It is about time a pyramid system was introduced in Sussex.

Crawley Eagles are again playing their fixtures in the West Sussex League and thrashing all-comers - yet they have failed in their last two bids to be elected into the Sussex Invitation League despite walking to the Division One championship.

Billingshurst were voted into the league for this season, despite playing their fixtures last summer in Division Two.

Frustrated Crawley Eagles secretary Ishtiaq Jalal believes the Sussex Invitation League are seriously disrupting the development of cricket.

He said: "How can clubs and players progress if there's no automatic promotion and relegation system in place?

"We've applied for the last two seasons and been declined on each occasion. Our application fell by the wayside the first year because we didn't have two clubs, which is a requirement for league membership.

"What happened last summer, however, was beyond belief. We had two teams, won the championship and were about to move into new facilities better than many already in their league.

"And what do they do? Elect Billingshurst, who were playing in a division below.

"We got a letter telling us that our application had not been successful. There were no reasons given. So how can we possibly know why we failed?

"I know why we failed. Billingshurst are an ex-member of theirs. That's why the league is called the Sussex Invitation. You have to be invited."

Eagles, who have lost only two matches in the last four years, next season will be running four sides - and if the Invitation League clubs once again vote against their promotion this expansion will not be possible.

Players who want to play cricket will have to either find another club or not have the chance to play at all.

Jalal said: "It's ridiculous. We'll have an overspill of nearly 30 players and won't be able to give them a game. Also we'll either end up losing some of our top players to other clubs or good talented players will be denied the chance to perform at a high level.

"In the long run, it is not only clubs and players that suffer. The county side will too. We've got to get a proper pyramid system in place. Otherwise we might as well all pack in and go home."

Invitation League competition secretary Laurie Claydon does not foresee any automatic promotion and relegation system with the West Sussex League after discussion towards that end petered out a few summers ago.

He said: "The impetus has gone somewhat now. There is also no automatic promotion between our league and the Sussex League.

"But I would expect Crawley Eagles would be invited to join our league next summer if they apply because we need two new clubs due to small restructuring of the divisions.

"Next year we'll be running four divisions of nine clubs, rather than two divisions of 17 sides."