A WAVE of top Twenty/20 competition is set to sweep through next season's local club cricket schedules with the launch today of the North Gear 2020 Premier League, a first nationwide Twenty/20 premier tournament that rolls out all the razzmatazz and excitement of the shortended version of the game into local clubs and grounds.

Promising a season of excellent match play, with prize money, free coloured clothing for every player and the opportunity to take part in some hard fought competition, the North Gear Twenty/20 Premier League has secured ECB backing as it aims to take club cricket up a gear.

With a final scheduled at a County ground and the potential for televised coverage, the North Gear Twenty/20 Premier League will also provide a stepping stone for young players who want to showcase their talents in a national competition.

Manager of the North Gear 2020 Premier League, Simon Hinks, the-ex Kent and Gloucestershire county cricketer, wants to give more than 150 local clubs around the country the chance to play.

He said: "We want to see clubs back in the heart of their community, fuelled by fun family events, local rivalry, the chance for national glory and reaping the rewards from outside sponsorship.

"Twenty/20 is revitalising cricket and this event is already sparking off real enthusiasm, the chance for a national platform for premier clubs all over the UK."

Frank Kemp, ECB head of operations for non-first class cricket, has given early support to the new competition.

He said: "Twenty/20 cricket has caught the imagination of a new generation of cricket fans. A high profile national club tournament should be great fun for the players and will give the young players in each club the chance to see how their 1st XI players cope with the format that most colts play every week.

"It's also a great opportunity for players to make a name for themselves and I'm sure that the counties will keep an eye on the results."

Open to clubs nationwide, and with prize money that includes £5,000 for the winners, play is due to begin in June 2007.

First stage matches will be organised within each participating league for the benefit of local clubs. Final rounds will be organised and run centrally, with a final scheduled at a national county cricket ground.