Defending Shanghai Construction Group National League Premiership champions Merry Boys will open its title defence today against Preysal at the former's home ground in Diego Martin.
Merry Boys is hoping the new league format will bring the team further success. Three-day matches will be played this season, unlike the two-day format in previous years. The organisers are hoping that the longer format will encourage batsmen to spend more time at the crease. In the two-day format, batsmen will often look for quick runs in an effort to force outright victories and this led to poor shots.
The matches will bowl off today at 10 am, continue on February 7 and conclude on February 8. Tomorrow the 50-over competition will begin.
Merry Boys ended the 2014 campaign with 237 points, 17 more than runners up Queen's Park Cricket Club (QPCC). Merry Boys also celebrated its 50th anniversary last year and the league title was icing on the cake. Rounding off the top three last year was southern-based team Powergen. In arguably the most enticing match of the round, QPCC will battle Clarke Road, which finished fourth last year.
In other matches Alescon Comets will welcome Victoria at its Charlieville ground, Caldrac will visit Esmeralda and Powergen will travel to Jenexcon Tableland.
Today's matches
Jenexcon Tableland vs Powergen at Tableland.
Esmeralda vs Caldrac at Esmeralda.
Alescon Comets vs Victoria at Charlieville.
Queen's Park vs Clarke Road at Queen's Park Oval.
Merry Boys vs Preysal at Diego Martin.?