It is one of the golden rules of cricket whether batting or fielding but a group of Sunday players have an extra reason for keeping their eye on the ball this season.

For six Mid Norfolk Sunday League clubs have been weighing up the pros and cons of the five balls from which the all-important cherry will be chosen for all league and cup matches in the future.

League chairman Colin King is searching for a new supplier, possibly for 2013 season but almost certainly for 2014.

'We want to stay with our current supplier Derek Barnard for as long as possible because he has been a superb supporter of the league but we also need to plan for the future,' said King.

The change will mean a farewell to the Indian import Super Test balls which have served the league since King took over the running of the league in 1999 and possibly before.

Six of the league's clubs have been putting the new balls through their paces this season and the findings will be discussed at the league's AGM in November.

'What I am hoping is that we can have a really dry spell of weather.

'The balls have been trialled in the wet and if we can trial them in dry conditions on hard wickets then we can get a good overall impression.

'I am very keen to find the best ball for future use,' said King.

The captains are being asked to submit their findings in reports which King will include in the invitations to the league's annual meeting at Anglian Windows Social Club on November 18.

The clubs taking part in the trials are:

Terrington St Clement, who are monitoring the Tiflex Buckingham ball currently used by the Norfolk Alliance teams.

Caister are testing the Tiflex St James ball while all Shipdham eyes are on the Lord's Super Club Match.

Sheringham and Fakenham are weighing up the Lord's Red Rhino while Bradfield are testing the Hunts County ball.

'I have always tried to keep on top of the ball situation. It's a key decision.

'We are talking about 700 balls – it's a car load.'

The final of the league's challenge cup will be between Sprowston and Anglians.

In the semi-finals Sprowston beat Thetford and Anglians beat Narborough.

The final on Monday, August 27 will be at Barker's Lane, Sprowston, which coincidentally is used by both teams for home matches.

In the Broke Cup final Stow are waiting to play the winners of the Terrington St Clement v Lowestoft semi-final which will take place on a date to be confirmed.

The Broke Cup final is played at the same venue and time as the Challenge Cup final.