17 overs an hour decision stands

Press, 30 January 1986, Page 22

17 overs an hour decision stands

PA Wellington The New Zealand Cricket Association has decided to stay with its decision to switch the penalty rate for slow over rates this summer from 18 an hour to 17. The chairman of the council, Mr Bob Vance, said that after considering a protest from the Wellington Cricket Association, over the council’s decision to

alter the average over rate in mid-season, the national body could not go back on it. “It is most unfortunate that 18 overs were too many to ask for as an average per hour for the season, but having realised it, we cannot go back on it,” said Mr Vance.

“Certainly, while it might appear to be a precedent being set, it is one that won’t be

followed.” The furor arose on Saturday before the fifth round of Shell Trophy matches began.

A telephone hook-up of council members resulted in a switch being made, from the requested rate of 18 overs an hour on average for the season for each team, to 17. At that stage, the competition leader Otago, was 18 ahead of Welling-

ton, but with an over rate of 16.1, therefore standing, to lose 19 points. Wellington, which has maintained 18 plus an hour for the season, reacted by asking the council to revert to the rule as it applied at the start of the season.

“We regret that Otago apparently deliberately ignored the requirem-'-’t, and even made statements that they didn’t know what the require-

ment was,” said Mr Vance.

“We have not been placed in an easy position, for obvious reasons, and have sympathy with teams like Wellington for organising their cricket to maintain a rate of 18 overs per hour.”

The rule now is that teams will lose one point for every 0.1 of an over under 17 overs an hour on a season average.