The PPP healthcare County Championship
Two divisions of nine teams with a three-up, three-down system of
promotion and relegation.
A refined bonus points system of five batting points and three
bowling points replacing the previous ratio of four and four. Batting
points will be earned at scores of 200, 250, 300, 350 and 400. Bowling
points at the fall of three, six and nine wickets. Points can only be earned
in the first 130 Overs of a team's first innings.
The introduction of Pitch Liaison Officers with the power to impose
immediate penalties for sub-standard surfaces.
For a 'poor' pitch, there will be an immediate penalty of eight
points. The penalty for another 'poor' pitch within 12 months will be a
further 12 points and the penalty for any pitch deemed 'unfit' will be 20
points.
Two bouncers per over in total to be permitted rather than one per
batsman per over bringing domestic First Class cricket into line with ICC
regulations for international cricket.Revised playing hours - 10.45 am to 6.30 pm and a Saturday final (26
August, 2000).The Benson and Hedges Cup
A new competition format based around three regional groups of six
Counties leading into quarter-finals.
Revised playing hours from 10.45 am to 6.30 pm and a Saturday final
(10 June, 2000).The CGU National Cricket League
This season's competition features the biggest number of day/night
matches yet staged in this country - 26 - with 16 out of the 18 First Class
Counties hosting floodlit cricket.
Revised playing hours from 1 pm to 7.10 pm (30 minutes earlier
start-time in September).
The 'free-hit' rule for no balls will apply to foot-fault no balls
only.
The bottom four teams from Division Two will contest the all First
Class ties in the First Class Trophy Round Three in 2001.The introduction of free hits for foot-fault no balls.
The use of the Duckworth Lewis system in rain-affected semi-final
and final matches. Reserve Days will also be available in the semi-finals
and final.Other Key Changes for 2000:
The appointment of Match Referees to specific matches to help avoid
damaging speculation when in theory teams could 'co-operate' to achieve
their immediate objectives. It is expected that appointments may be made
for certain matches in the final round of Benson and Hedges Cup Group
matches and the final round of PPP healthcare County Championship matches.The introduction of a loan system for players under the age of 25.
The player, both Counties and ECB have to approve the loan. Loans will be
for a minimum period of six weeks commencing any time between 1 June and 31
July. The County taking a player on loan will pay his wages for the
duration of the loan period.A 'cup-tied' rule will apply to the use of loaned players in the two
main domestic knock-out competitions. But a player will be able to play for
more than one County in the PPP healthcare County Championship and in the
CGU National Cricket League.