Jer Lane Cricket Club, in Great Horton, was handed a 12-point deduction by the Bentley Drains Bradford Premier League.
The points deduction applies to the first team as the club had not met specific criteria from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) which is designed to promote strong clubs, rather than a short-term focus solely on having strong teams.
Jer Lane Cricket Club, which has been received a points deduction (Image: Newsquest)
The criteria requires clubs to establish a programme for the development of girls’ cricket. It is the only club in Bradford to have been penalised.
An ECB spokesperson said: “In exchange for ECB funding, Premier Leagues need to meet specific criteria which are designed to promote strong clubs, rather than a short-term focus solely on having strong teams.
“This is good for the health of the clubs and the game more generally.
“One of these criteria relates to clubs having a girls’ section.
“This has been communicated for the last two seasons, with support available for clubs via local Recreational Cricket Boards to help with implementation.
“Where clubs do not deliver against the criteria and fail to evidence any work in addressing these issues, we would expect leagues to impose the relevant penalties.”
In addition to Jer Lane CC, there are two other clubs nationally that are working towards the ECB Premier League Accreditation criteria that did not meet this specific criteria and have had penalties imposed.
It is the responsibility of leagues to oversee penalties, and the Bradford Premier League has also issued a statement on the matter.
A spokesperson for the Bentley Drains Bradford Premier League: “Clubs in the top two divisions in all ECB Premier Leagues are required to establish a programme for the development of girls’ cricket in 2026 with the ECB warning that points deductions would be applied in the event of clubs not meeting the March 31 deadline to meet the required threshold.
“Jer Lane has been deemed by the ECB not to have made sufficient progress towards the development of girls’ cricket by the deadline hence the points deduction
“The club has lodged an appeal against the points deduction.
“The league will not be making any further statement until the appeal has been heard.”
The Telegraph & Argus has approached Jer Lane Cricket Club for a comment.
The club had been looking forward to the 2026 season.
In a post on Facebook just before their first game, Jer Lane wrote: “Yasar (Khan) continues his reign as captain and welcomes Townville Cricket Club to Park Avenue Cricket Ground in Bradford in the first game of the 2026 season.
“New signings Abbas, Kaleel, Bilal, Umer and Mustafa are all welcomed at the club and we wish them all the best in their debuts.”
However, Jer Lane suffered a defeat at Townville on the opening day of the season, leaving them 13 points adrift at the bottom of the table.