The North East of England is traditionally a Football-mad area. With three Premiership teams and a continuing expansion of football into the summer, cricket is having to fight hard to maintain its audience and keep its profile. The Durham Cricket Board Development Department decided to fight the footballing onslaught and strike back. The first-ever winter floodlit cricket tournament was organised and run across the county.

30 Clubs entered under 14 teams, in four qualifying events held during October 2000 across the county. The aim was to play under floodlights in the county final at Riverside. The competition was fierce. 8-a-side teams battled against each other playing the ECB's new format of the game "Inter Cricket". It's been played in Durham for 2 years and has been tremendously beneficial to cricket development. The game is very dynamic; free hits, bonus runs, scoring zones, orange stumps, orange umpires and the white ball made the events a tremendous spectacle.

A county-wide tournament was possible thanks to the kind support of Sportsnet. Sportsnet provided the venues as well as coloured clothing for the teams reaching the final. The winning team will be treated to a days cricket at Riverside next season in the Sportsnet hospitality box. Thanks must also go to the North East Premier League Umpires for braving the elements and officiating at the tournaments.

The events were held on Astro turf football pitches using the ECB Flicx pitches under floodlights. Eventually, 8 clubs reached the final coming from all over Durham these clubs were; South Hetton, Willington, Whitburn, Ryhope, Langley Park, Shotley Bridge, Norton and Hartlepool. South Hetton and Langley Park won their pools and met in the final. In a keenly fought contest Langley Park overcame the efforts of South Hetton to win by 26 runs.

Fun and enjoyment was the aim of the event and judging from the smiles and buzz from the enthusiastic supporters this was achieved. The experience will live long in the memories of the young players involved and helped keep cricket at the front of their minds during this otherwise fallow period. The legacy left will hopefully inspire Durham youngsters to perform under floodlights on the international stage.

© Durham CCC