Western Stars skipper Justin Robinson hailed the opening weekend of the domestic season as "a step in the right direction" for the start of cricket's resurrection on the Island.

The 2008 campaign began in earnest with the 20/20 League and Robinson believes the smash, bang, wallop version of the game has reinvigorated the passion of many local players.

"Bermuda Cricket Board's decision to start off the season with the 20/20 league was a good idea because players were losing interest in the longer versions of the game last season," said Robinson, who scored 39 and 38 in the 20/20 League last weekend.

"The first weekend was pretty entertaining, although we got off to a slow start."

Robinson, whose side lost their two matches against Leg Trappers and PHC, said introducing the 20/20 game to Bermuda would bring out both fans and players.

"This shorter format not only benefits domestic cricket but also Bermuda on the international scene as it will encourage more players to come out and get involved," he added.

Local cricket has come under heavy fire over the last 12 months, particularly the senior national team who gave a dismal and humiliating account of themselves at the Stanford 20/20 tournament in Antigua in February.

But Robinson believes the playing the shorter game regularly on the Island is a positive move and reckons it could become a permanent fixture in BCB's schedule for the season.

"There's a good chance of it becoming a permanent fixture on the cricket calendar if it gets the right approval." Robinson said.

The newly formed 20/20 competition is being played Island-wide with clubs participating in their respective zones.

The two-day league has been scrapped and replaced by the Open league, played over one day, and the 20/20 tournament.

After last weekend's action, St. David's and St. George's are top of the Eastern zone, PHC and Leg Trappers top the West Central zone while Somerset and Police hold down the Western and East Central zones respectively.

Andrew Raynor, of Southampton Rangers, echoed Robinson's remarks and believes the 20/20 will create more excitement in local cricket.

"It is good to have a 20/20 league on the Island as a lot of Bermudians are currently watching the new Indian Premier League (IPL) and are wanting to get involved in the shorter version," said Raynor, who scored a half-century against Somerset Bridge last weekend.