Friends Provident Trophy matches will start and finish more than an hour later in 2008 than in previous seasons.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) say the main reason for this change is to enable teams sufficient rest time between fixtures, as many Friends Provident Trophy games follow four-day matches and involve travelling between venues.

The scheduled playing hours for Friends Provident Trophy matches in 2008 will be as follows: For matches in April: First innings:12pm-3.30pm. Interval: 3.30pm-4pm. Second innings: 4pm-7.30pm.

For all other matches (except the final): First innings: 12pm-3.30pm Interval: 3.30pm-4.15pm Second innings: 4.15pm-7.45pm.