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.
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.
Kent have signed former Durham all-rounder Ben Harmsion on a contract of undisclosed length ahead of the 2012 season.
Plus, Ben Smith has been confirmed as Leicestershire's batting coach.
Kent Academy duo Adam Ball and Daniel Bell-Drummond have extended their existing contracts with the club by three and two-years respectively.
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.
Plus the rest of the day's county news including new contracts for Mike Dunn and Zafar Ansari.
Zimbabwe's domestic Twenty 20 competition, the Stanbic Bank T20, came to its conclusion at the weekend with the Mountaineers franchise ending up as the overall victors and Somerset all-rounder Peter Trego was named as Player of the Tournament.
James Taylor has officially joined Nottinghamshire on a three-year contract as county cricket's worst kept secret was finally confirmed this afternoon.
It had been known for some time that the 21-year-old had wanted to leave struggling Leicestershire in order to further his international ambitions, and he had already been the subject of an audacious approach from Warwickshire in the middle of last season that was rebuffed by the Foxes.
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.
Hamish Marshall has committed himself to Gloucestershire for the next two seasons after signing a new contract with the club.
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.
Leicestershire have been rocked by the news that newly-signed batsman Martin van Jaarsveld will not be joining them in 2012 following his decision to retire from county cricket.
Van Jaarsveld originally signed a two-year contract with the Foxes back in September and was widely seen as the man who was going to replace the outgoing James Taylor in their middle-order.
A look at all of the latest county cricket news in today's County Cricket Round-Up.
All of the latest county cricket news in our latest 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.
News from Warwickshire, Kent, Surrey and more in today's County Cricket Round-Up.
Warwickshire have secured the services of New Zealand off-spinner Jeetan Patel as their overseas player for the duration of the 2012 season subject to visa clearance from the Home Office.
A new contract for Mahmood, plus news from Sussex, Yorkshire and Gloucestershire among others in our regular County Cricket Round-Up.
News from Sussex, Warwickshire, Durham, Yorkshire and Somerset in today's County Cricket Round-Up.
News of contract extensions for Matt Prior and Jim Allenby and 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 four Midlands players in today's County Cricket Round-Up.
News of contracts for Laurie Evans and Steffan Piolet in today's County Cricket Round-Up.
