Changes in the cricketing calendar seem to be making clubs take each game much more seriously.

Co-ordinator of Bermuda Cricket Board?s (BCB) Technical Committee Marc Wetherhill noted this was a likely spin-off effect as the one-day series has been cut to one round to accommodate the reintroduction of two-day cricket.

?The reality of how important each one-day game is, I think, has really struck. Each of the seven 50-over games has become crucial and the catalyst for that has obviously been the two-day game coming in,? he noted on the eve of two-day cricket?s return to Bermuda this weekend.

?People now appreciate that each match is of significance and clubs will have to put out their best team week in, week out.

?Whereas in the 14-game season the importance of some matches was somewhat diluted and the enthusiasm was perhaps not as strong.?

Wetherhill, who oversaw the alterations to the cricket format, is pleased with the ?positive feedback? he has received and believes players and fans will warm to the idea even further once the two-day games start.

He urged all club officials who have not yet availed themselves of the two-day regulations to do so by getting a copy of them from the BCB.

He disclosed that one point of debate over the two-day structure at a recent meeting between the BCB and affiliates was a query over the first-innings declaration policy.

?Some people wanted to know if, in the first innings, the first batting team declares, does the team batting second get the additional overs (teams can bat a maximum 70 overs in the first innings).

?In the rules, the non-declaring team would not get the additional overs but, I believe that if the first batting team is bowled out that the second team could, if they want to, use those extra overs.?

However, Wetherhill said he didn?t see the point of this since, after 70 overs, no more bonus points would be up for grabs.

Clubs interested in playing youth cricket have been reminded to complete and submit registration forms to the Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) by today.

National coach Mark Harper said the Youth Committee had decided to have competition in the Under-15 and Under-19 age groups with both leagues scheduled to start on Friday, May 28.

Clubs are asked to indicate what age groups they will contest.

For further information, contact Mark Harper at 335-2384.