THE Lancashire League have voted to accept radical rule changes for next season.

But there was strong opposition to the moves, recommended by a league working party, with voting between the clubs split 10-4 in favour of the revolution.

And there is high-level concern that the rules will not go down well with supporters of the EW Cartons Lancashire League.

The sweeping changes include:

Making games a maximum of 100 overs, with the first innings no more than 55. Any unused overs to be available in the second innings.

One over deducted for every four minutes of lost time but no minimum number of overs to make a game.

Ten points for a win, five points for a tie, two for a draw and none for a defeat.

Bonus points only to apply in the second innings. Two points awarded for reaching 90 per cent of the first innings score, one point for taking five wickets and one point for taking a further two.

Bowlers to be limited to a maximum of 10 overs in Jennings Worsley Cup ties.

In second XI league games, bowlers restricted to a maximum of 14 overs.

No replayed league games under any circumstances.

Senior and Junior League games to start earlier, at 1-15pm (September 1pm).

There are also discussions under way to introduce point penalties for slow over rates.

And the rules will be under review by the working party throughout the season. That recommendation now needs to be formally ratified at the annual general meeting.

League chairman Peter Westwell said: "There was no animosity. It was one of the easiest meetings to chair.

"The reaction of the supporters concerns me.

"It has to be played in the right manner and we will just have to see how strong we are to get it played in the right manner."

Other matters decided at the meeting were:

The appointment of Russ Cuddihy as the league development officer to work alongside the Lancashire Cricket Board's Rudra Singh.

The under 18s league was reduced to under 17s to fall in line with the county structure.

Fines for poaching professionals were increased from £500 to £1,000 and administration fines were increased to £25.

Conduct fines for professionals are to be no less than £100 and no more than £1,000.

A minutes silence was held following the recent death of Eddie Shapland, chief executive of previous league sponsors Marsden Building Society.

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