CHARLESTOWN Nevis, January 27th 2011 - President of the Nevis Cricket Association, Ronald Powell indicated yesterday that the Association’s 2011 cricket league is set to commence on Thursday 10th February.  This after his Association’s executive met with a fair sized representation of cricketers from most of the clubs and teams on Nevis at the ETW Park yesterday afternoon.

The meeting was called so that the players could give their input as regards the cricket year 2011.

As a result of the meeting, the following plans were laid:

• The local league will commence on Thursday February 10th with a brief ceremony and a friendly match

• The following week will see the start of the annual Bonzo 10/10 league normally sponsored by the Nevis Credit Union

• Immediately after the Bozo 10/10 league, the second division fixtures will commence

• The second division matches will be played in two zones: A and B. One zone will be played on Tuesdays and Saturdays and the other will be played on Thursdays and Sundays.  These will be alternated during the league

• With the Cotton Ground playing field unavailable due to ongoing renovation works and upgrade and with the ETW Park unavailable due to the hosting of the local Football league, the venues to be used for the second division matches will be: The St.George’s Recreation Grounds; Ramsbury and Jessups Playing field

• The 1st division fixtures will commence at the conclusion of the second division league and matches will be played at Ramsbury, St.George’s and the ETW Park, when it becomes available

According to Powell, the theme for the first division fixtures will be centered on ‘TEAMWORK’ and in this regards, the following incentives have been put in place:

• Any team bowling out another team for less than 100 runs in any innings, will get an extra bonus five points

• Any team making 300 or more runs in an innings will receive an extra five bonus points

Registration for the 2011 league is now open and teams are kindly asked to note that 2nd division teams are only required to pay Two hundred and fifty dollars while 1st Divison teams will pay Three hundred dollars.  The registration deadline is Sunday 20th February.

Powell further indicated that his Association is currently in negotiations with various sponsors for sponsorship of the various aspects of the cricket season.  He also noted that he has been in contact with the St.Kitts Cricket Association and is receiving some positive feedback.  Some of the possible innovations for this year’s season may well see an exchange of umpires between the two islands and a champions versus champions match up when both the 1st and 2nd division winners have been determined on both islands.

Powell also stated that a full calendar of events for the Nevis Cricket Association’s year will soon be released and this will include the now annual female cricket league.