After all the excitement of the Cricket World Cup it's now time to concentrate on the real thing.

The coming month will see various cricket leagues kick-off their 2003 season. The Byom Supplies Blackburn and District Amateur Cricket League will begin on Saturday May 3rd.

Let's begin with the fate of the mighty Brookhouse. The cup winners and third placed team of last season will play their games in the B division because of certain disagreements. In our opinion any team that doesn't want to 'play ball' should not be given any chance whatsoever. They should see this as a chance to mend their ways rather that feel they are bigger than the league. We speak from experience.

Little Harwood who won the title by a solitary point last season will play St James's Road in the first game. And Gujrat who finished runners-up will begin their season against big hitters Blackburn Eagles. Sansrod, will be hoping for another solid start to the season when they take on Western.

Newly promoted Hifield (Aka Riley's) and Haideria carry on where they left off last season - playing each other.

The Pendle District Cricket League will begin on Sunday April 27th. Six teams will be participating this year with the surprise omission of Hussainia who will be playing in a East Lancashire league. Whitefield have been busy in the transfer market this winter signing on Tauqeer Ahmed, Shahid Mahmood and Amjad Ali from Watan CC. Going the other way are Wajid Sharif and Mohammed Farooq.

Games will be played on the same grounds as last year with a change concerning the Pemberton Cup.

This competition will be played on Sundays.

As always we'll have all the latest tables and a full-round up of the games in every issue of Asian Image.

If you would like to have your game featured let us know by calling 01254 298263.