The second oldest senior league in world cricket is due for a makeover, with significant change on the cards for NYSD clubs in the next two seasons.

This summer will represent year one of a restructuring process that will see each division being made up of 12 teams, as opposed to the current 14, by the start of the 2017 campaign.

For the next two years the bottom two will be relegated from the Premier Division as normal, however, only one team will be promoted from Division One.

Further down the pyramid three will drop from Division One, with just one promoted from Division Two, and four relegated from Division Two with one promoted from Division Three.

With several clubs queuing up to apply for membership of the NYSD it is likely that the eventual final structure will include a new Division Four with promotion and relegation on a two up and two down basis throughout the five 12-team divisions.

The move was driven by several factors, notably easing pressure on a congested fixture list, increasing the competitiveness of each division, keeping more players in the game, enabling ambitious clubs to progress, and allowing room for the reorganisation of the primary cup competitions.

Clubs were heavily supportive of the need for change, with 73% voting in favour at the last AGM.