Open cricket will be held over the first five weeks of the new season, before the 50-overs competition starts on May 20, according to the new schedule shared with the clubs by the Bermuda Cricket Board.

The Twenty20 matches, which have started the season in the past three years, will be moved back to the latter part of the season, beginning on the Saturday after Cup Match.

Lloyd Smith, the BCB president, expressed a desire for more cricket to be played, including an April start, when he was voted into office last November.

The season will begin on April 21 and 22 with reintroduced Open cricket at three venues: PHC Field, Lord’s and Sea Breeze Oval.

The First Division will play on the Saturday and Premier Division matches the following day at the same three venues.

St David’s host Eastern Counties rivals Bailey’s Bay in the top match.

Matches will be played on the Saturdays and Sundays for Open cricket, which ends on May 19, with 50 overs starting the following day in the two divisions.

St David’s, the defending champions of the 50-overs league, face Southampton Rangers on May 20, while Somerset and St George’s, meet at Somerset Cricket Club and Bailey’s Bay host Western Stars.

T20 action begins on August 5, again in two divisions, with a T20 festival weekend scheduled for September 8 and 9.

Major dates for the season include Cup Match on August 2 and 3 and the Eastern Counties series on July 21 (Bailey’s Bay v Cleveland), August 18 (winner v Flatts) and the final on September 1 when the winner will play St David’s. All matches are at Sea Breeze Oval.

The season-ending Counties Champion of Champions competition will be held on September 15 and 16.