> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://cricketyorkshire.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Inside the YCSPL points cap: 24 points, 11 players - URL: https://cricketyorkshire.com/ycspl-points-cap/ - Published: 2026-10-14T18:58:42.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-14T18:58:42.000Z - Description: Inspired by the Nottinghamshire Premier League, the YCSPL points cap aims to reward clubs that nurture their own players rather than buy in talent. - Author: John Fuller - Tags: #editors-picks, Opinion, Club Cricket The Yorkshire Cricket Southern Premier League (YCSPL) is introducing a player points cap for its Premier and Championship divisions in 2027. This is where fantasy cricket meets the grassroots game to tackle legitimate concerns around fairness and the future. > The league’s aims are to discourage clubs from “buying success”, to promote homegrown player development, and to level the financial playing field while rewarding club sustainability. Premier and Championship Division clubs passed the cap 13-3 with two absentions, back in July 2026 and while rules may be tweaked before a ball is bowled, the intent and the vision is locked in. The move is inspired by the Nottinghamshire Premier League who instigated their own points system and the YCSPL have kept in contact with the NPL. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ee/73/ee73d104-a6c6-4e5c-a4b8-854785d36d20/content/images/2026/10/cawthorne-vs-doncaster-town-ycspl.jpg) ### **How YCSPL players will be scored** - Each player is valued from 1 to 6 points. Homegrown players are 1, overseas pros with international caps are 6, and transfers sit in between, depending on their level and recent first-class, county or international cricket. - An XI cannot total more than 24 points in a league match. - Long service brings the value down for non-overseas players: -1 after 3 full seasons at a club, -2 after 5, -3 after 7 and -4 after 9\. No player goes below 1. - Just for 2027, existing transfers from other UK clubs are one point less, but new signings count in full. - Rules may still be amended at the league’s AGM, but all clubs will work to the same rules and points allocation. As it stands, clubs will be expected to submit their finalised squads by early April with the points allocation they think they have and the YCSPL will check this. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ee/73/ee73d104-a6c6-4e5c-a4b8-854785d36d20/content/images/2026/10/cawthorne-v-hallam.jpg) ### **What a 24-point XI looks like** - An all-homegrown XI is 11 points, which leaves 13 to spend. - One capped overseas pro (6), one recent first-class transfer (4) and nine homegrown players (9) total 19 points, which is legal. As an illustration, three 6-point players plus eight homegrown players total 26, which breaches the cap. There are many angles to this and while I admire the ethos behind it, the potential admin headache is considerable. That said, the management of Play-Cricket - and this player points rule - is in safe hands. It’s being led by Steve Ward, the YCSPL's Premier Section Representative and Scoring Manager who is building a volunteer team and a working guide. Ward is Sheffield Collegiate’s scorer; he scored in the 2025 England vs India Headingley Test and clearly knows his numbers. The aim is to be able to publish each team’s points on Play-Cricket to help with transparency. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ee/73/ee73d104-a6c6-4e5c-a4b8-854785d36d20/content/images/2026/10/wickersley-old-village-vs-cleethorpes.jpg) ### **Breaches** - A side that goes over 24 loses any points it won in that match, takes a 12-league points deduction and has a win overturned. - Any club or committee member can report a breach within five days. Further disputes go to the league’s Rule 74 disputes procedure. The devil is in the detail and classification of overseas players for the 2027 season is just one hot topic that may affect how many points are allocated. Clubs will have to wrap their heads around how Tier 5 professionals are classified, as well as knowing the latest on amateurs’ eligibility. ### **How will this affect transfers for 2027?** Time will tell on that front but the player points system is such that it rewards loyalty at clubs over years and also those whose squads are based on their own junior set-up. Will we see players who have associations at other clubs as a junior being tempted back? I’d be surprised if clubs haven’t already done the mental arithmetic on their current player stocks while thinking about gaps or signings for 2027. > As with the fantasy cricket analogy, it may encourage some to take a different approach to recruitment and clubs will need to balance who they play. It adds a dynamic to selection beyond who’s fit and who’s your first pick. Along with sheer weight of wickets and runs, too many player points in the YCSPL won’t mean prizes. Meanwhile, the cricket world is watching, particularly in Yorkshire, where I understand other ECB Premier Leagues are curious about how the YCSPL decision plays out. How would your club’s XI score under the new YCSPL points cap? **Photos credit:* With thanks to the YCSPL for the* [*photos from the 2026 season*](https://www.ycspl.co.uk/2026-photo-gallery?ref=cricketyorkshire.com)*.*