Cricket set for possible split

Roger Graham 1551 - 1551 • Published 1 Jun 2009 12:00

former Greenock cricket Club president Jimmy Lepick is a prime mover behind a possible breakaway league in Scottish cricket similar to football"s Premier League.

It is believed that Scottish clubs are on the point of voting for a return to regional leagues rather than the current national set-up, and Lepick believes that would be disastrous for Greenock.

Stressing that he was speaking personally, and not on behalf of the club, he said: 'I have deep concerns about returning to regional cricket. It does not suit us [Greenock] and a number of other clubs.

'We would be uncomfortable being dragged into something that was detrimental to our interests. It may suit Roddy Smith, but he should stick to his remit as Chief Executive of Cricket Scotland. The clubs are more than capable of sorting themselves out.

In football parlance, Lepick continued: 'You wouldn"t expect Forfar or Elgin to decide how Rangers and Celtic play football. I see ourselves at Greenock as being part of a group of ambitious clubs who could form an elite league - maybe eight clubs plus the Scotland Under-19 team.

'These would be clubs such as Aberdeenshire, Grange and Carlton.'

Any possible breakaway league would wish to retain links with Cricket Scotland and play under their umbrella.

Said Lepick: 'Any breakaway league would have to work closely with Cricket Scotland who, in turn, would have to realise the ambitions of club cricket.'

Lepick"s view is that the clubs would do everything in their power to promote the national side but with the proviso that fixtures be arranged around national commitments so that clubs would be able to field their strongest line-ups in their league matches.

He explained: 'This would mean clubs having to accept playing Saturdays and Sundays on occasions.

'We would have coloured clothing, have a white ball and do everything we can to encourage watching and playing.

'It is in Cricket Scotland"s interests to have the best players playing each other in Scottish club cricket.

'Whatever we as clubs do should assist the national team without compromising the clubs.'

A principal concern about a return to regional leagues is that Greenock Cricket Club would lose their top players who would simply return to clubs in their own areas.

Greenock Academy, once one of the top cricket playing schools in Scotland, no longer plays the game and the regular supply of local players has consequently decreased dramatically.

Lepick also said: 'Those who would want to take part in a new top league would be expected to demonstrate that they are genuine cricket clubs, rather than a group of people who wish to play cricket.

'They would have to demonstrate ambition, a certain standard of facilities and a commitment to youth development.

'I have nothing against those who wish a return to regionalisation if that is what they wish to do.

'It may be the right thing for some clubs, but I do not believe it is in our [Greenock"s] interests or the interests of the national team.'

Meanwhile Greenock president David Campbell said: 'We have yet to discuss this as a club.

'My own personal view is that we should not do anything that would devalue cricket.'

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 01 Jun 09

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