• The ECC U9 Internal Franchise League (IFL) is an internal club tournament for all U9 and U8 boys, as well as some of the more advanced U7 boys (who will be contacted separately during the course of the season); and for all U10 girls (and some others, including some U11 and U9 girls, also to be contacted separately).
• The IFL is a participation league with safe enjoyment as the number one priority. The aim is to cater for a wide range of abilities and to give every player a chance to play cricket safely as part of a team in a game/match setting, if they would like to do so.
• Hard ball and soft ball players are accommodated within the same team and match, making the IFL truly open to all (see details below on how this works).
• Many of our junior cricketers had their first experience of playing a cricket match as part of the IFL. It is a unique set-up that relies on players, parents and IFL team managers (usually volunteer parents) to make it fun for all.

What is the structure of the IFL?

• The IFL brings together ECC’s younger players to play in balanced, competitive franchise teams, supporting player development, enjoyment, and team identity.
• The franchise teams (subject to membership numbers) are: Invaders, Panthers, Rhinos, Spartans, Titans and Wolves.
• ECC U8 and U9 boys are allocated into one of the following franchise squads (Invaders, Rhinos, Spartans, Titans and Wolves), with the aim of achieving a fair balance of ability, age group, and experience across the teams.
• The Panthers franchise is a girls’ team, primarily made up of U10 girls, with some U11 girls included where appropriate.
• Together, these form the six IFL franchise teams.

How does the IFL work?

• Matches take place every Sunday morning at St Benedicts School Sports Fields, Perivale Lane, Perivale UB6 8TL. This is a new venue for 2026 and a big upgrade on last year, as the games will take place on two grass outfield pitches side by side (one with a non turf wicket and one with a Flicx wicket).
• Matches will take place at 09:00-11:00 and 11:00-13:00.
• The first round of matches takes place on Sunday 19 April 2026. Please plan ahead and make sure you are available (and not playing football ?)
• All fixtures and IFL squads will be loaded onto Pitchero over Easter and you should be able to see the fixtures and times for the whole season. See separate Pitchero FAQ on this.
• Team shirts will be distributed at the first games of the season.
• Each team plays a series of league matches. Each team plays each other once, and some teams play each other twice, for a total of 7 league matches (really, the league is just a ‘structure’ for organising as many games as possible!)
• The (very slight!) competitive element comes in right at the end of the season, where the top four teams qualify for the IFL finals day before (comprising two semi-finals then the final, all on the same day: Sunday 12 July 2026)
• There is also a separate IFL festival day on Sunday 28 June 2026 (not to be missed: this is a knockout format involving all 6 teams, you will get to play a least one game)
• The U9 IFL is an 8-a-side format (with the possibility of 10-a-side if agreed between the two managers).
• The IFL Co-ordinator will be responsible for assigning additional players to teams if they are short for any particular fixture. IFL Team managers are encouraged to inform the IFL co-ordinator of any surplus availability they have each week.

How are IFL squads made up?

• Shortly before the start of the IFL season, the IFL Co-ordinator meets with the Director of Cricket to allocate the IFL squads for the forthcoming season. The aim is to select evenly matched squads to create close, exciting games of cricket.
• IFL Squads and fixtures will be available on Pitchero over Easter.

What are the IFL rules?

• Matches are 8-a-side pairs cricket, 4 overs per batting pair, with each player bowling two overs (including wicket keeper). Each team starts on 200 runs. If you lose a wicket it is -5 runs and the batters swap ends. The team with the most runs after 16 overs wins.
• If a batter is dismissed they should not face the next ball (including at the end of an over). Otherwise, batters change ends at the end of an over.
• There are no LBWs but the umpire should encourage batters not to stand in front of their stumps. Otherwise all modes of dismissal are available.
• In the unlikely event that a bowler is unable to bowl two overs, another player can bowl these overs but this should be agreed with the batting team manager. But the expectation is that every player in the IFL will bowl two overs. No bowler should ever bowl more than three overs.
• The default pitch length for IFL is 17 yards for hard ball and 15 yards for soft ball (to make it consistent with the MJCA rules: note the slight chance from previous years).
• All overs are bowled from the same end to save time.
• The actual Pitch is marked on the non turf wicket or Flixx pitch (for the popping crease, bowling crease and wide markers), with the boundary being marked 30 yards from the batter all the way round but extending to 40 yards straight down the ground.
• Wides.
o To make this simple and easy for all players and umpires, the IFL wide rule is as follows: a ball that passes the popping crease outside the wide markers (on either the off or leg side) is a wide, irrespective of where the batter moves or stands. Batters should be encouraged to hit every ball even if it might otherwise be called a wide.
o Wides are scored as 2 runs plus any byes. The ball is not re-bowled. So if a wide also goes for four byes it is scored as six wides. If the batters run one bye on a wide it is scored as 3 wides.
• No Balls.
o In the IFL, the ball is allowed to bounce twice before the popping crease. If a ball bounces more than twice before the popping crease it is a no ball (and team managers should consider shortening the pitch to 15 yards as above if this happens regularly).
o If a ball is a full toss that passes the batter above waist height (top of the batter’s trousers) it is a no ball. The decision on waist high no-balls is made by the standing umpire who can take guidance from the square-leg umpire
o If a ball pitches off the pitch (i.e. outside the wide markers) it is a no ball. Again, batters should still be encouraged to hit these balls provided it is safe to do so.
o Front foot no balls:
 For U9A (Eagles) players, one gentle “warning” should be given (showing the bowler where their foot landed, and making sure they redo their run up etc) after which a no ball should be called in the normal way.
 For all other players, only call a no ball after two gentle “warnings” (as above) have been given. The aim is to strike the right balance between players learning not to overstep but also making sure the game is still fair and enjoyable for everyone.
o Throwing. Throwing (rather than bowling) is generally discouraged, if possible.
o No balls are scored as 2 runs plus any runs off the bat or byes/leg byes. The ball is not re-bowled.

