Portsmouth granted Division One status in 2002 SPCL

Portsmouth will be playing in the top flight of the Southern Electric Premier League next season after having their St Helen's ground on Southsea seafront accepted for Division 1 cricket.

This year's Division 2 champions Portsmouth have announced plans to provide wheel-on covers and practice nets next season.

Autumnal works to upgrade the outfield have already been undertaken by the city council.

Portsmouth, captained by former Hampshire left-arm spinner Raj Maru, replace relegated Hungerford in the top flight.

Winchester KS and Rowledge are promoted into Division 2, with Hambledon relegated alongside Old Basing who, at their own request, have dropped back into the Hampshire League.

The demise of the Basingstoke club, having been much weakened by player losses, means an unexpected promotion into SPL3 for Redlynch & Hale, who finished third behind Ventnor and Hartley Wintney in HL County Division 1 this summer.

Ventnor, who lost only one match in four seasons of total domination in the County Leagues, will be the first Isle of Wight club ever to play in the SEPL.

The Southern Electric Premier League make up for the 2002 season is :

ECB Premier Division 1:
Andover, Bashley (Rydal), BAT Sports, Bournemouth, Burridge, Calmore Sports, Havant, Liphook & Ripsley, Portsmouth, South Wilts.

Premier Division 2:
Easton & Martyr Worthy, Hampshire Academy, Hungerford, Lymington, Old Tauntonians & Romsey, Rowledge, Sparsholt, Trojans, United Services, Winchester KS.

Premier Division 3:
Alton, Bashley (Rydal) II, Flamingo, Gosport Borough, Hambledon, Hartley Wintney, Havant, Hook & Newnham Basics, Hursley Park, Leckford, New Milton, Paultons, Portsmouth II, Purbrook, Redlynch & Hale, St Cross Symondians, Ventnor, Waterlooville.

*** All-day `time' matches in Premier Division 1 next season will start at 11 o'clock, 30 minutes earlier than previously.