NEW CATEGORY 1 PLAYERS UNDER 210 DAY RULE and 2nd and 3rd X1 OVERSEAS PLAYERS

Date: 18th March 2022

URGENT MESSAGE TO CLUBS

URGENT MESSAGE CONCERNING REGISTRATION OF INTENDED OVERSEAS PLAYERS FOR 2^ND X1 and 3^RD X1 AND THOSE INTENDING TO BE REGISTERED AS CATEGORY 1 PLAYERS UNDER THE 210 DAY RESIDENCY RULE.

You will be aware of the current changes to the Managed Migration system operated by the Home Office and the ECB which appear to have led to a significant increase in enquiries and requests for clarification at the ECB, Cricket Boards and Leagues.

As we have said before, the Liverpool Competition clubs have an excellent record in navigating the Overseas Player Registration Regulations and we are confident that this will continue. You will also know that we make constant requests to keep us informed of all involvement with Overseas Players and for clubs to provide information as soon as possible. This prevents clubs making any commitments that cannot be met.

This year there are two specific areas causing us some concern, particularly with the timescales required to undertake appropriate Governance when considering the requests for registration prior to participation in the 2022 season. Both are detailed below:

Replacement of Category 3 (exempt) with * “the 210 day rule”:

Players who are deemed ‘Ordinarily Resident’ and have been in England and Wales for a minimum of 210 days per year between 01 April and 31 March following their first year of entry are deemed to be ‘Home Players’ in England & Wales. (* i.e. Category 1)

NOTE : Any player who has played in any overseas cricket league as a ‘home’, ‘local’ or ‘non-overseas’ player in that overseas league in the 12 month period up to and including 31 March (* in the year of application) will not be permitted to play as a Category 1 player in any ECB Club Cup Competition or in any ECB Premier League in the current season.

NOTE: Clubs still need to ensure appropriate Visa Status.

A new specific registration form must be used for players being registered under this category:

https://www.lpoolcomp.co.uk/uploaded_files/documents/Player_Reg__CAT_1_210_DAYS__NEW_2022_(2).doc

Overseas Players for 2^rd and 3^rd X1s

In addition to verifying the visa information required to satisfy the ECB Managed Migration Criteria it is a requirement of the Liverpool Competition to ensure that Overseas Players brought over to play in Club 2^nd and 3^rd X1s are of an appropriate playing standard to the level for which the club is seeking approval.

Sadly, in recent years the League has experienced some mismatches and has had to take action mid-season to rectify the situation. In the most extreme case, a player deemed appropriate by a Premier Division club as a 3^rd X1 player one year, was registered as their 1^st X1 Category 3 Overseas Player the following year.

The governance requires an assessment of the current playing level of the player concerned. I.e. the League and level of the Division in the players home country. A number of sources are used for this including League websites, Cricket Archive, individual contacts and knowledge of playing backgrounds of past and present overseas players in our League.

Therefore, to ensure that players in the above two categories are appropriately checked and verified for registration in time for the start of our 2022 season, Clubs proposing to register players in either of the above two categories must notify rob.durand@btinternet.com of their intention and provide all appropriate details in their possession, by no later than Thursday 31 March. Failure to do so means that we cannot guarantee that any subsequent notification will be processed in sufficient time for the start of the season.

Management Committee 18 March 2022

18 March 2022