FORMER Bolton Association teams have potential to cause upsets in the newly formatted T20 competition which gets underway tonight, according to Farnworth skipper Simon Booth.

The freshly-revamped Twenty20 tournament has expanded alongside the Bolton League and splits sides into four area-based divisions.

In the South Division, Farnworth face Atherton, and Booth insists his side will be taking it seriously, but he is aware of the extra danger of defeat in the format cricket.

“We are taking this competition seriously and will field a strong side as we do with every competition,” he said.

“We have some very good second team players who will be able to play alongside the first team lads too.

“One thing I have learned over the years is that the best team doesn't always win a T20 game.

“An individual can win you a T20 game. You can turn up with five or six superstars and still get beat if one player has a great game.

“That's why I feel quite a few of the former Bolton Association teams will do well in this competition this year.”

The changes to the competition also allow teams to wear multi-coloured kits, which is just one of the changes made to boost the appeal.

Not all clubs have taken the Twenty20 competition seriously in the past, but Booth believes the new structure will make it exciting for everybody.

He added: “It should be different. It has been a bit stale in recent years and never really had much structure it.

“Now it is much better and we have been given exact dates and start times when last year it was just left up to the clubs to organise.

“People will want to play in this competition now, we are even allowed to play in coloured clothing.

“We have new kits specifically for the t20 competition sponsored by High-Spec Carpets & Flooring.”

Atherton professional Brenton Parchment will face his former side Farnworth for the first time tonight.

The Jamaican was instrumental in the Lavender Road side's treble-winning season in 2005, scoring 1,559 runs and taking 60 wickets, and had the club's games room named after him in recognition of his achievements for them.

And Booth knows if his side do not produce the goods his old team-mate has the ability to take full advantage.

He said: “He scored about a million runs and took a million wickets when he played for us.

“We know he is capable of getting 80 runs and five wickets and can beat us on his own.

“It will be a good game and hopefully Atherton will take some good money on the night over the bar.”