ECB to reduce domestic schedule from 2012

The ECB structure group - who are charged with reviewing the structure and fixture list of English domestic cricket - have delayed making any changes for next year and instead recommended a reduced county schedule from the 2012 season.

The group met for the first of two meetings on October 19 and have suggested that the volume of domestic cricket be reduced by 8 - 12 days.

The aspiration for a reduction in the number of games is welcome news after the bloated fixture list this year but comes after it emerged that the ECB was going to retain the 151-game Friends Provident t20 structure for next year, despite concerns over dwindling crowd numbers.

With counties wanting to bolster finances after a difficult 2010 season there are no changes recommended for next year and the group are yet to set out any detail of plans for the reductions in the Championship or FP t20 come 2012.

Instead they argue that the need for 'sustainable' changes required a longer period of review, which means the 2011 schedule is likely to mirror 2010.

The only specific change outlined for 2012 is to the Clydesdale Bank 40 competition - introduced in the 2010 season to replace the two-division Pro40 leagues. Having only just been introduced it is set for another overhaul.

The structure this year, in which 21 teams - including a hastily-arranged Unicorns side made up of non-professionals - were split into three groups, is to be replaced in 2012 by 20 teams split into four pools of five - with the winners of each group reaching a quarter-final. The format of the tournament could also change to 50 overs, with the ECB structure group recommending that the tournament mirror the format used in international cricket.

The group will meet again before the ECB Board meeting in the middle of November to review the number of Championship and FP t20 matches to be played in future seasons.