LAUNCH OF NORTH GEAR 2020 PREMIER LEAGUE

Launch of North Gear 2020 Premier League raises the game for club cricket.

A wave of top 2020 competition is set to sweep through next season's club cricket schedules with the launch this week of the North Gear 2020 Premier League, a first nationwide 2020 premier tournament that rolls out all the razzmatazz and excitement of 2020 cricket into local clubs and grounds across the UK.

Promising a season of excellent match play, with prize money, free coloured clothing for every player and the opportunity to take part in some hard fought competition, the North Gear 2020 Premier League has secured ECB backing as it aims to take club cricket up a gear. Both players and 2020 fans in towns and villages around the country are about to get a taste of the excitement and exposure that has re-ignited audiences in the professional game.

With a final scheduled at a County ground and the potential for televised coverage, the North Gear 2020 Premier League will also provide a stepping stone for young players who want to showcase their talents in a national competition.

Frank Kemp, ECB Head of Operations for Non First Class Cricket, has given early support to the new competition.   He says "2020 cricket has caught the imagination of a new generation of cricket fans.   A high profile national 2020 club tournament should be great fun for the players and will give the young players in each club the chance to see how their 1st XI players cope with the format that most colts play every week.   It's also a great opportunity for players to make a name for themselves and I'm sure that the Counties will keep an eye on the results.   The North Gear 2020 Premier League has got to be good for the game."

Open to clubs nationwide, and with prize money that includes £5,000 for the winners, there's everything to play for when the action starts in June 2007. First stage matches will be organised within each participating league for the benefit of local clubs. Final rounds will be organised and run centrally by the North Gear 2020 Premier League, with a final scheduled at a national county
cricket ground.