The opening round of this year’s Central Counties series has been postponed.

Tournament organisers have confirmed that they have called off the first-round clash between holders Devonshire and Commercial Division outfit North Village in response to a mandate prohibiting players involved in the Bermuda Smash Invitational from participating.

A number of players involved in the Bermuda Smash Invitational, which kicks off at the National Sports Centre North Field on Sunday, are also members of teams represented in the Central Counties.

Organisers of the Central Counties will now meet with participating clubs to discuss new dates.

Western Stars and PHC are the remaining clubs involved in the competition, with Stars originally scheduled to do battle with the winners of the first round on June 21 for the right to face PHC in the final round on June 28.

Stars opted not to defend their Central Counties title last year but Kevin Hurdle’s team are coming off a successful First Division T20 campaign after clinching promotion to the top tier next season. They finished runner-up to unbeaten champions Southampton Rangers under newly installed coach Herbie Bascome.