ECB unveil groups for 40-over competition

The draw for the 2010 ECB 40 League has taken place at Lord's, with 21 teams drawn into three de-regionalised groups.

The 18 first-class counties, Scotland, the Netherlands and an ECB Recreational XI will compete for the new domestic one-day competition in 2010.

Following a 12-month review, the ECB decided to replace the 50-over Friends Provident Trophy and the NatWest Pro40, with this new 40-over tournament to be played mainly on Sundays.

The format will be three groups of seven teams, with the sides playing each other home and away. Group winners and the best second-placed team will qualify for the semi-finals, with the final taking place at Lord's on Saturday 18 September.

"It's always exciting to participate in any new competition and with one less format being played next season, the ECB 40 League takes on added importance in the club's quest for success," said Lancashire's director of cricket, Mike Watkinson, whose side has been drawn alongside the reigning Pro40 champions, Sussex.

"We have been drawn in a tough group with plenty of travelling involved, but we played some excellent one-day cricket this season and will look to build upon this during the 2010 campaign."

The Netherlands, Scotland and the ECB Recreational XI, which will be selected from players without full county contracts, were pre-allocated to groups A, B and C respectively, with a free draw then determining the final make-up of the groups.

Group A

ECB Recreational XI, Glamorgan, Lancashire, Somerset, Surrey, Sussex, Worcestershire

Group B

Derbyshire, Essex, Gloucestershire, Middlesex, Netherlands, Northamptonshire, Yorkshire

Group C

Durham, Hampshire, Kent, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Scotland, Warwickshire