Super Eights format could become permanent fixture in women's cricket

Laura Currie of Taunton Deane with the Super Eights Trophy after her side won it at Hatherleigh last weekend

SUPER Eights cricket organised by the Devon Women’s League proved so successful it could return as a stand-alone competition in 2021.

The Super Eights format replaced the usual 35-overs-a-side games played in the Devon Women’s Cricket League, which was suspended due to the Covid-19 crisis.

Twelve teams divided into three pools for four each played each other in three round-robins of 16-overs-a-side games to decide three finalists for the Trophy and three runners-up for the Plate.

Taunton Deane defeated Plympton and Exeter to win the Trophy competition, which was played out at Hatherleigh.

North Devon were triumphant in the Plate festival final day at Exeter, where  Topsham and Plymouth finished second and third respectively.

Kirsty Hambley, the secretary of the DWCL, said Super Eights could become a permanent part of the fixture list from next season.

“The feedback from clubs is that everyone – the younger ones and the more experienced – enjoyed their cricket,” said Hambley.

“We were able to keep it competitive and looking at some of the selected sides the teams wanted to win.

“We hope it is possible to bring back longer format league games next season.

“Because of the way Super Eights was so inclusive for different ages and abilities we would like to keep it running.”

Hambley said the question facing league officials is where to pitch a Super Eights tournament?

“Should be play at a level below the league, or a level above,” said Hambley.

“There are softball teams coming through from clubs, such as Ivybridge, who could use Super Eights as a step up.

“Do we pitch it above the league level aimed a players who want something more challenging now we seem to have lost county cricket? These are the players who might be hoping to make it to Western Storm.

“Might it be possible to run both? I am sure that is something we will be talking about.”

More immediately is the question of whether or not it will be possible to run an indoor competition this winter.

“We would like to, but whether we can is going to depend on any changes in regulations,” said Hambley.