WELLINGTON Cricket Club is preparing to find out who they will be hosting in the 2017 National Club T20 Competition in the New Year once the West of England Premier League has decided on its pool of clubs, writes David Derrick.

After travelling to Bridgwater and Taunton St Andrews in 2015 and 2016 respectively the Red and Blacks have put their name forward to host a day’s cricket that will include them and two other clubs from the WEPL pyramid playing a round-robin event.

The winners definitely qualify for the second round and perhaps the second placed team too if their net run rate is good enough.

Club administrator David Derrick said: “That we can host in 2017 after being so well looked after in 2015 and 2016 is a good thing and I am confident that the two clubs who will be coming to us will be equally well catered for.

“Our T20 competency was in good form in 2016 as we achieved a semi-final placing in the Baker Cup and we are committed, as a club, to playing as much T20 cricket as we can and this nationally facing competition that is only available to Clubs who play in an ECB mandated Premier League offers the chance to really test ourselves. Hopefully, having home advantage will help.

“We will know who we have been drawn against in the New Year and as a host club we will lead the process to set a date for this matter and, nominally at least, Sunday 14th May with a reserve date in case of weather of Sunday, May 28.

“Such an event will be supported by hospitality, independently appointed umpires and will have all the features of the professional version of this competition.”