returned to the Commercial Cricket League whose new season gets underway this Sunday with a possible 10 teams to be split into two groups for the first time.

A new team made up of bus drivers from the Public Transportation Board became the ninth team to confirm their entry to league secretary Dave Carruthers yesterday when former Commercial side Devonshire Stars also put in a late application to rejoin after an absence of several seasons.

Carruthers was due to speak to Stars officials last night and he said he would announce the division groupings after Sunday's first round of matches.

Teams will play the other sides in their group twice and clubs in the other division once -- 13 league matches in all, assuming a total of 10 clubs take part.

WIA's shock departure after 10 seasons in the league was announced by spokesman Barry Richards yesterday. Richards said a shortage of players had forced WIA to pull out -- just two seasons after the club landed the league-knockout double.

St. David's quit midway through the 1996 season because of a shortage of players but spokesman Delby Borden confirmed at the league's annual meeting last week that the East Enders would be back.

In Sunday's first round of matches, last season's league and knockout champions Watford Sports Club are at home to Jamaican Association (Royal Naval Field), Police Recreation Club take on Leg Trappers (Police Field), North Village meet West End Warriors (Shelly Bay) and Forties face St. David's (venue to be announced).

If Devonshire Stars' entry is accepted they will play the bus drivers in the other fixture, making it the largest number of teams since 11 took part in the 1988 season.

Teams will get an extra two points this season for "winning'' draws. The AGM agreed on a 61 -31 points formula for draws. Last season it was 51 -41 .