THE new season is a year of change in the West Tyne Cricket League.

New rulings will see the game dramatically change within the district, especially for bowlers.

Traditionally, people have been allowed to bowl 12 overs per game but that number will be restricted to eight from next Saturday onwards. Games will also now be 40 overs per side instead of 42.

The amount of points up-for-grabs has significantly changed too. The winning side automatically gets 15 points, but could claim 20 with bonuses. If they bowl out the opposition, they get all five bonus points, or a point for each two wickets taken.

Instead of a maximum of five, losing sides can claim up to 10 points. There will be five bowling points on offer, one for each two wickets, as well as five batting points, at a rate of one for each 25 runs after triggering the bonus points for reaching 75.