Big changes in County Cricket in 2017

Due to the proposed expansion of the Kia Super League to the 50 over format in 2017 there are some big changes proposed for county cricket in 2017.

1. At the end of 2016 season three teams will be relegated from Division 1, leaving just 8 teams in Division 1 for the 2017 season.

2. Two teams will be promoted from Division 2 to Division 1 at the end of the 2016 season, and two teams will be relegated.

3. The plan is to play the County Championship games in 2017 during the first half of the season, "mirroring the time that the Kia Super League 50 over competition will be taking place", finishing before the 2017 World Cup in England.

4. In 2017 Divisions 3 & 4 will merge into three or four regional leagues.

5. In 2017 the T20 County competition will have 9 teams in each league, which means that one team will be relegated from Division 1 at the end of the 2016 season; two teams will be promoted from Division 2; no team will be relegated to Division 3.

6. The plan is to play the County T20 games in 2017 during the second half of the season, "mirroring the time that the Kia Super League T20 competition will be taking place", starting after the 2017 World Cup in England.

WCB understands that all the counties have just been advised of these changes. We'd like to hear what you think of them? You can leave comments below or email us at wcb@lawdox.co.uk

MD
23/IV/16