The 2024 cricket season will start on May 4 with the Bermuda Cricket Board to release details of the fixtures next week.

Steven Douglas, the BCB cricket chairman, expanded on some of the format details yesterday.

“The season will start on May 4 and the schedule will be released to the media next week,’’ Douglas said.

“Formats this year are similar to last year, with 50 overs and T20 Premier and First Division. In terms of venues, we have all grounds as like last year, but we have an additional team, PHC, who have returned to the First Division in both competitions.”

The Bermuda Smash Invitational, while not run by the BCB, will take place from May 15 to May 19 and will affect fixtures in the early part of the season but organisers have this week assigned two of the West Indies cricketers coming for the inaugural tournament to their teams.

Carlos Brathwaite, the Windies hero in their 2016 T20 World Cup final triumph over England, will be playing for the Hamilton Parish Hurricanes, captained by Terryn Fray.

Pembroke Panthers, who are led by Tre Manders, will have their batting bolstered by the presence of Chandrapaul Hemraj.

Borrowing from the Indian Premier League, the BSI will conduct a live player draft at Ocean View Golf Club on May 10, where teams will each select 13 players. That will pave the way for what promises to be an action-packed few days at the National Sports Centre’s North Field.

Before the draft, local cricketers will be afforded an opportunity to impress coaches and captains at a scouting combine, to be held at Bailey's Bay Cricket Club on May 3 and 4.