Cup Match this year will be overseen by a foreign match referee ? perhaps the most significant change to the way the Classic has been officiated in its 106-year history.

The Bermuda Cricket Board revealed yesterday that after months of discussion, both Somerset and St. George?s have agreed to the change, which was made in response to the infamous disturbances which marred last year?s encounter at Wellington Oval.

In addition to the appointment of a match referee, all players, coaches, managers and match officials will be subject to the International Cricket Council?s Code of Conduct ? a Cup Match first ? with the BCB reserving the right to punish any player who steps out of line.

The clubs have also lost the right to appoint whichever umpires they wish, but must now pick from a shortlist of no more than three or four officials approved by the BCB and the Bermuda Umpires Association.

While the Classic itself is a BCB-sanctioned game, throughout Cup Match?s long history the clubs have always jealously guarded their right to run it as they saw fit, with the governing body traditionally steering clear of any direct involvement.

?We knew after what happened last year that the Board had to work with the clubs to ensure that the reputation of Bermuda?s premier cricket match was not undermined again,? said BCB chief executive Neil Speight last night.

?As a result, we wrote to the clubs earlier in the year informing them that we had responsibility for all cricket played in Bermuda and that we would like to see changes to the way in which Cup Match was run.

?We have now all reached agreement and we are actively seeking a highly qualified candidate from abroad to come to Bermuda to act as the match referee. That person will be responsible for liasing with the match umpires to ensure that the Code of Conduct is followed.

?If there are any infractions, it will be the responsibility of the match referee, acting on the umpires? reports, to inform both the clubs and the Board, who will then have the right to impose sanctions.

?The clubs will be able to deal with any matter which arises in any way they want. But the Board has more remedies available to it, in the sense that if the situation warrants, we are the only body with the power to ban a player from domestic or international cricket.

?As far as the umpires are concerned, the Board have got to be satisfied that the two appointed are among the best available and that they will be responsible guardians of an extremely important game. Giving the clubs a chance to pick from an approved shortlist is a sensible way forward.

?It was was never the Board?s intention to get involved in the running of Cup Match. But once again we have a responsibility as the governing body of cricket in Bermuda to ensure the highest standards of behaviour are observed.?