To avoid delays in a packed schedule, all matches will be played in pairs. The first innings of Match A is followed by the first innings of Match B, then the second innings of Match A is followed by the second innings of Match B, and so on.

Round One

For the 2025 tournament we have a likely number of 28 men’s teams. The men’s event will revert to its Gentlemen’s’ and Players format.

In Round One teams will play within their Gentlemen’s and Players Sections to decide placings for Round Two and there will be a league table for each section.

There will be 12 teams in the Players Section and 16 teams in the Gentlemen’s Section with all teams playing three matches against a range of teams in their Section. Teams have been ranked according to their previous form to ensure their fixtures have been allocated as fairly as possible in regard to strength of opposition and timings of the matches. New teams have been incorporated according to the available information. Thank you to teams for their co-operation for playing in the Section they have been allocated.

League tables will be produced for each Section and teams' final position will determine what happens in Round Two, although we might make minor adjustments if they seem appropriate.

Round Two

CUP: Teams ranked one to six in the Players Section will be divided into two groups of three teams each. Teams will play two matches in each group.

SHIELD: Teams ranked seven to ten in the Players Section will play in one group of four teams. Each team will play three matches in the group.

BOWL: Teams ranked 11 and 12 in the Players Section and teams ranked one to four in the Gentlemen’s Section will be divided into two groups of three teams each. Teams will play two matches in each group.

PLATE: Teams ranked five to ten in Gentlemen’s Section will be divided into two groups of three teams each. Teams will play two matches in each group.

SPOON: Teams ranked 11 to 16 in the Gentlemen’s Section will play in two groups of three teams. Each team will play two matches in each group.

Semi-Finals

There will be semi-finals held in the Cup, Bowl and Plate and Spoon with the team finishing first in Group A playing the team finishing second in Group B, while the team finishing first in Group B playing the team finishing second in Group A. There will be no semi-finals in the Shield as teams play three matches in their group.

Finals

Finals in Cup, Shield, Bowl, Plate and Spoon. Winners of the semi-finals in the Cup, Bowl, Plate and Spoon will meet in the final as will the top two teams in the Shield.

Play-offs

There will not be play-offs in 2025 as there are more teams entered in the Sixes this year but every team will get a minimum of five matches with those that reach the semi-finals or finals playing six or seven matches. All teams in the Shield will also play at least six matches.

Notes

Teams will be ranked in the league tables according to points, then number of wins and net run rate off the bat. The second round placings may be adjusted to avoid teams meeting who have already played earlier in the tournament or for any other reason.

Ladies Cup

Three ladies teams will play each other in a league and the top two teams will meet in the final.

Tournament Rules

Download the Tournament Rules in PDF format

(Last amended 2024)