Counties Vote For Two Division Championship

There were 15 Counties in favour of the change following a debate during the First Class Forum (FCF) meeting held at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) offices at Lord's today, Thursday, December 3.

The Counties believe the two division competition will introduce greater competitiveness and intensity, and improve the quality of First Class cricket and, in time, Team England.

Lord MacLaurin, Chairman of the ECB said: `` This is a historic day for cricket in England and Wales. We can raise the profile of the game and improve the quality of the players by making this change, and I am confident that Team England will benefit from the introduction of a harder edged competition.''

Tim Lamb, Chief Executive of the ECB added: `` There is a universal belief in the game that we need to narrow the gap in standard between the four day domestic game and Test match cricket. By introducing a two division format, and continuing with the ECB's range of coaching and development initiatives, we will start to effectively close that gap.

``I am sure that greater competitiveness will also raise the level of media and public interest and encourage more spectators to come to County Championship matches.''

The FCF also agreed a 16 match National League - the new 45 over competition which replaces the AXA League next year - and a continuation of the Super Cup for one more year in 2000. This will provide a further incentive to Counties to perform well in the final year of the single division Championship in 1999.

The County Championship will be split into two divisions in 2000 based on performances in the 1999 Championship, with the first nine teams going into the top division and the bottom nine into the lower division.

In 2000, Counties will play the other eight teams in their division on a home and away basis producing 16x4-day matches per County. Three teams will be promoted and three relegated.

All teams will be treated equally under the ECB's constitution in terms of financial distribution and voting rights, and registration rules will apply equally to all teams in both divisions.

* One further recommendation from the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) on the new 45 over National League, to be launched next year, was also approved. The FCF agreed the introduction of a free hit for no balls in the National League. It was felt that this would provide extra excitement for spectators but would also have the benefit of reducing the number of 'no balls' bowled in the new League and County cricket in general.

* A proposal to play the 2nd XI Championship on uncovered pitches was narrowly defeated.

* It was agreed there should be an alteration to the points system in the First Class County Championship to make it more appropriate for the 4-day game. This will involve narrowing the gap in the number of points to be gained for a win compared to a draw increasing the reward for a draw, while maintaining incentives to play positive cricket. It was agreed, with effect from the 1999 season, to reduce the number of points for a win from 16 to 12 and to increase the number of points for a draw from 3 to 4.

* The FCF also agreed a proposal that the minimum number of 4-day 2nd XI Championship matches to be played by each County be increased from 2 to 6. Each County will continue to play a minimum of 12 matches in the 2nd XI Championship.