Cricket North's desire for a six-team A-grade competition could soon be realised - but not necessarily through the addition of TCL outfit Cressy.
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The Bulldogs look set to join the North's only turf competition as early as 2020-21 thanks to plans to install a new wicket this summer and the go-ahead from Cricket North.
However, George Town is also eyeing off a return to top flight for the first time since 2015-16 after growing its playing numbers over the off-season.
The Saints fielded a second grade side last season, finished third grade premiers, and also competed in the first grade T20 competition.
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Cricket North administrator David Fry said it was pleasing to see competition for spots in A-grade.
"I guess the competition's on to see which of the clubs that doesn't have a first-grade side is able to get that position as far as their playing strength is concerned over the next year or so," Fry said.
"We'd be pretty keen to have a six-team first-grade comp at least within two years - that may well be George Town.
"George Town I understand have attracted a number of players back to the club that haven't been playing with them for a little while, so they've certainly stated their intention to build towards returning to first grade in the next few seasons.
"That's always been an intention, they just haven't had the playing stocks to be able to achieve that but that may well be starting to turn around which is a good thing."
The Cricket North roster is expected to be released in the near future, with a number of changes set to impact different divisions.
Changes include:
- 10 points for any outright win in A-grade. Only six points were awarded last season if the winning side lost on first innings.
- 45-over matches in second-grade to allow for women's matches to be played on Saturday afternoon. Women can then play for the new Greater Northern Raiders team on Sundays.
- Under-18s likely to be renamed colts division 1, under-15s likely to be renamed colts division 2
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