SUNDAY league cricket will return to Dorset for a second year as the TT25 competition gears up to start in May.

The Hearn and Sons-sponsored TT25 competition has had an increase in teams with 18 clubs having entered and it will be the only Sunday league being played in Dorset.

The friendly but sociable format will mainly be played between early May to mid-July in four regions all over Dorset on a fortnightly basis.

Shaun Hearn, from Hearn and Sons said: “We are more than pleased to support the TT25 League again this season, it’s a great idea developed by Tommy Tucker, as it gives many younger players and families an opportunity to play cricket at a social level.”

Tucker, coach at Charlton Down Cricket Club, said: “The competition has been designed to emphasise the spirit of cricket and encouraging 14+ and 50+ players returning to the game and for families to play the shorter 25-overs format in the same teams.

“This format of cricket will give the sport to young players who are not quite ready, or do not want, to play the longer format after they finish youth cricket, young adults with families who still want to play but don’t have the time for the longer game.

“It is also aiming to appeal parents and grandparents who might like to play with their sons/daughters or grandchildren and older players who have retired, not been able to play or wanting to play the longer format.

“One of the aims for the new league is to bridge the gap between youth cricket at under-15 level and the longer adult game, increase the club players and social numbers and, at the same time, bring more families into cricket.”

Rules including free entry into the league with no financial penalties, local matches every other week, only six to eight matches, games completed in less than three hours, mixed teams, wide balls not re-bowled to speed up matches, batting retirements and bowling restrictions all feature.

Tucker added: “I had become increasingly frustrated at seeing young boys and girls come to me for coaching from the age of six to 15 and then see only two or three have the opportunity to progress into adult cricket. Last year proved there was a need to offer another form of cricket and the increase in teams entering in the 2018 season backs up my thoughts.”

n Clubs interested in entering a team in the 2019 season should contact Tucker at tommy.tucker501@btinternet.com or look on the Dorset Cricket Board website.

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