Here are the preliminary details....
Saturday 19th and Saturday July 9th August 2008
Location, Ruskeasuo main pitch and top pitch and Kaisaniemi
Timing, start 09.00-19.00
Cost €80 + ball per eight man team
This year there will be several important changes, after 2007's exciting finale between two foreign team and pressure from our domestic teams it has been decided to host the event over two weekends.
The first weekend will be strictly for invited domestic teams, the successful teams will then meet the touring teams on the second weekend. Touring teams will not have to qualify for obvious reasons. Once all the teams have been confirmed for the second weekend a draw will take place and the team will be separated in two leagues of four teams, which will play each other once; the top two teams of each league will then be eligible to play in the semi-finals held at the main location.
The winner of the semis will then play in the final; this will be the last game of the tournament. The plate final will take place before the main final.
All games will be played on a five overs per side format, with one over per bowler allowed in the main competition and two overs per bowler in the plate. A copy of this year’s rules will be sent to all participants later.
Another important change will be to the wide rule, after last years complaints (largely inaccurate) we have decide to adopt the Hong Kong sixes wide rule. There will be a marker to aid the umpire in determining a wide, it will still cost the offending bowler 4 runs plus it must be bowled again.
The cost for entry will be 80€ per eight man team plus ball, domestic teams will pay 40€ to enter on the knock-out weekend, and if successful, they will pay the remaining 40€ on the final weekend. The cost includes, ablution facilities, DJ and live match commentary, lunch, bar, raffle and several fun competitions.
Plate competition
The plate competition is aimed mainly at developing players and is played with the aim of helping future cricketers play the game, whilst providing present cricketer a less strenuous outlet for their cricketing talents. The cost for the plate is the same as for the main competition.
SKK are actively encouraging all interested touring teams to take at least a long weekend in Helsinki, and will provide as last year, cricket games for touring teams on Friday and Sunday as well as on the Saturday of the tournament.
As with previous years, the organizers are giving touring teams the first chance to claim spots in the competition with remaining spots distributed amongst Finnish League teams. This year’s Finnish League will be contested between 11 teams, so we can guarantee all participants that the cricket will be competitive and played in a festival atmosphere. After the event, the teams are encouraged to join the committee at a local Helsinki hot spot for some light entertainment!!
For further information, contact Steve: stephen.law -at- helsinki.fi.
