A COIN is usually spun for the toss before the start of a match, but that method is also now being used to determine the outcome of rain-aborted matches in the Barbados Cricket Association’s Twenty20 Shield Competition.
With as many as five teams suffering the fate of failing to advance to the next round because they didn’t have the luck of the toss, director of cricket Steven Leslie explained the rationale behind the second toss to determine which team would go forward in the competition.
“The BCA embarked in 2017 to introduce an exciting Team Single Elimination (TSE) T20 Shield Competition for clubs and schools that are not participating in the Elite and Division One competitions.
“We acknowledged that there was a very small window within our current fixtures to execute this innovation and provide a format that created the opportunity for the champion team to earn $4 000 after competing over just six playing days,” Leslie said.
In last Saturday’s preliminary round, Dover were eliminated after not having the luck of the toss against Conrad Hunte after rain ended play.
On Sunday, Buffy’s Mini Mart Inch Marlow and Central lost to Benfica and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, respectively.
Market Hill also suffered at the hands of Prison Officers after not a ball was bowled in their match, while Melrose benefited from the luck of the toss over Standard after rain ended their match prematurely.
“Based on the nature of this TSE format, it was agreed and determined that Rule 2(j) – the spinning of a toss was the most equitable way of permitting teams to advance through the earlier stages of the tournament in the event that the minimum amount of five overs per team wasn’t possible,” Leslie noted.
He said the tournament had been well received as around 40 teams had participated last year and a similar number were taking part again this year. (EZS)
