The JCT600 Bradford League’s cup and shield competitions will have a new look this year.

Reserve dates have been reinstated, there will be leg-side wides in the Priestley Shield and free hits in both of the Sovereign Health Care-backed competitions for front-foot no-balls.

The changes, which have been discussed by the league’s cup and shield committee and approved by the league’s management board, were discussed by the clubs at this week’s pre-season league meeting at Pudsey Congs.

Umpires will also have the power to agree to a shorter match before the start of play on the reserve date if the weather forecast is poor.

Other amendments include earlier starts to cup and shield finals and that ten overs of the second innings must be bowled to achieve a result on the original date, otherwise the game will be abandoned and played on the reserve date.

The alterations have been made after feedback from clubs and players and league chief executive David Young said: “The committee’s main aim was to provide regulations that allow for a result to be achieved by playing as much cricket as possible, rather than resorting to bowl-outs, and we believe that they have achieved that.”

Farsley’s Dick Storr is worried that Shield games will go on for too long because of the leg-side wides rule but Young said: “If we do have long games, then we will rediscuss it, but we want to try it.”