Birmingham League shake up is opposed
A radical plan to shake-up the Birmingham & District Cricket League's structure has been opposed by its clubs.
The league's management committee had put forward a proposal which would have seen the bottom division – Division Three – scrapped at the end of the 2017 season.
But it was unanimously opposed by the 12 clubs who are set to form the division next year, during a meeting held at Fordhouses Cricket Club.
Worfield skipper James Parker said: "It was a positive meeting, in the sense of how everyone was able to have their say on the matter.
"No-one wants to lose their Birmingham League status, it is very important for clubs. For us it has been part of a long-term strategy in terms of retaining our young players.
"It is very important we are able to offer a good standard of cricket."
Under the proposals, the league would have been left with three divisions – Premier, One and Two.
The 12 clubs from Division Three would have been placed in their respective feeder leagues in Staffordshire, Shropshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.
It followed a recent National Playing Survey which found growing player dissatisfaction with the amount of travel and the length of the games compared to higher divisions.
But Parker has questioned that theory, saying: "I just don't think it is such a big issue. If you want to play at the higher level, you accept there is going to be more travelling."
The issue will now be discussed by the league's management committee on Monday.
League general manager Nick Archer admitted the possible restructure was a 'mammoth subject' but insisted that 'doing nothing' was unlikely to be an option.
