Just 16 teams remain in the 2001 Sun Bank Under-15 National Club Championship from a record entry list of 1,481, and this will be reduced to only four teams following the completion of the regional finals in the coming two weeks.

Four regional centres will hold regional semi-finals and a regional final for four teams each, with only the winner progressing to the national semi-finals and final at the May's Bounty Ground, Basingstoke, on Wednesday 29 August.

On Tuesday 14 August, York Cricket Club will host the northern regional final between Irlam Cricket Club from Lancashire, Lullington CC from Derbyshire, West of Scotland CC from Glasgow and either Hull CC or Tynemouth CC. Lending his support to the event at York will be Yorkshire cricketer Michael Lumb.

On Wednesday 15 August, Bath Cricket Club will host the south western regional final between Bournemouth CC (Dorset), Mudeford CC (Hampshire), St Fagans CC (Wales) and St Just CC (Cornwall). Lending his support to the event at Bath will be Somerset cricketer Graham Rose.

On Tuesday 21 August, Horsham Cricket Club will host the south eastern regional final between Horsham CC (Sussex), Mildenhall CC (Suffolk), Wanstead CC (Essex) and Wycombe House CC (Middlesex). Lending his support to the event at Horsham will be Sussex cricketer Tony Cottey.

On Wednesday 22 August, Moseley Cricket Club will host the Midlands regional final between Thame CC (Oxfordshire), Vauxhall Mallards CC (Norfolk), Wolverhampton CC (Staffordshire) and Worcester Nomads CC (Worcestershire). Lending his support to the event at Moseley will be Warwickshire cricketer Dominic Ostler.

In each case the two regional semi-finals will be played at 10.30am with the regional final taking place at 2.15pm. The matches will be 20 overs a side, with a maximum of four overs per bowler.

The tournament, initiated by the Lord's Taverners in 1972 and administered by the England and Wales Cricket Board, is seen as a breeding ground for aspiring cricketers, having helped develop the early talents of current England cricketers Nasser Hussain, Marcus Trescothick, Mark Ramprakash and Graham Thorpe.

John Carr, Director of Cricket Operations at the England and Wales Cricket Board, said: "We all know that grass roots development is vital for the future of the game, both in producing the next generation of players as well as new spectators and cricket enthusiasts. This competition plays an important role in this development.

"The Championship provides the focal point for under-15 club cricket in the UK. It gives players something to aim for in their season and teaches them about winning and losing. Sun Bank is playing a part in providing a bright cricketing future for today's young players."

© ECB