Major changes for Manx cricket

Manx cricket is set for a series of big changes in 2009.

The Standard Bank Premiership will see the island's top six sides facing each other on three occasions.

The Sunday Championship will now be contested between Vagabonds, Valkyres and the second XIs from Cronkbourne, Castletown and Ramsey.

In the evening Twenty20 Division One, teams will play each other home and away in a league format, with the top four advancing to the knock-out stages.

There are also changes to the island's executive.

Colin Kniveton is standing down as chairman after a highly successful three years and will be replaced by Barry Smith.

Mark Entwisle and David Slack are also retiring from their positions, so Gareth Dawson will become the new development director and Sue Davidson is the new IOMCA secretary.

Davidson comes with a distinguished background, having been the PA to the chief executive officer for Cricket in Natal.

The scene is now set for an important year with the island's senior side, the under-19s and the under-15s all competing in Europe.

The national side go to Spain at the end of August for the Division Three tournament against Belgium, Malta, Israel, Portugal and the host country.

The under-19s travel to Belgium at the beginning of August for their European Division Two competition and the under-15 team will take part in the Division Two competition in Italy.