The new look leagues will see an introduction of zoning between the 3rd and 4th XI Sunday competition, in a bid to encourage more youngsters introduced into league matches.

Currently, the Premier League fields two Sunday 3rd X1 leagues, providing both promotion and relegation between the two sections.

However, from 2009, two new regionalised leagues will be created based on a north and south split.

Promotion to the Premier division would still be an option to the clubs winning the regional divisions, but would not be compulsory.

The initiative would allow those teams fielding juniors to reduce travel and therefore allow them to return home at an earlier hour.

This was felt preferable with Monday being a school day.

The Saturday 3rd & 4th X1 leagues will be unaffected by the decision, which was made at the Liverpool ECB' AGM and will continue as before.

A spokesman for Lytham Cricket Club, who field three teams in the Liverpool & District ECB Premier League, delighted with the decision.
He said: "We have a huge and very successful junior section and see this development to allow us to select more of them for the Sunday 3rd & 4th X1 league matches.
"We are pleased to see that the league were keen to promote opportunities for juniors to play league cricket and we are doing everything to see that this was encouraged."

Youngsters at Lytham CC could also benefit from expert coaching.
The Liverpool and District Premier League run a specialist junior coaching scheme during the winter months, which is now being held at the new facility in Liverpool.

Funded by the Premier League, the centre will invite each club to send one junior from their books per year, in a bid to perfect their cricketing skills.