There seems little evidence that this slide will be halted in the foreseeable future _ some observers feeling that, if strong measures are not adopted without delay, cricket in the North will wither and, if not die, become no more than country standard.

That would be a tragedy for a centre that has produced many of the State's most famous players and has, in recent times, far outstripped the South in providing members for the Tasmanian X.

The last four Tasmanians to wear the Baggy Green _ David Boon, Ricky Ponting, Shaun Young and Greg Campbell _ were all Northern players when they made their State debuts, and all the most successful home-grown cricketers of recent years, with the exception of Michael Di Venuto, learnt the game either in the North or North-West.

The reasons for the decline in the North are many and complex, but the two most telling factors are the removal of first- class cricket from Launceston and the drain of promising players to the South.

Youngsters were unable to watch the country's best players in action in the Pura Milk Shield, and first grade cricketers are deprived of the opportunity to play against opponents with experience at the highest level.

The knock-on effects of not hosting big matches include loss of revenue, which in turn prevents the NTCA from improving _ or in some cases _ maintaining basic facilities.

"We rely on income from football to keep solvent," said NTCA administration manager Trevor Flynn.

The axing of Old Scotch for 1999-2000 has left only five sides in the first grade competition, leading to one of the teams missing out on a match every Saturday.

NTCA president Phil McGee, however, is optimistic about the eventual outcome of the new format.

"The NTCA competition incorporating the Kookaburra League has been an outstanding success.

"The five-team competition, with the bye alleviated by the Kookaburra League, has indicated that, given time, it will strengthen both competitions.

"We now need to concentrate on expanding the Greater Northern League to allow more exposure to the next level of competition to our better players aspiring for State representation."

Former Sheffield Shield umpire and now Northern adviser for the NTCUA, Jack Hinds, with over 40 years of experience of cricket in the North, said that he was particularly disappointed that the NTCA had not allowed George Town to make up the sixth team in first grade.

"The facilities at George Town are excellent, as is the pitch. I know that the side did not do all that well when it was in the competition, but I am sure that some of the former Old Scotch players would have joined the club, and, if George Town could have attracted such promising players as Xavier Doherty to play for them they could have produced a competitive side.

"The standard of the competition is not as strong as it was, however, there are many talented cricketers out there, who could become outstanding players with encouragement."

Launceston captain Anthony Rist said that he liked the present format.

"The loss of Old Scotch, and George Town's inability to persuade the NTCA to re- admit them has brought sides a bit closer in standard, with players from those clubs spread around.

"The competition is not as strong as it was a few years ago, but with several of the leading players having moved to Hobart, that is understandable.

"I don't blame them for going in their quest for a place in the State side, and some have made the grade. Ben Targett is a good example of one who succeeded in a very short time.

"A Greater Northern competition, if viable, would soon improve the standard, however, it could badly affect the clubs not included.

"The present NTCA format is not ideal. A great idea would be for the TCL to enter a representative side.

"Pitches this year have been reasonable, with the NTCA No.2 square excellent, however, practice facilities are below par."

Mowbray captain Shane O'Byrne, said that the present system had both good and bad points.

"Five teams means inconsistent fixtures, and some weeks there is too much cricket and others none at all.

"For example, Mowbray started a match against Launceston on one Saturday, played South in a first grade-Kookaburra League fixture on the Sunday, had the Kookaburra League final scheduled for Wednesday and a twilight match on Friday evening before finishing the two-day game with Launceston the following Saturday."

O'Byrne said that he felt a competition involving North and North-West clubs would improve the standard.

"The loss of players going South has weakened our cricket, as has the loss of first-class cricket to Launceston."

Aaron Brown, the Westbury captain-coach, said that the problems were more fundamental than the format or players moving to Hobart.

"There are now far more activities for kids, and cricket takes a great deal of time and commitment.

"Also, the older guys are not putting anything back once the retire as they also have interests outside the game. There is not the same attitude or loyalty to clubs as there was 10 to 15 years ago," he said.

"The quality of A-grade cricket has dropped considerably and many players in the competition are lucky to be there.

"We need more specialist coaches to travel around and concentrate on the 14 to 17-year-olds _ if cricket is to flourish then those are the ones who will keep the game strong."

Riverside captain Andy Belsak said that the NTCA competition was of a poor standard mainly because many of the best players have gone to Hobart in the hope of playing State cricket.