How does the IFL cater for hard ball and soft ball players?

• The batting pair get to choose whether they want to play hardball (in which case full protective equipment – helmet, box (for boys), pads, gloves – must be worn) or soft ball (protective equipment optional but box (for boys) and gloves recommended).
• Mixed hard-ball and soft-ball pairs are not allowed this year as it means the bowler has to keep changing the ball, which is difficult for this age group. Please ensure this is respected.
• The wicket keeper must also wear a helmet, box (for boys), pads and gloves for hard ball (even when standing back); for softball protective equipment is not mandatory although strongly advised.
• In order to cater for all abilities (and to ensure the game is safe and enjoyable), the batting team manager should pair batters of similar ability as a pair and inform the bowling team manager of the batting order and ability level of each pair in advance.
• The bowling team manager should then try to match bowlers of similar ability level to the batting pair. For example, if the batting team opens with two U9A batters, the bowling team should bowl their stronger / U9A bowlers to this pair. Conversely, if a younger soft-ball pair is batting, slower / less experienced bowlers should bowl at them.
• Collaboration between IFL team managers on this aspect of IFL cricket is fundamental. “Gaming the system” (for example, by bowling faster bowlers to weaker batters in order to take more wickets; or by mixing a stronger batter with a weaker batter and encouraging the former to ‘hog’ the strike) is no part of IFL cricket (even in the final weeks!)
• A note on dangerous bowling. IFL team managers must ensure there is no dangerous bowling. Any bowler deliberately bowling dangerous short-pitched deliveries or dangerous beamers should stop bowling immediately. Hopefully, deliberate dangerous bowling will never happen. Non-deliberate dangerous bowling also must be discouraged. In the first instance, a bowler bowling a dangerous short-pitched delivery or beamer should be warned that they should not bowl dangerously. If this re-occurs with the same bowler, a second warning should be given. On a third occurrence, the bowler should stop bowling. Dangerous bowling is where, in the opinion of the umpire, there is a genuine risk of injury to the batter, taking into account the speed, height and direction of the delivery and the skill of the batter. In this situation, consultation between the umpires is recommended and the bowler needs to be dealt with in a sensitive manner.

How are IFL match day teams selected?

• The aim of the IFL is to give every player a chance to play cricket as part of a team in a game/match setting, if they would like to do so.
• IFL managers should not simply pick the best players week in week out. It is essential that every player in the squad who has marked themselves available in good time for a game is selected to play matches for their team.
• The general rule is that players not selected one week should be given priority the next game they are available for and players should not be unselected twice until all other players have been rested at least once.
• This means that IFL managers might need to ‘rest’ the ‘better’ players from time to time. It also means that not every player can play every game and inevitably, some players may play more games than others.
• If you feel your child is not getting a fair chance at being selected, please contact the IFL Co-Ordinator (details below).

How do I know if my child is playing?

IFL team selection is via the Pitchero App (please see separate Pitchero FAQ) and follows a three-stage process:

• Stage 1: Player Availability. All players are asked to mark their availability on Pitchero at the start of the season for all IFL matches and to keep this updated as the season progresses. It is essential to mark your child as available on Pitchero if you want them to be considered for selection for a particular IFL match! By marking your child as available, you are putting them forward for selection for that match.
• Stage 2: Team Selection. Shortly after each Sunday match, the team manager will select 8 players for the following Sunday’s team from those that have previously marked themselves as available.
• Stage 3: Parent Responds to Selection. It is essential that you respond to this selection by confirming your child can play on Pitchero. If you do not respond to this selection within a couple of days, the team manager may revoke the selection and select another player.
• Once you have confirmed your selection, please only drop out if absolutely necessary. This is really important. Please do not drop out at the last minute. In the unlikely event that you do need to drop out, please contact the team manager directly (please do not just change your son’s playing status on Pitchero!)

