Yorkshire followers need to become acquainted with several new regulations in first class and one-day matches this season.

In the PPP healthcare County Championship, the 18 counties are split into two divisions for the first time with a three-up and three-down system of promotion and relegation.

A refined bonus points system of five batting points and three bowling points replaces the previous ratio of four and four.

Batting points will be earned at scores of 200, 250, 300, 350 and 400, while bowling bonus points will be awarded at the fall of three, six and nine wickets. Points can only be earned in the first 130 overs of a team's first innings.

Pitch liaison officers are being introduced and they will have the power to impose immediate penalties for sub-standard surfaces.

For a 'poor' pitch there will be an immediate penalty of eight points.

The penalty for another 'poor' pitch within 12 months will be a further 12 points and the penalty for any pitch deemed 'unfit' will be 20 points.

Two bouncers per over in total will be permitted rather than one per batsman per over, bringing domestic first class cricket into line with ICC regulations for international matches.

There will be a new competition format for the Benson and Hedges Cup based around three regional groups of six counties leading into quarter finals.

Revised playing hours are from 10.45am to 6.30pm and new times also apply to the CGU National League with daytime matches being from 1.0pm to 7.10pm, except for September when they will start half-an-hour earlier.

The 'free-hit' rule for no balls will apply to foot-fault no balls only.

Other key changes for 2000 include the appointment of match referees for specific matches in order to ensure fair play and resolve speedily any disputes which may arise.

It is expected appointments may be made for certain matches in the final round of the Benson and Hedges Cup group matches and the final round of PPP healthcare County Championship games.

A loan system is being introduced for players under the age of 25.

The player, both counties and the ECB have to approve the loan which will be for a minimum period of six weeks commencing any time between June 1 and July 31.

The county taking a player on loan will pay his wages for the duration of the loan period.

Yorkshire cricket chairman, Bob Platt, has already said, however, that Yorkshire will not be taking any player on loan or loaning any out because the club consider it a form of poaching.

A 'cup-tied' rule will apply for the use of loaned players in the two main domestic knockout competitions but a player will be able to play for more than one county in the PPP healthcare County Championship and in the CGU National League.

see also 'Tykes slide to defeat'

'Wood aiming to recapture his form'

'Tykes tie up top stars'

'Questions need to be answered'

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.