"Most NTCA clubs lack depth, and that is one reason why Riverside has done so well this year as we have a stronger pool of players in reserve than most clubs.

"The TCL has also attracted several outstanding players such as Damien Jillett. I have nothing against the first grade containing only five teams, but would like to see a change in the system, allowing the side which finishes on top after the roster section going straight through to the grand final, with the second and third teams playing off to meet them."

Tom Gunn, the secretary of the TCL, said that there were some outstanding players in his competition, who would be worth their place in any A-grade side.

"Work commitments are a major factor why players choose the TCL ahead of the NTCA and others are not prepared to tie themselves down over two weekends.

" Playing in the TCL means only one afternoon match a week and one practice evening, whereas NTCA cricket demands a far greater expenditure of time," he said.

Former State all-rounder from 1970-80 and former Liberal Bass MHA Tony Benneworth agrees that the outlook is not healthy.

"Things have gone astray since amalgamation with TCA in the early 1990s, and the TCA has never gone out of its way to help cricket in the North," he said.

"They supply a coach at their expense, but that's it. Apparently, the Southern- based TCA has the luxury of sitting back and watching the standard drop in the North.

"They have always resisted an intra-state competition and resisted Northern clubs playing in their competition. The North and North-West should join up to form a single body.

"However, I feel that the salvation of Tasmanian cricket lies in the total amalgamations of the three regions under the TCA with one administration. As it is, the TCA has developed into a bureaucracy like the public service, with a vast staff.

"If the TCA does not go out of its way, the NTCA and NWTCA will fragment and fade away.

"In the past I suggested that all the Northern and North-West clubs join forces, but club and regional paternalism stopped that idea.

"I have been advocating a Greater Northern League for 10 years, with a maximum of eight teams, preferably six. We have to make cricket attractive for youngsters in this day and age.

"Where are all the up-and-coming stars? I feel that the TCA hasn't worked hard enough to keep the best talents in the game.

"The coaches have done a good job in identifying the most promising youngsters, but far too many have been allowed to slip away.

"The TCA would be doing a great service to cricket in the North were they to schedule some of the Mercantile Mutual matches here."

Ron Williams, who was awarded the Order of Australia last week for his services to cricket and is the NTCA official statistician, said that there was no question that the standard of cricket in the North had declined.

"I work with the scores every week, and it is apparent that outstanding performances have become fewer and fewer," he said.

"It's all very well suggesting a Greater Northern League, but the teams on the Coast are no better than those in the NTCA."

Former State player, NTCA stalwart and official NTCA Legend Graeme Miller said that the NTCA first grade competition should be reduced to four teams.

"There are just not enough talented players around for more," he said.

"The pitches here are not conducive to developing high-class players. There is no excuse for the main ground not having an excellent pitch.

"The NTCA ground looks very attractive with flower beds, painted stands and good outfield, but the most important part is the pitch _ without it being of high quality the standard of play will suffer," he said.

My own view is that the future lies with the youth.

There appears to be a strong infrastructure in the State to achieve that end, with the TCA putting a great deal of money and time into junior cricket.

Perhaps the recent success of the Tasmanian under-19 side is the first sign of progress.

However, there seems no quick-fix solution for cricket in the North. To produce good cricket and high quality cricketers we need a strong and imaginative administration, excellent facilities, competent umpiring and dedicated and enthusiastic players.

We need the whole-hearted cooperation of the TCA and the State selectors, who must be prepared to publicly say that anyone, anywhere in Tasmania has an equal chance of playing State cricket _ not making moving to Hobart a prerequisite.

It would also be reassuring to the players to see the selectors at club matches from time to time.

I wonder on what criteria they base their selections _ reading the scores in the newspapers, on the recommendations of the regional coaches or players _ to go South?

A triangular intra- State competition between South, North and North-West would be an ideal grounding for cricketers with higher aspirations and should produce tough, competitive cricket.

As far as the NTCA competition is concerned, A-grade sides should play a double round of two-day matches and a double round of one-games for separate trophies. It is quite ridiculous to include both forms of the game in a single competition.

The change in the conditions of the Kookaburra Cup has meant that the competition is no longer a truly Statewide competition, which is a pity as it severely limits the possibilities of players gaining a wide experience of competing against different teams.