Under-11 Cup matches in the Bradford Junior League have gone exclusively to 11-a-side, with pitches being 20 yards long.

All boundaries will count as four runs and each bowler is restricted to three overs.

Batsmen must retire on reaching 30 and will not be allowed to return to the crease, while each no-ball or wide will count as two runs, except in the final over when a wide or no-ball will count as one run and an extra ball bowled in each instance.

League secretary Neil Johnson explained: “One or two matches last season were played as eight-a-side games.”

Former league secretary Tom Sayer said: “With them playing 11-a-side in the cup and eight-a-side in the league, it will be like playing two different games.

“I don’t think they will know what they are doing half the time.”

Cleckheaton's Keith Johnstone said: “For a lot of them, it will be their first taste of cricket, and some of them are not going to get a bat or a bowl.” In a bid to avoid cup replays after ties (there were five last season), all cup matches will be decided on the day, with the side having lost the fewest wickets winning if scores are level at the end of the clash.

If that does not separate the teams, then the winner will be the side who have scored the most runs after five overs (then ten overs or 15 overs if the sides are still equal).

Matches shall be 20 overs per side, with the exception of finals, although Johnson pleaded for common sense to be used if the light looked like it would become a factor.

League treasurer Philip Radcliffe said: “The league made a loss of £52.45 on the year ended October 31, 2009, which was very different to the £1,188.40 profit we made last season.

“We lost quite a lot of clubs and we lost about £500 in the sale of handbooks and fines were down from £803 to £310.

“Money from the Lord’s Taverners competition brought in £766 compared to £345 and sponsorship money was increased from £2,650 to £3,050.”