Each weekend the Match Centre is where to go if you want to find out what is happening in club cricket across Leinster. Last Saturday, the first full day of the season, over 1500 people visited the site, most to check on club matches. This was more than 50% up on the equivalent day of last season. While 90% of these were from Ireland – in all there were 24 different countries represented.
Over the weekend all the D1 and D2 matches had Live Scores coverage and there were match updates from over 75% of the games played, with results on the day from over 80%. Overall this was a very positive outcome but obviously we want to do better and updates from all of the matches.
For the Match Centre to function effectively we depend on scorers, players and spectators to send in updates and, most important, the final result. There are a number of ways of doing this.
[a] For some matches [and for all matches in OCD1, OCD2 and WCD1] the Home team will provide live scores using an electronic scoring package Total Cricket Scorer [TCS]. This has the added advantage that it obviates the need to fill in a separate results scorecard.
For a spectator or player[when not in the field] the easiest way to update is by using Twitter on your mobile phone and including #cricketleinster in the message. To assist the Moderator of the Match Centre it also helps if you add the Match ID and add the relevant ID e.g. #12345. This can be found by going into the Match Centre and selecting the match.
[c] You can also send a Tweet from inside the Match Centre itself. Using your internet browser go to www.cricketleinster.ie/live. Simply Press VIEW LIVE SCORES to take you to the Match Centre where a list of the day’s matches will be displayed. If you want to update a score select the match you are interested in and using the tweet button send a message. The relevant hastags are entered automatically. Of course you have to have a Twitter account.You can make the MC a button on your Home page which saves time the next time you want to access the website.
[d] For those that don’t have a Twitter account you can send a message from a phone or computer / tablet provided you have access to the internet and an approved user name and password. Each club has a user name and password that will allow for updating of all the games the club is involved in that day. Again you simply log into the Match Centre [as above] and click on 'Admin User? Login Here' and you will be asked for user name and password. Once in you can send short reports on the state of play.
This is a useful shortcut but anyone using it has to have the relevant club e/mail address and password. If the administrator in any club is ensure of what to do you can contact admin@cricketleinster.ie for assistance.
Finally, anyone who watches matches regularly might be interested in becoming an online match commentator – just like on Sky Sports – and can be provided with the appropriate access to enable direct access. We are very keen to get more people involved and to continue to improve the service. Again you can contact admin@cricketleinster.ie for details.