The ECB looks set to accept the findings of the Morgan Review in full when their Management Board meets on Thursday, in spite of the reservations of several of the counties and many supporters.
We round up all of the latest county news from the last few days in our latest County Cricket Round-Up.
With many of England's county cricketers now heading home from their off-season destinations in time for Christmas, we take our monthly look at how they have been performing for their franchises or states so far in the 2011-12 season.
Worcestershire have signed struggling Australian Test opener Phil Hughes as their overseas player for the second half of the 2012 season. The deal is expected to begin after the conclusion of the group stage of the Friends Life t20.
The 23 year-old was recently recalled to Australia's Test side as part of a new-look opening partnership but has since struggled against South Africa and New Zealand as his fondness for the cut shot has led him into trouble on numerous occasions.
The county season will get underway earlier than ever in 2012, with the traditional Champion County curtain-raiser scheduled to begin on 27th March in Abu Dhabi, and the first of the university fixtures set to kick off on 31st March.
A round up of all the latest county news.
Former ECB chairman David Morgan handed his long-awaited report on the "business of domestic cricket" to the ECB at its board meeting at Lord's today. Morgan was tasked with conducting an extensive review of the county game earlier this year and has canvassed for opinions widely over the summer.
News from Kent, Leicestershire, Lancashire and Somerset in today's County Cricket Round-Up.
Welcome to the second part of Cricket World's look at how county cricketers are faring for their chosen franchises, states or provinces this winter.
A new contract for Mahmood, plus news from Sussex, Yorkshire and Gloucestershire among others in our regular County Cricket Round-Up.
Sussex have extended the contract of Chris Nash, plus news from Kent, Warwickshire and Somerset in our County Cricket Round-Up feature.
News of contract extensions for Matt Prior and Jim Allenby and more in today's County Cricket Round-Up.
News of contract extensions for Paul Franks, Paul Stirling, plus more in today's County Cricket Round-Up.
Plus news involving Warwickshire, Leicestershire and Hampshire in today's County Cricket Round-Up.
News of contracts for Shahid Afridi, David Murphy, Rob Newton and Simon Jones in today's County Cricket Round-Up.
News from Surrey, Yorkshire, Northamptonshire and more in today's County Cricket Round-Up.
Following the high-profile defection of Joe Denly to Middlesex and Leicestershire's predicted loss of James Taylor to either Nottinghamshire or Warwickshire, we examine whether more needs to be done to reward counties who produce talented young players.
News of a contract extension for Monty Panesar and more in today's County Round-Up.
We take a look at the latest county news in our regular County Cricket Round-Up.
We round up the latest county news from the weekend in our regular County Cricket Round-Up feature.
The county transfer market has been moving apace over the past few days with Essex, Yorkshire and Glamorgan in particular making several new signings in a bid to put a disappointing, and in some cases disastrous, 2011 season behind them. We round up that and the rest of the county news below in our regular close season County Cricket Round-Up feature.
In spite of the 2011 season being barely finished and far from forgotten, the ECB have announced the draw for the 2012 Clydesdale Bank 40 competition.
The Netherlands, Scotland and Unicorns are allocated to group A, B and C respectively with the rest of the places decided by a free draw.
Lancashire won their first Championship title in 77 years by beating Somerset in the final session at Taunton. Somerset were bowled out for 310 in their second innings, meaning that Lancashire needed just 211 to win, which they knocked off for the loss of only two wickets.
Warwickshire's hopes had ended just after tea on the final day of their match against a relegated Hampshire at The Rose Bowl after they could only take four Royals wickets all day thanks to centuries from Michael Carberry and Neil McKenzie.
On the penultimate day of action in the LV= County Championship, Surrey cemented their promotion to Division One at the expense of Hampshire; Northamptonshire completed victory over Gloucestershire; and Middlesex went a step closer to being crowned Division Two champions following an excellent day against Leicestershire.
Of the title challengers, Durham were eliminated from the race by events at The Rose Bowl; while Warwickshire emerged as slight favourites in what is now a two-way battle with Lancashire. We round up the day's events below.
