Surprise U-turn as cricket chiefs reveal revamped league structure

Officials have overturned a vote for a streamlined SNCL, featuring 20 teams, and replaced it with a weighty Conference system consisting of 32 clubs. The announcement has caused anger among clubs who backed the national alternative by a majority of 19-13.

However, Roddy Smith, the governing body’s chief executive, insisted: “It was time for Cricket Scotland to put our head above the parapet and do what we believe is best for the future of the game. We have taken all views on board and we are confident we have come up with the best solution.

“We know there will be flak from some quarters but that would have been the case whatever we did and we have long been of the belief that a national league serves no useful purpose.”

However, an official of one club who voted for a continued SNCL said: “Cricket Scotland’s own Future Structures Group said that 32 clubs was too many and that 20 was the correct number. But now they have divided the 32 clubs into four divisions. At no time was this an option. It is a complete shambles and I’m sure a lot of people will have plenty to say once they’ve digested what Cricket Scotland are imposing on them.”

The new system will see two Conferences [Western and Eastern] each of which will be split into two divisions of eight. There will be a national play-off at the end of the season with promotion and relegation between the two divisions. An expanded Scottish Cup will also form part of the new domestic structure.

Meanwhile, Ricky Bawa last night announced he is standing down as Uddingston captain after a record-breaking spell at the helm. The opening bowler skippered the Bothwell club for more than a decade and was the longest-serving captain in the top flight of the SNCL.

Bawa guided the club to successive promotions a decade ago, since when the side have cemented their place in the premier division. He also masterminded back-to-back Scottish Cup successes and his final act as captain was to lift the trophy aloft after they successfully defended it last season.

Bawa said: “I’ve had a long and rewarding time as skipper but I think the time is right to pass on the mantle to someone else. The promotions and the cups were obviously big highlights but I’ve enjoyed the whole experience.”

A club spokesman said: “Ricky will go down as the most successful captain in the club’s history. He has been a great ambassador for Uddingston.”

NEW STRUCTURE

Western Premier Division: Clydesdale, Uddingston, West of Scotland, Ayr, Stirling, Drumpellier, Greenock, Dumfries

Western First Division: Renfrew, Poloc, East Kilbride, Weirs, Ferguslie, Kelburne, Stenhousemuir, Prestwick

Eastern Premier Division: Carlton, Arbroath, Forfarshire, Aberdeenshire, Grange, Watsonians, Heriot’s, Stoneywood-Dyce

Eastern First Division: Dunfermline Knights, West Lothian, SMRH, Freuchie, Falkland, Corstorphine, Edinburgh Accies, Penicuik