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The totesport National League

Origins of The totesport National League

In 1969, after the laws about sporting activities taking place on Sunday had been relaxed, a new 40 over cricket match format was introduced called the John Player Sunday League. Played in a league format, this one-day version of cricket became an instant hit with crowds, with its early afternoon start and television coverage on BBC2.

John Player ended their sponsorship in 1987, and Refuge Assurance became the new sponsors of this exciting form of cricket. A short-lived cricket knockout play-off trophy for the top four teams in the cricket league was also introduced.

However, this format went into decline and in 1992 there was no sponsor. In 1993 the format was changed to a 50 over cricket match, which brought it into line with the format of One-Day International matches and a new sponsor, Axa Equity and Law was found.

This extended format lasted only one year, since the time taken for matches to be played increased and audiences for the matches fell.

Two divisions with three up and three down were introduced in 1999, with each cricket team playing the others on a home and away basis, and Scotland joined the eighteen first-class counties in Division 2.

Several other sponsors have been involved and the format changed to the current 45 over cricket matches. National League cricket matches are played on all days of the week not just Sunday, with floodlit day-night matches becoming the norm in several counties.

However, the format has changed yet again for the 2006 season with cricket matches being reduced to 40 overs, and the seventh placed team in Division 1 will play the third placed team in Division 2 in a play-off match to decide the final promotion place. Scotland will also not be taking part in 2006.

Cricket Teams for the 2006 totesport National League

This is how the teams will line up for 2006:

Division 1

• Durham Dynamos
• Essex Eagles
• Glamorgan Dragons
• Lancashire Lightning
• Middlesex Crusaders
• Nottinghamshire Outlaws
• Northamptonshire Steelbacks
• Sussex Sharks
• Warwickshire Bears

Division 2

• Derbyshire Phantoms
• Kent Spitfires
• Gloucestershire Gladiators
• Hampshire Hawks
• Leicestershire Foxes
• Somerset Sabres
• Surrey Lions
• Worcestershire Royals
• Yorkshire Phoenix

Previous Winners of The National League

Winners from the previous five years:

2006 Essex Eagles

2005 Essex Eagles

2004 Glamorgan Dragons

2003 Surrey Lions

2002 Glamorgan Dragons

Number of Titles won in The National League

Two counties, Northamptonshire and Durham plus Scotland have never won The National League.

• Kent 5
• Lancashire 5
• Essex 4
• Glamorgan 3
• Hampshire 3
• Surrey 3
• Warwickshire 3
• Worcestershire 3
• Leicestershire 2
• Derbyshire 1
• Gloucestershire 1
• Middlesex 1
• Nottinghamshire 1
• Somerset 1
• Sussex 1
• Yorkshire 1

Betting on The National League

There are many ways to bet on The National League, from the cricket player to score the most 6s to the winners of Division 1 and Division 2.

For the latest odds on the 2006 National League from a range of bookmakers and betting exchanges, visit our Latest Odds section.

The National League is only one of many events in the Cricket calendar. Check out other Cricket events!

If you are new to betting and want to place a bet on The National League be sure to check out our Cricket - How To Bet section for some betting hints and tips.

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