Changes coming to 2018 national cricket programme

A reversal to one round of matches, as well as the return of a one-day competition, in the premier division; the introduction of a 50-over national club championship and a female schools’ competition are some of the major changes carded for the 2018 national cricket programme.

The changes were presented to affiliates of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association Inc last Saturday, at the Annual General Meeting at the President’s Suite at the Arnos Vale One Playing Field.

During the 2017 cricket programme, the premier division saw two rounds of competition, but this proved to be lengthy, running from February to August, hence the reversal.

However, added to the premier division will be a 50-over competition.

Six teams will be vying for honours in the premier division. They are FLOW Radcliffe, Police Two, Team Rivals, Guardian General Saints, Victors One and newly promoted – North Leeward.

Explaining the format of the club championships, assistant secretary of the SVGCA Inc Cleton Burnett said: “The four top teams from the one-day competition of the premier division and the four from the first division will participate in the club championships, which will be a knockout competition.”

Burnett disclosed that the female competition will start in the first week of February and following all competitions, the National Lotteries Authority Neil Williams Twenty/20 competition will then take place.

The 2018 programme bowls off this Saturday at the Park Hill Playing Field, with a festival match for the Lennox John trophy.

The NLA first division is set to commence the following day, Sunday, with the two-day NLA premier division slated from January 13, onwards.

Other items on the SVGCA Inc’s calendar for the year are the junior and senior schools’ competitions, the Kiddy Cricket Festival and Camp, senior male, Under-15, Under-19 and senior women’s trials/ preparations, a camp for wicketkeepers and bowlers, a charity event dubbed “Pink Match”, along with the Annual General Meeting and the association’s Gala Dinner and Presentation Ceremony.(RT)