League matches will be played on a win/lose basis in 2018 and the League has now formulated what it believes is a suitable points system. They have developed a points system that incentivises and rewards both teams. This is achieved by awarding the losing side a range of points based upon their batting or bowling performance PLUS a range of points based upon how close the match is deemed to have been. This will encourage a losing side to strive to score as many runs as they can and/or take as many wickets as possible.

The details are as follows:

Winning team 25 points

Scores level 15 points each

Abandoned match 5 points each

Losing team points (if batting first)

At least 100 runs scored 1 point

At least 125 runs scored 2 points

At least 150 runs scored 3 points PLUS 1 point for each wicket taken when bowling

At least 175 runs scored 4 points

At least 200 runs scored 5 points

Losing team points (if batting second)

2-3 wkts taken when bowling 1 point

4-5 wkts taken when bowling 2 points

6-7 wkts taken when bowling 3 points

8-9 wkts taken when bowling 4 points

All out 5 points PLUS points based upon the margin of defeat as follows:

1-10 runs 9 points

11-20 runs 8 points

21-30 runs 7 points

31-40 runs 6 points

41-50 runs 5 points

51-60 runs 4 points

61-70 runs 3 points

71-80 runs 2 points

81-90 runs 1 point

91+ 0 points

Example 1

Team A bats first and scores 185 – 7

Team B bats second and scores 188 – 5

Match points:- Team A loses batting first and earns 9 points (ie. 4 batting points + 5 points for the number of wickets taken when bowling), Team B earns 25 points

Example 2

Team A bats first and scores 185 – 7

Team B bats second and scores 161 – 9

Match points:- Team A wins and earns 25 points, Team B loses batting second and earns 10 points (ie. 3 bowling points + 7 points for the margin of defeat)

The maximum number of points that can be earned by a losing side is actually 14.

The league will publish details of how it will take account of matches which are interrupted by the weather in due course.

So, in readiness for the season, make sure you understand the new scoring system!