CLUB cricket in Worcestershire was revolutionised three years ago in a shake up by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

New guidelines restructured the county scene into a series of leagues, feeding into regional premier leagues.

In Worcestershire's case this was the Birmingham League.

The revamp has been a huge success with the county's best clubs and cricketers reaping the benefits, according to league administrator, Alan Bayley.

"We now have a structure in the county where ambitious clubs can make their way up to the top level of club cricket," he said.

"Previously clubs played in separate leagues and you could win your own league but have nowhere to go.

"But now the champions of the Worcestershire County League are going into the Birmingham League which is the best club cricket in the country. The facilities are there for clubs in divisions three or four to make their way up to Division One of the Birmingham League.

"From a situation of three years ago where they could be the best in their league but with no chance to progress, we now have this set up which could see them go to the very top.

"Everything is working very well and all the clubs are very pro-active and interested in performing well."

Its strength was reflected when a Worcestershire County League XI beat Shropshire by seven wickets at Bomere Heath in the Midland Club Cricket Conference inter-league knock out.

Shropshire were restricted to 202-4 off 45 overs before Bewdley's Mark Bennett hammered 76 off 100 balls in a 153 stand with Kevin Truswell (Chaddesley Cor-bett) who scored 78. Jeremy Leighton (Bromyard) with 25no and Pedmore's Darren Freeman saw them home.

They will face either Northamptonshire Cricket League or Notts Cricket Board Premier League in the next round.