiculous to every other club and the association in general. 

All playing conditions are standard for all grounds and clubs. If you want to change 'em, there is a mechanism though the AGM. Imposing your own made up rules is out of the question. Imagine if a club wanted to have 5 ball overs for some reason? What would everyone else say?

But it is obvious this 'spikes for batters' idea represents a sincerely held belief that there is some benefit to pitch maintenance from making such a rule change. 

Here's where it will be debated. And it will be duly considered at the AGM in July.

To those who want this: prove it. Or at least demonstrate that it's not a fantasy/myth.

There are plenty of English and South African cricketers who think the Aussies and spikes position is just silly. 

In England it is "spikes for wet grass, rubbers for dry".  Pro-Cricket in the UK is played 7 days a week with such ideas and pitches work fine.

Any arguments from Subbies groundsmen that amount to "that's the way we've always done it" are not worth much. To get this rule changed will need convincing evidence.

So tell me what it is. The merest shred will do....

BTW I have heard a very specious argument that says that because Reg 8.1.6 and 8.1.7 refers to spikes being required for bowling, This implies that clubs are permitted to impose their own spike rules for batting as they see fit. 

Er, no....This is rule abuse. There is definitely NO such intended implication. If there is any suggestion otherwise I will propose a 'batters may wear non-spike shoes' clause. 

Spiked shoes are expensive and represent a barrier to entry for young and less well off players. Introducing them for all players (all players will bat, only some will bowl) has costly implications.

But costly too is all the gear such as pads, bats, helmets, whites, club memberships, ground fees. In the old days there were team kits of necessary gear to share costs. That might have fallen by the wayside in recent decades.

I guess you can tell I'm not in favour. But I want to hear from those who are.

PROPOSED REGULATIONS 

OLD REGULATION	PROPOSED NEW WORDING
none	8.1.8 Players must wear cricket shoes with full metal spikes while batting. Spike length will be limited to 9mm.
none	8.1.9 Any batsman with shoes that do not comply with Playing Regulation 8.1.8 will not be allowed to bat.
8.1.8 Recognised cricket hats including helmets either white or in recognised club colours.	8.1.10 Recognised cricket hats including helmets either white or in recognised club colours.
8.1.9 White jumpers	8.1.11 White jumpers
ALTERNATIVE PROPOSAL
none	8.1.8 Players are permitted to wear cricket shoes without spikes while batting.
none	8.19 NIL

 

 ABM 8-Jun-2022

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