New T20 format for North West

The new tournament will feature 4 groups of 4 teams - two from the Premier Division and two from the Championship in each group.

Teams will play each other once with the top two going into a straight Faughan Valley knockout.

The other two teams will then progress into a new knockout competition - the Eric Cooke Memorial Plate.

The North West Union was keen to preserve the memory of the former International umpire and after discussion with Eric’s family it was felt that this new trophy would be a fitting tribute.

Eric’s daughter Wendy said that the family were delighted that his name would remain associated with the sport here.

“We have been overwhelmed by the support we have received from the cricket community at this awful time,” she stated.

“I know how much the cricket fraternity meant to my dad and the family are delighted to be associated with this new competition.

“It will be very bitter-sweet for us in the circumstances but we look forward to presenting the trophy in dad’s honour later this year.”

The draw for the T20 cups will be made at the beginning of February. There will be a regional split of sorts given that games will be played on Tuesday and Thursday nights.

The Cricket Operations Committee will oversee the regulations and the draw and it appears at this stage that they will look to split entrants into two regions - one from Coleraine up, the other from Sion down.

Further details, including the draw will be published as soon as it happens.

Meanwhile Brigade have signed Digvijay Amarnath ahead of their 2014 Premier Division campaign.

The 23-year-old amateur is a left-handed top order batsman and right-arm off spin bowler.

He made his first-class debut in Sri Lanka recently, but hasn’t featured in the Indian first-class structure as of yet.