The I'Anson Centenary Year is well and truly launched, with cricket illuminaries such as Christopher Martin-Jenkins and John Major, the former Prime Minister, wishing the competition well at the start of its 100th year in existence.

A major exhibition has been held, a successful tour to Spain undertaken.

And this weekend, the nitty gritty of the actual cricket gets underway.

As Christopher Martin-Jenkins remarked at the Centenary launch, "It is cricket that links 1901 and 2001 – the game is the thing."

There will be showpiece matches against Old England, Lord's Taverners and the MCC amongst others during the Cricket Week in August, but the I'Anson expect an excellent season from their own five divisions.

The cricket and its administration is really what the I'Anson is judged by and the competition could do with a repeat of the classic title race last season, when Frensham pipped Grayshott for the cup on the last day of the season. There was also an epic promotion tussle in division two.

The top players may feel they have a point to make this season. Only two of the players currently appearing in division one are named in Graham Collyer's I'Anson Team of the Century, due to be included in the updated A Cup for Cricket. Several, however, made the 'short list' of 36.

Headley opener Alan Rooney and Tilford seam bowler Nigel Martyn line up in the all-time best XI, as does Frensham all-rounder John Storey who leads out his club's 4th XI this season (I'Anson team of the Century: Bryan Karn, Alan Rooney, John Tanner, Sheoghan Dickinson, Bill Poulter, Alan Prior (capt), Chris Yates, Frank Kenward, John Storey, Joe Piper, Nigel Martyn. 12th Man Peter Pietrusiewicz).

Weather and foot-and-mouth restrictions permitting, there will be a full programme of matches in the top three divisions this Saturday (start 2 pm). Divisions four and five begin on May 5.

Frensham open their title defence with a home match against Witley.

Grayshott, birthplace of the competition, entertain, fittingly, Puttenham, one of the intake of new clubs in the wake of the historic decision to relax the competition's qualification rules a decade ago. Puttenham ran away with division two last season.

Elstead, the other promoted side, are home to Dogmersfield.

In division two, Hindhead and Milford, who both missed out in last season's thrilling promotion battle, are home to Tilford II, back up from the third, and Frensham II respectively.

Grayswood, who won division three by 12 points, begin life in the higher division with a home match against relegated Cranleigh St Andrews.

Headley II, delighted to be promoted after finishing third in division three, host Lindford II in an early local derby.

DERA, champions after winning 15 out of 16 matches in division four last season, visit Witley in their opening match.

l Match report forms are provided by the competition and should be submitted to The Herald by noon on Tuesday. Herald fax: 01252 899267; sports editor e-mail: [email protected]">[email protected]

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