FORMER Glamorgan captain Robert Croft will spearhead the challenge of Pontarddulais Cricket Club in the inaugural season of the South Wales Premier League.

Bont will also have the services of Alex Jones, while Swansea have been allocated England Lions pace bowler James Harris and Ben Wright.

Port Talbot Town will be able to call on wicketkeeper-batsman Mark Wallace and Chris Ashling, with Dean Cosker and Will Owen at the disposal of Ammanford.

Ynysygerwn will have the use of David Harrison and Will Bragg.

The SWPL — an amalgamation of last year's top five finishers in the South Wales Cricket Association and South Wales Cricket League — will be launched on May 1.

Fixtures have been released, with games on the opening day involving Cardiff v Ammanford, Port Talbot Town v Sully Centurions, St Fagans v Pontarddulais, Usk v Swansea and Ynysygerwn v Newport.

The final round of fixtures is on August 28, and there is also a dedicated second XI competition.

The two bottom clubs at the end of the season will return to their respective feeder leagues, provided the champion clubs meet strict ECB ground criteria.

The other integral part of the season surrounds the Cockspur Club Twenty20 competition.

Cardiff, Pontarddulais and Usk will all stage festivals on May 30 with the winners making progress into the league final.

However, Swansea held the golden draw ticket which means they are through to the SWPL final at the Swalec Stadium on August 1.

The winner will then represent the SWPL in the regional finals, while the grand final will be beamed on Sky television.