The Colosseum in Rome may spring to mind, or before the eyes of Ulrika and Jeremy in Birmingham -- but think again.>

It's no myth -- cricketers are taking on nicknames

IN WHICH famous sporting arena would you expect to see the Gladiators fighting the Lions or the Dragons taking on the Crusaders?

The Colosseum in Rome may spring to mind, or before the eyes of Ulrika and Jeremy in Birmingham -- but think again. Believe it or not, these are among the official nicknames of county cricket teams, who will be playing at Lord's and other cricket grounds across the country next season.

This is just one of the string of innovations that have been brought in for the one day game by the new look CGU National Cricket League, which replaces the old AXA Sunday League.

A new bi-divisional format, with promotion and relegation, has been introduced and squad numbers will also feature.

For distinctly dubious reasons, Essex will be known as the Eagles during their first season in the top division.

A spokesman for the club said: "The nickname was chosen partly for historical reasons but mainly because of the alliteration.

"With the English weather, we could just have easily have been the Eskimos but we wanted something a little more appropriate."

The nicknames selected by the other county sides are a motley collection of fierce animals, mythical creatures, alliterations and local links.

Lancashire Lightning could be so known because of the frequent rainstorms that fall on Manchester but they are probably keener for it to refer to their run rate.

Leicestershire Foxes is quite acceptable because a fox makes up the county badge but, on the other hand, when Glamorgan were considering a famous Welsh beast to tag on to their monicker they surely should have chosen Vinnie Jones rather than the dragon they plumped for.

Former Essex player John Lever, now a teacher at Bancroft's School said: "It's the in thing at the moment in all sports but I'll never refer to the side as the Eagles.

"We can't bury our heads in the sand, however. We're competing against other sports in the summer now, like rugby league, and we've got to woo the public or somebody else will.

"I think it's aimed at our younger members and I can't see it catching on with many of the old boys."

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