ECB announce changes to domestic cricket structure from 2020 onwards

The County Championship will move to a 10-team Division One in 2020 after an agreement was reached on changes to the domestic structure.

The County Championship divisional structure is being altered | Getty

The County Championship will move to a 10-team Division One in 2020 after an agreement was reached on changes by 18 first-class counties on Wednesday (October 31).

As per a report in Sky Sports, three teams will be promoted from Division Two at the end of the 2019 season with only the bottom side from the top division, which currently only has eight teams, being relegated.

The changes were made after the appointment of the Men's Domestic Playing Programme group, which was headed by Leicestershire chief executive Wasim Khan.

Starting 2020, promotion and relegation will revert to two-up, two-down, but there will be no change to the number of matches in both divisions. The number of fixtures will remain at 14 and could see First Division teams seeded in the future.

Report also suggests that the Vitality Blast will retain its current format, with North and South groups and each team playing 14 matches but there are major changes made it to the 50-over competition.

The Royal London One-Day Cup will be played entirely in July and August, at the same the "New Competition" which could be known as The Hundred. Overseas players will not be permitted in this 50-over competition.

"It was critical throughout the process to consider a programme that was underpinned by three key principles: supporting sustained success for England teams, maintaining a vibrant domestic game and recognising the importance of red-ball cricket," Leicestershire chief executive Wasim Khan said.

"There were a number of areas up for discussion which showed the importance of extensively consulting with all 18 First-Class-Counties in a thorough and impartial process. We are very pleased that there was unanimous support for a structure that will hopefully improve our domestic game and in turn the England teams," he added.

(With inputs from Sky Sports)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 01 Nov, 2018

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