Kellman's light idea

The chairman of the Barbados Fire & Commercial cricket competitions is looking forward to the day when domestic limited-overs cricket will be played under lights.

Wendell Kellman, a member of the Barbados Cricket Association's (BCA) board of management, feels serious consideration should be given to securing a special type of lighting.

'I gather that in England there are movable lights. These are lights that can be moved from place to place, so it is not a question of putting up towers,' Kellman told SUNSPORT after a Press briefing to outline changes for this season's cup competition which starts today.

'I know it is going to cost money, but we have got to explore these things. That is my personal view. That is not the committee speaking.'

Kellman was keen on the idea of lights based on the success and interest in the recent night tapeball competition at the Lumber Company playing field at Waterford.

'We need to move to get these things happening because we are talking about World Cup 2007,' he said.

'While it seems to be seven years away, we know how quickly time flies. These are exploratory things and I think we need to be looking in that direction.'

Discussions, he added, could be held with clubs.

'I am sure the clubs would be willing to get involved with anything that is new and innovative and brings added value to the game,' Kellman said.

During the Press conference in the BCA boardroom at Kensington Oval, Kellman pointed out that the purpose of the changes to the playing conditions was to bring the rules in line with what happens at the international level.

'It doesn't make sense playing our game with one set of rules when, in fact, at the international arena, you have a completely different set,' he said.

BCA business manager Rollins Howard said that in an effort to get the competition started without any hitches, copies of the rules were distributed early.

'As we progressed with our meetings, and so on, we realised that there should have been some changes to the rules,' Howard said.

'This is especially with regard to the role of match referees.

'One of the main changes we have brought about this season is the rule relating to the cut-off point between innings (see accompanying box).

'In this regard the match referee would have had a significant role to play.'

World renowned match referee and former BCA president Cammie Smith also played in part in the drafting of the new rules.

Assistance was also provided by members of the rules committee and the Barbados Cricket Umpires Association.

The competition, which features 16 teams, has been split into four zones. All matches start at 11 a.m.

Zone A: United Carlton v Carib Conrad SC at Black Rock; BCL v ICB Empire at Blenheim 'A'.

Zone B: Cockspur Wanderers v BRC at Dayrells Road; BNB St. Catherine v ESA Field Pickwick at Bayfield.

Zone C: Piton Dover v Banks at Dover; Cable & Wireless BET v Big B Spartan at Wildey.

Zone D: Psychiatric Hospital v Stansfeld Scott Police at Black Rock; Caribbean Lumber YMPC v Mount Gay Maple at Beckles Road.