Twelve clubs will make history this weekend when they take part in the opening round of fixtures in the groundbreaking Warwickshire Sunday Smash.
The Smash is a brand new 100-ball format tournament launched by the Warwickshire Cricket Board and Warwickshire County Cricket Club to revitalise Sunday cricket at clubs across the region.
Fifteen clubs in three regional divisions will each play between six and eight games throughout June and July with the top teams progressing to a semi-finals day at Bedworth CC on Aug 11 and then a Finals Day at Edgbaston on Sunday September 1.
The format is designed to encourage cricketers who previously played regular league cricket back into the game through a shorter format.
cite=”Andy Wyles
Played in coloured clothing with a pink ball, all games will start at 2pm to give clubs an opportunity to remain open throughout the day, following the morning’s programme of youth cricket.
This exciting new chapter of regional cricket history will open this weekend with the first round of matches: Water Orton v Four Oaks Saints, Sutton Coldfield v Bedworth, Shenley Fields v Harborne, Moseley Ashfield v Aston Manor, Stratford-on-Avon v Alcester & Ragley and Solhull Blossomfield v Knowle & Dorridge.
Great family entertainment is promised at each venue, nowhere more than at Solihull Blossomfield where the local derby with K&D will be at the heart of a Family Fun Day with loads of entertainment for children and adults.
The objective of the new tournament and format is to make the cricket the centrepiece of a great day’s family entertainment.
Andy Wyles, Growth & Participation Manager at WCB, said: “We have been delighted by the positive reaction from clubs to the formation of the Warwickshire Sunday Smash.
“The 100-ball format has evoked a lot of interest ahead of the exciting new franchise tournament next year and I think the Smash games, and the days at which they are the centrepiece, will be greatly enjoyed by a lot of people over the next two months.
“The format is designed to encourage cricketers who previously played regular league cricket back into the game through a shorter format. In recent years some clubs have experienced a large drop in player availability for the all-day league format, due to family, work and other reasons, but the Warwickshire Sunday Smash, played in two hours and 15 minutes, with reduced travel time, is much better-shaped for players, their families and other potential spectators.
“It will also provide an opportunity for clubs to generate bar and kitchen revenue and we hope that it can help reinvigorate Sunday cricket in the region.”
