The 2003 season in Austria started on 26/27 April with the reintroduced ÷sterreichische Meisterschaft competition (÷MS). In order to allow the four participating teams to play three games in a weekend, the format was altered to 30 overs per side - the format used in ECC youth tournaments - allowing younger bowlers to bowl a full spell of 6 overs.

Teams were required to field seven Austrians - nationals by birth or passport or residents of 7 years or more ñ to give indigenous players a starring role in the game, with the long-term goal of attracting more Austrians to the sport. Players like Tim Simpson and Erwin Grasinger - established national team players, and born and bred Austrian cricketing talents - originally cut their cricketing teeth in the ÷MS tournaments in the mid 1990s.

This was the first time that a weekend tournament had been spread across three grounds, with Vienna CC's Seebarn grounds, and Concordia CC's Markomannenstrasse ground being used on the Saturday and Sunday respectively. The tournament was also the first in Austria since it was decided to move into line with ECC tournaments over the use of helmets and bowling restrictions.

After two commanding victories in Seebarn against Lords CC and Vienna CC on Saturday, a rapid victory against CC Velden '91 on Sunday morning at their Markommannenstrasse ground, meant that Concordia CC were crowned 2003 ÷MS Champions. Pakistan CC, Pakistan Falken CC and Five Continents CC supplied umpires for the tournament, although they were not participating. The ACA was delighted to see that all four teams comfortably exceeded their quota of Austrian players, and hopes that 2004 will see more clubs able to compete.