Champions Grange will launch the defence of their Scottish National Cricket League crown with an away fixture against top-flight newcomers Stirling County.

Scottish cricket's new-look Premiership features 16 sides, three of whom have never before performed in the highest division. The other newcomers have also been handed tough starts, with Arbroath hosting Scottish Cup winners Uddingston and Drumpellier travelling to Dunfermline, who finished third last season.

The 2009 champions Aberdeenshire host West on the opening day, while Greenock stage a tie with traditional rivals Clydesdale.

Carlton, boasting four current Saltires players, open their bid for a first title at home to Stoneywood-Dyce, who return to the top flight for the first time since 1999.

League reconstruction will see all 16 teams play each other once before splitting into four groups of four for the final three games.

SNCL PREMIERSHIP OPENING DAY FIXTURES (April 30): Aberdeenshire v McCrea FS West, Arbroath v Uddingston, Ayr v Watsonians, Carlton v Stoneywood-Dyce, Dunfermline Knights v Drumpellier, Forfarshire v Heriot's, Stirling v Grange, Greenock v Clydesdale.