LET'S HOPE some good things emanate today from the Barbados Cricket Association's (BCA) surprise meeting with representatives of Division 1 clubs to discuss the 2006 Banks Division 1 play-offs, the Sagicor Super Cup and Arawak Cement Cup.

Certainly, they will come away wiser and be informed as to when and where the play-off matches will be contested. But the reps should let the BCA hierarchy know of their dissatisfaction with the Division 1 season ending in August after just seven matches, when Intermediate cricketers are now into their fifth round in mid-season.

Our best club cricketers were cheated of a full season while the 'pros' in the English Leagues won't get the customary end-of-season matches on their return home.

Division 1 cricket must revert to a round-robin League format where the teams play against each other and the side with the most points become champions. Finals and a zonal structure are for 'knockout' competitions, not Division 1 cricket, and change should always be for better, not worse.

Imagine having more teams but less matches and a team might not play against the likes of Empire, Spartan, St Catherine, Banks, Wanderers and defending champions, Pickwick, but could still be crowned champion team. If this isn't a farce, then what is?

The delegates should warn the BCA about expanding the Arawak Cement Cup by including youth teams and end up accommodating sub-standard cricketers and diluting the competition, like what has been done with the increase to 16 Division One teams.

On another note, I got a chance to see the Barbados Under-19 women's cricket team in action last week in Jamaica and I was truly amazed at the high standard of their play, inspite of the final result.

I just could not fathom why every girl was playing in a different shirt and we didn't have national caps.

Corporate Barbados, the National Sports Council and the BCA must ensure that the next time our female cricketers step on the field to represent this country, that they are outfitted like true representatives.

Finally, despite the assurances from the West Indies Cricket Board officials, I am extremely concerned that we are subjecting our Under-19 cricketers to playing in a final in Guyana, immediately after a general election there with the possibility of post-election violence.

It is always better to be safe than sorry and this final should not be contested at this time.

It was really unfortunate that rain played havoc with most of the Barbados matches, but we have ourselves to blame by withdrawing as the original hosts of the tournament.

l ezrastuart@nationnews.com