THE Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) and beverage giant Ansa McAl (Guy) Ltd last Tuesday launched the 15th STAG Beer 50-over first division cricket tournament.

President of the BCB, Hilbert Foster, stated that the tournament will be contested by eleven teams, divided into two zones with the teams in each zone playing on a round-robin basis.

The top two teams from each zone will advance to the semifinals. Zone A will comprise West Berbice, Blairmont Community Centre, Tucber Park, Young Warriors, Rose Hall Canje and Police Sports Club while Zone B will consist of Albion Community Centre, Port Mourant, Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets, Upper Corentyne and Skeldon.

Foster disclosed that at least five additional first division tournaments are expected to be organised in 2019. The BCB is also in talks with several sponsors to host a two-day first division tournament as well.

Foster stated that the tournament is expected to be at the highest standard with players like Romario Shepherd, Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul, Gudakesh Motie, Clinton Pestano, Keon Joseph, Kevin Sinclair, Anthony Bramble, Raun Johnson, Kevlon Anderson, Seon Glasgow, Javed Karim, Demitri Cameron. Eon Hooper, all playing for their different teams. 

Clubs will only be permitted one non-Berbician for the entire tournament while teams will be expected to be properly attired. Clubs who might be struggling to uniform their teams at the start of the 2019 season are asked to inform the BCB.

Walkover shall be granted half-an-hour after the scheduled start of play while clubs will lose their rights to the toss if they are not present by 09:15hrs.

He expressed gratitude to Ansa McAl, STAG Beer and Troy Cadogan for their support. Cadogan, in brief remarks, stated that he was very impressed by the activities of the BCB and its commitment to the development of the game. He expressed confidence that the tournament would be well organised and that his company would receive widespread media coverage.