What is the role of the IFL Team Managers?

• Many thanks to those who have volunteered to manage a IFL team this season. IFL Team Managers (and which team they are managing) will be announced at the same time as the IFL Squads (above).
• The role of the IFL Team Manager is integral to the smooth running of the IFL: safe enjoyment for all players (irrespective of ability) is the number one priority.
• We encourage IFL Team Managers to be proactive when umpiring / managing a match. If something happens that they are not comfortable with, they should consult with the other IFL Team Manager and intervene, as required.
• It is very important that IFL matches are played in accordance with the Spirit of Cricket and this includes both players and spectators. The IFL should not be taken too seriously or competitively and it is for IFL Team Managers (and parents/players) to reinforce this.
• IFL Team Managers must ensure that players and parents are aware of the ECC codes of conduct for players, coaches and parents: see https://www.ealingcc.co.uk/d/documents.html

The key roles of the IFL team managers are to:
• Act as a principal point of contact for the parents of the players in the IFL team regarding the IFL team’s matches. They may do this by setting up a separate WhatsApp group or just by using Pitchero.
• Seek availability of the players to play in IFL matches
• Select the IFL team and communicate the IFL team selection and other details regarding the IFL match to the parents of the players
• Manage IFL matches, ensuring that all participants are safe and enjoy the match and that the match is played according to the Spirit of Cricket (see above)
• Umpire IFL matches, in accordance with the above rules. The fielding team umpire is the standing umpire in IFL for the whole innings, with the batting team umpire at square leg.
• In the IFL it is really important that we stick to the schedule. This requires IFL Team Managers to be proactive in getting the toss done before their game is scheduled to begin, making sure the next pair is padded up and ready to go, that there is a quick change between overs etc. Parents and players are asked to help with this.

What happens if an IFL team cannot field a side?

• Before midnight on the Thursday before the relevant fixture, the IFL manager should contact the IFL Co-Ordinator if they are unable to field a full team of 8 players. The IFL manager should first contact all of their players’ parents/carers directly (i.e. WhatsApp, not just relying on Pitchero) to make sure they are unable to field a full team of 8 players.
• The IFL Co-Ordinator will then find another available player from any of the other IFL squads (starting with players who are not selected that week but marked as available, then by inviting someone to try to play two fixtures). The IFL Co-Ordinator will try to find a player who would balance the team with those available for the opponents.
• If it is still not possible to field a team comprising of 6 or more players, the IFL team concerned will forfeit the fixture.
• If the match proceeds with a team containing 6 or 7 players, the following rules apply:
o For batting the last pair will comprise the player(s) who have faced the fewest balls in the game so far. The bowling team manager should then try to match bowlers of similar ability level to the last batting pair, as set out above (so an U8B should be chosen to bowl an extra over against an U8B batter, for example).
o For bowling, no bowler can bowl more than 3 overs (again subject matching bowlers of similar ability level to the last batting pair). The bowling/fielding team can borrow extra fielders as needed from the batting team but those fielders cannot bat, bowl or keep wicket.

What happens in the event of inclement weather?

• Please assume that all matches (and training) are ON unless and until you receive a cancellation message via Pitchero (which the IFL managers will also try to send via WhatsApp).
• The IFL Co-Ordinator will try to make the decision at a reasonably early stage but sometimes this is not possible, so please try to bear with us. We will however never call off a match based on a forecast alone.
• In making the decision, player safety is paramount. The IFL Co-Ordinator will consider at least the following factors:
o Whether the whole playing area has no surface water and no standing water (water visible when feet pressed into the ground)
o Whether the bowlers can get reasonable footholds on the pitch
o Whether the batters can play their shots freely and run freely between the wickets without slipping
o Whether there is sufficiently good visibility to enable the batters and fielders to see the ball clearly enough to be safe
o That none of the conditions pose and actual and foreseeable risk to the safety of any player or umpire
o Whether there are any alternatives to make the game safe (e.g. if it is raining, whether the game should be soft-ball only, whether it should be shortened (say, 3 overs per pair); or if it is very hot, whether the game can be adapted (regular drink breaks, shade for players waiting) or played earlier/later in the day etc.
• Thunder and Lightning. Play must be immediately stopped if there is:
o Sudden thunder
o Lightning in the clouds
o Thunder to lightning “flash to bang” time of 30 seconds or less
o A lightning strike on or near the ground
• If play is stopped for thunder and lightning, all players and spectators must immediately take safe shelter and play should not be restarted until 30 minutes has elapsed since the last thunderclap.

Can I follow the score on my phone?
Yes! Please see the separate Play-Cricket Live FAQ.

Please ensure you have read the Pitchero & Behaviour for Parents, Carers and Guests FAQs