TK was presented with the winners’ shield for the first XI, as winners of CCA Senior League division III. Congratulations to all who played for the firsts this year – every contribution counts, even if we can only fit a limited number of names on the shield!

The other crucial function of the AGM is to agree rule changes for the coming season. Here are the major changes that apply to us, along with the reasoning behind them and how we voted on your behalf.

1. Senior league matches (1st XI) will start at 1pm. Junior league games (2nd and 3rd XI) will start at 1:30pm as previously unless another time is agreed by both captains before the game. This may mean the First XI will need to meet earlier to get to away games on time. Cambourne voted FOR this change.

2. In a 40-over match, bowlers may bowl a maximum of 8 overs each. This brings the junior divisions in line with the senior divisions, where in a 45 over match, bowlers can bowl 9 overs. This rule is designed to get more players involved in each game. Cambourne voted FOR this change.

3. In all matches, teams will use one league-approved ball per innings. This rule changes the lower divisions where one ball was used per match. We think it is fairer all round. Cambourne voted FOR this change.

4. League results will be decided by total points, instead of average points. This is designed to encourage more games to be played, and stop teams from strategically cancelling borderline games to protect their points average. Cambourne ABSTAINED in this vote – we had no particular objection, but are aware that our slow-draining pitch may mean we cancel more games than other teams, which is a disadvantage. The rule was passed by a narrow margin.

5. Alongside this, there are several other changes to the way points are awarded to encourage games to be played:
• For an abandoned match, teams get 5 points each plus bonus points for each 2 wickets/40 runs.
• For a cancelled match each team gets 5 points
• Teams may declare if they wish, in which case they are considered ‘all out’ from the point of view of awarding bonus points.
Since the total points rule was carried, Cambourne voted FOR these changes

6. Any ball above waist height of the batsman standing upright in his crease will be a No-Ball. This change simplifies the rule for no-balls (previously the rule was different for fast and slow bowlers), and brings the league in line with ECB guidance. Cambourne voted FOR this change

7. Other changes do not affect us this year, but may in future: No players who have played in any ECB Premier league can play in Junior or Lower Junior cups. Three teams will be relegated from Senior 3 (instead of four currently), being replaced by the winners of the two Junior 1 divisions and the winner of a play-off between the second-placed teams. Final matches in the Walker and Lower Junior cups will have a fielding circle, with four players inside the circle at all times. Cambourne voted FOR these changes.

The full rules will be available in the 2017 club handbook, which will be published on the CCCA website www.cambsca.co.uk and issued to clubs before the beginning of the season. If you have any questions about any of these rule changes, please contact any member of the committee