HARRY Brook is the new president of the Aire-Wharfe League.

The England cricketer, currently in New Zealand for the Test series there, was asked in the middle of 2023 if he wanted the role and confirmed his interest this season at the Birtwhistle Cup final - “as long as I don’t have to make a speech!”.

Brook’s family have been or are a huge part of Aire-Wharfe League club Burley-in-Wharfedale, including his grandparents Pauline and Tony, his dad David, mum Lucy and uncles Richard and Nick.

Apart from all-format player Brook being given that honour, the main piece of news from the league’s annual meeting at Otley RUFC was that they will hold a T20 Cup in 2025, to be played on Thursdays.

Participation is optional, but league executive committee member Chris Halliday said at the AGM: “The competition is a no brainer and will go ahead whether there are eight clubs entered or 36.

“Matches will be played on weeks where there are no cup fixtures on the Sunday so that clubs don’t have to play Thursday, Saturday, Sunday.

“Groups will be organised on a geographical basis and the suggested start time is 6.15pm, with the option of reduced overs if there is bad weather down to a minimum of six overs per innings, while Duckworth Lewis will also be used.

“Overseas players can take part and matches will be in coloured clothing as most clubs have training kit. Pink balls will also be used.”

Halliday added: “Group matches will be scheduled from the end of May until the end of July, leading to quarter-finals, and we hope to stage the final at York CC under floodlights on a Sunday, with other options being Headingley or Bradford & Bingley.

“Clubs can confirm their participation by replying to the January circular.”

Entry fee will be £20 per team, with only one team per club being allowed but one loan player can be used - from either inside or outside the league.

There will be a maximum of eight groups on a round-robin basis, and umpires will be paid £20 per match or £30 if they stand alone.

The away team have the option of batting first. If they choose not to then a coin toss will take place, and teams can bowl two successive overs from the same end, although the numbers of overs from each end must be balanced up by the end of the innings.

Leg-side wides will cost the bowling side two runs per instance and will not be re-bowled, unless it is in the final two overs of the innings.

There will be no powerplays, although no balls will result in a free hit.