ECB Revamp: The Main Proposals (6 Aug 1997)

Wednesday 6 August 1997

The Main Proposals

A 14-match three-conference County Championship with enhanced prize money structure. Two of the 14 matches will be playoffs.

All teams enter end-of-season play-offs. Three conference winners play each other on round-robin basis to determine champions. Play-offs on similar basis for 4th to 18th places.

In 1999, a two-division, 50-over National League with promotion and relegation, to supersede Sunday League and B & H Cup.

Extend NatWest Trophy to allow more non-first-class teams a chance to progress through qualifying rounds to face firstclass counties.

Reduce first-class county staffs to allow more cricketers a chance to progress further.

Wind down first-class counties` second XI programme and seek to introduce by 2000 a `feeder` competition for first-class game.

Establish selected universities in addition to Oxford and Cambridge as centres of excellence.

New development game so that more can experience cricket at secondary school.

Make county boards accountable for inter-school/inter-district cricket, funded and organised with schools and other local agencies.

County boards to co-ordinate all junior county representative cricket.

Extend two-day `grade` format to all under-17 and under-19 county representative cricket.

National network of premier leagues for top club sides by 1999 season.

New national knock-out competition for premier league clubs.

Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/)