ECB Regulation Tweaks for 2016

Ahead of the coming season the ECB has made a few more tweaks to the rules in all competitions, it would appear:

• In addition to away side having the bowl first option rather than having the toss for championship games, counties that prepare inadequate wickets will also be hit with strict penalties.

• The away team will awarded the game, gaining the 16 points. Additionally they will also earn their bonus points accrued in the match or get 20 points (16 +4), which ever is the greater. The home side will lose all points earned and also the match will count as a loss.

• An unfit pitch in one day games will also count as an away win, 2 points will be awarded to the visitors and the home side will been deemed to have scored zero runs in the match. The away sides run rate will be discounted.

• The one day cup will start at 11.00 and not 10.30 as previously.

• Bouncer no balls will no longer result in a free-hit as they did in 2015.

• Accidental Mankading will no longer be possible as the bowler must deliberately break the stumps rather than brush the stumps as Steven Finn has been known to do.

• Half of all Second Eleven Championship games will use a Tiflex ball - the ECB not wanting to be too dependent on Dukes.